Firefighter Training and Questions
 

Hey guys, I seem to get emails or PM's numerous times regarding Fire Academy from many members. I hope it is okay with the mods that I post this.

I just want to let everyone know I will try to answer your questions as to the best of my knowledge and if there isn't a question I can answer, then I recommend contacting one of our Western Canadian Training Schools.

Justice Institute, Maple Ridge, BC(had many friends go here)
http://www.jibc.ca/fire/index.htm


Fire ETC(Emergency Training Centre) Vermillion, AB(this is where I went)
http://www.lakelandcollege.ca/progra...hter_nfpa1001/


I have to say Fire academy is one of the greatest experiences I have ever had and I miss it every day.

Just for shits and giggles. Here is our Grad Video, that I made myself(sorry, i am no video editor by any means)

those who know me should be able to pick me out very easily...since i made it, I made sure I was in it a lot :p

this is also a great forum for information

http://www.firehall.com/forum/index.php

Great thread btw,

how long did it take before you graded from Fire Academy?

on average what is the age of most enrolled in Fire Academy?

That explains being a flames fan, hopefully your not a flamer as well :troll:

Before entry to fire academy, you need to get your Airbrakes endorsement for your drivers license and you also need your Occupational First Aid Level 3.

For JI, i believe you need a good drivers abstract..

so that stuff takes a short time to get.

There are two types of courses for Fire Academy.

-EST(Emergency Service Tech.) Firefighter + EMT ( i think is 48 weeks long)

-Firefighter pre-employment (12 weeks long)

The youngest I had in my class was 18 and the oldest was 30.

Another platoon had a few 35 year olds in it.

Is it true that many firefighters are gay?


J/k.......... couldn't resist.

I know quite a few (not the gay part) and they're pretty cool guys. Almost all of them have a good sense of humour.

Ya, you gotta have a good sense of humor to take the abuse at some halls :P

guess thats why the guys in the canucks forum arent used to me ;)

can you actully get jobs after the training? I know a few that couldn't here in van. super hard to get in.

It is VERY competitive, it is not guaranteed to have a job out of academy. You have to just keep trying. Most guys go through academy, but keep working their day jobs for a few years while they attempt to get on. It all depends on your personality, more than your qualifications. If they can stand living with you in the same house, they will hire you. If not then you just got to keep reapplying till you get lucky.

There are some people who get on right out of academy, but there are some who apply for 5 years before they get on.

You just have to be determined, know what you want, and go for it until you get it!

EDIT: i also want to add, that there are great opportunities in northern alberta for industrial firefighters. Make 140K + a year, they give you home allowences and they are always hiring. By industrial firefighting I mean Syncrude and places like those

Do you get called a "bucket head" a lot?

good on you for putting out fires cuz flames suck

:troll:

no, that is more East-USA slang

good to know! my uncle is a Paramedic and hes always talking about bucket heads.. sorry about that!

no worries....paramedics are crazy, they deal with gnarly stuff ;)

Tegra Devil: You career somewhere now?

How is the salary?

No career yet....Was in my final testing process with North Vancouver, but had to back out of competition due to family issues. Haven't gotten back into the hiring pool for a few months; been busy dealing with other such things and recerting all my certificates again

depends city to city, but they are all relatively close. Starting wage is around 50K, but within 4 years of service your generally up to 70-80K. then obviously pay raises with lieutenant and captains. A few of the veteran guys that I talked to when I was younger and inquiring about info, said they were clearing 120K with 15 years service.

you definitely dont get in firefighting to make killer money.

you forgot to mention that you also need to be white.... :P

hahaha...its harder for white guys to get in...you have a better chance being a visual minority.

well it is pretty even...though a lot of depts are trying to get everyone from different ethnicities

I'm just finishing up my FF 1 & 2 through the JI. Just need to do my Hazmat Ops module then I wanna start looking for a career job.

Good Luck man! enjoy every moment of fire academy! and dont be disappointed if you dont get on first time around! keep at 'er.

also i recommend the firehall.com link i posted on the first page. I found it has the most upto date hires!