Orlando Non-Certified Exam

[cfdpride]

Drove down to take the Orlando exam this week from Ohio, and was wondering if anyone else has taken this exam? Also, does anyone have any direct information on Orlando Fire Department, specifically any experience with this non-certified process? Thanks!!

[Guest]

Orlando had a non certified test recently?
I know Orange county did...is that who you mean, or did I miss Orlando's somehow?

[PyroPat]

*edited*.....

[PyroPat]

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[ajg111]

what is ment by "non-certified" exam??

[crk1972]

There is a company located in central Florida just north of West Palm Beach that gives a class on how to prepare for the hiring process. They will travel if you have at least 15 students. I think they charge around 75.00 for 4 hours of lecture which includes sample interview questions. Life Safety Training is the company and there number is 772-781-9249. I know they can definately help you. www.Lifesafetytrainingllc.com is the web site.

[cfdpride]

Thanks for all of the great info...

yeah, i guess i was in the first of two sessions. 120 were supposed to show up to my session, but only 65 of us showed. There was to be a second session on Friday...(yesterday) as well. I have had lots of "civil service" based tests, so this was basically the same. so i have some concern with one of the posts...why was your union against this program? it just seems odd to me that a union would not be in favor of more firefighter jobs. our union here in Ohio is strong, and they always fight for more firefighter jobs, so i was just curious about Orlando. Is there a division of certified vs. non-certified firefighters in Orlando? I hope not. I know a few of us in the test were highly certified in other states, more so than a lot of places. for example, i am a FF I, FFII, Hazmat Tech, EMT-B, Fire Inspector, Rescue Tech in the State of Ohio. I applied to Orlando because, I too, feel they have a great, great traditional fire department...especially the truck company's, which is where my love is, as I am assigned to a tower ladder and have always loved being a truckie. I am also a strong believer in our Brotherhood as firefighters, so I want to make sure, there is no stupid stuff being certified guys and guys who are just going through a process to be certified in Florida to be a part of a great fire department. Believe me, I drove the 1000 mile drive with my family to hopefully have a chance at Orlando's fire department. Other than that, all of your responses are very encouraging, but trust me, I work for a 1500 member department and know very well how difficult it is to get hired through these "civil service" processes, so I will just take it a day at a time. It is definitely easier when you are already working as a firefighter, but I sincerely hope Orlando works out, because I have always loved their department. Unfortunately, life took hold of my journey over the years, so I ended up working and living in my native Ohio. My wife's family resides in Orlando, so we are there a lot, and like it a lot, despite all of the bad a lot people have to say about the heat, snakes, etc. I would much rather perform roof ops in sweltering heat than sub-zero temps like I do now...might sound strange, but trust me, it's better. Okay, just so you guys know, "LilyBear" is a name I chose to honor my daughter.

[PyroPat]

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[SouthFlaHopeful]

Pyropat, any idea on when Orlando is having another certified exam?

[cfdpride]

I understand now, PyroPat!! Your information has been very helpful and what you said makes sense. Yeah, even in Ohio, we have situations similar to that when fire departments decide to hire. We have what the "city" can do and what the "fire department" can do. I am definitely empathetic to the situation, as it had taken me a lot of time to get on a fire department up here, and I had already become certified in Ohio. I do feel kind of bad now taking this exam, as I don't like taking jobs from people if I was to get on with Orlando this way. Especially since I already have a great firefighting job with a large urban department. If someone were to flip a coin, however, and ask me which department I would want a full career with, it WOULD be Orlando. Like I said, we know how these processes work, so out of approximately 300 applicants and only 20 being hired, I may not be one of them. I sincerely wish nothing but the absolute best for anyone taking the certified or non-certified process with Orlando. You are right...I, too, believe Orlando is one of the best fire department's in the country. Thanks, PyroPat!!

