underage alchohal violation

[OFD3679]

Hello!,
I'm currently on a volunteer fire department for experience. Ever since I was little I wanted to be a firefighter and in high school i screwed up... Underage Alchohal Violation. As soon as i graduated high school in June i got on a fire department and enrolled in a Associates Degree in firefighting. I'm bound and determined to be a full-time firefighter, but i just need to know if I'm wasting my time. People say "yeah dont sweat it you'll make it" and others say "dont bother trying". I've never been in trouble with the law for anything, not even pulled over. I'm even willing to relocate for work. I plan on getting as much education and experience as i can possible absorb. For the vets out there I need your honest opinion. How tough is it going to be for me to get on a full-time department with a underage alchohal violation? Thanks for your time and input.

[mcfd45]

Will it be sealed or expunged? if so any department in MI can't ask you bout it. are you still on probation? if so ask your PO about it.
J

[Hazmat91180]

Were you a juvi at the time?

If so I wouldn't think this would be a problem at all. I am based in WI and on my applications they asked about 18 and over. The will check your background, I doubt this would be an issue however.

[clark918]

Yea I've heard that most things aren't too big when your under 18. A child usually isn't as mature as he is expected to be when he is an adult. I'm actually in the same situation. Got the same thing when I was 17.

Hazmat... couldn't find the link to send you a pm, but where do you work in WI?

[Hazmat91180]

Menomonee Falls.

Just started with the Falls Fire/EMT. Got all the training and stuff to do. I waited until I found a nice cozy home where I knew I would be for a long while, before I got started helping people. I could not be happier with the department, and I am just going through orientation.

If you are familiar, I'll be called out of house #1.

[Res343cue]

I think most everyone on this board knows what it's like to be a teenager (well, hopefully atleast they remember it!). Kids make mistakes, it's part of growing up, and becoming an adult. It's not so much about the fact that you got hit for underage drinking, but how you deal with the situation, learning from your mistakes, and better preparing yourself to enter into the world as an adult. Use it as a learning experience, not as a reason why you should be disqualified.

[OFD3679]

Yeah, i did learn my lesson. I was 18 when it happend though. I'm not on probation, the court records said it was a misterminor and not a criminal offense. Alls i had to do is pay the fine and get a alchohal assesment and that went over very well. Well thanks for the input.

[farrera]

Don't worry

I got an open container ticket when I was 21 and at the time was a full time FF. I let admin know before found out from anyone else. I left that job and went on to another FD, at the interview I was honest and explained the situation and let them know that I learned from it and got the job.

[the1141man]

Yeah, i did learn my lesson. I was 18 when it happend though. I'm not on probation, the court records said it was a misterminor and not a criminal offense.

Hm...I used to see this one on military.com a number of times, and it's a particular pet peeve of mine, that somehow in the young recruit's mind, "a misdemeanor (<--correct spelling) isn't a criminal offense."
Yes, it is a crime. Get that little thought out of your head with a quickness, because if you use that mindset and answer "No" to the question "Have you ever been arrested, charged, or convicted with a crime?" your BG will reveal the arrest/conviction, and you will be considered to have falsified your application and/or background packet and be summarily dismissed as an applicant.
This applies to the military, the Fire Service, Law Enforcement, etc.

Now, once you honestly answer "YES" and offer the explanation for what happened, I don't believe that one such "minor indiscretion" will prevent a successful career in LE, Fire, EMS, or the military. That is, of course, provided you complete all terms/conditions of probation, etc, and put a couple of years between the incident and your application, I don't see it causing much in the way of problems for you.

[BKDRAFT]

Yes you can get hired with the conviction you mentioned. You need to make sure your not hiding it in any way. Show the panel that you messed up, learned from your mistakes, and prove to them you have done something to rectify the situation. Maybe go to your local high schools to speak about underage drinking??? Actions speak louder than words. Make sure you do not have any more negative contacts with the law from here on out.

By the way I noticed someone aboved mentioned records being sealed they cannot access it. Out here in California that is untrue. There is no such thing as "sealed" records.

Good luck and never give up. Greatest career in the world.