Ask A Firefighter - Episode #2

[@johnmarston459]

Mike I want to thank you so much for answering this question. After thinking about everything I decided that dept wasn’t for me. I am moving on and applying at other depts. Again thank you so much nike for answering this. Your videos have gotten me so much closer to my goal of becoming a full time firefighter

[@hufnasty]

Thank you for answering my question in a video, that’s awesome!

[@coltonberry985]

These questions all really helped me. Thanks again.

[@mon8087]

How extensive is the background check? Is it similar to the military where they call and interview family members? If so, do I need to give my family a heads up about being contacted?

[@ArchitectOG]

In my case, they just contacted my old employers but I have heard of some situations where they contacted family members.

[@Infantry2011]

Hey man my written exam and physical exam are in 9 days. The way they're doing it is if you pass the written exam you'll be doing the physical exam later that day. I'll be watching all your written exam videos for sure!

[@swashi41596]

Good luck on your exams. You will pass both of them

[@chrismartinez3750]

hey mike, I was wondering if you could talk a little bit more in depth about your path to being a Paramedic and how to better prepare for EMT and Paramedic school as I'm about to start that journey in a few months, thanks again for the amazing videos!

[@joshuazatarain7967]

Yea this would be great! I’m about to get out of high school and I want to know where to begin with a career in EMS, specifically becoming a EMT and then a Paramedic. It would also be cool if you mentioned other career paths that branch out after becoming a EMT or Paramedic.

[@dahinsoncoj]

Understand that in nearly all Florida agencies and every training center EMT is an entry requirement for enrollment to BFF academies. EMT-P (Paramedic) and FF II are entry level requirements, and usually an AA or AS degree along with NIFC WILDLAND RED CARD, FEMA ICS 100, 200, 700 and 800 certs. TIMS is now being included with EVOC (usually agency provided). As you can see in Florida, its a lot to have just to be able to apply.

[@erickoziski4992]

Thanks for the video! All your videos have been very helpful with going through my hiring process

[@dahinsoncoj]

I retired from a Florida fire agency after 35 years that was first or second in size depending on how quickly stations are built between the two. I agree with nearly all you advise. Our department has been under multiple federal court orders concerning hiring practices. Over my career, the quality of hires decreased as we hired individuals who showed absolutely no motivation to learn or hone their perishable skills. The only thing these individuals or group put any effort in was the next lawsuit to gain promotion or assignment, plus a settlement for the implications that white systemic racism is the cause of their lack of knowledge, skills and abilities. Not to rain on anyone's career desires. The Fire/EMS/AHIMT jobs are hard in nearly aspect of your physical, emotional, psychological and personal relationships in ways you never imagined. Like the film, It's No Country for Old Men. Now the feds have added another obstacle to finishing. Me I guess I was just not right, as I was the last member to leave with this amount of time. Nearly all DROP at 20 and are out the door at 25. Would I do it again, absolutely not.

[@RR-pe7ok]

I've thoroughly enjoyed your videos and wanted to thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experiences! I'm currently going through the hiring process with several departments in my area. For most of them, I've only got a few more years of eligibility based on age (21-35). I've done very well on every written exam I've taken so I know I'm in the top ~10% of their ranked lists of applicants, but I am a bit concerned that my age alone could negatively impact my chances of being hired. All other things equal, how likely is it that departments would hire me over a comparable applicant 10 years younger?

[@elusivem3367]

Thanks for the advice!

[@infernohealthandfitness8472]

Duuuuude. A youtube live would be so epic!

[@Super123400]

Hey Mike! How would you say I should go about researching more about a department? I know at the bare minimum, you should review the cities website and also the fire department's subpage on that site, but that isn't always enough in some cases. What would be the best way to go about finding better key details of the desired department you are researching?

[@seanschaf4590]

Any advice for getting into arson investigation? It’s still my goal to be a firefighter paramedic, but I have a lot of interest in arson investigation and want to pursue it later in my career. Thanks man your videos have helped me a lot.

[@kristianmillano158]

Do you think I might have a chance to get hire in the future if I only do my EMT certification?To be honest paramedic is not something that I’m passionate about and also I don’t have the money to pay paramedic school. Is that going to reduce my chances of getting hired?

[@parkercrone1185]

My department doesn’t even require emt, however you need it to get promoted. Paramedic is not a necessity, at least where I live in a decent sized city in South Carolina (greenville), in fact I don’t think there’s even a department that requires paramedic around, just emt. I can’t speak for where you live, but here you do not need paramedic.

[@IcedEarth426]

Having your EMT certs will rarely hurt your chances - if anything it will improve them. Especially if the department you're applying for does EMS along with fire. Paramedics are always in demand where I work, but given how rigorous it can be to get your certs, I doubt most departments will expect all of their prospective employees to be Paramedics.

