I was wanting to know if anyone here is either a Fire Fighter / EMT / Paramedic or all the above and living in Texas?

The reason I asked is I'm making a drastic career change from the hustle and bustle of the Financial Market and looking for something that's rewarding and makes me happy. Money has been great, but it sure as hell not everything.

I was wanting to ask about Academy's and suggestions on routes to take that would set me up for a better chance on getting hired. I've spoken to all the Online Academy's in Texas and have all their details, I've spoken to local stations and I'm doing a ride along July 27th. I've done my research, but some things keep coming up.....like which route to take first.

I have some FF saying they wish they got their Medic out of the way before they started at a station.

I have also heard to get your Basic out of the way first along with your EMT, then apply everywhere to hired. Once hired, then go through a local Medic program and get your cert.

I also would like to get to know other fire fighters in Texas to potentially have a reference in the hiring process. I'm currently in the McKinney area, but I would be applying in an about a 1 1/2 hr radius.

I'm at the point now that I'm wanting to hear,"Well if I could do it all over again, I would have done _________ instead of _________".

Thanks for all that has looked and read, not sure if there are any FF on the boards. Hal, if you know of some people that would be great to talk to, any help would be much appreciative.

Thanks again,

 

I was in a catalog in a firefighter uniform, does that count?

 

<~ USAF 10-yr Vet Fire Fighter... Going to pursue S.A. Fire Dept end of this year.

If you're seriously considering going into fire protection for a major city (S.A., Houston, Dallas, etc...) their respected Academy will teach you what you need to get started. Once hired and working you can futher pursue what you want. I don't think there is a major city that doesn't require their basic fire fighter to be an EMT. Best suggestion is to go to the department's main station/academy and talk with their training officer. Also you can go online to the departmant's website and find a lot of good information.

 

I needed a good laugh this morning.....lol.....sorry man

 

Ya, I have done a ton on my part so far as far as research and meeting the guys at the stations. Talking to Captains, Chiefs, Officers...etc. Ya, I've heard of some stations actually sending you to their Academy once your hired, some don't. What are your thoughts on the online Academy for people who work full-time for a living?

 

Personally I would suggest going to that department's academy. They will train you on thier SOP's and how they work. While fire fighting is pretty universal every department works differently. Plus it's the tax payer paying for your training.

BTW: What department are you looking to get hired with. Make note it can take several years to get hired. I have a friend that has been applying to the Tacoma FD for about 3-4yrs now with 105/100 (5pts extra military service) on his written test and still hasn't had an interview.

 

That last sentence is a little discouraging.....sorry to hear that about your friend. I'm looking to apply from as far as 1 1/2 hours from my house. I live in McKinney right now but that would mean anywhere and everywhere from as south as Hillsboro/Corsicana, west as Granbury/Weatherford, east as Tyler/Mt. Vernon, north as Durant/Ardmore, Ok. Now, I do understand that a lot of stations require their FF to live within 30 min. of their station, so that will be a hurdle.

 

Again... It all depends on that department's SOPs. Not to sound repetive but go talk with the department's training officer and HR rep. They'll lead you in the right direction.

I'm tossed up between Houston & San Antonio FD. Houston pays less (around $33k/yr) but more time off (24 on, 24 off, 24 on, 120 off.) San Antonio has better pay (around $44k/yr) but work more (24 on, 48 off). San Antonio also has incentives like extra $50/month for speaking a second lanugage and $185(?)/month for assoc. degree, etc... Lastly, since I'm ex-USAF I have all my aircraft fire fighting/driver certs. Therefore I would perfer to work the airport. And San Antonio has an Aircraft/Airport team. I feel I have a better chance getting there than HFD. But I still need to talk to both dept's training officer.

 

An ex-G35 owner is still a volunteer fire righter ... maybe you can PM him.

http://g35driver.com/forums/members/...refighter.html

 

Thanks Moog. Will do

 

I know every city is different as well as station, some are Civil (more political and promote by rank or test score) and others are not (voted in, most respected). Up until now, I thought you were a fire fighter already....but I appreciate the insight though. I am not doing this to get rich, I've made the money before, but it has gotten me to a dead end with the market crashing. I'm looking forward to the nice pension to retire on to take care of my family.

 

I've never worked for a city department. I did 10yrs Active Air Force Fire Protection. I started fire fightering when I was 14 with a small city (Fishers, IN). Also my father did almost 30yrs fire fighting.

 

WOW, that's awesome man. I commend you serving. I have a lot of great info to help me decide the route....I appreciate your help with everything.

 

Thanks. If you have anymore questions that the department can't answer feel free to hit me up.

 

Im an EMT-B in El paso, Ther dept over here demands you state cert in FF and atleast a EMTB. Its better you get atleast your EMT basic, Its hard to attend school for your Basic or medic when you are working a 24 on 24 off etc. Like stated it does take some time to get hired on, just because tons of people apply for academys when they are hiring. If you already have your EMT paramedic and apply with any dept it will surely highly increase your chances of getting picked up by a dept just because most depts have a real huge sortage for medics

My advice, get your Basic and apply but dont stop! Continue to get your medic, odds are you wont get picked up your first application. Thats what I would have done if
I could have done it over. I waited and like 2 years have passed and Im working for a private ambulance company in the mean time but im going back to school. Probably gonna get my medic and go thru a bridge program that will Give me my RN.

 

Im almost done doing my ride outs and clinicals in the hospital for my emt-basic at american medical response, then maybe go along to paramedic classes, then ima go to san antonio college fire academy then start applying everywhere i can but i volunteer at the fire station across the street from my dads shop so most likely ill get into there. Im also gonna take my safd exam august 14 and see if i can get into safd but its kinda hard but it can be done. Id recommend taking the big city exams like dallas,houston, or san antonio its worth it so my safd firefighter friends say haha i know it is though. If your just gonna want the little town jobs, go get ur emt-b first then go through ur local fire academy and then start applying. Goodluck man ull love it haha!!

 

Thanks everyone for your info and support. Ya, here's my plan likely....

FireAcademyOnline.com - Basic Fire Cert
FireAcademyOnline.com - EMT-B
(all trained by Fire Fighter Eric Abbt, Houston Fire Fighter)

He's the famous fire fighter on "The Bravest Online"

While going through Fire & EMT School, taking every city test I can to get on the list.

Does this sound like a good plan.....?

 

Try to get your HAZMAT cert also, it will help

 

**** Brian, I'm so sorry, I meant to call you back last week!

 

Hey, no problem Hal. Don't you work with FF, any advice?