[cfdpride]

oh and also, you asked about the department...what do you wanna know?

check out cityoforlando.net and go to fire...you can see the 14 stations ,and find out what is housed where, and what stations cover what areas of the city....plans are in the works for 3 more stations, and possibly taking over a county station or 2 (im just waiting for you county guys to jump in on this and tell me it ISNT true LOL )


14 stations
Every Company is ALS
6 Truck companys
1 heavy Rescue ( think of it as a satellite squad, goes to all the big stuff)
1 hazmat
1 dive/boat team
15 ALS sutphen engines(actually every truck/engine is sutphen)


Orlando is a very traditional department from what I know...I worked for rural/metro (they are the transport for the city/county for EMS) before this, and I have seen orlando fight quite a few fires....They are hell on wheels when it comes to suppression, that is for sure. SOP for every man/seat on the truck, "true" truck companys (VES etc), just alot of things that I really love about OFD....good luck once again dude

chris

Chris,

Yeah, I knew most of this but I should have been more specific. I wanted to know if the non-certified recruit class was paid and if OFD provided turnout gear. In Ohio, we have to provide our own gear with the exception of SCBA and it's non-paid when recruits go on their own to get certified. However, when I was a recruit in my department (7 month academy), we are a big city, so everything is done very top notch and professionally and we are hired so we are paid our salary. Does any of this make sense? I just want to plan for a "just in case" scenario if I was one of the lucky ones.

Also, you said all of your trucks are ALS? Including truck companies? Does every OFD FF become or have to become a medic? How are new guys certified and non certified assigned to an engine, rescue or truck?

If I am hired, I will make sure I buy you some great beer for all of your time with these questions

[Guest]

how did you find out about this exam? I live in Orlando and I check all the time and didn't hear a thing

[PyroPat]

Chris,

Yeah, I knew most of this but I should have been more specific. I wanted to know if the non-certified recruit class was paid and if OFD provided turnout gear. In Ohio, we have to provide our own gear with the exception of SCBA and it's non-paid when recruits go on their own to get certified. However, when I was a recruit in my department (7 month academy), we are a big city, so everything is done very top notch and professionally and we are hired so we are paid our salary. Does any of this make sense? I just want to plan for a "just in case" scenario if I was one of the lucky ones.

Also, you said all of your trucks are ALS? Including truck companies? Does every OFD FF become or have to become a medic? How are new guys certified and non certified assigned to an engine, rescue or truck?

If I am hired, I will make sure I buy you some great beer for all of your time with these questions

haha no problem man! Oh no dude, orlando will provide you with EVERYTHING you need, don't even worry about all that. and yes, it is paid as you go through their orientation.

Yes, EVERY single truck in the orlando fire department is ALS, yes including the truck companys. 4 man truck companys, 4 man engines (except engines 2, 7, and 11 i believe, these are 3 man) and obviously 2 man rescues. Orlandos rescues due true truck work at fire, so on there ISO rating, they are considered "6 man truck companys"...pretty cool. feel free to ask anything else dude. I don't know where the non certified program goes from here, you are probably more in the know than I am. let us know how it works out and GOOD LUCK!

[PyroPat]

how did you find out about this exam? I live in Orlando and I check all the time and didn't hear a thing

I was wondering how everyone found out about it too dude. I heard about it through word of mouth...Someone from rural/metro ambulance told me about it...the info spread like wildfire. I looked on the city of orlandos website that day and sure enough, it was on the website..it was only open for 3 days i believe, pretty nuts.


lilybear....one other thing....How were you allowed to take the test? Aren't you a certified firefighter in ohio? Usually on the city of orlandos online application, it will ask you 'have you ever been a certified firefighter in any other state" or something along those lines, and usually, those who answer yes, won't be allowed to take the test.

[cfdpride]

Great question. I was told by Orlando human resources that the non-certified test did allow anyone, including out of state to take this test because the purpose was to get you florida certified with the commitment to Orlando Fire Department. They didn't want anyone to take this test, get hired, and then take their new florida certification elsewhere in Florida. I don't blame them for that. I am sure the new hires will sign some sort of commitment. I was also granted permission last fall to challenge the florida certs by taking an exam so I could get the florida certs. Make sense? It's weird but that's the process. I will go that route if the non certified process doesn't work for me.