I am going apply to be a firefighter in one of the major cities in Texas (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas) during next year’s recruitment period. Could you all please offer me any advice that you might have about the application process, physical training, or even just provide me with some further insight into the daily life of a firefighter.
Thank you,
Joseph
*I have a training log titled 5/3/1 Log: Return to Basics
so you want to be a basement saver? Thats cool…my advice; get a real nice, soft pillow!
We dont really have a lot of basements here in south Texas. At least not the majority of houses/buildings.
I apologize for accidentally posting this thread topic three times. My old run-down laptop had some technical difficulties.
Well you’re about to embark on one of the most competative hiring processes you’ll ever be in. But I have a couple questions.
Do you have an EMT-B or EMT-P certification?
Do you have any firefighting certifications?
And lastly how much college do you have?
[quote]lanchefan1 wrote:
Well you’re about to embark on one of the most competative hiring processes you’ll ever be in. But I have a couple questions.
Do you have an EMT-B or EMT-P certification?
Do you have any firefighting certifications?
And lastly how much college do you have?[/quote]
Unfortunately I do not have any of these certifications. From what I have read, I can attend the fire academy and earn these certifications as part the application process. For example, SAFD has 3 phases: applicant, candidate, cadet. Cadets attend the San Antonio Fire Academy.
I am going to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M.
I am physically qualified to do the job.
I can speak Spanish.
[quote]OldSchoolSwole wrote:
lanchefan1 wrote:
Well you’re about to embark on one of the most competative hiring processes you’ll ever be in. But I have a couple questions.
Do you have an EMT-B or EMT-P certification?
Do you have any firefighting certifications?
And lastly how much college do you have?
Unfortunately I do not have any of these certifications. From what I have read, I can attend the fire academy and earn these certifications as part the application process. For example, SAFD has 3 phases: applicant, candidate, cadet. Cadets attend the San Antonio Fire Academy.
I am going to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M.
I am physically qualified to do the job.
I can speak Spanish.[/quote]
The degree is a huge deal and can move you way up in the rankings, speaking spanish is a great thing also. Being physically qualified don’t mean squat anymore because the test have been “equalized” so much it’s a joke.
But check into the departments you want to apply for and see what their qualifications are. Most departments up here in Colorado require EMT-Basic as a minimum.
Yeah definitely take lanchefan’s advice. I’m assuming Chicago fire dept’s are really competitive, so I’m planning to get the EMT certifications at a community college while I’m in school at UIC, and then paramedic later on. I’m getting my degree in 2 years (I’m a junior, 20 yrs old) in Movement Science (kinesiology) so hopefully by the time I graduate I’ll be a paramedic. Which would definitely be a big + for getting hired. I’ve heard really good things about this career and for those who cringe at a desk job it seems to be a good and rewarding deal. Best of luck. 