New member with questions

[ryanzick]

Im currently attending community college with plans to become a firefighter. Are there any specific classes or majors that will help me advance myself in this career? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[Jesika]

I would suggest getting a certificate in their Fire Science program if they have one. Most of the other classes you have to be a member of a dept.

[ryanzick]

My college has a series of classes to get your cert. in EMT-b. ANy idea exactly what that means?

[stm4710]

Get a degree (***. or Bach.)in fire science. At my college im takeing:
Introduction to Fire Protection-Introduces the philosophy and history of fire protection; history of loss of life and property by fire; a study of municipal fire defenses and the organization and function of federal and private fire protection agencies.

Fundamentals of Fire Prevention-A study of the purpose, scope, and organization of fire prevention; fire inspection techniques and surveying and mapping procedures; laws, codes and public relations; chemistry of fire and basic recognition of fire hazards.

Chemistry of Hazardous Materials-A survey of basic chemistry emphasizing the nature and behavior of organic and inorganic chemicals. A review of the Department of Transportation/United Nations hazardous materials classification system followed by an examination of the hazardous characteristics and properties associated with each hazard class. The course is designed to improve decision making and safety in fire protection settings.

Managing Fire and Rescue Services- study of the fire administrator's responsibility for planning and evaluating a community fire and rescue protection program. Emphasis will be placed upon personnel and resource management, training and professional development, performance evaluation, budgeting, fire prevention and code administration, legal aspects of management, past and present management principles and how they can be applied to a fire and rescue service organization.

Fire Protection Systems and Equipment 1-Detailed study of the different types of fire extinguishers, including the role of extinguishers in fire protection, the selection, distribution, operation, and use of extinguishers. A detailed study of water sprinkler systems, including the types, inspection of, care and maintenance of water supplies with respect to alarm systems supervision.

Field Internship in Fire Protection & Safety-Field practicum under the supervision of the staff of the Department of Fire Protection and Safety Technology. Students will be placed in a business or industry or in a municipal agency involved with the field of fire protection and safety. After an orientation, students will be required to perform a variety of tasks which are specified for the particular internship. Career goals will be a major consideration.

Engine and Ladder Company Operations-Presents the organization, function, tactics, and interaction of fire officers and fire fighters performing engine and ladder company operations on the fireground. The accomplishment and order of these tasks will be discussed with consideration to the three tactical priorities of rescue, fire control, and property conservation which are conducted under the offensive, defensive, or marginal operational strategy.

Im takeing/suggesting you should take your EMT as your minor and FS your major.

[ryanzick]

my school doesn't offer FS though, so i think ill just get the EMT-b....but is there a difference between a EMT and EMT-b cert.?

[stm4710]

but is there a difference between a EMT and EMT-b cert.?

EMT are a barrel of apples.
EMT-B,I,P are like macintosh,granny smith,red apples.

Still apples,more specific though.

[ChiefReason]

ryanzick wrote:

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

The best lesson you will learn is that you should be careful who is offering you advice and consider the source.
Since there are several general studies courses that you will be required to take, start taking them WHILE you decide and even narrow your scope of studies. Maybe the college is partnered with someone who DOES offer a fire science degree through distance learning.
And as a last resort, you may have to temporarily re-locate to get to your field of endeavor.
In any event, I envy you. These should be exciting times for you. Enjoy and succeed.
CR

[OFallon33]

Ok ryanzick here is how I look at it now after taking several tests for FD's around the country. You need a base knowledge of firefighting so go take a basic firefighting class (something that will get you a certificate equal to NFA firefighter 1). While you are taking this class get you national registry EMT-Basic licence. you should have no problem takeing both classes at once unless you work full time then take them one at a time. While you are going to these classes start to work out both strength and cardio it will help on the CPAT(canidate phycial ability test). Now for the most important thing I may even give this higher priotity than the firefighting class.... GET YOU PARAMEDIC LICENCE. If you ask me the only good paying jobs are for firefighter/paramedics. This is just my take on this topic.


The comments above are my thoughts and do not reflect that of my department or it's membership.

[firefiftyfive]

If your college that you are atttending offers fire science courses that is great.But as a student my self I think you have to think of the flip side of the coin. I too am trying to become a paid firefighter.We all know that a lot of the time firefighters have a second job or they retire at a relatively young age and go on to do other jobs.So I see it this way, I am getting a degree in something other than fire science because you will most likelly relearn the majority of the stuff in the fire acadamy. If you get a degree in something else you always have something to fall back on when you retire, or godforbid go on disability for some unfortunate reason. Always good to have a back up plan!

