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
Question Captain Grove, I am fire I & II, EMT certified. I have also worked at a local casino, as an EMT/Officer for 8 months. When applying at fire departments they tell me they are not hiring. It's been 2 years since i have recived my certification. PLEASE HELP, were do i go from here.
Answer Mike:
What departments have you applied for? Some of the departments that are consistently looking for people are Lees Summit, Kansas City MO, and Kansas City KS. You might also look into Atchison KS FD and South Johnson County Fire District #2. Many of those departments will take applications and hold them until a process begins.
I presume you are looking to get your recert hours so you don't lose your EMT? FF I, II do not require recert hours. You can usually obtain EMT CEUs at a local community college or possible through the FD in that area. You didn't mention which state you're certified in but I assume it's MO since you're at the casino. Kansas is typically good about sending information on where and when recert classes are held. Does MO do that as well? Some classes are free and some cost. I would be the casino would pay for you to get recert hours. They don't want to lose what's working and have to start over by hiring someone else.
Keep your head up and look into the departments I have mentioned. In the mean time call the FD in the area you are in and ask them if they offer recert hours. Some departments will allow you to sit in on such classes. Let me know if you need any help.
