Oilfield firefighting/EMS

[Baxter]

Hey all, I will be graduating from mesc's PFPP program in about a month from now, and im looking into some job oppurtunities. While i wait for a big city hiring (namely saskatoon, along with the other 500 guys waiting for them to do a hiring, so we can take a shot at it), I, along with a couple of other guys would like to try my hand at oilfield firefighting. I've heard lots of heresay, but searching through various companies websites, i cant really find out the information im looking for, everyone seems to want me to send an app in, and then they'll tell me the job details. Im looking for a job (probably in northern alberta, but also maybe northern sask or southern either) that's probably fly in,for several days, then a relatively equal number out, but i would like to be in a camp that stays put, not in a group travelling all of the time. I've had guys tell me that CNRL and albian sands are like this, but i cant find any information whatsoever about it to speak of. Is there anyone on here that works in a situation like this, or knows of someone who does? Any information would be greatly appreciated, and information on pay would be awesome too, im assuming the money would be relatively decent, but i really dont have any kind of dollar amount whatsoever. Thanks in advance for any replies guys, i appreciate it.

[Baxter]

Anybody???

[Mike_Oxhuge]

http://www.infomine.com/careers/jobs/search.aspx?k=&c=20&f=15&l=15

This link may help, have a look there is always new postings. Also look at Petro Canada, Fort Hills Project they are hiring a FF/Medic right now fly in fly out.

[oilcountry]

Hay Baxter! Good to hear your almost finnished school, good job! First to just let you know there is "Oilfield Firefighting" and "Industrial Firefighting" huge difference.
I am going to assume you mean Industrial as you have mentioned CNRL and Albian?
There are a lot of companys looking and now the time to jump at this!
There is Suncor-Syncrude-CNRL-Albain-Scotsford-Long Lake (opti-nexxon)
and a few more coming online.
now, all except I think syncrude will require you to be NFPA 1001 Level 1 and 2 with EMT-A or the ability to obtain this, some may put you through the EMT-A.
The only company left to fly in and out is Suncor, at there firebag operation. A 7 in 7 out work schedual, but that is very hard to come by as it's almost always an internal post and is quickly grabbed up by there fire department members unless you are a paramedic.
As for housing most offer's are very competitive-Suncor housing incentive gives new employees $ 20.000 towards a home and with what I hear is going up. Albain incentive programs is about $ 50.000 over 2 or 3 years with CNRL and syncrude about the same. not sure on long lake as they are relatively new.
Also most of the department have members willing to rent out rooms at about $ 600 to $750 to there own members, of coarse this goes up if you don't find one to a tune of about $850 to about $1000.
On to the good stuff!! your pay will be about $ 69.000 to start with Fort Mcmurray competative wage adding another $ 10.000 onto that, then the nortern living allowance tax another $1500.....so about $80.000 to start at the lowest level of experaince!! may go up depending on the department, Oh! thats not including the incentive programs! :) most of the companys offer a lot of O.T as well which will most likely bring you well into a 6 figure salary!
Pro's and Con's
Extensive training! your to decide pro or con? there is mutual aid training between departments as well! most training is certified NFPA as well.
also some of the companys go to TEEX each year or every couple of years.( Texas A&M )
Living there can be very hard if your use to a big city. lack of things to keep one occupied. or ammenitys you take for granted back home.
however most of the companys allow commuting anyways so you don't have to live there!
no sleeping on nights.
shift schedual are a 5 on 4 off - 4 on 5 off or 6 on 6 off. maybe some different then those.
massive traffic problems. but all companys provide busses to and from sites at no cost to the employee. (recomended)
High housing prices! out of freekin hand!!!!!!!!!!!
very bad highway to drive :( one of the more deadly roads in all of Canada! HYW-63. one January 16 people died on it, one year I think the number was around 28 or 30??? something like that. but getting better as it is full of cops now and you would be a damn fool to speed on it now.
and last but not least COLD!COLD!COLD!COLD! VERY COLD! even for a guy from SASK!
peace out! hope this helped a bit and gave you a little perspective.

[billyted]

i tried the Petro- Canada website but couldn't find the ff/emt job. wondering where you found the posting?

[oilcountry]

Petro Canada may be under imperail oil? I am not to sure? or it may be under foothill project. sorry but thats one of the new ones coming online, also check the petro canada in sherwood park as they now have cokers online there and most likely will be needed firefghters.

also check the web site again as it may be under safety-or emergency response officer.

