All Things CF Firefighter (merged)

[Heatwave]

Asrail,

As I couldn't give you anything but rumours, I prefer not to comment on the Specialist Pay scenario.  Yes, the trade is still ongoing review, so the entry requirements are still not totally updated.  However, not much is going to change.  As for the MOSID, it is now 00149. 

If there's any other questions, feel free to ask.

Chimo!

 

[PViddy]

A quick question.

I understand that you to put in some Navy time somtime after your trained.  Once you do the ship board stuff are you ever required to do it again ?

Also since i am HAZMAT qualified already, it's  filed that interests me, and i read somwhere that their is a national nuc/biol/hazmat response team.  Where could that come in to play in your career.

thanks

PV

 

[PaladinPup]

I have searched the forum archives and have learned some important elements of the trade from your posts. Thank-you!

May I ask the following however?:

I have been to the CF Recruiting Centre and had many questions answered...many things about the recruitment process and the trade itself.

A couple questions that remain however:

1) Are Military Firefighters recognized the same way civilian Firefighters are when being considered for lateral transfers? Military Police for example cannot make a lateral transfer to civilian Police Services without going back the cadet level and attending Police College. I know there are exceptions, but this is the general rule. What about Military Firefighters?

2) I was told that the recruitment processs would take anywhere from 2 months to 2 years. How consistent is this with your experience? How competitive is this trade compared to civi Depts?. Here in the GTA, Firefighter is brutally competitve. Many applicants spend severeal years trying to get hired. Any thoughts on this?

3) What makes a competitve applicant for the trade of military firefighting?

4) What is the latest word on the trade becoming a specialization?

5) I read something regarding rookies getting their QL5 and then trying to transfer to civi depts. What do you mean by this? How early on in thier career is this done. I imagine it is not looked favourably upon those who break their contract. What are the consequences?

Forgive the long messege! I sincerely appreciate any help you may have time to give!

Most Repectfully,

Jayce

 

[IcEPiCk]

Are Military Firefighters recognized the same way civilian Firefighters are when being considered for lateral transfers? Military Police for example cannot make a lateral transfer to civilian Police Services without going back the cadet level and attending Police College. I know there are exceptions, but this is the general rule. What about Military Firefighters?

Well you put in enough years as a MP in the CF, many Canadian police forces will take you without taking Police Foundations from college.  They look for life experience, and what better than Military experience being a MP, and then becoming a police officer?  Many ex-infantry can become police officers, it depends on what you bring to the table.  Speaking another language helps, it also depends on the force though...  Nevermind you have to go through the probation period...

Try this story on for size, a guy has a week left on his probation but he gets busted for filling his own tank with the gas card, and getting car washes with it also.  Using government money basically to fill his OWN car up, and wash it.  The guy was axed of course, only with a week left!  How messed is that lol... Stupid guy lied to the people at the detachment also though, he said he was ex JTF2 lol.  A buddy looked into it and it turns out the guy was serving them food LOL.

Whatever...

As for firefighters, I think it would be the same, start from scratch deal.  However, you rack up enough experience, and possibly acquire other skills such as billingualism, they will be wanting you when it comes down to iit.

To be a compettitive applicant you want to do as well as you can on the interview, the physical, and the aptitude.  Show up to the recruiting centre dressed like you want the job.  Ask questions that show your interested.  Train hard for the physical so you score well.

Good luck!

I cant help with your other questions, take care.

 

[Heatwave]

PViddy,

I won't say that you are required to go back to the ship after you've done it once...but I will say that it is a good possibility that you will.  This being said, a posting to the Joint Nuclear Biological Chemical Defence Company (JNBCD Coy), is often considered somewhat comparable to a 3-year sea posting.  Not that you perform the same tasks, it's just that you are away from the Fire Departments for a few years and they like to get you back to keep you up to date on your training and new equipment.  You will seldom see a back-to-back posting from ship to JNBCD Coy, or vice-versa (Note.....I did say "seldom" and not "never").

