Firefighting career after the army?

[IvanKh]

I was wondering how city fire departments generally look at army firefighting experience and training as opposed to civilian training via classes/volunteering. What are the chances of a fire department hiring someone straight out of the army?

[TonyBlaze]

Think about DOD!

Ever thought of having a DoD civilian firefighter position. If, I was you I would think very hard on it.

You can email me for some details..

TonyBlaze

[jwfire2000]

I was in the Army as a medic. I think more than anything the fd's like hiring someone with military experience in general. From what I've seen as far as having fire experience, whether it be military or volunteer, varies from dept to dept. Some prefer it, some could care less. I can't see it hurting though! Best of luck either way.

[pmacken]

Excellent Chances

Many in private industry look for ex-military because of the training received. If interested in Island living, proceed to www.computersciencesraytheon.com and search the openings. There are several positions you may be interested in

[shortimer52]

Just remember not all states take Pro-Board or IFSAC certs so make sure you check with that.

[VinnieB]

On my job..they could care less even if you were a BC in LA...., everyone starts from the same level...TOGETHER.....BUT....with that said....being military is a PLUS in the academy...however Marines do get first preferance on being squad leader , but none the less, military guys are generally looked upon as having the skills for teamwork, discipline, and esprit-de-corps....so its a plus...and you get 5 points on you final score.

[neo1475]

I definatly recomend going federal. usajobs.com is a great place to look, go to series search and type in 0081. The pay is great, and will be most likely the same hours your used to, and the bennifits are great. I made the transition from the ARMY to a civilian slot at the same base, and its much better, you actually get paid for your overtime. It's defanitly worth looking into. This is just my opnion, I know many people would rather work for a city department, but DOD is the way to go from my experiance.

[jccrabby3084]

I was a FF in the Navy and thought I'd have a good chance at a career dept when I got out. Wasn't so, for the most part you have someone in a Human Resources dept going over the applications. If the quals are not met, or like the military likes to do, call it something else, your chances are slim.

Best bet would be, use that GI Bill money, go to school for your fire science degree (if you don't already have a degree). The military experience will help you in an interview, but you have to have the qualifications their looking for. Just don't depend on your military experience to get you a job.

Some departments do look for general qulifications, HS dip/GED, Driver Lic, etc. There you have the same shot as anyone else.

[JHR1985]

About the most preferance you will get is 5 points on some of the enterance exams. After that.... a good motto to be prepared for is that: Any experience before you get hired really doesnt matter.

What that means is done go half cocked into where you get hired thinking your Number 1 because of your experience.


Now, with that being said, being a military firefighter, you will have several things going for you, most likely your knowledge of more haz-mat crap. Your knowledge will be very benefical. But the most important deal you learn from the military that you can take into the civilian world is following orders and the chain of command. You do those two things and your good.

[Tiredoldman]

It depends.....

In this area, KCK, Wichita, KCMO and the larger cities don't give a damn about previous fire experince no matter where it came from. You will start at the bottom, go through thier academy, and put up with all the probie duties even if you were a chief somewhere else.

Now, if you're going to a DOD department, yes, that experince will count - maybe. Depends on the base, and the attitude of the people who will hire you. Oh, and just because you have DOD certs to the station chief level (for example) don't think you will be fast-tracked to that position. I had a guy from the Air Force Reserve who was certified to this level, but NEVER fought a fire in his life beyond training weekends or worked as a firefighter ANYWHERE. He was ****ed because after 2 years on my base he wasn't promoted to a captain.

A smaller city with a few paid personnel may welcome you and your experience. My current department did, and I was more of a lateral transfer than a trainee. I did not have to go through their academy, if you can call it that. Some other things that applied to trainees did not apply to me either.

Now, there are some Army firefighters that have retired and have been hired into officer positions with other departments. CONTRACT departments come to mind, and one fellow went to a training officer positon in a medium sized department up north. So, it all depends on the department and thier philosophy on hiring.

When I am chief here (hahahahahahaha) military fire experince will definitely be something I will look at for hiring, but you won't be a captian right off the street.

Oh yeah....get a DEGREE. A Bachelor's Degree. Anymore, and Associate's Degree is getting to be like a high school diploma. It's expected, but the Bachelor's means you put the extra effort in. Matter of fact, I know of one department in Kansas that requires a Bachelor's to be promoted to a captain.

[DFurtman]

I was a FF in the Navy and thought I'd have a good chance at a career dept when I got out. Wasn't so, for the most part you have someone in a Human Resources dept going over the applications. If the quals are not met, or like the military likes to do, call it something else, your chances are slim..

What exactly are you saying? You were/are IFSAC certified by the Navy by attending the DoD Fire Academy, or you were taught basic damage control by the division you were in? All the teachers down here say that this academy (DoD Fire Academy) is the "Michael Jordan" of Fire Academys and it's almost guaranteed to land you a job with a department.

-Damien

[HEDQUIZZY]

It depends.....

In this area, KCK, Wichita, KCMO and the larger cities don't give a damn about previous fire experince no matter where it came from. You will start at the bottom, go through thier academy, and put up with all the probie duties even if you were a chief somewhere else.

Right..........

[ColoradoFireGuy]

DFurtman..... thats why all your instructors are still in the military???? Dont get me wrong... its a good school but DUDE... most civi departments dont give a rats about previous exprience. Perhaps vet points on the exams but other than that our cert dont mean a whole lot when you try and score a job on the outside.

[AFFDSUCKS]

What exactly are you saying? You were/are IFSAC certified by the Navy by attending the DoD Fire Academy, or you were taught basic damage control by the division you were in? All the teachers down here say that this academy (DoD Fire Academy) is the "Michael Jordan" of Fire Academys and it's almost guaranteed to land you a job with a department.

-Damien

It is not even close to being the "Michael Jordan" of fire training. It will not land you a job with a department. Figure it out for yourself and call various city departments and they will tell you that volunteers are trained better.

[kferrara2002]

Again, whiners about military training

Colorado....

I noticed that you only have 6 years experience in the fire service. I was wondering, those 5 VET points you are entitled to, did you use them when applying for a civilian position? I bet you used the training you received in the military as well.

As for the DoD training being the Michael Jordan of the fire service, that honestly depends on who you speak to and what department accepts DoD certifications. What I can tell you is that at the NFPA, IFSTA, and other fire service organization conferences, they are constantly giving praise to the DoD for its extensive fire training progression. The military is able to acquire assets that most departments only read about. That's why most departments like most police departments want previous military applicants. This is because most have the discipline those agencies are looking for.

AFFDSUCKS....

Just curious, are you a volly? Let me explain something regarding vollies. They make up the majority of the fire service in America. Without them, fire protection would be in jeopardy. However, regarding training, I have to object by your statement that vollies are better trained then military. Volly departments do not have the resources nor the financial backing to establish and perform the massive training programs commonly found in the military. Is that a problem, hell yes. That's why volly departments need to apply and reapply over and over again for grants to boost their training programs. If city departments are telling you that volly departments are better trained, then obviously those city departments training division is doing their departments an injustice by not providing the training that they require.