need some advice...

[Cjudkins3]

im not sure if this is in the correct forum, sorry if its not!

basically im getting ready to start school to becomre a firefighter... i have a few questions however so maybe somebody can help me out!

Im not sure where to start, i know there is firefighter 1 and 2, i also know that i have to be an emt or paramedic. What id like to know is exactly where to start, i live in metro detroit and i am planning on going to either oakland or macomb community college for the fire 1 & 2. I was told that it would be smart to start with the medic stuff first, so what do i need to go through to get that done? is there an academy for that or will i have to go at it as normal college courses? Also do i have to take anything before i can take the class / academy (such as medical terminology...etc..any requirements?) or is that covered in the course? or does it depend on the place? If somebody could help me out with that info, that would be great! any reccomendations would also appreciated!

thanks! chris

[mcfd45]

Congrats on deciding to be a firefighter. I am from marine city, MI. I to am in the process of going through school. Lets start out with some info on metro detroit departments. Detroit sends you to an acadamy even if you have FF1 & FF2. All full time (paid) fire departments in the state require FF2 6 months after hiring in. Volunteers are FF1 12 months after. I would recommend going to macomb for the acadamy. If you live in an area that is serviced by vollunteers or paid on call (POC) join and have them pay for it ( i got my academy for free from them. That takes care of the fire side of things.

Now onto EMS, all Fire departments in metro Detroit run EMS calls (at some level) Most of these transport on a ALS rig. so if you want to be hired you NEED to have your paramedic (EMT-P). You could go for a department like Port Huron ( they run MFR medical first responder) and get on them with just an EMT. But when the board looks between candidate A (medic) and candidate B (EMT) they will pick the medic. I am going to macomb next semester for EMT then medic. I hope i answered some of your questions. If you need anything else just ask.
J

[Cjudkins3]

that did answer a lot for me thanks a ton!

[Cjudkins3]

i do have another question though.. what do most places require as a volunteer firefighter? i have a couple places right near me that are volunteer and on call

[mcfd45]

Live in town and have a pulse. I know utica requires EMT but that is all i know about it. Check it out.

[Cjudkins3]

thanks a ton, ill get to checking everything out!

[Matty8378]

Im in Fl and first went through EMT, then the fire academy for 1 and 2 certs. I was lucky enough to be hired by a dept that is letting me go through medic school on duty, they pay for it as well. But, there are tons of people who are fire/emt certified and you really need to stick out from the crowd to get hired, if your a medic you can pretty much write your ticket wherever you want to go. Some depts here will hire you with just your medic cert and then give you 2 years to get fire certified. Thats how much they want the medics! Just my 2 cents..

[mcfd45]

Im in Fl and first went through EMT, then the fire academy for 1 and 2 certs. I was lucky enough to be hired by a dept that is letting me go through medic school on duty, they pay for it as well. But, there are tons of people who are fire/emt certified and you really need to stick out from the crowd to get hired, if your a medic you can pretty much write your ticket wherever you want to go. Some depts here will hire you with just your medic cert and then give you 2 years to get fire certified. Thats how much they want the medics! Just my 2 cents..

In Florida that may be true. Up here in MI EVERYONE has FF2 and medic. He is right you want to stand out in the crowd (in a good way). My advice take some of the following.
Hazmat tech
confined space rescuer
tech rescue
ICS
rope rescue
consider getting a "red card" (wildland)
Associates or bachelors in fire science
RN
the list goes on and on.
J

[cubby1]

Sounds like you have a pretty good plan. I took my FFI and FFII along with many of the other elective classes (extrication specialist, hazmat etc. etc.) I would just advise you to keep learning and training utilizing any oppritunity that comes up to learn more. I am currently working per-diem as a FF/EMT and after college graduation I plan on looking for a full time job while going to paramedic school. It can be frustrating as there is a lot to know and jobs are sometimes hard to come by but just keep looking, keep learning, and keep asking questions.

[xNinjaDolphinx]

There is a local college that offers an degree in fire science that is a two year course. Would ths help me alot in getting hired?

[clark918]

There is a local college that offers an degree in fire science that is a two year course. Would ths help me alot in getting hired?

Most places would say no. I think it's just required for some places to be promoted. However, many department require some college, even FDNY. Whether it be Fire Science of Psychology. The point is they want someone that is educated and is a high acheiver. Someone correct me if I'm wrong because I'm still a college student myself, so I'm not positive.