Done before started?

[jrw2342]

I have a question, I've been in school the past year working on my Fire science degree and recently started applying for jobs, I have 2 misdemeanors from 1998 (Maintaining a disorderly house, Open Container) am I screwed from ever getting hired. Thanks for the input.

[CaptBob]

Come on Guys

You guys are killing me. You say you want to be a firefighter and you have done, have or will continue to do stupid things that could keep you from keep a badge.

Pre-Existing Problems

If you have a pre-existing medical problem or a serious issue in your background, do yourself a favor and find out early if it will interfere with getting a firefighter job.

All to often I receive calls asking "What do I do now?" These
candidates have spent time and money gaining education,
experience and put their life's on hold trying to get this job; when they have an pre-existing medical problem or traceable background problem that would keep them badge less.

Situations like not just one but two DUI's. Knee surgery with scars. Back surgery that would show in an X-ray (yes, they are going to X-ray you back) and/or be part of your records with your doctor and insurance company.

Take the poison early. If you have the slightest concern for a
medical problem, have the leading expert in this field of medicine (no, not your family doctor) evaluate your condition. If they feel you're fit for duty, have them give you a letter.

If you have a DUI, an arrest or other black mark on your record, see if it can be expunged (Sealed). For other potential problems in your background, have a brief reasonable explanation of the situation.

You don't want to be like a candidate who called last week who had a pre-existing medical problem. They called him Friday for a medical Tuesday. Monday was a holiday. He had kept his head in the sand in denial when he knew the medical call was the next step. He didn't have many options prior to his medical.

The time to find out is now; before you're going for all the marbles.


Author: futureff
Subject: re: expungement

Capt. Bob is right. I had a DUI, had it expunged and am
going through backgrounds right now. My background
packets states list all convictions, however, do not include
convictions which have been expunged. So it pays to do the
leg work and clean up your history. Good luck to you all.
P.S. When records are expunged, they are not sealed. The
only way one can have his/her conviction(s) sealed is if the
conviction(s) happened when that person was under the age
of 18 when the conviction occurred. Even when the
conviction is expunged, you still have to disclose the
conviction; however, you need not disclose it if the
application/form/packet specifically states expunged
convictions need not be listed. Trust me, I have done a lot of
research on this issue.
Absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!

"Captain Bob"

https://www.eatstress.com

[CaptBob]

More to think about

Run Like Hell!

We’ve all heard the stories of people looking for jobs in the fire service, and some thing they considered a minor problem in their past has kept them out of the fire service. Lets make sure not to add our selves to that list.

Nothing will get you kicked out of the background check faster than a D.U.I or a domestic violence charge. Both usually involve drugs or alcohol. Don’t be stupid. If you are going to be drinking have a designated driver, get a cab, stay in a motel, hell sleep under a bridge, but don’t risk throwing all of the time, education, and dreams you had for so long away over a lapse in judgment.

If you’ve been in a bad relationship, and you don’t get along with that person, make it easy on everyone and just stay the hell away from them. It is so easy for things to get out of hand and then the police are there, and latter on you’re having to explain it to a background investigator.

“But I’m the best firefighter in the world, if they could just see how good I am they’d take me for sure”. I’ll tell you right now it ain’t so. Robert Downey Jr. is probably one of the better actors out there. Do you expect to see him on another T.V. show any time soon? Don’t bet on it. If a dept. has 100 people to pick from, they don’t need to take a chance on someone that has blown it in the past, so don’t blow it. If by chance you end up in one of these situations you need to do every thing you can to minimize the damage. I’m not talking about doing a “Bill Clinton”, but anything you have to do to make it right. I know of one guy who told his girlfriend he wanted to break up, and she had thought they were going to get married. In the scuffle that in sued she got a scratch on her and then the police arrived. He was being charged with domestic violence, and was in the hiring process for a dept. He had to make up with her, get her to say it wasn’t his fault she was scratched, and then keep her happy so she doesn’t change her mind.

With all of the preparation we all must go through to get this job, keep in mind to protect your record. Do every thing you can to not have to be explaining things to a background investigator. Prepare before you go out to have a good time, make all of the necessary arrangements before you’ve been drinking, while your head is clear. If you get into any sticky situations that look like they might go bad, there is one solution that’s never failed me RUN LIKE HELL, AND DON’T LOOK BACK.

Good Luck

FIREFIGHTER ROB

[email protected]

http://www.eatstress.com

[DaSharkie]

I know of a guy who had received his appointment to get hired by a department adn was due to start the academy a few days after he had a party and got himself rip roaring drunk. He left the party, was stopped by the police, arreted for D.U.I., the fire chief found out and said you no longer have a job. Thank you very much. Think before you drink.

[kghemtp]

We make mistakes and learn from them, hopefully. If you keep your nose clean, toe the line, and give everything you have to doing right by everyone, you have a much better shot at a career. What's said above is very true. You can't do stupid things, and you'll be out of the business if you demonstrate a habit of it. Be careful, and be good.


~Kevin
FF/Paramedic

[Towerladder57]

The best thing if you have a record is to check with the dept. you are applying. They can tell you straight up how it is.

mike

[CaptBob]

Really

I'm not sure I will tip my hand to the department I want to work for asking them to check and see if I had a record. I would be more inclined to hire a private investigator first. If he did indeed find anything I would have the first chance of resolving the matter or having it expunged.

"Captain Bob"

https://www.eatstress.com

[Towerladder57]

I didnt say go to the dept. you want to apply and tell them you are a drunk and like to drive drunk, ofcourse thats not gonna fly. do some research talk to guys that work there to see if you could still apply with a DUI ex.... plus you should know whats on your record.