[stm4710]

If you get a degree in something else you always have something to fall back on when you retire, or godforbid go on disability

I respectfully disagree.
A degree is a degree, be it in astro-physics,fire science,liberal arts,advance juggeling they show that you showed and did a certain amount of "work" to earn that degree.
If your going into a specialized field such as firefighting or nurseing,aboring etc then get that specialized degree, not a general type degree like a LA major.That way you will look better to FTFD's and if the shiz nat hits the fan you still have a degree that shows you did the same work as a LA degree.

We all know that a lot of the time firefighters have a second job or they retire at a relatively young age

I honestly have never seen a FF retire "early" unless it was due to injury.99% of the FF I know retirerd due the age restriction. And as far as second job,either they're tradesmen who own thier own business or work for contracto, nothing "full time" just something to make up from the crappy pay they make------Thats just the FF I know though, thing may/are different in your part of the world.

So I see it this way, I am getting a degree in something other than fire science because you will most likelly relearn the majority of the stuff in the fire acadamy.

To the best of my knowledge a class at the MFA is around 9-11 weeks long,a bachelors degree is four years long,big difference!

And also you may be great at such things as dragging hose etc but may be horrible at inspections and code enforcement or fixed fire protection systems.The place to learn it and make a mistake if possilbe is at college, not when giged out of the academy and lose your full time position.

[ChiefReason]

Just curious!

stm4710:
Are you a firefighter yet?
'Cause you sure dispense advice like you are.
I especially like the part about the crappy pay.
So, yes or no; are you a firefighter or still wanting to be?
Take your time answering. It could be life altering.
CR

[N2DFire]

Originally posted by stm4710

EMT are a barrel of apples.
EMT-B,I,P are like macintosh,granny smith,red apples.

Still apples,more specific though.

....but is there a difference between a EMT and EMT-b cert.?

Different states can / will have different Levels of EMT Certification. The 3 Levels defined by the D.O.T. and recognized by the NREMT are:

EMT Basic (EMT-B)
EMT Intermediate (EMT-I)
EMT Paramedic (EMT-P)

Typically, people "in the trade" will drop the "EMT" portion of the 2 advanced levels and simply refer to them as Intermediates & Paramedics, using "EMT" interchangeably with "EMT-B".

Without knowing what you're referencing your question from, I can't be 100% sure, but I feel fairly confidant in saying that in your case, Yes EMT & EMT-B are the same thing.

You don't tell us what state you are in, which makes it harder for us to give specific answers to your questions because every state can (or will) have different methods for obtaining both Fire & EMS certifications.

However, some general advice:
If your college doesn't offer any type of Fire Science degree and you are unable to relocate & attend a college that does . . .

AND

you plan on continuing your planned career in the fire service beyond that of a line fire fighter into an upper command or administrative position, then I would recommend getting a Business Administration or Management degree. This will give you the tools & skills needed to better perform the Day to Day and long term administrative tasks that are facing our new fire service.

Best of luck to you in what ever path you choose to take.

[PFire23]

Re: Just curious!

Originally posted by ChiefReason
stm4710:
Are you a firefighter yet?
'Cause you sure dispense advice like you are.
I especially like the part about the crappy pay.
So, yes or no; are you a firefighter or still wanting to be?
Take your time answering. It could be life altering.
CR

I'm wondering WHY he's even still here. He has openly admitted to being DFDEX who was BANNED for inappropriate conduct, yet here he is. WT?????

[DeputyChiefGonzo]

Re: Just curious!

Originally posted by ChiefReason
stm4710:
Are you a firefighter yet?
'Cause you sure dispense advice like you are.
I especially like the part about the crappy pay.
So, yes or no; are you a firefighter or still wanting to be?
Take your time answering. It could be life altering.
CR

He isn't. Trust me..... He is now a "college kid", so he feels that he knows everything now.

A note to stm4710...

When you get the degree and the experience, then you can dispense the advice. I have noticed on other threads that you are now an expert on building construction, aerodynamics and aircraft design, relationships, etc...

PS: I am still waiting for the apologies you owe to me, my FD, my community and the Massachusetts Fire Academy....

[distchief60b]

Ryanzick...you will learn (if you hang around) that Chief Reason is 100% correct. Some people here know something about everything and a whole lot about NOTHING!

Those that carry the IACOJ signature are generally proven firefighters....veterans of the school of hard knocks....been there...done that.....got the certificate for it... In other words they are respected in this arena and can give you good advice. Chief Reason is one of those people.....

NOW>>>>>before some of you "Non IACOJ" members jmup down my throat, I am not in any way trying to discredit you. I just know the credentials of the brothers and sisters of IACOJ. I am merely trying to provide the young lad (ryanzick) with some guidance.

And.....I must have lost the loop somewhere....From time to time dfdex contacts me on instant messenger, but I had no idea that stm4710 and dfdex were one in the same.... SLAP ME SILLY!!! Would be interesting that to see the response of the WT to the answer about him.