AboutCaptain Mike Grove Expertise Questions relating to but not limited to:
**Firefighter Entry Exams **Education Requirements **Physical Agility Testing **Interview Process **Scenario Testing
**Todays Emergency Medical Services **Incident Response
**Apparatus Function
**Station Life
**Scene Management
**National Incident Management System.
I possess the ability and willingness to assist those who may be or have family members seeking a future in the fire service or anyone seeking general information relating to promotional opportunities, general fire safety or any other similiar topics.
I have 30 years of full time experience with the city of Overland Park, KS fire department.
Experience 30 year veteran with the City of Overland Park Kansas Fire Department.
Overland Park,a large suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, is the second most populous city in Kansas with a population of 166,000
Overland Park ranks as one of the most progressive departments, as well as cities, in the United States. In 2006 CNN/Money Magazine ranked it 6th on it's "100 Best Cities to live in the United States". A recent 2007 article by National Geographic Magazine lists Overland Park as one of the top 50 US destinations.
Our department seems to grow daily and currently staffs approximately 160 paid fire and EMS personnel covering 69 square miles of territory with five stations. Our training facility is nothing less than state of the art with live computer controlled burn props on several floors of it's five story tower. A recently added Command and Control Center has added a new dimension to our regional wide response to large incidents.
I currently carry the rank of Captain/EMT. To this day I totally love my job and department as well as those individuals I work with. My family members include three brothers in the fire service as well as three in law enforcement. My father was a fire chief with a midwest fire department before he retired after 32 years of service. I am willing and able to answer questions on any fire/EMS related subject you may have. I can help with questions related to entry level testing as well as the physical agility and the interview process. I will do my best to answer any and all questions to your satisfaction in a timely manner.
Education/Credentials Associates of Applied Science in Fire Science Firefighter I/II/III Certification / Kansas University Fire Instructor I / Kansas University Emergency Medical Techician Certification Fire Officer I Certification / Kansas University HazardousMaterials Recognition and Identification Scene Safety Officer Certification / National Fire Academy Incident Command System / National Fire Academy Incident Management System / University of Missouri, Columbia National Incident Management System Certification / National Fire Academy Command and Control of Target Hazards / National Fire Academy
Expert: Captain Mike Grove Date: 6/18/2008 Subject: Disqualification question
Question Hi...A long time ago, 2001 I was arrested for possesion on ecstacy.I have a small history of getting in trouble including a misdemeanor poss of marijuana charge...Since then I have cleaned up my act and am now a saint.All I want to do is become a firefighter in Southern Ca. I will do anything to achieve my goal.And my progress is astounding,as I have changed my life and fought out of hell.I just want to know that I still have a chance to become a firefighter.Its all I think about,its all I want.I talked to "Capt Bob" and he said there was no chance of me Ever becoming a firefighter.I dont take no for an answer,but I dont want my efforts to be in vain.Please help me in this time of doubt.
As I said before...I was never a bad person,However I always had a very hard life.I grew up without a father,I diddnt like school and was a troubled teenager.I diddnt know how much of a good person I was inside and now I just want to stop being attached to the person who I was,and start being attached to the person who I am becoming.I just made mitakes.I dont think they should haunt me for my lifetime.All I want to do is help the public,the community,and myself.Thank you so much!
Answer Cory:
It's sounds as if you turned a new leaf and are on the right track. Were you ever charged with a felony? A felony on your record would be a bad thing when it comes to the fire service. An arrest record in itself does not necessarily disqualify anyone from the fire service. I presume you have a high school education and have or plan to attend college? As long as you have the minimum of a high school diploma and clean record you have the beginnings. You may still need to have some other things to get hired by the FD. Emergency Medical certification or basic Firefighter certification may be required by departments before you can apply.
Let me know a bit more about your history, age, record, schooling
