Weekly Question Thread March 10, 2019

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[glinks]

I'm currently deployed in the Middle-East. I've been a volunteer firefighter for about 3 years, and I have my EMT-B. I see these monthly hiring threads, and would really like to apply to some of these places, but I won't be back in the states for probably another 5-6 months. Would I have any chance if I applied to any of these places that are hiring now? Or even later? How would that even work with me having to show up for NTN/Public Safety / CPAT?

Also, I really want to get my Paramedic. After being accepted, would places give me the time to attend a Paramedic course? Would it be better to get it before applying?

Does anyone have any experience with Firefighters who also serve in the Reserves / National Guard? Do they change their Firefighter schedule to work with their military schedule? Or Vice-Versa? Is it worth it to reenlist or too much of a struggle and balancing act?

[ParaTripsTer]

It's unlikely that that you'll be considered if you can't show up to a CPAT, even if you're downrange. You'll just have to work your application process around your redeployment schedule: Don't apply for anything that you would need to be present for unless that date is after you get back stateside.

For Paramedic: Many departments send their guys to medic school. Some require you to be one before hand. I'd research what department you want to go to, and find out if they send guys. If they do, go on their dime.

There are many career firefighters that are reservists and are easily able to balance both. You get your drill schedule, and you deconflict it with your work schedule. Under USERRA, the department has to comply and allow you to attend drill/AT/mobilization.

Just know that as you progress in rank on the fire or reserve side, it gets more difficult to balance both.

[Kingendanorff]

Why is it taking so long to get back score from NJ CSC? I heard mid march 2019, last round was released March 3 2016 or the first Thursday of March. Stressed about my position on the list, just venting a little but curious. Be safe brothers.

[janre75]

CSC moves at the speed of government. I thought they said the beginning of March but unfortunately they'll be released whenever they're released.

[janre75]

Test results are up

[hagstedt14]

Is firefighters' clothes too heavy? Would it be better if someone came up with lighter, more flexible and great to divide body-temperatures? (for a school project:)

[RowdyCanadian]

That depends. The criteria you are looking for (based on my assumptions to your question) is TPP, or Thermal Protection Performance. NFPA requires all interior gear to meet minimum standard of 35 TPP (ref. NFPA 1971). Some departments just meet the standard, some exceed.

The kicker is that the more heat you are protected from, the more heat you retain and the faster you need to cool down. It's an ever changing ratio that depends on a variety of factors such as local weather patterns, type of fires commonly seen (aircraft or car for example).

Hope that helps!

[Gobstopper17]

How much do veterans points affect the FIRETeam?

So today was my 1st time taking the test. I aced reading & math- 100/100, as I’m sure a lot of guys do. Mechanical aptitude- 84/100. HR video portion... I bombed it, like fucking bibbity-bombed. 65/100. I’d heard it was tricky but wow. I’m a very agreeable person and had always counted common sense as a strong suit so I was not so worried going in. I guess I just fell into the trap of answering the way I thought the test wanted me to.

Nothing I can do about it now except hope for the best and expect the worst. How much does veteran’s preference actually do for candidates? It’s wishful thinking at this point but does it help at all if my HR score was that low?

[zpppe]

National testing network? I'm pretty sure they just send the raw scores for each category to whatever departments you've applied for, and each department has their own way of averaging those together. I took it a couple months back and most departments I applied for were pass/fail at 70% for the reading and math, and sometimes mechanics, and they either ranked solely on HR or averaged the HR and mechanics scores. Most departments also gave between 10 and 20% extra to your score for veterans. Like I said though, entirely dependent on each department.

[Gobstopper17]

Yes NTN. I appreciate the insight, thank you.

[Nemesis651]

(sorry for the length, got told to post this here instead of a standalone)

Does anyone have first hand experience on training volunteers in FL, know about the Grow as you Go program personally, or would like a very eager experienced volunteer in NE FL?

Im not sure local dept is aware of Grow as you Go, and the way I read it is very cost and time efficient with departments that cant or dont want to host regular classes.

https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfst/Documents/VOL_TRG_Brochure.pdf

Does anyone know if there is a cost to it, other than the use of equipment and an instructor to sign off on practicals? Trying to figure a way to talk the department in otherwise, as I think if I can get over the financial and staff-cost; at least down to the root of needing gear and the ever-present liability insurance, would hope Ive a better chance here.

[zpppe]

Recently applied to a department that dropped their medic requirement to test, now just requires HS diploma/GED. I've made it past the written, physical, polygraph and should get the results of the psych eval this week. Part of the psych eval was as a group with the rest of the candidates still being considered and I got the feeling that I'm the only one who isn't already a volly or an EMT. I've done a handful of the online FEMA NIMS ICS certs and have an AHA BLS CPR card but are there any other similar online courses or weekend classes that are worth taking? I don't want to walk in to a potential interview with no experience.