A posting to the JNBCD Coy could happen anytime after you have your Journeyman (QL5) Qualification.  From that point, I believe the highest ranking Fire Fighter is a Sgt.  After that, I believe you are pretty much left alone. 

As for your HAZMAT qualifications, unless you received them from the Fire Academy, you would likely have to do the HAZMAT Responder/Technician course again, as I don't know if they perform PLAR's.

Hope this helps
Chimo!

 

[Asrail]

Heatwave, Harbinger, Cutter2001ca, thanks y'all for your input and advice - priceless.

I'll share a bit about myself ...
Where I stand right now as a civvie is as a corporate banker (snore...SNORT... snore...), but have been physically and athletically fit for a while now. The one thing holding me back, I believe, at the moment, is my vision - it's real sh*tty. I'm going to have to get laser corrective surgery - do any of you know how the army perceives laser, especially as regards to FIRE FTR? I would assume they'd be concerned about my vision relapsing into its former sh*tty state after a few months... I'm sure it can get within V3 specs, as long as it can hold ...  :-\

I'm thinking I'll wait half a year after the surgery before applying - do you suppose that might better my chances, assuming my eyesight is stable at that point in time?

Following, when is a good time in the year to apply for FIRE FTR? I'm thinking it will be either 2nd half of next year, or early 2007. Any particular suggestions?

As well, do any of you have any insights into what sort of psychological profile they're looking for in potential FIRE FTR's? I realize that knowing this wouldn't do anything for me if I'm not the right profile, but it doesn't hurt to ask, does it?  :-*

Lastly (for now  ) I'd like to ask your opinion/evaluation of this idea: I'm thinking of getting involved with SAR TECH after about 5-8 years as a FIRE FTR - what do you guys think? I'd like to apply for SAR TECH right away, but I'm aware that one needs to be in the CF for at least 3? years, and various other stipulations. There's no other position that really sticks out that I'd rather be doing during the time leading up to my applying for SAR TECH, except perhaps NAVY boatswain. Obviously I would think it prudent to NOT mention such career ambitions to a recruiter, but any suggestions/criticisms? Goals too lofty? 

Any advice would be appreciated, as always.

 

[PViddy]

Thanks for the info,

Any chance of being posted to JNBCD coy instead of going to Sea ? The HAZMAT stuff really interested me while i was in school.  Also last i heard was the FF trade was pretty competitive, however i also hear their is a high turnover rate because members VR and go to civi dept's. what's your take ? while posted at a hall, do shift rotate all around ex. airside to structural dyas to nights vice versa or is airside and structural considered two sperate houses?

thanks gentleman

PV

 

[Heatwave]

Asrail and PViddy,

It's obvious by your posts that you've both done your homework and you have some background knowledge into this topic, refreshing to see on this site.  I proceed chronologically with Asrail's questions.  I don't know what your vision is now, but I was a V3, on the verge of V4 when I enrolled.  Needless to say, my glasses were thick.  I have since had laser surgery (2002) and haven't had any problems with my now 20/20 vision.  However, the military does put you on a temporary medical category (T3) for a few months after the surgery is done.  As well, you require permission from the military to have such surgery (for various reasons).  So you may want to get it done before you join.  Either way, as long as you are within the V3 range, you should be OK.

The best time to apply for Fire Fighter is right now.  The reason I say that is because there is such a large demand for the trade and the sooner you get your name on the list, the better.  The trade is only "Open" for a short time, as it is quite easy to fill.  This is why, as PViddy had heard, the trade is so competitive.  Many people want to join, or VT (remuster) to the trade.  And yes, we do have a high turnover rate, so don't get discouraged.

The psychological profile required is extremely low.  After all.....you do have to go into a burning building while others are running out.  :-\  OK, I jest.  I truly couldn't give you any input into the required psychological profile, as I'm not privy to that info.  However, I wouldn't hold back an application based upon your fear of not passing this part.

