I have just finished my Finance degree but have decided to tuck that away and become a firefighter. I am just about registered for Fire Academy (Minimum Standards, FF I & II) and will register and begin EMT classes in January. After that, from what I understand, I will need Paramedic classes in order to be a full fire-rescue employee.
My question is: How often do people get hired by Fire Departments with only Academy and EMT certification (not Paramedic)? What percentage of newbies don’t have paramedic? I know this happens, and the department works with the hiree to finish Paramedic classes for 2 years, sometimes even paying for the classes. I am just wondering how often this happens and how it works out specifically.
I hope to apply anywhere in South Florida, but other areas’ procedures are welcome too. Any other info you feel that I as a beginner might like to know is especially welcome. Thanks.
In Dallas, TX, one has to be certified as a Paramedic to be in the Fire Dept. (some time ago, this wasn’t a requirement). They alternate between riding the engine and the ambulance - 24 hours on, 48 off.
My husband’s worked as a firefighter/paramedic for 10 years in Dallas, and I can tell you that you’re applying for a very difficult job – thank God you want to do it, but it’s tough!
Good luck!
Take them some goodies on a holiday (they get them all the time on holidays, so it wouldn’t seem odd to the crew) - If he’s not there, sneak a peek at the roster board to see what shift he’s on!! Rinse, repeat.
Hmm does July 4th count as a holiday worthy of random chicks bringing food
Maybe I’ll take them some cold drinks when the weather heats back up. Maybe it isn’t worth the effort since I didn’t catch his name… although there could be other eligible and attractive young men who feel a need to service me… umm I mean serve the community
Since you girls aren’t in my neck of the woods - I will tell you that July 4th is OPTIMAL for “bringing snacks to firefighters I would like to get hot with.”
The upcoming weekend is brutal on our firefighters - drunks all over the road, fireworks fires, you name it.
I guarantee that walking into any firestation with cookies, cake from the store, home-baked food, etc. will be construed as a citizen expressing their appreciation for their hard work. Then, all you have to do is move in on the one of your choice.
Welcome aboard(s), chestnutmare! It sounds like you’re chafing at the bit to do a little horsing around with that smoke eater. You could do far worse for a specimen of manhood. Besides, all fire fighters also know how to cook! That just bumps up my respect for them another notch higher than it already is.
Blonde, go give that man of yours a smooch (or something better). When I think of how often fire fighters have to risk their lives rescuing some moron who has been smoking in bed or worse, it makes me wish they had the option of not making return visits to repeat offenders. The extensive knowledge needed to be a good fire fighter is daunting, at least.
Part chemist, haz mat tech, contractor, plumber, electrician, medic and structural engineer besides the spraying of the water gig. Those folk have my instant respect. I always wave and give the high sign to fire crews when I see them.
I have so much respect too. I want nothing more than to use my career to do something better than make money in an office cubicle. Killing two birds with one stone: Earning money saving people’s lives. It’s a no brainer and I can’t wait to start. This is how I feel: If I don’t do this job, I feel that there will be another guy in my spot who will not do as well as I and it will cost lives. Where do I sign up??!!
Still hijacking the thread, but thanks to Blonde I decided to take my 2 local fire companies lemonade and apple & cherry turnovers on the 4th. Surprisingly, I wasn’t doing it for the selfish motivation of seeing my fireman, since I figured odds were slim to none that I would run into him and I was right. But it did give me a nice “warm & fuzzy” feeling to give them cold drinks on a scalding hot day, especially when one of the companies had already been out twice before noon.
So fuel, best of luck on your training, and consider yourself thanked for inspiring a bit of guilt that I didn’t appreciate what the fire/ems guys do for us daily
- I will tell you that July 4th is OPTIMAL for “bringing snacks to firefighters I would like to get hot with.”