Posted: 5/23/2013 7:12:25 AM EDT
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Hey, I'm looking to start putting my app in this spring and I have a quick question. I'm currently a volunteer of 5 years and want to know if getting my HM Tech looks odd. As a volly, I've sent myself through:
FF 1&2, EMT-I, HM Ops, Fire Instructor (applying for EMS Instructor also), and a lot of supporting classes. Every year I used my vacation from work to go to a class and took weekends when I could. This year, I'm looking at Tech. I really enjoy training but don't want it to look out of place. I'm also working towards Structural Collapse Rescue Tech, but that's going to be a bit. Thoughts? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Well I'm not full time, but I volunteer at a combination dept, I have similar credential/experience as you.
I've asked the career guys about how I can get on a specialty team, like HM, or Tech Rescue, or swift water. My dept doesnt have special teams so basically they said it would be of no practical use. So in other words, if you can't use it, then it would look strange to have it. But if you department allows Vols to join their team, or you could join a county/regional team as a vol, then it would make sense. |
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Quoted:
Well I'm not full time, but I volunteer at a combination dept, I have similar credential/experience as you. I've asked the career guys about how I can get on a specialty team, like HM, or Tech Rescue, or swift water. My dept doesnt have special teams so basically they said it would be of no practical use. So in other words, if you can't use it, then it would look strange to have it. But if you department allows Vols to join their team, or you could join a county/regional team as a vol, then it would make sense. That's what I was curious about. I can use OPs right now, but that's it. I really like the HM side of things, but getting with a regional unit wouldn't be possible. I'll just find more classes pertaining to things relevant to me. Thanks. ETA: Title edit. Forgot about guys from combination departments that could help. 
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Why do you think it will make you look "odd"?
I have no idea how hiring goes on out in Oklahoma but here we test on Civil Service. With out knowing more of your volunteer background like number of fires, size of department, training schedule, etc it's hard to say... You could either look eager and a self starter or like a ketchup dick. As a Tech I'll say the course itself was pretty easy, and really not that in depth. It is going to require additional training if you want to be more than a body in a suit. However, if you like training and get your Hazmat Tech there are a half dozen or so free trainings you could attend |
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Why do you think it will make you look "odd"? I have no idea how hiring goes on out in Oklahoma but here we test on Civil Service. With out knowing more of your volunteer background like number of fires, size of department, training schedule, etc it's hard to say... You could either look eager and a self starter or like a ketchup dick. As a Tech I'll say the course itself was pretty easy, and really not that in depth. It is going to require additional training if you want to be more than a body in a suit. However, if you like training and get your Hazmat Tech there are a half dozen or so free trainings you could attend  I've never heard "ketchup dick" before, I had to Urban Dictionary it. I do know the type, but for me: no bat belt, no FF t-shirts, no ink, no lights on my truck, and I don't bring it up every chance I get.
My background is pretty tame, small volume department, limited structure fires, and as for training schedule it's what I sign up for.  Every single bit of training I've had is something I've sought out and signed up for, mostly self paid. The ONLY reasons I was considering the Tech class is:
1) It's free! 2) I really, really enjoy training from good instructors. 3) HM really interests me. I was worried about the "KD" aspect of it and understand the stigma. I wasn't looking to pad my resume either. I do not want to be a paper fireman by any means. I also am concerned about too much volunteer time as there is a negative connotation with "volunteer" around here, IE: lazy, untrained, and "KD" to the max. Unfortunately, it is somewhat true in this area. I think the best course would be to not take a fun and interesting class that will have NO benefit to my current department and instead focus on training that will. Thanks for the advice, anyone else please chime in. |
| If it's free go for it, I'm a big fan of getting whatever training I possibly can. The problem once you get into some of the more technical training is that it really requires constant use and training on it for you to retain enough knowledge to be useful. Part of my full time job (not FD) is confined space rescue so I am a certified Confined Space and Rope Rescue tech, but right now we don't have any work involving that in my area so I'm fighting to get them to pay for me to go to some extra training or send me to help another region so that I can keep the skillset up for when we need it. At my FD they are happy that I have the knowledge but there is little chance of ever needing it in our district and even if we did we don't have the equipment for me to use to do it anyway. |
| Training never looks odd. Hazmat tech is not something most guys "want" to take, so it isn't just some glory boy class. If HM interests you take as much of it as you can. The truth is, it is more likely to come in handy than most other tech classes you could take. I have worked for my dept for 8 years. I see more potential for hazmat in my county than most other technical classes. |
| Go for it. It's free so you're not out any money. I just took it last month because it was free. We don't have a hazmat team but you gain a lot of knowledge by taking it. It was hot but I'm glad I took it in April and not July. It was fun, the book was very thick and we covered a lot of material but the test was pretty easy. They would be a lot of training further down the road if your dept has a hazmat team. The class I took was more on the information side not the physical side of stopping or control leaks or what not. |
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It won't look odd at all. The more quals/experience you have the better. This. The less the Departments that are looking at you have to spend to get you on the street the better. Generally. There are a few places that prefer inexperienced people that don't come with "baggage" - ie outside training that differs from their own - so they can "mold" their probies into "their" FF's. Those are typically larger departments, but I've heard of some small to mid-sized shops having that attitude. Ask some of the folks that have been hired at your intended places. You'll generally get an honest answer. I'd also consider if your intedned departments provide or prefer EMS training, specifically EMT-P. The top dozen guys on our list are FF/P's. While it was always preferred, until the change in the Fire and Police Commission act last year they couldn't (or didn't want to) change the official requirements. Medic is a costly and sometimes difficult thing to obtain, so many shops are preferring to hire folks who already have it. |