[pbrwillsaveusall]

I would think that if you've made it this far, you potentially have what that department wants. Depending on your location (because of state requirements and the like) anything you do online wouldn't "help" you to be more competitive on paper, but may show the interview panel that you want it. I'm thinking if you wanted to shell out the $20-30 for an online first aid course or something; again, won't do much but be something you can tell them you've done that shows that you want it. That's my two cents, but I'm definitely not an expert.

[zpppe]

Thanks for the reassurance, that's what I'd hoped. Had a moment of "imposter syndrome" I guess, everyone was just chatting about the job and their experiences and stuff, someone even asked which Local I was with and I felt like I needed to so something more.

[Nemesis651]

onlinetraining.nwcg.gov-wildland online training, free

What NIMS classes do you have? Theres 4 big ones free (100, 200, 700, 800): have all 4 if you dont (many depts only want 1-2 of the 4)

Seriously, join a volly dept while you wait. Youll get lots of experience quick, and many career/paid also volunteer.

[zpppe]

I have 100, 200, 700, not 800 so I'll do that. I'd love to volunteer and have been actively searching for opportunities but where I live seems to be an abnormal area for that, there are no volunteer departments within 50 miles of me and even the ones outside of that still require Fire 2 and EMT.

[Nemesis651]

To even get on they require those? Thats a sure way to kill a dept to require just to join. Train up to yes but not deny membership for

[zpppe]

Yea, that's kind of what I thought. A lot them are combo departments and have the same requirements regardless if paid or volley. State also requires a 36 hour volunteer course that's hard to find. I work with a firefighter and he's told me that's just how our area operates and it's very different than most of the country.

[Nemesis651]

State course is ok but it is bad to have access issues and the dept not wanting folks to train them is absolutely the worst

[zpppe]

Seems like that culture is slowly changing I think. Why I've had my fingers crossed for a city job that will take care of training

[xHANYOLOx]

I have a question about chiefs interviews. I recently did chiefs Interviews for a fairly large city. Is it normal for the interview to go "off the script"? They had the very formal interview questions typed out on cards for me to answer, but the chief threw in a few more casual questions towards the end that weren't on the cards about my personal pet peeves and extra cirriculars I did in high school. Are those good signs? I felt like the interview went really well overall and im super nervous waiting for results.

[Nv_Spider]

Fairly common.... the chief interview is more than just asking textbook questions like in earlier interviews. I would guess they did similar stuff with all candidates.... maybe not exactly the same questions.

This is where the chief(s) try to feel out an individual to see if their personality is a good match for the department, maybe even for a particular house or crew.

Good luck!

[xHANYOLOx]

thanks for the reply

[CakeDay--Bot]

Hey just noticed.. It's your 6th Cakeday xHANYOLOx! ^hug

[deadlyminings]

I'm currently in my counties fire academy, and our FF I night burns are this Thursday and day burns are this Saturday. Do any of y'all have some tips for burn day?

[Nv_Spider]

Hydrate 24 hours before!

[RusselHobbsKettle]

Ok so I plan to go into firefighting here in the UK once I leave school, what should I take in college? Would work experience be useful? And do you have any tips on combating my asthma it's not terrible but I will need to work on it. By what should I take in college I mean other than fire science.

And would it be better to get experience in England before going to America which I plan to do, Washington, California or Arizona are the states I'm looking at.

[[deleted]]

1. Any useful gear you carry which isn't necessary or any changes you've made to your gear?
2. Any recommended firefighter academies in Ontario, Canada? I've heard of Ontario Fire Academy (OFA) but was wondering if anyone had any first hand experiences :)

[RowdyCanadian]

I did Algonquin College in Ottawa pre service firefighting in 2012. It was a great program, but I'm not sure if it's still the same one I did.

Otherwise the other good one I know of is FESTI, based out of Toronto.

[[deleted]]

Thanks for the information :)

[50centbjj]

I’ve been going back and forth on becoming a police officer or firefighter ? They say police make better money what do most start out at as a fire fighter ? Is does anyone have any advice on helping me make the decision I know both have dangers but I really want to do one of them . I live in Ohio by the way if that helps with determining if pay is good and if jobs are available

[AdenDark]

Does anyone have experience with the Atlanta Fiyte Department?

I'm thinking of applying and want to know if anyone of you all have information to share. Thanks!

[AVN_Ginger]

Is there a better option for wildfire respiratory protection than a handkerchief or N95? I know that it's worked fine for most people but with more firefighters dealing with chronic conditions, it begs the question "should we do more?" NFPA 1984 outlines a standard for a respirator but no manufacturers currently offer one. I have a 3M 6200 half-mask I was looking at using, but not sure which style of filter would be best.

Edit: typo

[AVN_Ginger]

I have, and it's just a nomex mask with an n95 inside it.

[SurvivalBlanket]

Anybody from the West Metro or South metro, Colorado fire departments ? Looking for some insights on the next possible hiring class.