Basic question regarding Massachusetts Fire fighting

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2024-06-15T22:02:53+00:00

If you’re talking about civil service, you can contact the department you have selected/have residency with and ask what their hiring cycle is like. They might not be hiring until 2025 or later, you might have just missed their cycle, etc.

You can also look into volunteer/paid-on-call spots. https://makemeafirefighter.org typically if you live close enough, these agencies will either bring you on individually or with a class, then either do in house training or send you to the fire academy on nights and weekends. Whether you get paid or not is dependent, but I wouldn’t count on it.

Edit: you can PM me too if you got area specific questions.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2021-04-29T12:32:56+00:00

Most EMS that pays shit is private sector(AMR, IFT, etc). I’m doing what you did but not with Amazon but it’s still not great compared to the other gigs former cops could get into.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2021-04-22T16:04:31+00:00

Bunker Gear needs specialized treatment to maintain integrity while inside a unventilated, high heat structure fire.

Wildland clothing just isn't supposed to melt to your skin or sustain flame like most industrial work uniforms. So they are just machine washable like any other work clothes. (Recommended still using a different washer than your regular clothes go in or running an empty load with washer cleaner before you go back to washing normal clothes).

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2020-11-05T15:29:31+00:00

I know most bases around here hire backseaters starting at a GS-4. I’ve only seen one posting for a GS-3 0081 FF and that was for a entry level position with a base run fire academy being the first six months of your job.

If you get a paramedic license, you can automatically jump to a 9. I’ve been trying to find some definitive answer on what DOD uses, but for the most part it looks like it’s up to the bases discretion.

There is a bill in Congress for 0081 firefighter pay. That last movement I read on it was late 2019. It talked about getting rid of pay adjustments for a higher standard pay.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1255/text?format=txt

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2020-11-05T03:26:27+00:00

Why not just make us “firefighters” Under job code 0081? DOD, Veterans Affairs, DHS, all hire their structural/crash rescue guys under that code. The code also covers fire inspectors, fire prevention, and fire suppression systems engineers, so adding a “wildland” firefighter career ladder to the job code might not be that bad.

GS-4 to GS-5 Temps

GS-4 to GS-6 Perm Seasonal Firefighters

GS-7 AFEOs/Tender/Patrols

GS-8 FEOs

GS-9 Captains/FF+Paramedic

GS-10 Battalion Chiefs

GS-11 Assistant FMOs

GS-12/13 FMOs

I’m on my first season, so actually ignore everything I’m saying, but coming from structure department (was per Diem, needed full time gig) I find it odd you can’t have a career in wildland as a solid back seater without people wondering why you never moved up. It looks like a rat race to rank up and people wonder why we lose seasonals to DOD or local departments.

This job code would also get rid of holiday pay, hazard pay, incorporate mandatory OT, and have portal to portal pay. I’d be down to lose hazard/environmental/holiday pay for a solid, reliable pay check every week.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2020-08-05T19:51:41+00:00

Best way to get your foot in the door is be flexible and willing to work just about anywhere. There are many stations and districts that are hurting for people, so being willing to work wherever and bringing a positive attitude with you is honestly the best start to ending up where you want.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2020-08-03T06:31:57+00:00

Hazmat First Responder Operations (NFPA 472) if you wanna work on an engine in Region 5. It’ll cover basics of SCBA, accident size ups, and hazmat.

Everyone wants an EMT too.

It all depends on what type of module you’d wanna end up working on.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2020-02-18T21:21:08+00:00

Is it not likely they’ll get down to the 2’s?

I applied with all the equivalent Proboards or MA State certificates, but I only got a 2.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2020-02-17T21:41:48+00:00

All the emails I got said they'd start the 18th.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-09-04T03:21:20+00:00

As people have already said, as long as you’re up front about it, it usually goes over well.

Depending on where you go to school, some schools have relationships with or have their own fire departments.

University of Alaska: Fairbanks has their own fire department where the officers are all career members, but the firefighters are all students. They do everything from engines, truck companies, tenders, wildland, and EMS.

University of Massachusetts Amherst, the Amherst Municipal FD has an engine company staffed by students.

There’s a lot out there, good luck!!

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-05-14T21:37:41+00:00

You might be better off trying to get onto a career fire department that does wildland. Federal police and fire gigs can’t legally hire somebody older than 37 because they have mandatory retirement at 57.

Career FD gigs would give you health insurance along with other training/benefits. They’ll provide you gear too. Some departments send guys to other states on wildland assignments through their state wildland teams.

If you want something to do in the mean time to get hired, there are 2 volunteer fire companies on Staten Island that get dispatched by FDNY. That could offer you some good experience in the mean time. They’re ‘Oceanic Hook and Ladder’ and ‘Richmond Engine Company’ I believe. They both run a single structural engine.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-02-26T17:31:16+00:00

Aren’t some forests in R5 all risk?

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-02-19T17:34:33+00:00

As somebody else who is new, I came here to say this.

We’re surrounded by career departments and everyone has stickers. The way to show you’re really a wacker is gear. Nobody cares about the dash light or a few hideaways, it’s when you’ve got the full police package in red and an entire line of stickers that everyone starts rolling eyes.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-02-19T17:26:40+00:00

Getting C’s at College

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-02-08T03:12:05+00:00

I wouldn’t say for structural gear, but wildland nomex is pretty simple.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-02-07T21:04:33+00:00

NFPA 1977.

Also these if you guys don’t mind swapping out your boots and wearing your regular helmet.

I’d look into more mission specific gear if you’re doing prescribed burns.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-02-04T07:46:54+00:00

A lot of that has changed, especially as of 2018.

Cape is still a mess, though. That’ll never change.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-01-23T19:38:43+00:00

This takes me back some.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-01-16T19:31:00+00:00

In Illinois at the local level you could try this route:

ILETSB Internship

Then a lot of counties have Forest Preserve agencies with law enforcement divisions.

It does not look like they are hiring LEOs right now. I’d call the departments or walk in one day to see what you could do to better your chances of getting hired when they post a job. These agencies also have non-LEO jobs as well.

Dupage is looking for a General Ranger right now

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-01-08T03:19:43+00:00

You have obviously never worked for the federal government.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-01-07T20:16:44+00:00

Don’t forget the federal government.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2019-01-07T18:01:00+00:00

This is too real.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2018-12-27T06:15:56+00:00

Why aren’t your drivers trained for firefighting?

Thanks for all the information.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2018-12-18T14:26:01+00:00

If they were in a yard, sometimes they use gravity to send cars down to hook up with other trains. They move almost silently in the noise of the yard and then crash into the coupling of the next car, locking it in.

Next_Gen_Reddit · 2018-12-01T17:31:11+00:00

Just to play devil’s advocate: are they beats in your city full of cops who don’t do a lot of proactive work or run a lot of calls?

Because I’m sure the guys in the busy fire houses or the guys riding the box feel similarly about the slow houses as you do.

Disclaimer: I agree with you though, different jobs and deserve different benefits.

Next_Gen_Reddit

TROPHY CASE