Hello all. I am a career FF(SGT.)/Paramedic in KY and interested in moving to FL within the year. I too like the Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater and surrounding areas and have read up on the FL Fire College test challenging and all. First question, I am currently a smokeless tobacco user and have seen that most/all FL FD's "require" you to be tobacco free for a year prior to getting hired...how strict are they on this and how do they find out if you have been? Do they polygraph on this issue? Secondly, how hard are jobs to acquire in this area (once you have satisfied FL FF/EMT-P requirements)? Finally, what are retirement benefits (in KY it's 20 years, and you get 50% of your highest three year average). Thanks in advance!

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