NH fire exam (anyone from NH please read)

[RLB211]

Hello,

I am filling out the application to take the NH firefighter exam coming up in May and was wondering if NH recognizes or at least does reciprocity for MA certs? I've completed MA fire 1&2 as well as a Hazmat FRO class. I'm a MA EMT but am waiting to finish my paramedic program around the summer time to go for my national cert. Any info would be great.

Thank you.

[bbell1977]

I have a similar question but mine is all I have is my EMT from Mass. I have taken NH before and have noticed many canidates have Fire 1 or 2. Does someone without Fire 1 or 2 have a shot? I am willing to put myself through the academy if selcted by a department. I'll end up taking the test anyways cause you don't test, you have no shot.

Thanks.

[tny1771]

I have a similar question but mine is all I have is my EMT from Mass. I have taken NH before and have noticed many canidates have Fire 1 or 2. Does someone without Fire 1 or 2 have a shot? I am willing to put myself through the academy if selcted by a department. I'll end up taking the test anyways cause you don't test, you have no shot.

Thanks.

I can answer all of this. I'm close friends with some brothers up in NH.

Your Mass EMT-B is not reciprocal with NH. You must do an EMT course up there (DOT curriculum) and take the national registry for EMT-B (practical and exam), in order to be considered an EMT in NH.

The minimum standards for the depts that consider "looking" at the list for the purpose of hiring, are usually FF-1 and NREMT-B at a minimum, and that is the MINIMUM. Only a few depts actually use/look at the list. The majority do require EMT-B at minimum, but it doesn't make you competetive in the least. EMT-I gives you a better chance, and of course EMT-P is still your golden ticket.

As far as having a shot, I'll be frank. truthfully you don't. every volly and his brother up there has at least FF-1 and EMT-B, many have FF-II. More and more are getting EMT-I. Even if you have the certs, it's still extremely competitive, guys will try for 5-10 years until finally getting hired...if they even do. One bit of good news, now that C2F2 is gone, FF-1 is the minimum standard, it used to be FF-2. So you have more of a chance now if you only have FF-1.

In reality, in a small non-civil service state like NH, the guy who ends up getting the job, isn't always the guy who did the best in the hiring process, i.e... the best guy for the job. it's who you "know" (politics). That's what makes it frustrating for so many. Of course, that is not something unique to NH.

To the OP, your FF-1 and II certs should be good to go...take a look at your FF-1 and II certs, do they say pro board?

Good luck to you both, I by no means want to discourage you. As you said, take the test anyway. good practice.

[KY FF]

Greetings,

My name is Bill Hicks and I am in my 18th year in the fire service, and currently serve as a fire chief. I am also a doctoral candidate at Eastern Kentucky University and my dissertation topic involves investigating the current status of firefighter reciprocity among the 50 states. I am seeking members of the fire service who may have experience in moving from state to state and seeking reciprocity, or recognition of certification issued by your old state, in a new state. Also, if you came from the military and sought reciprocity for DOD certificates, I would like to hear from you as well. If you have not experienced this, please forward the link below to anyone who you may know that has done this.

For those that have such experiences, I am humbly asking you to give 5 minutes of your time to answer a short series of question found at the link below on your experiences with seeking reciprocity, or recognition when you moved from one state to another, regardless of being paid or volunteer members in your department.

Also at the end of the survey you will have a space to share any experiences you may have had when dealing with reciprocity of fire service certifications in your department and with your state. Also feel free to forward this to any fire service member(s) who you feel would have something to say on the topic.

Your anonymity is protected throughout the process. Just click or copy the link below to begin.

https://ekussem.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_4Z1aVMb9w1QhYtD

Also, if you would like to share your experiences with me in more depth after taking part in the survey, please leave your email in the beginning of the comments section at the end of the survey.