fairfax county

[Genesis1]

I received an email/reply from Ms. Dawkins and she said they don't know when the selection will be. She said probably after the holidays. ETmedic252- looks like you and I are in the same boat.

[ETmedic252]

when did you finish your process Genesis1? Do you know how many people are in the same boat as us, like people that completed the process?

[Genesis1]

I finished it the first week in November. I am not sure how many. I'm definitely stoked about having the process done.

[bigandy]

When you took your written test how well did you guys do on it? My CPAT is 1/29

[ETmedic252]

I got a 93 on it, I hope thats good! I dont have a degree will that hurt me getting picked? I have NREMT-P and Level 2 firefighter and other certs.

[ETmedic252]

good luck man!(Genesis1) I hope both of us are in class! Are you from out of state? I live in Ohio.

[Genesis1]

I got in the 80's I think. Not really sure. I am hoping the same! I am from Ohio as well! I guess just a waiting game!

[bigandy]

I got a 93 on it, I hope thats good! I dont have a degree will that hurt me getting picked? I have NREMT-P and Level 2 firefighter and other certs.

Your NREMT-P will certainly give a much better shot! Good luck guy. I'm also in the process of finishing up all of my certs. I scored in the high 80's. Wish I did better on it.

Good luck. Hopefully we'll be in the same group that gets hired if/when they hire again.

[ETmedic252]

Thanks! I hope you get your certs done and we will be in the next class!

[edpmedic]

I got a 93 on it, I hope thats good! I dont have a degree will that hurt me getting picked? I have NREMT-P and Level 2 firefighter and other certs.

The NR-P is the only cert they care about. Our hiring isn't merit based like past FDNY lists, as far as I know, so things like college and certs don't matter much. You get everything fire related in the academy. There's no published hiring list with rank order. Degrees will be invaluable for promotions, though.

[Genesis1]

Any mumbles or grumbles out there?

[edpmedic]

Any mumbles or grumbles out there?

Not much, just vague rumors of a combo FF/EMT- FFM class being put through at some point in 2011. The FF callback (OT) has been pretty good lately, which means that they need to hire non-medics.

I love working here, and you will, too. Stay motivated! Get jacked for the CPAT if you haven't taken it already, and motor through it like it's a joke (because it is). You're taken care of really well here, so try and remember that when your getting put through the ringer in the academy.

It's like the FDNY. They haven't hired in quite some time (albeit for different reasons), so at some point it will become more expensive to pay out OT rather than hire basic FF's. They've already lowered the ALS hiring salary from an 18/3 ($56,580/yr IIRC), to an 18/1 (48.877). Other than that, I wouldn't be too worried about any further reductions to starting salary. All the other surrounding depts would have to do the same to make a reduction a non-issue for recruitment.

[Genesis1]

Not much, just vague rumors of a combo FF/EMT- FFM class being put through at some point in 2011. The FF callback (OT) has been pretty good lately, which means that they need to hire non-medics.

I love working here, and you will, too. Stay motivated! Get jacked for the CPAT if you haven't taken it already, and motor through it like it's a joke (because it is). You're taken care of really well here, so try and remember that when your getting put through the ringer in the academy.

It's like the FDNY. They haven't hired in quite some time (albeit for different reasons), so at some point it will become more expensive to pay out OT rather than hire basic FF's. They've already lowered the ALS hiring salary from an 18/3 ($56,580/yr IIRC), to an 18/1 (48.877). Other than that, I wouldn't be too worried about any further reductions to starting salary. All the other surrounding depts would have to do the same to make a reduction a non-issue for recruitment.

I have gone through the entire (medic) process and I am excited to find out what is to come in the future. FF looks and sounds like a great place to work for. epimedic thanks for your information, everyone greatly appreciates it.

[edpmedic]

In an e-mail yesterday, the County's ALS instructors were advised that the 131st Recruit School will begin on March 28. It will be the first combination ALS/BLS class since mine (126th), with 12 medics and 12 basics. When I received my job offer, it was maybe less than a month before the start of the academy. If anyone has already received a job offer, then let us know. This would be the time to press hard with recruitment to get in, finish your testing, whatever the case may be.

Also, it has been brought to my attention that various municipalities, including our own, are currently conducting studies on the benefits of changing our retirement from a defined benefit (pension) to a defined contribution (457, 401k, 403b style retirement). In addition, cities like NY have reduced the benefits and retirement packages to new employees. If hiring gets busy again, I wouldn't roll the dice and defer an offer of employment. You want to be grandfathered in if we do see any changes. This goes for all across the country, not just here.

[scottodogie]

I took the CPAT in October and passed. I am still waiting to here when to go for the next step they told be waiting to get the rest of candates through. Has any one else heard about when the next step will be?