Comments for Journey To Firefighter

Comment on Interview With A Bay Area Battalion Chief by Joe

Joe — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:34:33 +0000

Josh, great stuff you are doing here. We are a new site designed in helping folks do well on the oral interview process. Perhaps you can assist some of your folks by having them visit our site. Maybe we can link up. Check us out at 911interviews.com A video based site designed to help those who are testing.

Comment on My First Fire!!! by Josh

Josh — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 06:00:22 +0000

Sorry Darren! I’m working on it. Time always seems to be the challenge.
I’m thrilled to see you’re checking out the site. Thanks!

Comment on Firefighter Nutrition by Jen

Jen — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 06:03:34 +0000

Thanks to you I know what some of this crazy stuff is!

Comment on Firefighter Nutrition by Fred S

Fred S — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 04:12:16 +0000

A very useful chart of information. Thanks for the info !

Comment on Fire Academy: Day 1 – Orientation & My Big Blunder by Josh

Josh — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Thanks Arnoldo! Who’s your friend, and what’s their blog?

Comment on Fire Academy: Day 1 – Orientation & My Big Blunder by Arnoldo Breitkreutz

Arnoldo Breitkreutz — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 20:28:32 +0000

Epic site I’m so glad I stumbled here through my friend’s blog, Going to need to add this one to the blogroll.

Comment on My First Fire!!! by Darren Bourne

Darren Bourne — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 07:57:50 +0000

To be continued???? What happened??? You cant leave me hangin like that…. Well done Josh. Keep the updates coming because I enjoy hearing about whats going on in your fire career.

Comment on Where have I been? by Angelo

Angelo — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 19:36:27 +0000

Congratulations on finishing the Fire Academy and the Cordelia job! I started reading this blog several months ago and really was curious where you’ve been. It’s a great blog and has really inspired me to follow my dream of becoming a firefighter as well. I actually quit my desk job in February and I’m starting my EMT and Fire Science classes this Fall.

Good luck with your continuing journey and hope to read more about it soon.

Comment on Office Of The State Fire Marshal – Accredited Training Facilities by Josh

Josh — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:47:43 +0000

Dave,

Thanks for the heads up! San Pasqual Reservation Fire Academy is now on the list!

- Josh

Comment on Office Of The State Fire Marshal – Accredited Training Facilities by Josh

Josh — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 16:43:46 +0000

Hi Joni,

Thanks for posting and for emailing me as well! (Your email is quoted below)

“I left a message on your site, but hoping you could advise a friend of mine on something…
He’s taken Fireman 1 and 2 with EMT in AZ, but can’t get a certificate because AZ cut the office (budget cuts) He loves the program and has done well with the skills.
What’s the next right step for him?
Thanks!”
joni

My site is focused on becoming a firefighter in California, so depending on how differently things are run in Arizona (I’m a wildcat by the way – UofA alumni) my answers to you may be a little off.

You mention that your friend has taken “Fireman 1 and 2″. I’m not sure if you mean fire science classes at a college, or something else. In general Firefighter I and II accreditation means that somebody has graduated from a fire academy and has worked as a firefighter for either 6 months full time, or 1 year part time. Currently I am working toward my firefighter I at the Cordelia Fire Dept in Fairfield, CA. Cordelia is a volunteer fire department and is a great place to get both experience and training, and ultimately my firefighter I certificate. Has your friend done this?

If not, I assume he’s taking classes, which is great! You also mentioned he got his EMT license which is essential to moving forward in a firefighting career. If the budget cuts have forced the cancellation of classes at his local college, have him consider another school or even take classes online. I haven’t looked into online programs (though it’s a great idea for a blog post), but I know there are number of school available with fire programs online.

I’d also urge him to get a job as an EMT (has he taken his National Registry exam yet?) for the experience. Also have him look into local “Explorer” programs with local fire departments, or even volunteer or reserve positions depending on the level of experience and training he’s gotten so far.

If I misunderstood what he’s done, please let me know and I’ll try and give a better answer, but this should be a good start for him. Additionally, if he hasn’t been through a fire academy, look into that as well.

Hope this helps!
- Josh