what path did you take?

[fire49]

I live in Hoover,AL.



Find out what the requirements are to apply to cities in your state

Sometimes different between cities

[sfd1992]

Get involved with a volunteer FD in your area and make sure that the job is what you think it is, and that you REALLY want to do it. A ride along with a friend is a far cry from experiencing the job first-hand.

If you do get on a VFD, take advantage of every training opportunity that you can.

Figure out if you are willing to relocate, and how far you are willing to go. The days of testing in one limited area are over, at least for the serious candidates.

A Fire Science degree won't be much help getting hired in most places, but it does look good on a resume' when you make it to an interview. Education is NEVER a waste.

Look for FD's that hire part-time, sleepers, live-ins, etc. That's a good way to gain experience and also develop a work history in the Fire Service, and gain positive references.

Get your EMT ASAP, it's becoming more and more common for FD's to require that to even apply. Being a Paramedic has historically been a huge advantage as well. IMO, too many people get it just to have a leg up in the hiring process, and end up being sh-t medics.

Good luck.

[ffbam24]

Hahaha! Very good. You have a sense of humor and you can form sentences with punctuation and correct spelling when able

Honestly, I'm not entirely familiar with how things are in The South, but you certainly cannot miss by starting off with your EMT and then Paramedic if you can. Always a market for that and relatively easy money while testing. Additionally, yes. Stay with a major that is marketable. Fire Science may help in the long run but not necessary to get started.

Good luck.

[bhambassmaster12]

[QUOTE=ffbam24;1261807]Stay in school. Take more English Composition classes.[/QUO

That is very funny. I didnt know you were the english police on this forum. Thank you for the heads up.

I live in Hoover,AL. So what your saying is to go through paramedic school while testing and also saying that a fire science degree is a waste of time ?

[Golzy12]

I enrolled in a fire science program right out of high school. I did a lot of research and figured out which classes I needed right away to start testing for fire departments in my area, I then took those classes in my first few semesters. Once I had those classes I started testing everywhere I could, I was constantly studying for written tests, working out, and prepping for interviews. About a year into my fire science degree I got hired at a local Paid on Call dept. About 6 months after I finished my Degree I was hired by a FT dept.

Research the departments in your area, find out if there are a lot that require you to be a medic or require EMT basic and fire science classes, let that guide you.

[HeightsFF]

don't take fire science classes! Waste of your time. Get a degree in something useful that you can do in the mean time and while you are a fireman. extra $$ Fire science degrees do not help you get on a dept. faster, do not help you do better on entrance exams and do not get you more pay. Like I said, a waste of time. Good luck!!
I got a B.S. in Fire Investigation a B.S. in Fire Administration, A.S. in Fire and Occupational therapy and a Minor in Criminal Justice and I've been wiping my *** w/ those degrees for the past 9 years. Yes, I am a fireman but my fire science degrees didn't help me at all. Most FF jobs are civil service exams so job-specific degrees will not help

[ffbam24]

Stay in school. Take more English Composition classes.

[wonjun1025]

I currently have my AAS in Fire Science Tech. I really wish I could've started with my EMS first. Word of advice, get your EMT-P first!

[fire49]

What state are you in

Find out what the requirements are to apply to cities in your state

Sometimes different between cities

[bhambassmaster12]

HEy guys first post here..im sure this is has been established on previous spreads..I am currently in college and passed all my general studies classes. My major before was bus adm. , but have turned towards firefighting since last summer after doing a ride along with my buddy. I plan on getting my two year fire science degree and then my emt b and start working if passing the departmetn exams...if any coould explain teh best road to go down to be the most qualified..plan on goingto paramedic school while working .....what did yall do..please dont scold me if this posting is stupid..thanks