Asrail...I'm not, nor have I ever been a recruiter.  But I truly believe the mentioning of wanting to be a SAR Tech would be a good thing.  To me, it shows goals, initiative and commitment towards the CF.  This is the most difficult trade to get into (my opinion, but I know most would agree), but extremely rewarding.  It isn't a bad thing to mention that you want to remuster, because as you already mentioned, it is the only way to access this trade.  Remember, you would still be serving the CF, which is good.  As for becoming a Boatswain, this is an interesting choice, as a Bos'n has little to do with the trades of Fire Fighter or SAR Tech....simply an observation.


Yes, PViddy, there is a chance of being posted to the JNBCD Coy instead of going to sea.  However, this is something that would depend on your Career Manager, as well as time and place.  Odds are pretty high that you would go to sea at least once in a Fire Fighter's Career. 

At a Military firehall, when you are on shift, you respond to whatever happens.  Granted the Aircraft Rescue Fire Fighting (ARFF) is our priority, as it encompasses specialized equipment that we have, we still respond to whatever the emergency is...Structural, ARFF, Vehicle, Medical, HAZMAT, etc.  Each shift is trained in all aspects.....Jack of all, master of none.  One firehall, one house.

Hope this answers all the questions and that I didn't miss anything or make it too confusing.  Regardless, you know how to reach me.  Great questions, by the way.

Chimo!

 

[PViddy]

Great answers! thanks for your help, if you don't mind, i'll belt more off as they come up.

thanks

PV

 

[koss78a]

WHAT would a firefighters duties when if he was posted to work with the navy?
what  does a firefighter do when they are not fighting fires on board the ship?

 

[Old Ranger]

WHAT would a firefighters duties when if he was posted to work with the navy?
what   does a firefighter do when they are not fighting fires on board the ship?

1) Put out fires and wash things
2) Sleep and wash things

Try a challenging career like Paramedicine.

 

[Asrail]

A belated Happy ( ) Thanksgiving, y'all.

Heatwave, Harbinger, Cutter2001ca, hope y'all are still out there somewhere in the cold and barren Canadian Cyberworld. LOL

Couple more questions for u guys:

- Is there a minimum height requirement for FIRE FTR? Haven't been able to find any specs regarding height for this particular MOC. I'm not that short, but I'm not that tall either - somewhere between 5'7 and 5'8.

- Any more updates/rumours on specialized (in other words, INCREASED) pay for FIRE FTR?

Being an Ontario-ite, it will take me another full year to obtain a valid driver's licence. I'm hoping that by then, around the time I apply, the salary for FIRE FTR will have increased. If not, so be it, but it would be nice.

Being an Ontario-ite also means that any Civilian qualifications I acquire here would not be of the NFPA type. I'd have to pay extra $ at the end of it all to have a certification that would be of an NFPA-equivalency. Oh well, I'm sure the Ontario-ite recruiters will be familiar with that particular issue. I'll be taking a couple courses throughout 2006, most notably a course that will prep me to take the CPAT and the York University Firefighter Fitness Assessment:

http://www.recruitfirefighter.com/page10.html

I figure it can't hurt my chances with the recruiters if I show them I'm fit enough and serious enough to take a couple courses to learn at least some of the theory behind all this.

Speaking of recruiters and recruiting, do you guys have any advice about the timing of when I should apply? I'll be applying somewhere near the end of next year, once I've obtained my full driver's licence (graduated licencing is the bain of my existence!).

I'm currently working F/T at an office, and would want to give them at least a month's notice before throwing in the towel. However, from what you guys tell me, I understand that recruitment for FIRE FTR happens simply whenever they need people, which can be ... at any moment. Will they let me do my BQ first, then go back to my day job and wait until they have an opening? I'm thinking that would be nice, but doesn't seem like something that they would do... Any advice? I'll be talking to a recruiter tomorrow about this... Right now my day job pays the bills and the rent, so I'm trying to work this transition process out way in advance, to make it as financially smooth as possible. Kindly advise.

