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: 6/17/2008 Subject: Joining an Armed Service to help become a firefighter
Question I am 23 years old, and have finally figured out that what I want to do with my life is become a firefighter. The opportunity of helping people and serving a community every time I go to work really excites me. However, I just stopped going to university after 2 years (I was in Computer Engineering, but figured out I would hate the job), which has left me with a lot of student aid debt. Im not totally sure on my financial options, but I was thinking of joining either the Navy or the Air Force (I was in AFJROTC all high school) and becoming a firefighter in either of those, then moving on to civilian work. Which of these branches do you think would best serve me, and what degree is best fit for being a firefighter?
Answer Hello Mike and thanks for choosing me in efforts to help.
You've got a lot of things accomplished and sound as if you have the motivation and plan to succeed. By all means you should go the Air Force route. I myself was a Marine but know that if it's education you're looking for the Air Force is the way to go. With your college experience you should be able to pick the desired field you want. I would suggest that you look into the Air Force Fire Protection Apprentice program.
With this certification under your belt as well as your earned college credits you would be a valuable applicant for any civilian fire department.
Let me know if you need any help. I currently have a son who is stationed in Venice Italy at Aviano AFB. He's been in the AF for two years so I am familiar with and recommend them.
