ff in the uk considering moving to usa. help needed

[peehead]

hi,
this is probably a question that has been asked b4. currently i'm a FF in the uk and i'm considering moving to america and i can not find any info about joining the fire department in the usa.

the questions i have are:

1. where can i find info.
2. does anyone know of anyone else who has done this.

any help would be appreciated.

[sconfire]

Contact me directly at [email protected] so I can let you know your options.

[hwoods]

Well,.............

WELCOME!........ Couple of things.... sconfire will be a big help to you I'm sure. Should you be coming to the Mid-Atlantic area, I would be happy to help you find something. America has about 35,000 separate Fire departments, Totally Independent of each other. There is no National Fire Service, and never will be, we're way too independent minded for that. Oh Yes, please remember to drive on the right side of the road, and discontinue the practice of putting a "u" between the "o" and the "r". It's "Color" not Colour" here. The other spelling item that drives us nuts is transposing the "r" and the "e" as in "Centre", which in America is spelled "Center". Sorry, I couldn't resist the grammer lesson (Right, SteveDude? ) Anyway, we'll be glad to have you here. Best wishes for a safe voyage.

[peehead]

thanks for the welcome.
I suppose it would make it a bit moe interesting if i were to say i was welsh and we spell some english/american words differently from you both.

To be honest, after my conversation with sconfire today i would consider anywhere in the USA but it depends if they (the station manager) want me!

[CALFFBOU]

Hi there. He have discussed this before. I think it could be a rough, but fun ride.

First, here is a forum based website like this that is dedicated to getting hired in the fire service- http://www.firecareers.com/forum.cfm

Second, find a cute American girl and marry her. Silly, but might be the first step towards becoming a citizen.

And when you do get here, getting a private industry job (AMR, Rural Metro) might be your first career step.

Please feel free to contact me if you want to look for employment in California. I can give you the run down here.

[NYSmokey]

First, here is a forum based website like this that is dedicated to getting fired in the fire service- http://www.firecareers.com/forum.cfm

Bou I thought he was looking at obtaining a job

[SteveDude]

WELCOME!........ Couple of things.... sconfire will be a big help to you I'm sure. Should you be coming to the Mid-Atlantic area, I would be happy to help you find something. America has about 35,000 separate Fire departments, Totally Independent of each other. There is no National Fire Service, and never will be, we're way too independent minded for that. Oh Yes, please remember to drive on the right side of the road, and discontinue the practice of putting a "u" between the "o" and the "r". It's "Color" not Colour" here. The other spelling item that drives us nuts is transposing the "r" and the "e" as in "Centre", which in America is spelled "Center". Sorry, I couldn't resist the grammer lesson (Right, SteveDude? ) Anyway, we'll be glad to have you here. Best wishes for a safe voyage.

H, you are killing mere here before I get started....


Seriously though Peehead....
If I were you I would do it. Unfortunately for me, I am an ADO in LFB with 20 years in and my pension to well 'cooked' to start again...add to that I have three kids, the eldest of which is in secondary school it would be unfair and financial suicide for me to move at this point.... although I think it is fair to say we will be looking that way when I retire and I'd bet a good portion of my Pension lump sum you will find me on the back of a Fire Truck in the US before my time is done.

You will find life in the US Fire Service a lot different. They do not work to the same National structure that we do and you'd better be prepared to take on medical calls something pretty unheard off over here in the UK.

Depending on where you are and where you are intending to go, you will find that you don't attend anywhere near the amount of Fires that you do now...off course that depends...if you are in somewhere like Cumbria, Norfolk, Dorset etc and you are going to NYC, Chicago LA and so on you will see plenty more fires...but if you are a Met or busy County Brigade Fireman and move to a pleasant US state...you will have to realise that the US isn't the sh1thole that large parts of urban Britain is so don't expect to be turning up to flat fires, burning derelicts and so on.

You will also find the system of Firefighting in the US is a lot different. I'd spend some time if I were you learning about they way they fight fires.... Engine Companies do the Firefighting...Ladder Companies do Ventilation, Rescue, Salvage etc...

Good luck mate and keep us posted on how you get on...Sconfire is well versed on how we work in the UK so will be a very useful contact for you.

[protomkv]

Peehead, I am from the UK now a US Citizen, if there is anything I can help you with, please let me know, will be happy to assist where I can, its not easy to get here, but well worth the effort. You can contact me either at [email protected] or [email protected]

[firestanggt]

Second, find a cute American girl and marry her. Silly, but might be the first step towards becoming a citizen.

Good luck with that.

I can't and I already live here.

[peehead]

i know, it's hard enough to find a cute girl in the uk never mind in the U.S

[Lewiston2FF]

Second, find a cute American girl and marry her. Silly, but might be the first step towards becoming a citizen.

I am a citizen, and am having a bit of trouble finding the cute american girls... available ones anyway.

[peehead]

thanks for the advice guys, but i still cant find a starting point really on how and who to approach on getting the ball moving. i told the county officer and i got an "oh, ok then". gonna give the U.S embassy a call tuesday as to what they think, but as i will be doing a public service it shouldn't be that hard, should it?

[GFDLT1]

I think that a lot of what you want to know depends on where you are looking to move to. I mean the US is a hell of a lot larger than the UK. We don't all do it the same. You have West Coast vs East Coast, North vs South, it just really depends on where you want to live. Pick out a place and then you can better define your search for a department and the best way to join them.

[GodSendRain]

I am a citizen, and am having a bit of trouble finding the cute american girls... available ones anyway.

That one cracked me up.

[Lewiston2FF]

That one cracked me up.

Glad I could help!