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.
I was just worried that I will not be able to get hired again as a firefighter. I have been a third generation paid professional firefighter/Emt for Atlanta,ga for ten years.I was fired from my job about 8 months ago because I got 2 dui's within a five year period. These incidents were post divorce and I was very depressed and made some bad choices leading to dui. I was told that because I couldn't fulfill my duties as a ff/apparatus operator that I was going to terminated. I am start paramedic school next month,and I am already EMT,FF NPQ2,HAZMAT TECH. Do you think that my experience and credentials will help me land a fire job again in the near future once the smoke clears a bit?
Answer Different jurisdictions have different perspectives on DUI. An isolated incident would probably be dismissed but 2 convictions in 5 years means you probably drove while impaired many more times than that which demonstrates poor judgment. That being said, many jurisdictions do not dismiss applicants for DUI convictions. My advice would be to check with each jurisdiction you are testing for and ask them if your DUI record will preclude you from being hired. Your certifications and prior experience should help you balance out some of your criminal record.