[@kristianmillano158]

@@IcedEarth426 here in Texas is required for several departments have your paramedic certification just to apply. I’m going to do my EMT basic but I don’t want to do paramedic cause I know is not going to be something that I would enjoy

[@IcedEarth426]

@@kristianmillano158 Yikes, that's quite some heavy expectations by the departments. I hope you do snag a job in one of the departments.

[@RambunctiousVids]

@@parkercrone1185 Hey man! I'm from gville. Born and raised until I was 17 then moved to Colorado. Just wanted to say hey. Keep it up brother.

[@drivethrufilmzz]

If I failed a psych evaluation due to “stress tolerance” for a police department, would I be able to pursue firefighting in the same city? Or would it be an automatic no considering I didn’t pass the psych for law enforcement

[@TheVanBarProject]

Thank you for creating these helpful tips and videos, it’s definitely helped me get into a good headspace. My question is: I’ve been volunteering for a department for a few years now and they’ve sponsored a lot of my schooling.(FFI,FFII,EMT, ect) I’m ready to move to a paid department in another state but feel it is wrong to leave my current department. Should I have guilt?

[@seanschaf4590]

don’t have guilt like he said it’s your life you gotta lookout for yourself and end of the day they aren’t paying you and you need a paying job

[@parkercrone1185]

I would say you need to go. You still got bills to pay man. They’ll understand.

[@hollow34]

Is it is the same state/locale? Where I work we're partial paid but we feed into whole time. Looking at it from bigger picture the country have paid to train you, they are still getting value for money in those terms. I wouldn't feel guilty, you've done more for the department than most others.

[@mclgolfandstuff]

Hey Mike, Can you explain the process of getting sponsored by a department for the fire academy, and how to go about it? Or direct me to a video you have where you discuss that. Thank you.

[@parkercrone1185]

Hey there, I got sponsored by a department to go to rookie school, but I did it in a unusual way. I took a class in high school and failed FF1 all three times, my final attempt I got a 69, I also would co-op with them during the testing. They sponsored me but I’ve gotten a few buddies sponsored now so I think I can help. First, go to a department you’d like to work. Volunteer, and shoe you care, when you feel like you somewhat understand what’s going on,(maybe a few months in) go up to the chief with full confidence and say “I’d like to join the fire service full time, I’ve heard about sponsorships and I was wondering if that is something we do here” (I guarantee you they do). Then give it everything you got.

[@GraphicsFrosTy]

I responded to an ad on indeed for paid on call and they sponsored me and actually are reimbursing me for my time now that I've completed it

[@07.eli.08]

Hello, I am currently 13, and I asked Google when you can start juvenile fire training, I was wondering how to find out which one to go to? What factors go into knowing which training center to go to?

[@vik12D]

I've had "deception indicated" on it when I told the truth, then they tried after the test to get me to admit to lying, but I hadn't. So, I didn't lie to admit lying? Left there and never looked back lol

[@malachilemke8102]

If a cadet is going for a full time position in the same department would it be appropriate to wear there cadet uniform around the department went seeking information or speaking to a higher up about the next step to that position? Also could you make a video about cadet programs and such?

[@xclrk3623]

Thanks for the vid boss man

[@ROII44]

I wanted to ask about the scoring methods of the civil service exams. Do you know if firefighter exams are scored based off 100 questions with a %70 pass even though the test has 200 questions? Do you know what exact formula they use to score these exams ? I’m reading off a Petersons “ Master the Civil Service Exams” and it reads here that “ Most exams, you get one point for each correct answer. You do not receive credit for an incorrect answer or unanswered question” how accurate is this to fire exams ?

[@eastnjman368]

Great info

[@clintonjames8721]

Taking my CPAT on Friday. Any advice on the forced entry? I can't seem to get it less than 10 strikes

[@whereisWALDOat]

The key to the forced entry is hitting it right in the centre of the target. You don't have to go for a home run swing just make sure it's accurate and you should be able to get it in 4-5 hits at most.

[@funk2744]

I'm 14, what steps should I take early on toward becoming a firefighter?

[@kevinpatrick5162]

I'm curious to know if messy houses burn faster than clean houses? Are they more dangerous for homeowners and fire fighters?

[@FIREoSTARTER]

Hi, Can you do a video on disabilities within the fire service such as dyslexia. Cheers

[@nicholasmakepeace8748]

Thanks you

[@brianronne2060]

KZbin lives would be awesome

[@hazelbell6984]

Why do you think it is that all of the sudden. No one will hire you then someone just starts getting offers overnight

[@magerriley719]

How is this dude gonna say "hufnasty" with a straight face?

[@Shadetree_Medic]

Wait firefighters take polygraphs? I had no idea.

[@kalebbryce]

Yeah a lot of agencies are moving toward that

[@DanteCoding]

do a youtube live

[@latoyaRrogers]

Can you do a video on volunteer firefighters.

[@Loreena_Embers]

First!