How Marketable am I?

[firestormsd04]

How marketable am I? Hopefully someone can help me. I would appreciate it. I am 23 y/o m who has 7 yrs of fire experience and 5 years of EMS experience. 4 YRS OF USAF FIREFIGHTER experience.
I am currently certified in:
IFSAC FF 2
IFSAC ARFF
IFSAC HAZ-MAT OPS
IFSAC HAZ-MAT TECH
IFSAC PUMPER DRIVER OPERATOR
IFSAC ARFF DRIVER OPERATOR
IFSAC MOBILE WATER SUPPLY DRIVER OPERATOR
IFSAC INSTRUCTOR 1
IFSAC OFFICER 1
IFSAC INSPECTOR 1
IFSAC CONFINED SPACE RESCUE

ASSOICATES DEGREE IN FIRE SCIENCE

EMT-B PA, PA EVOC, ERT:BC, CPR CERTIFIED, CPR INSTRUCTOR

[patdunn79]

In many places it all depends upon how well you score on the first round of the written test. If you score high enough to get a second look you may be sitting good, keep in mind that the really HOT item for most departments is the EMT-P (paramedic). You can have all the certs in the world and some departments simply will not look at you without it. Also IFSAC certs are great (Their home is OSU) but some places do not recognize them, or you will be required to apply for reciprocity. Good luck, I'm currently in a similar situation, and the prospects are looking very promising.

Pat Dunn
(405) 624-3790

[CaptBob]

Credentials?

It's not what you have or don't have as far as credentials that can make the difference. It's how you present the package. And, if you can't present the package, you will never, ever see that badge.

This From Steve Prziborowski, Fire Captain - Santa Clara County Fire Department:

Do what you have to do be more marketable so you can take more tests and have something more to offer a department, but remember that it all comes down to that 15 to 30 minute oral interview. I've seen some awesome candidates with resumes packed full of accomplishments that couldn't sell them self in an interview to even make the top 50%.

Check out postings down the forum including this one:

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/showthread.php?s=&threadid=51959

You can find more interview articles in the career article section of this firehouse.com web site: http://cms.firehouse.com/content/co...r/bio.jsp?id=18

"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"

Fire "Captain Bob"
Author of the new book Becoming A Firefighter--The Complete Guide to Your Badge!

https://www.eatstress.com

888-238-3959

[Neman13]

Try Federal first, Then get on a City

You are extremely marketable once you get to the interview. I looked at you Certs and thought I was looking at a mirror Image of my own. The only Difference being that I am 26 and separated from the Marines. I suggest you go into the Federal system on any base near a big City. Virginia, N.Y. and California are all hosts to many bases with Federal Fire Departments. Once in one of these departments take all the City exams you can get your Grubby Hands on. You will get picked up in no time. It worked for me.

[kghemtp]

CaptBob is definitely right about presentation. The right candidate, even without ANY certifications, can talk the right talk, sell his(her) public relations ability and aspirations to do well in fire/ems, and land a job that will eventually put him in the chief's uniform. Likewise, a lug nut with your credentials and more can end up flipping burgers when he goes into the interview thinking certifications will get the badge (to use a colleague's word!). Don't get me wrong, certifications say a lot because that means the department won't have to put much money into you, but like Bob said, the WHOLE package includes the person selling it.

[CaptainPaul]

It's not your certifications or qualifications that make the candidate "marketable". It is his or her profile and contributions to the community. In other words I would hire a married man(or woman) that has a couple of chidren, owns a home and has been in the same job in a New York second over a younger candidate that lives at home and is able to take every fire science course known to mankind.
We can train you to become a firefighter. We cannot train you to be a pillar in the community.
We hire for character, we train for skill.
The secret for you is to put together a profile of an individual who has earned a series of job related certificates and who is an active member of the community. Become involved: Become a little league coach, a big brother, volunteer at fire service day......
Now the most important aspect of getting a job in the fire service is scoring well on the oral interview.
Most agencies rate the interview as the most important phase of the hiring process. As a result it is weighted the highest percentage, quite oftem 100% of your overall score.
You can be the most qualified person (academy graduate, Paramedic etc.) but if you cannot take an interview you will never get a job. Knock on the door of the local fire station and ask them to give you a mock interview. They will help you get pointed in the right direction.

[Thehangedfrog]

Re: How Marketable am I?

Originally posted by firestormsd04
How marketable am I? Hopefully someone can help me. I would appreciate it. I am 23 y/o m who has 7 yrs of fire experience and 5 years of EMS experience. 4 YRS OF USAF FIREFIGHTER experience.
I am currently certified in:
Cut for lenght

Your best bet would be to apply for Federal Civil service, not only is the pay better than Military, but you can buy back your military time into your civilian retirement, and 5 years will put you up a level in terms of Annual leave accrual, and your military time will count as time in service in overall seniority (not always in-station seniority), Plus alot of times, being prior military will give you a BIG advantage over non-priors applying.

Pay for a GS-6 FF would be approx 50K a year, 72 hours a week
3 days on each week.. and you easily qualify for that PLUS even higher if you help the positions...

Check out www.usajobs.opm.gov

Currently they have 65 Firefighter jobs 0081 series listed (multiple positions per listing sometimes) currently that are open for Prior military and your IFSAC Certs will go a LONG way since that is what the DOD obviously uses (G).

Hope it helps,
Gerard