Posted: 7/1/2005 7:03:23 AM EDT
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Two new topics in one day... I am on a roll. Save the flames (no pun intended) and give me some feedback, even if it's not what I want to hear. I still have the itch to do some civil service. I can't ever be a cop because I had 2 DUI's (98,99). That also bans me for life for any public job in AZ. Quit drinking in 2000, sober since. No drug use sans a little experimentation with pot (5 or 6 times) and coke (2 or 3 times). Been getting some interesting phone calls lately. One of my owners has property on a very large scale in several states surrounding AZ... NM, TX, CA, UT, OK. He is looking for me to centralize my office and work as the general supervisor for all states, as long as I reside in one. Hmmmm. Good money for 10 hours per week in work. Then the VA calls and tells me they have cancelled the amputation on my leg, that the tests show a new treatment is available they just received funding for. Looks like they can heal my leg and I will have almost 100% use again if the surgery is successful (it's some kind of plastic composite that actually replaces the entire bone, and is electronically mated to my knee permanently to monitor it?). I am finally getting my DL back in about 6 months. So, a move seems promising, my leg seems promising, and my record has been clean for 6 years now, 5 of them alcohol free except the beer I indulge in to help control the pain in the leg. No drugs AT ALL for 7 years. Any fire departments anyone knows of that will hire me with such a bad background? I should mention that I am 34 1/2, so I wouldn't even be applying until at LEAST 36. I am in excellent physical shape; bench 1.75 times my body weight; used to run the 2 mile in 12 flat (can get back there after my leg is healed with enough effort). I'm just trying to explore options here. I don't want to go back to electrical work. But the property management is a good deal that takes very little time. A move might be a new start. I am working on 2 Master degrees (MBS and MAE, emphasis HRM and minor Finance on the business side, and Literature and Composition (technical writing) on the education side). I am an asst professor already at my univesity, so I have a job there as an adjunct prof upon completion of my MA degree(s). I'd like to know if the fire department is another of those options. With 1 and 1/2 years to decide (minimum), I have plenty of time to pray about it. Trying to make a list of some sorts to make certain I know the options and areas and such. Anything y'all can offer would be appreciated. I doubt I am qualified for fire (history of drinking, age, and leg), but I won't know if I don't ask. The answer here in Phoenix is a resounding NO - forever. |
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I would make good and sure you are not going to have troubles with your leg. As a FF, you will need to be able to crawl on your knees for long periods of time, while wearing heavy gear, and dragging a hoseline. You will also need to be proficient climbing ladders, and walking on roofs etc, etc while wearing the same gear. And, you need to be able to drag someone else who will also be wearing the same gear. Your legs can take a great deal of abuse. All that aside...The dept I work for would not hire you with a DUI on your record. |
Understatement of the year  You're knees & legs must be able to take all kinds of abuse and keep going. I'm getting old & starting to get crepatis & on a long extraction or structure fire my knees start acting up. We use Morning Pride gear with the Heat Channel Knee option and that makes somewhat of a difference, but I'd love to figure out a way to wear knee pads on the inside of my bunker gear  When you get back in shape, check around to see if you have a Volunteer fire department & if so stop in and talk with them. |
| My Volunteer dept won't take a new member with a DUI in the last 3 or 5( cant remember which) years. Our insurance won't cover you so you cannot drive and if you get hurt you are on your own as far as paying for your medical bills. We currently have one member who got a DUI right after he was voted in and is only allowed to respond code 1 in his personal vehicle to calls. The DUI + your age + your leg makes you a hard sell, especially if you are competing with people who don't have those problems for a spot. |
+1................. |
I doubt any Volly department would take him!  Sorry bud! |
As madmedic has said, there is a LOT of abuse that takes place on your knees in the FD (And not just during promotion time  ). I think most of my academy session was spent on the ground.I also work as an electrician - the two worst jobs for knees n' back problems, so I know where you're coming from. As far as the DUI, as long as you don't attempt to conceal it, and it isn't current (last 3-5 years) many of the PD's around here require a valid DL w/o court restrictions (ie no "work driving" permit secondary to a DUI or other offense) ETA - And if the DUI's didn't result in a felony conviction. most places a felony is an auto DQ. As far as doing the FD thing full time? In IL most cities with full-time FD's are actually more lenient than the pension boards, who would be the ones paying out on a disability pension. While the prognosis for your leg sound awesome (good luck, BTW), I think many pension boards would be more scared by the possibility of a claim for knee injury later in your career that would actually be due to your pre-exisiting condition. Your one "out", however, is the physical agility portion of the examination. If you can successfully complete that within the time limits, the department has limited legal recourse to DQ you on a "physically unfit" basis. However, each city / township / district / county department has their own rules, regulations, testing processes and fitness requirements, so I'd advise you to check. As far as the PT / VFD? Once again, as long as you don't try to conceal it, it isn't recent, and you currently have a valid DL, most will accept you. Most VFD's have much more lenient medical requirements than full-time shops. Not because the fire's any different, but because VFD's don't usually pay pensions. Make a few calls, and show up on some drill nights. Ask questions. Make friends. Good luck to you, and congratulations for gettin' yer head on straight. 
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