Firemen?

[Mike]

I've been thinking a lot recently about joining the fire department near me. It's a volunteer organization. I wanted to get some more medical and emergency situation training , but if I can do it and help out the community at the same time I figure all the better, right?

Anyone else here a fireman? pro's? cons?

[TGO David]

You'd do better taking the typical 6-month EMT class. Just my $0.02 worth.

[VolunteerGuns]

You'd do better taking the typical 6-month EMT class. Just my $0.02 worth.

I agree. I completed my EMT-IV about 3 years ago, and it was a great experience! They "threw in" TARS vehicle extrication training and certification. The hurst tool and all the attachments, cribbing etc. was AWESOME, and cutting a car into pieces was GREAT, BUT the turn out gear we had to wear during that training was enough to turn me away from any future with a FD. No offense to the FF's out there;

Not to mention EMT cert is a GREAT addition to a resume in virtually any public service position and many other employers LOVE having one on board!

[kb4ns]

Not to mention EMT cert is a GREAT addition to a resume in virtually any public service position and many other employers LOVE having one on board!

True dat. I'm a full-time LEO and my city pays me $40 a month just for having my EMT. I thought about letting it lapse since I never use it, but shoot - right now I'm gettin' free money for it.

[Guest tnfireman]

I'm a volly firefighter, a new EMT (i was a first responder for years), and a instructor for the TARS Rescue College.

[TNFF319]

I've been thinking a lot recently about joining the fire department near me. It's a volunteer organization. I wanted to get some more medical and emergency situation training , but if I can do it and help out the community at the same time I figure all the better, right?

Anyone else here a fireman? pro's? cons?

Go and visit the station. Find out how it operates. They may never do any training and it may turn out to be a waste of time and a danger to you. Then again, it may be one of the few well run voulunteer departments. Emt is a good thing to have, but it is a HUGE waste of money if you get half way through it and it is not for you. Emts do a ton of nasty, nasty things.

[Fallguy]

I joined my local Vol Fire Dept when I was 17, couldn't fight fire, just change air packs and gopher stuff till I was 18. The city sent us through all the state level traing, we also did training on our own.

Main reason I joined was I figured I wanted someone to come put my house out if it was on fire...so I should be willing to do the same for them.

From that I ended up going to EMT school, got my EMT-IV, but was only 19 and was hard to get hired on anywhere, final did, but got out of it and let it drop.

Ended up going back to school a few years later and got it again...SO DON'T EVER LET IT EXPIRE if you can keep from it.

Anyway...all of that said, that helped me get the job I have know which is working for Goverment Contractor on a ammunition plant on the Fire/EMS dept as a FF/EMT.

If you want to help and/or have sense of community I'd say go for it, if not let it be.

[Guest Arko]

Go and visit the station. Find out how it operates. They may never do any training and it may turn out to be a waste of time and a danger to you. Then again, it may be one of the few well run voulunteer departments. Emt is a good thing to have, but it is a HUGE waste of money if you get half way through it and it is not for you. Emts do a ton of nasty, nasty things.

This is the best advice Mike. I was a paid FF/Medic for years, but also "volly'd" all along as well, and it's completely true that every department is a little different. Some are very professional, and train train train. Some would rather do fundraisers for new equipment they don't need and drink. Then there is everything in between. Some have minimum time commitment requirements as well.

if you just want the EMT cert, go through the class on your own dime. It'll still be worth it.

[Mike]

I was more so wanting to help out the community than go solely for the training opportunities.

Thank you everyone for your advice.

[Guest WestTN_reb]

I joined the volunteer fire department in my home county (Carroll) when I turned 18. Even then, they would not let you wear turnout gear or fight fire until you completed the state level training. It wasn't until I was 25 that I went to school and got my EMT-IV. All that experience on the FD (7+ years) plus my EMT cert. helped me get the job I have today.

[petro]

Go for it!

[Guest Todd@CIS]

[Mike]

[Fallguy]

Funny, funny, funny..

Make sure and watch the rest of them...

http://web.me.com/panicmonkey/PvF/PvF_Videos_1.html

Edited May 28, 2010 by Fallguy

[KahrMan]

[TNFF319]

Another great video. LANGUAGE WARNING!!!!

Edited May 28, 2010 by TNFF319