AboutJohn Grussing Expertise I am able to answer questions related to fire service careers, fire suppression tactics, technical rescue procedures, emergency medical services, as well as fire department management and supervision questions.
Experience I am a 19 year veteran of the Normal, IL. fire department and currently hold the rank of Captain. I am also a past member of the MABAS Div. 41 Technical Rescue Team.
Organizations Golden Key Honor Society
International Association of Firefighters
McLean County EMS communications committee
Publications Fire Engineering Magazine (Roundtable Discussions)
Education/Credentials I hold an Associates degree in Fire Science from Illinois Central College as well as a bachelor of liberal arts degree from Western Illinois University. My emphasis of study was fire and disaster response planning. In addition, I hold numerous certifications in firefighting, Hazardous Materials, Technical Rescue, and Fire Department Administration from the Illinois Fire Service Institute.
Question I'm 14 years old turning 15 in a few months. I live in a small town in Maine and I have wanted to be Fire Man since 2 years old. I want to be fire man but I also want to be able to serve in the military when the time comes. How can I be in the military and be a fire fighter?
Answer Erik,
First of all, let me commend you on your desire to serve your country. It is possible to be in the military and be a firefighter. There are a couple of ways you can go. First, most large military bases have firefighters on site. You can train to be a firefighter as your job in the military. This is especially true of The Air Force as all bases with flight operations require firefighting capability. What you do hinges on whether or not you want the military to be a career. If you do, then you can be a firefighter as your military career. If you don't then I would suggest doing whatever hitch you want in the military and then testing for a municipal fire department.
Municipal fire departments use competitive testing so here are a few suggestions to give you a head start on your competition:
1. Get all the firefighting/Paramedic training you can while in the military. Most departments give preference points for paramedic and/or firefighter certification. This next part is important; your military certifications may not translate to civilian certification. As soon as you are discharged check with the office of the state fire marshall in whatever state you live and take the equivalency exams that will gain you civilian certification. CIVILIAN FIRE DEPARTMENTS WILL ONLY GRANT POINTS FOR CIVILIAN CERTIFICATION!
2. Keep your military record spotless. To get your military preference points you will have to provide a copy of your DD-214. This is the form that documents your honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces. Even so, your complete military record will be investigated.
3. Keep your academic/criminal records spotless. Fire departments perform extensive background checks. Even a DUI can disqualify you and your juvenile records are accessible to fire departments.
4. After you are discharged attend at least a junior college with a fire science program. This may also give you points and will prepare you to learn vast amounts of information quickly. Firefighting requires an ability to assimilate and apply large amounts of technical information. Besides, everyone should have a college education and the military will help pay for it.
5. When you are ready to test, check with the department you are testing for to get the specifics of their exam. Also, talk to the firefighters to get the inside details on what their testing involves. They will be happy to talk to you.
6. Keep yourself in excellent physical condition. Physical agility testing is a component of all fire department tests.
I hope this helps. Best of luck to you and feel free to contact ne if you have other questions.
