AboutDominick G. Kasmauskas Expertise Former NFPA Fire Service Section, Director, Executive Board. NJ Certified Firefighter, Fire Instructor, Fire Inspector, Haz Mat Instructor. Volunteer Firefighter since 1974, Capt. Lieut. and President. National Fire Academy Fire Officer II certified. Presently a Regional Manager for the Natl Fire Sprinkler Assn and a certified fire protection specialist and a certified code enforcement official in NY State.
Experience Various awards and citations.
My oddest "call" was at my company picnic, in a remote area, when someone at the picnic had heart failure. While trying to perform CPR I was also giving directions to ALS and BLS to get to the scene.
Every alarm is an accomplishment.
Question I don't know if you sat on the hiring boards (not sure if that was the correct term) but I am strongly interested in making a career change to a firefighter and I want to know how to position myself because I have about as opposite of a "typical" firefighter background as you could get.
I am 26 years old, solid physical shape, athletic. The thing is, I have a background in the private sector - Finance and IT, and a Finance Degree. The company I'm working for is about to go under. It may be fair to say I'm having a bit of a quarter life crisis. But better now than at 50. I've always felt dissatisfied with the office-cubicle, sitting behind a computer all day environments. There is this yearning that I want a career in public service, and risking my life for the sake of others and my community, where it's not ONLY about maximizing profits and every man for himself. To be on a team of people that feel the same way and I'd put my life on the line for in a drop of the hat because they'd do the same for me. I'm considering police, even military, but firefighting is particularly appealing to me.
What questions should I be asking myself? What should I do to prepare - any certifications, or alternate things such as EMT? I know the competition is tougher now than ever, but it's never the right time to do anything, and I'm more motivated than the next guy. I want to do everything I possibly can to show this is the career path that I want. Do you know of any firefighters who came out of a different career?
Answer Eric~
Great career choice!
Easy yet difficult to give a direct answer.
Are you in a position where you reside to join a volunteer FD? Getting a head start with their required or suggested training is advisable. Minimum...Firefighter 1, Haz Mat, Firefighter Safety class(above what you will learn in FF1). I would suggest EMT basic as well if not required. Read about alarms and fire sprinklers and other automatic fire protection may help. Keep in mind, most cities will probably require you to go to THEIR training centers if they have one.
Go to formal a "fire academy" style training if you can. n the firehouse is nice, but sometimes not the best learning environment when you know everyone there. We were lucky in north Jersey in that we had a County Fire Academy and attended 3 hr classes two nights a week for about 3 or 4 months for FF1 and then again for FF2. Some states have State Academies that you need to go away for a few weekends. Some stateshave travelling State Instructors tht come to your FD. Whatever your source, get your FF1 now in a Volunteer FD if you can as you pursue a paid FD.
There are a load of books out there also to help get started; www.IFSTA.org "Essentials" Manual, books on "Incident Command", etc.
Each state has its own set of rules and each county and or town then has theirs' too. Each paid FD is somewhat different from the next. You can check your state's Civil Service job announcements for those departments that use that system. Other FDs do their own hiring through the city HR.
I only sat as a candidate in two or three interviews and for the most part it they seemed to talk to me as a person and then also interjected som technical questions to see, 1- if I could answer it, and 2- how I reacted to the "change up pitch".
Lastly, it reads as if you are physically and mentally prepared. If you are willing to relocate if needed, you'll reach your goal, I'm confident of that.
You won't have to worry about profits being a firefighter. Fire Officiers worry more about not spending money as budgets are slashed.
Please contact me/us again at anytime with other questions. If you need help with something or studying...just give us particulars of city, state you are in etc.
Most sincerely,
Dominick G Kasmauskas
www.NFSA.org
