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I am wondering about other departments and full-time firefighters continuing their college education. Here's a little background, I am 10 months into my career on a full-time department as a Firefighter/Paramedic. I have an associates degree in Fire Science and my Paramedic Certification. I was wondering if any of your departments out there have clauses in their contracts or with their city in regards to assistance in continuing their education. I am interested in obtaining a bachelors degree in the future. Will your department assist in financing a bachelors degree or pay a certain portion of the cost (ie so many credit hours or so much a semester)? Do they require that the degree be fire service related or does it not matter? Currently our department has no education clause for continuing education as far as college is concerned. Just looking for insight into what other departments might have.
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In my department, if you wish to continue your education, it is fully funded, paid or volunteer. It has to be a subject related to the Fire Service in some way (Fire Science/Protection, EMS, Business). Limit 5 people per semester. Level of education you wish to obtain is not a question either (Associate's, Bachelor's, etc.). All the department asks is for 2 years of service after completion. If you leave before the 2 years, you are expected to pay it back to the department. Great system.Last edited by EGH128; 10-05-2006, 12:53 PM. -
My department fully refunds all college courses (Tuition) up to $2000 per year for a BA or BS in any discipline and $3000 per year for Masters. Books are not covered but that is no big deal. In reality the $2000 is not very much money since most courses in the undergraduate programs range from $200 to $300 per credit hour. I have been able to carry over excess tuition expenses to an additional year so I would not be out any money. I still would have gone to school though even if the department didn't reimburse.Comment
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We get 10% of the rank's base salary for an Associates degree, 12% for a Bachelor's degree paid either weekly or limp sum once a year."The education of a firefighter and the continued education of a firefighter is what makes "real" firefighters. Continuous skill development is the core of progressive firefighting. We learn by doing and doing it again and again, both on the training ground and the fireground."
Lt. Ray McCormack, FDNYComment
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