Help With School project

[Guest Close mbielik51]

I need to know some more stuff on Firefighting for a school project. I have to do research on my future profession. First, I need to know how to become a certified firefighter in Michigan. Are the qualifications for each state the same? I read some other posts on here about how difficult it is to get hired, which scares me because I don't know what all to do. I keep reading about how I should be taking a whole ton of tests and classes to set myself apart from other firefighters, but what tests/classes should I take besides getting a Fire Science degree and a Paramedic? How do I go about doing that? What are your average number of calls each month and each year? It would help my grade a lot if you could answer these questions for me.


Thanks,
Mel

P.S. My teacher my come up with more points for me to find out about so I might be back again.

[Guest Close PatDunn]

today is appears that every one is trying to get a fire science degree which is good it is helping move fire fighting from a trade to a profession, however if you really want to be above the normal person trying to get on a fire department try looking into a four year school. I go to Oklahoma State University my major is Fire Protection and Safety engineering Technology. beside this degree you can knock out your fire fighting certifications while getting a engineering degree. Also there are numerous internships with paid departments. For example Last year I worked for Dennis Rubin in Dothan Al he is a contributor for firehouse mag. in fact one of our fires is in the hotshots for either nov or dec 2000. but this year I have been offered a internship in Pheonix as well as in Norfolk VA. If you have any other ?'s write me at [email protected]

[Guest Close Fireboy422]

Send me an E-Mail and I'll fill you in on what you need to know, I'm a Firefighter for Norton Shores MI (near Muskegon). [email protected]

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-FF D. Betka
NSFD
Norton Shores, MI

[Guest Close Althea Forhan]

While we're on the subject, where should I go,preferably in California, for an Associate's in Fire Science, preferably for cheap?

Althea

[Guest Close ffnbs]

Looks like Fennville is south of Holland. Correct me if I'm wrong but I assume Fennville is protected by a paid-on-call or vollunteer department which is good for you. I would, at the first chance, join their department. (if you already are-great) They should send you through a Firefighter I course which is required for any FD in the state of Michigan. (if they are doing things right) After FFI there is Firefighter II which is another 132 hours. (all full-time FD require FFII) Then there is the EMS side of firefighting. There is four levels in Michigan.
Medical First Responder
Basic EMT
EMT-Specialist (limited advanced)
EMT-Paramedic

Caught a run-be back

[Guest Close Engine 101]

Originally posted by Althea Forhan:
While we're on the subject, where should I go,preferably in California, for an Associate's in Fire Science, preferably for cheap?

Althea

Well you should see if your local JC offers any courses, Start of in a JC and then work your way into a four year university

The requirments here in California are
18, Valid Ca Drivers License, High School diploma, or GED, No serious felony convictions

[Guest Close Althea Forhan]

I already checked both "institutes of higher learning"--CR and HSU don't have anything.

Althea

[Guest Close mbielik51]

Hey thanks for everything so far. And yes Fennville is about 15 miles south of Holland and is a paid-on-call department. All the departments in this area are its all rural area. The closest full time department is Holland or South Haven they are the same distance from where I live. But anyway thanks for everything. Oh and I already planned on taking a paramedic course I found a school that has 2 three hour nights a week and in addition to that I was going to get a fire science degree. Could you make it more clear as to what other college courses there are.

Thanks,
Mel

[Guest Close ffnbs]

I'm back-

To finish up my thoughts here, if you have been looking at all the job postings in the classifieds you will get a great idea of what departments are looking for to just turn in an application. We are currently accepting applications in Garden City and we require at least FFII certification, currently enrolled in a Paramedic Course, No felonies on record, no more than (I think) 4 points currently on drivers license, have to have taken western wayne county written/physical agility tests and it be current within the past year. AND ALL THAT IS NEEDED TO JUST TURN THE APPLICATION IN!

It's great to have a fire science degree but truthfully that won't "set you apart" until the final department interview just prior to hire. The important thing to do is get good at going through the hiring processes, and that won't happen unless you start competing in as many as you can. Departments typically renew their hiring elegibility lists every two years and if you can't get in the top 10% you probably won't get a chance to get a "final department interview". That is where we take a good hard look at whether or not we think you will fit into our system.

To answer your other questions about call volume, we here in Garden City responded to 2050 runs for the year 2000. About 90% of our calls are for EMS and the rest fire related or other hazard type calls. For the most part, if you don't work in the inner city, we the fire service are a bunch of paramedics that fight fire once in a while.
We had approx. 20-25 working fires in our city last year total. So if you are looking to see a lot more fire, I suggest you just apply to the bigger cities. You won't find it in the suburbs.