Hope this posting finds you guys well. PViddy, any update on your front?

 

[PViddy]

Ok Asrail,

I can help you with a couple of things, however as i still havn't decided whether to go civi FF or CF i would still like to hear the answers.  So i am also from Ontario and have a diploma in Fire Science as well as OFM (Ont. Fire Marshall) and NFPA quals.  The issue with Ont. departments not accepting NFPA quals is not true.  It oftens depends on the department.  For example, last time i checked London only took NFPA for applications.  Also i have had friends go down to Texas and come back here and get hired no problem.  Thirdly, from what i have seen from civi dept's so far (having done a couple of recruitments) they scream for military experience so i wouldn't be worried about NFPA (the rest of Canada) vs. Pre Service Firefighter (Ontario) quals.

All we did during school in prepare for the Fitness Tests, i would say 70 % of it is cardio so make sure that is up to snuff.  I will leave the rest to the gentleman that are actually getting paid to fight fires help you with the rest  .


cheers

PV

 

[a_beautiful_tragedy]

hey, im not sure if anyone is still on this topic...but ill still ask
i was reading this post in interest of becoming a cf fire fighter, and i came across "Once your 3s are done you will be posted to a fire hall at one of the air bases (Comox, Edmonton, Cold Lake, Winnipeg, Greenwood, Shearwater or if your french,  Bagotville)
are these the only available firefighter postings ?
are there none in ontario ?
such as pet,trenton or even borden....it was my understanding that there are firefighters on all bases that have airfields
please correct me if im wrong...cause i dont really have any idea !
thanks
kyle 

 

[Heatwave]

Please excuse me, all!  It's been quite busy, and I haven't logged on for some time.  I guess I better get it together.

Ok, here goes.  Asrail - At one time, there was a height restriction.  My understanding is that they got rid of this as part of Human Rights.  My word is not gospel, but you've probably already discussed this with the recruiter.  If I'm wrong, please advise for all. 

As for the Spec Pay....wait, Out.  Until the Trade Funtional Analysis for the MOSART is complete, in which case a Qualification Standard will be written, we won't hear anything.  As I'm sure you could well imagine, this will take much time.  I'll probably be working for you when it's done

As for the NFPA certification, just as a point of interest, we receive them (with the seals and certificates) from the Fire Academy in Borden, ON.  You're right, any way in which you can sell yourself to the recruiters, will be a feather in your cap.  And, as you suggested, your best bet is to apply, and then wait for the call.  Typically, you'll receive many calls for trades other than Fire Fighter.  It's just a matter of waiting it out for what you want....I couldn't give you an estimated time on this.  However, once you join the Regular Force (ie: completed BQ), you are now a serving member 24/7.  You wouldn't be able to return to your current job at the office.  Don't forget though, this means a steady income.  So the financial transition shouldn't be much of an issue.  Keeping in mind that I don't know what your current income is or your budget.  Hope this info can be put to use. 

Asrail, For the most part, you are correct.  Generally, places are welcoming to military fire fighting experience.  Occasionally, due to the large amount of NFPA certifications received from the Academy, some individuals are told they are "Overqualified" :'(  This is a bone of contention with many, that just want a job in a field they believe they'll love.....such is the politics.  Excellent input on your behalf.

Kyle, welcome to this thread.  Yes, we do have some postings in Ontario.  However, the quote you used stated "Once your 3's are done."  Therefore, a posting to the Fire Academy (Borden) or North Bay, are out of the question, due to the experience required beforehand.  We do still have Trenton, which is the biggest posting for us in Ontario.  You were partially correct, in that we have military firefighters on all "Airbases."  But not on all bases with "airfields."  The firefighters in Pet are DND Civilians, not military. 
As well, to add to your list of postings, don't forget the ships on the West Coast (Esquimalt) and the East Coast (Halifax).  Nice to see someone else with interest.

Happy Haunting to all >

Chimo!

