Which is best?!

[Pancho]

Hey guys I was wondering... If/when I decide to do fire 100%... which looks better taking a fire academy at a community college or taking fire academy through a fire department where I live.
Is there a difference between the qualities and do other departments prefer college fire academies over fire dept academies?
Same for EMT-B Certification...

Thanks a lot,
Tim

[oldandwise071]

Usuall y time is the factor. A college is going to probably last for about a year and a recruit claas for a departemnt may last fro 10 weeks to 6 months. Some recruit class may be conducted by a college system and college credit may be obtained but in most cases if a college is not involved you may not get college credit.

[SIGNAL99COM]

You can get your degree in fire science, that's not going to get you the job. Most places you have to test well, and be a resident in their City. You can take the academy wherever you want to, chances are the department that hires you is going to make you take their academy anyways.

If you really want the job, get your paramedic. Although many want to pretend that the fire service and ems service are never going to come together, if your a paramedic already many fire departments will scoop you up, especially down South.

[Pancho]

Thanks for the replies...
So you're saying that I should not do academy because they'll put me through their own? I figured do fire academy and volunteer at a dept, untill I receive my bachelors then try to make a career out of it. Unless I get hired before then..
Any comments as to which looks better?

Thanks,
Tim

[FTMPTB15]

if your a paramedic already many fire departments will scoop you up, especially down South.

And as in "down South.." he means, South of NC! Not too many departments in NC that are combined Fire/EMS. There are a few in SC, but for the most part they are in GA (metro-Atlanta area esp.) and in FL.

I do, however, agree that your Paramedic cert will not hurt your chances of getting hired. Just keep in mind, though, that unless your FD is on the Paramedic level, you will only be able to function on the level of the department... regardless of the certs which you may have.

[EGH128]

Do you have a particular department in mind? I would go with the Community College Fire Academy because it will teach you to function as a firefighter in general, not as a firefighter from a particular department. Besides, most departments these days have programs to teach you their way of doing things.

Edit: Obtaining Fire/EMS certifications and education is your best move.

[Pancho]

No departments in mind really.. The reason why I would like to do the fire dept academy is because it's a lot cheaper. I'm thinking I'll prolly do volly and finish school until then anyways, so perhaps theyll offer to send me through academy. That way I can have exp and academy, surely I can get a job with that and a degree..

Thanks for the replies,
Tim

[CALFFBOU]

Yo...Getting on a FD is NOT like going to Army training on the Govt's dime.

Please find out where you want to work and what is the norm there. And you better start figuring out how to market yourself. The best bet is having the most education.
So I would consider getting into an academy now, graduating and then wokring on your AS/AA.

Also, in California, most all candidates get their college academy FIRST, then if they are lucky, get hired onto an agency and attend their academy.

Lastly, seriously, if youre really serious about being a Professional Firefighter, put marriage off until to get off of probation. I know you wont listen to me now, but will wish you did in a few years.

Get the career FIRST, build up some assets and then get married. Most people now ish they would have. And remember, divorce is expensive.

[Pancho]

I'm currently finishing up my associates.. I should graduate with my Associates in Arts this spring. I was thinking about volly until I get my bachelors then put myself through an academy at the college unless the volly dept puts me through.
As for listening to you about marriage.. you are right.. lol.. Everythings already set and in stone... cant really go back on it now. But thanks for all of the advice, I appreciate it.

Thanks,
Tim

[CALFFBOU]

As for listening to you about marriage.. you are right.. lol.. Everythings already set and in stone... cant really go back on it now. But thanks for all of the advice, I appreciate it.

Thanks,
Tim

Tim- Are you already married? If not, then nothing is set in stone. Get your own life together before you bring someone else into it. Trust me.

[mcfd45]

Tim- Are you already married? If not, then nothing is set in stone. Get your own life together before you bring someone else into it. Trust me.

Take what he has seriously. He is 110% right. It puts a heavy load on the woman in your life to do this. This is why I made the decision not to get to attached to a girl till I am on a department. Consider this as excellent advice from CALFFBOU.
J

[grains]

Take what he has seriously. He is 110% right. It puts a heavy load on the woman in your life to do this. This is why I made the decision not to get to attached to a girl till I am on a department. Consider this as excellent advice from CALFFBOU.
J

I guess I have a different outlook on mariage then. I was maried before I went to work for my department. In fact, back when I was testing, it took over five years to get hired.

I am not afraid to say that if it had not been for my wife, I could possibly have become discouraged about the whole thing and gone to look for work in another field. She kept me focused and on task.

With regard to educations and training, don't hesitate to get that out of the way as early as possible. It will be easier now, and it can only help you in your job search. Regardless of your background and prior experience, any department you hire on with will most likely put you through an academy of their own. As far as they're concerned, there is just no way to fight fire other than the way they do.

[drparasite]

Please find out where you want to work and what is the norm there. And you better start figuring out how to market yourself. The best bet is having the most education.
So I would consider getting into an academy now, graduating and then wokring on your AS/AA.

Also, in California, most all candidates get their college academy FIRST, then if they are lucky, get hired onto an agency and attend their academy.

Bou, question for you: I currently reside in the northeast. I have my BS degree from an accredited university (double majored, but neither was in a fire related field). I also have firefigher I&II, EMT, and a bunch of other small classes (ICS 300, HazMat Ops, Tech Rescue, etc). Because of my education and firematic training, would I have a better change of getting hired out west than by the average applicant?

[CALFFBOU]

Bou, question for you: I currently reside in the northeast. I have my BS degree from an accredited university (double majored, but neither was in a fire related field). I also have firefigher I&II, EMT, and a bunch of other small classes (ICS 300, HazMat Ops, Tech Rescue, etc). Because of my education and firematic training, would I have a better change of getting hired out west than by the average applicant?

I would say- Yes. Education is so big out here. It really comes down to how you present the package at an oral interview. You never want to shove a BS/BA degree down a board's neck. It has to be a nice blend.

Hope that helps...Bou

[CALFFBOU]

I guess I have a different outlook on mariage then. I was maried before I went to work for my department. In fact, back when I was testing, it took over five years to get hired.

I am not afraid to say that if it had not been for my wife, I could possibly have become discouraged about the whole thing and gone to look for work in another field. She kept me focused and on task.

And how long ago was that? Over ten years?

Times have changed. Life is expensive and people are jumping through hoops too early.

I ask you or anyone else getting married today. Think about EVERYTHING. Kids, home, rent, credit card debt, fighting over money, school, car, maintence, food, savings....EVERYTHING.

If you get married BEFORE having a stable career, you might fall into that 50% divorce rate. And divorce is big for Professional Firefighters right now. People with a career, pension and stability are still having problems.

Think about. Get the BIG picture in before anyhting is set in stone.