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 31 years of full time experience with the city of Overland Park, KS fire department.
Experience 31 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
my name is gustavo im 19 years old. firefightin has been on my mind for a long time and now im starting to pursue my goal to become one. ive been thinking of joining the military to help me reach this goal but im not really aware or dont have enough info to make my final decision. i think the military is gonna offer way more and be more hands on experience than going to school i feel. please anything u can provide will do if theres something or any helpfull tips pls feel free to share. thanks
is the military a plus?
what branch has a better program to offer?
what are my chances in getting into firefighting in the branch and after when i serve my time?
do i need to go threw other training and get certified back in the states after serving?
beside fire science what other certifications can i have that will help me out for example EMT is a plus and hazmat what else can help me?
like i said i have very lil info about firefighting in the military anything else i should knw please feel free to share once again thank you very much!
Answer Gustavo:
My personal preference for you would be the military route. Particular the Air Force or Navy. Both of them offer way more education possibilities that the others do. You can obtain a college degree while serving and have $40,000 to complete any training you wish when you do get separated from the service. All of this plus the hands on training will get you ready for the outside world. The medical and dental insurance you get is worth time as well. I have a son in the Air Force right now. He is stationed in Italy right at the base of the Alps and close to the Adriatic see. He has visited many more places than I could ever hoped to have seen. His tour is just about done but he will walk away with some savings, college degree, and experience in the field of Security Forces (police)
Getting your EMT, HzMat R&I can either be done by you prior to going but I would see if the military would get you those certs. Nowadays you have the ability to enlist in the filed of you choice depending on your scoring at the recruiter. By all means my personal pick would be the military, Keep in touch,