[Baxter]

Hey Oil country, thanks for the awesome information. The courses i will have come graduation are Fire level 1&2, Driver/operator, hazmat awareness and hazmat operations, water rescue technician, rescue practices, Vehicle extrication, Fire inspector level 1, and I will also be a PCP. Im not sure what level PCP is in alberta, in terms of their EMT levels, but im very willing to be trained to a higher level. The only situation id really like to work in is a fly in/out job, as i do not want to relocate out there, id like to just put in my time, and then be able to fly home and be with my wife for my days off. 7 on 7 off would be exactly what im looking for, with what i have, do you think id be able to get into a job like that? I dont mind being out in the bush the whole time, i grew up out of the city, and have no intention of moving into one. It sounds to me like you work in the industry, any more info you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a million.

[oilcountry]

hey Baxtar, Well, there are many guy's I work with from Sask. maybe you know some of them? B.Girling-A.Harper.W.Doepeker-S.Morai these are just some of the boy's from Sask that work here, many more I'm sure, they all had there PCP or EMT-A.
you need to challange the ACOP exam, nothing more if you have the same.
as for each of the guy's I have just mentioned they all fly back every set off, those guy's work a 6 on 6 off and pay about $ 650 rent a month. as for getting a room out here it's really not that big of a deal.
Most of them are most likely also waiting for the posting to Saskatoon department but at least if they don't get it they have a really good job here.
Fort Mcmurray is not as bad as people make it out to be.
As for the fly in and out it is the toughest job to get unless you are a medic! As for the coarses you have they are what evryone wants.
and ya I do work out here! lol

[Baxter]

Who do you work for out there oil country?

[oilcountry]

Also I would like to note Baxtar, These places are like mini citys! they are not out in the "Bush" more like the plant was were the bush use to be.
CNRL-Albain-Syncrude-Suncor are all mini citys. were at anytime there could be as many as ten thousand people on site. some of these places have camps of 2500 to 3000 people in them and some places like Suncor and Syncrude have multipal camps of 5000 + people staying in them!
You can drive to all these plants and as I said before there is bussing provided. with Suncor and Syncrude only being 15 and 20 minutes out of town.
Also with expansion, as in Suncors case, these places are really becoming like little citys. with just as many response's as you would see at a regular municipal department. most of these departments have clinic like settings and see as many PT a day as you would see at a normal clinic.
my advise would be to keep to the big 4 I have described to you, they are all basically the same, have all the same training and all interact with each other on a fairly regualr basis. with some offering almost the same incentives.

[unglunk]

Hey oilcountry,

I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned a guy by the name of B Girling. My friend Jeff was who used to work EMS in SK with me, tells me that they attended PCP school together. I had recently expressed an interest to my friend about going to the Fort Mac city Fire Department after my long 9 years as a full time EMT/PCP. He told me he would try to put me in contact with Mr Girling, as he has plenty of info about the city dept. I'm getting the impression that my friend was confused, because it sounds like Mr Girling works for an Industrial company.

One thing in your write up that did catch my attention was the whole Alberta being receptive to PCP;s from SK thing. I know now they are giving out temporary licenses for 1 year which is the main reason my interest was sparked, that and i have a free 4 bedroom house in Fort Mac, but how smooth is the transition from SK to Alberta? How can i possibly challenge the ACOP exam when i have never even taken any formal training in fluid therapy, D-50 or nasogastric suctioning, just to name a few? Whats the secret here?

[Baxter]

Hey oil country, which company are you working for out there? Are there any where you can actually live on site? i think that would be the most ideal for me, If you hear of any positions opening at any of these places, please let me know, either by posting or or sending me a PM. Thanks a million!

[oilcountry]

Hey guy's sorry for not getting back to you quicker, but I had some time off.
Yes I do know a B.Girling, and no he's not with the city he works at Suncor with me. As for the city hiring they are always looking as far as I know.
As for the GAP skills which is your new skill's the boy's here from SASK tell me it's a straight challenge, we have two writing in February as far as I know.
Baxter there is no camp housing for Suncor employees, there is assisted living, which gives you aid for rent, plus there are an number of incentives that would benifit you more. I would both welcome you to apply. Baxter I have been here 3 years and still go back home on my days off. which is a not at all uncommon.