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 Capt. Grove, I am an airman stationed at Hurlburt Field in FL. I will be starting at a civilian fire academy on 2 Aug 08 and will graduate on 17 Jan 09. Upon graduating I'll be certified FF1 & 2 and EMT-B. Firefighter Safety and Survival is in there too. I'm not worried about the physical part of training (we will be doing plenty of PT throughout the course)but I could use some tips on studying for the academics of it. We will have to memorize a lot of stuff especially the NFPA regs. Do you have any suggestion that would make studying easier or more productive. Any input would be appreciated, Thanks.
Answer Kristopher:
Mom son is also an airman at Aviano AFB, Venice Italy. I wish he could have the opportunity you are getting. Having your FFI, II and EMT will get you into most any civilian fire service if you choose to do so after leaving the military.
I will tell you this. Passing FF I and II should be easy for you. Most of those curriculums are "hands on" and many of the item are accomplished by using teams of people. To me it is a lot easier because you get to see others do the tasks you will be required to do. In FFI and II you will doing things that won't required a vast amount of memory. EMT on the other hand can be more "book work" as well as memorization. My suggestion to you is to take very good notes and go over them frequently. Don't wait until the end of the week to refresh you memory of the things you learned. Go over your notes nightly or whenever you have a few spare minutes.
Most "good" instructors will tell you what is important and what isn't throughout the course. Yes there is some "hands on" during EMT class but the book work (notes) will be most important. If you have a good understanding of what the book and instructor teaches you then you will do fine. If you don't understand something be sure to ask the instructor or talk it over with a classmate. One thing you must know is "NO QUESTION IS CONSIDERED STUPID". Never be afraid to ask questions if you're not sure of something. After all it is a learning environment and you will be the student learning. You could do a little pre-course study while you wait for the class. Brush up on your anatomy by utilizing the Internet and searching "human anatomy". Search the Internet for "EMT practice exams". Many have demo tests but most of these sites charge a fee for their service. Typically the fees aren't too bad so you might want to do to get prepared.
Kristopher there are many many people who take and pass EMT. You will also be one of them. Just do as I suggest and you'll do fine. If you have nay questions along the way or before you start in please fell free to contact me.