 

[umpa]

Hello all,
I am new at this so my apologies if it is done wrong.I am currently an Engineer but am trying to be a firefighter.Oh the sweet time it takes.I am on AVOTP aswell as LOTP.I am not banking much on the LOTP as I have a lot of quals and I am hoping that they help out this month during selection?Has anybody heard anything about AVOTP?Also as I understand it apon completion of your 3's course or whatever they call it now that you go to a base until around the rank of Cpl.Is this true and what if you are already a Cpl?I am in edmonton right now and wouldnt mind staying but comox has a lot of appeal too as I am from BC.Any info would help.Thanks

 

[Heatwave]

Umpa, the Military Fire Service is quite full of personnel that have OT'd, but I have to admit that I've never really asked which form of OT they took.  Due to this, I don't feel I can comment on the efficiency of one form of OT over another. 

You do go to a base after your 3's, and upon completion of your 4's package, you return to the Academy for your 5's (Journeyman).  You'll notice that I never mentioned rank in that sentence.  We've had Pte's on their Journeyman course.  Typically, during the time it takes between your 3's and 4's package, most people receive their promotion to Cpl.  This is why it seems that they are at a base until the rank of Cpl.  After completion of the Journeyman course, many get posted (generally to the coasts to learn about the Navy way of doing things, but not always).  If you are already a Cpl, you will keep your rank and pay (minus spec pay, if it applies), and simply change your element to air (again, if this applies).  Everything else is based more upon qualification level, and not rank.  As an example, I recall teaching a MCpl the "ins and outs" of one of our Crash trucks, while I was Pte.  As I stated, it depends on your qualification, and in what you've received it in, not so much as your rank.   

Before I get attacked, I'm not stating that the rank structure isn't used.  Each one has it's responsibilities, and required training, and is surely applied in the Fire Service.  I just want to re-affirm that this particular case isn't based upon the rank.

If you haven't done so, stop by the Hall in Edmonton for a tour.  They have excellent training facilities and if you explain why ypu're there, I'm sure they would be happy to show you around.  Good Luck!
Chimo! 

 

[buddyhfx]

Hi all,
Just caught up with this tread. I must say that I agree with most of the post but just to get back to the tours at sea, this is just like any other postings, you make it your own. One of the problems that we have in Fire halls is that we have Firefighters that come back from a tour at sea and did'nt like it and they keep talking about all the negative aspect of it. A lot of young people listen to these older guys and right of the bat they get a negative attitude towards a tour at sea and they just don't wanna go. If you show up with a negative attitude and keep it up, it will be a long 3 yrs. Having 4 Firefighters per ships (6 on AOL) it only takes one to bring the moral down. It always depand on your crew and your personal attitude, just like everywhere else. For me, I enjoy sailing as a Firefighter, we were a good crew with a good ship's company.

Heatwave, glad to hear from you. If you don't recongnize me, we sailed together and I'm the one that did the extra year. So there, that should narrow it down....lolll. Drop me a line some time.
Cheers.

 

[PViddy]

Hey buddy

Good to get some more guys in the trade on here so Heatwave doesn't have to do all the work!    Of course i have read the recruiting site, what is a typical shift like while at Sea ?  How long is lead up training till you sail ? and what can you expect posting wise after your done, your "Navy time"

thanks

PV

 

[buddyhfx]

While at sea, you shift schedule basically depends on the flying schedule. Of course while there's flying going on you have to be on stand-by for take off and recovery. When there's no flying, you just carry on according with the ship's schedule, if there is anything on the schedule ei: fire ex, man overboard etc... but we're not involved in all the drills. Also we do our monthly maintenance on different pieces of gear that we have on board  and we give fire tours on all the fitted systems to the crew members. When there's no flying going on we get quite a bit of down time........ I'd say, on a ship we probably have the best job.

Ho!!!  I almost forgot, we also have our daily cleaning stations because like they say in the Navy '' A clean ship is a happy ship''

Cheers!!