fairfax county

[Kobersteen]

Hey all, I just finished going through all this info and I still have a question... I finished the hiring process and was put on the waiting list in March 07, so it's coming up on 18 months without hearing anything... I understand that the list is long and it takes awhile, but at what point do you give up and apply again? Is it pretty unlikely I'll be contacted at this point?

When was the last time you called recruitment for an update?

[haskins]

It's been six or eight months, I updated my address and let them know I had changed jobs. They said thanks for the call, and sorry but they couldn't release any information about lists, chances etc.

[Kobersteen]

It's been six or eight months, I updated my address and let them know I had changed jobs. They said thanks for the call, and sorry but they couldn't release any information about lists, chances etc.

I would give recruitment a buzz asking if you are still in consideration and how long some steps are good for. I am pretty sure that your CPAT time is only good for a year... as for other steps, I don't know.

After that first call inquiring of your status, give your contact (likely Ms. Dawkins) a buzz about every 3 weeks or so. A rookie class just started this past Monday, so it will be about 6 months or so before the next regular class or about 3-4 months until the next ALS class.

[haskins]

Alright, thanks!

I tend to error on the side of trying not to be a bother and that doesn't always end up in my best interest...

[cb1775]

Poly results

This isn't intended to be a smartass answer... just tell the truth.

There will be a fairly comprehensive 'interview portion' prior to being hooked up. Just go back and forth with the examiner until you can come up with an answer you are comfortable with. "Have you stolen more than a billion paperclips from prior employers?" "No."

Polygraphs work by detecting increases in heart rate, breathing pattern and rate and other such things. The important part is to remain as consistent as possible. During the time I was hooked up, I found a spot on the wall and concentrated on it.

I know that there are those who say you can beat the polygraph... I'm sure there are people who can, but I just have no interest in doing that.

Another thing to remember is that a rejection due to results of a polygraph are not the end of the world... trust me on that one.

Good luck!

Hey "Kobersteen" this one's for you:

Your a pretty reliable source of info. so I'll ask you.... Does the county share results of the Poly with other departments in the area. I have to ask, not because I have anything to hide I was honest about the drugs I experimented with as a teen and have no "real" criminal past however, I have tested with other departments on the area, Arlington, MCFRS, and they seem to ask about results from other processes with other "Metro" departments....it's just that these depts. don't poly. FFX does and sometimes the poly can jam some up due to nervousness not deception...

just a thought, would'nt want to get hurt for another agency.....

Thanks.....

[hazmat961]

Haskins, it sounds like you're in the same situation that I am. I was put on the list in April of '07. All I have to say is just keep trying. Kobersteen, I had sent you a PM about this a while back and took your suggestion. I don't know what else to do. I've called several times and I'm just like Haskins, I hate to become a pain to recruitment.

Good luck man...and maybe with some luck, we'll both get there!!!!

[haskins]

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

[xDevilDogx]

Bump

Where's everybody at?

[nozzlenut264]

cpat

anyone going down for the oct 10th cpat?

[CObasic]

ALS Engines?

Hey,
So after trying to read this entire thread its still not clear to me whether medics ride the bucket all the time, some of the time, or never. If you rotate on and off the ambulance, how does that work?
From the website I gather that this dept does medical transports, I'm just wondering if I would be stuck on the bucket all the time.

Thanks,
Phil

[jklm128]

Hey,
So after trying to read this entire thread its still not clear to me whether medics ride the bucket all the time, some of the time, or never. If you rotate on and off the ambulance, how does that work?
From the website I gather that this dept does medical transports, I'm just wondering if I would be stuck on the bucket all the time.

Thanks,
Phil

If you are hired as a medic you go through the medic internship, so after you finish recruit school you have about 4-5 months riding as a 3rd on the medic units. After that you ride the engine for the rest of your probationary year, because you go back to probie school after 1 year of graduating rookie school to do pump ops/etc. After that it usually depends on your shift leader if they want to put you on the left bucket of the engine or on the medic unit.

[CObasic]

Thanks for the reply. So would you say that for someone who doesn't want to be stuck on the bucket for years, this might not be the best place to work?

Thanks again for the reply.

[jklm128]

Thanks for the reply. So would you say that for someone who doesn't want to be stuck on the bucket for years, this might not be the best place to work?

Thanks again for the reply.

quite the opposite. If you really want to do patient care and transport, just tell your shift leader who's doing the staffing, and he'll put you on the medic unit until you hate it.

[CObasic]

jklm128, thanks once again for the reply. I must have misphrased my first reply. I don't mind patient care and transports, I just don't want to be stuck doing that exclusively. I wanna ride the engine at least some of the time.
Would you at least say that they're fair about splitting time between the bucket and the engine?

Thanks again for the info.

[Kobersteen]

Would you at least say that they're fair about splitting time between the bucket and the engine?

Much depends on staffing at your station. If the officer or driver on the engine are ALS, then your days in the bucket may be sparse. At most firehouses, that is not the case and, most likely, it will be up to you and the other Fire Medic or EMS Technician to work out a rotation. At my station, the other ALS firefighter and I rotate by the tour. One tour driving the medic - one tour on the engine.