Group Forums >> Hardheaded Firefighters >> Help
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Posted 3 months ago I was looking in to becoming a volunteer firefighter there is a firestation right up the road from where I live in North Carolina and it is strictly volunteer, I was just wondering and this might sound stupid but do you need any degrees or certification to become a volunteer firefighter? |
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| Posted 3 months ago I'd recommend that you talk with the Chief. Most Volunteer departments have a business meeting once a month. I would recommend that you go to this meeting and meet those that are dedicated to serving in this department. This is also a better atmosphere for showing your interest since you are coming to the boring portion of the job not just because you see all the cool toys. Eric M. Gildersleeve
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| Posted 3 months ago I am a volenteer and i joined as a explorer, but we have never required any education to become a FF. We always just put the new volenteers through our in house academy. I would also recommend going to the station and talking to the chief there. |
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| Posted 3 months ago I wondered the same thing when i started to volunteer. Our dept in all volunteer as well. I just happened to call up there at the right time and asked about joining. Guy told me to come up the next day which was a friday cause they do truck check off's friday night. So i came up there and filled out an application. I've never looked back and honestly wish i would have done it sooner. Our station has an "in house" training. everyone starts out trainees or "yellow helmets". You have about a year to complete our "red helmet" check out book. Our "red helmets" are our firefighters. But as trainee's at our station you do pretty much everything a firefighter does. With the exception of going interior. I've gotten my "red helmet" but i don't have any certifications. Although i'm working on them, but it's just to further myself. Thats just how my station works and each are going to be a little different. Just go up the your station when you see some cars there. I can tell you that you won't regret it. You will if you don't go though |
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| Posted 3 months ago I have been a vol for 25 yrs we just have them fill out an application they make a few meetings then we assign a commitee to them wich consits of a capt. lt. and firefighter. they dicuss the good and the bad with them and their family to make sure the family has no problem with it.We discuss the dangers and benifits of being a firefighter we check criminal backgruond and driver license.Thier commitee is responsible for training the on the equipment. They go to week end classes and in house training we also require a completion of a 70 rookie school befor they can do any interior fire fighting or be on the first out truck. |
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| Posted 3 months ago The deparments in my neck of the woods dont usualy require and certs to start however you must aquire your firefighter I and EMT-B certifacations with in two years of being there and you are usually on probation until you fulfill that requirement. also they will pay for those classes if intereste.
FTM-PTB-RFH-EGH
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| Posted 3 months ago Thanks for the feedback it has helped me alot, I am in the process of getting my EMT-B cert all I have to do is pass the registry exam. But I will go talk to the chief and thank again |
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| Posted 3 months ago I joined my department with no experience, no education no nothing. I would just talk to the Chief to see what kind of training they would have for new people with no experience. I was blessed to come on board with our department, that had several experienced people, and MANY of them lended a hand with training or answered any questions I had. |
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| Posted 3 months ago ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS DON'T REQUIRE DEGREES |
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| Posted 3 months ago I joined my department with no certifications as well. I now have Wildland firefighter and my EMT-B certification, which if your department runs EMS is a good investment. Also, I'm not sure if its across the 50 states or if it's just in PA, but I did hear that starting in 2009, all active firefighters must have at least Essentials in order to go into a burning building. Has anyone else heard about this? |
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| Posted 3 months ago Most, if not all departments do not require any training up front. You will be required to pass a back ground check. Once in the department, you will be offered training. In the State of New York, you are required to complete On Scene Training to go to a fire scene and Firefighter 1 if you plan on going into a burning building. Without Firefighter 1, you will not be able to don a SCBA. |
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| Posted 3 months ago Apply, pass background, join dept, get training (firefighting/ems) as always continue training as a FireFighter/EMT
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| Posted 3 months ago I'm an NC vollie myself and at our (admittedly small) station in Randolph county the only necessary prerequisites were that you show up to train every monday (You can only miss 1 a month) pass a background check (no felonies and/or mserious misdemeanors) you have to wait a minimum three mondays training to be issued gear, and all members undergo a six month probation. |