Industrial fire help

[Dave159]

hey guys, I have my 1001/1002's and am currently on practicum for my EMT as well in edmonton alberta. After I am finished my practicum I was thinking about joining the oilfield as a fire/emt for awhile until I am able to get on with the city. This is all going to be new for me, and I honestly am pretty excited about it as well.

I just have a couple questions. As a fire/emt, where would I be able to find companies that are hiring? I browsed a little bit on the recruitment section but it was mostly just for cities, and not oilfield. Also I was wondering if I could find out if places like DOW or shell etc... are hiring up in fort mac.

Also do you guys have any suggestions on which companies to work for?

I apologize if this question gets asked alot, but thank you for taking your time to read, and I am really looking forward to hearing back from anyone as well.

[Voyageur]

Those questions are asked repeatedly here, and they have been answered many times in this forum, search around the Industrial forum.

The oil patch is BOOMING right now, you shouldn't have any problems finding work doing fire or medical in the patch, don't expect any glory though.

[MunicipalMike]

Those questions are asked repeatedly here, and they have been answered many times in this forum, search around the Industrial forum.

The oil patch is BOOMING right now, you shouldn't have any problems finding work doing fire or medical in the patch, don't expect any glory though.

Glory, im suuuure making 200K a year is glory enough for most. Im dying to get into patch.

[Powerstroke]

Glory, im suuuure making 200K a year is glory enough for most. Im dying to get into patch.

Haha 200k a year industrial firefighting.... You have no idea do ya my friend..

[hmckay91]

Haha 200k a year industrial firefighting.... You have no idea do ya my friend..

You have to differentiate between Industrial Fire Departments in the patch(CNRL, Suncor, Syncrude, etc) and the "safety companies" who provide those services and standby at remote industry sites. Two entirely different worlds. The former where at least 3/4 of the quoted amount can be easily made (O/T, bonuses, stock options) and the latter where...well you can find the threads...

[bloggins]

Glory, im suuuure making 200K a year is glory enough for most. Im dying to get into patch.

People have to be VERY careful while evaluating the truth of this mentality- at least as it pertains to the heavy industry fire departments. The "safety" boys... different overall and as mentioned there are plenty of threads about it.

200k IS a lot of glory, and a very singlehanded and selfish pursuit when viewed in contrast to the reason many join municipal service. There is tangible wealth in the culture and the brotherhood- but the argument of some is "brotherhood doesn't pay the bills."

We all know firefighting pays the bills just fine- the 'sands certainly help get them paid off faster and with fewer side jobs. But at what moral cost?

There is an abundance of selfishness and greed... people are very inwardly focussed and are more like "cousins" than "brothers." It's certainly not ALL there is... but it is an ugly undercurrent that sours many of the perks. A person would do well to keep the true spirit of "the job" in mind while partaking in it.

[MunicipalMike]

People have to be VERY careful while evaluating the truth of this mentality- at least as it pertains to the heavy industry fire departments. The "safety" boys... different overall and as mentioned there are plenty of threads about it.

200k IS a lot of glory, and a very singlehanded and selfish pursuit when viewed in contrast to the reason many join municipal service. There is tangible wealth in the culture and the brotherhood- but the argument of some is "brotherhood doesn't pay the bills."

We all know firefighting pays the bills just fine- the 'sands certainly help get them paid off faster and with fewer side jobs. But at what moral cost?

There is an abundance of selfishness and greed... people are very inwardly focussed and are more like "cousins" than "brothers." It's certainly not ALL there is... but it is an ugly undercurrent that sours many of the perks. A person would do well to keep the true spirit of "the job" in mind while partaking in it.

Ha ha ha well you can be working when you are 65 with your brothers happy knowing that you took the high road. I work municipal. You are one of those "i was chosen" firefighters who think the less money they make the better they are as people. meanwhile you never see your family or friends cause you work 2 jobs but are not having any moral cost? my buddy in industrial takes most of the summer off, flys whereever he want when he wants, spends lots of time with his kids and he does make 200thousand a year. He is way happier than me and realizes it is just a job.

[Firestang]

People have to be VERY careful while evaluating the truth of this mentality- at least as it pertains to the heavy industry fire departments. The "safety" boys... different overall and as mentioned there are plenty of threads about it.

200k IS a lot of glory, and a very singlehanded and selfish pursuit when viewed in contrast to the reason many join municipal service. There is tangible wealth in the culture and the brotherhood- but the argument of some is "brotherhood doesn't pay the bills."

We all know firefighting pays the bills just fine- the 'sands certainly help get them paid off faster and with fewer side jobs. But at what moral cost?

There is an abundance of selfishness and greed... people are very inwardly focussed and are more like "cousins" than "brothers." It's certainly not ALL there is... but it is an ugly undercurrent that sours many of the perks. A person would do well to keep the true spirit of "the job" in mind while partaking in it.


Well said bloggins!

[bloggins]

You are one of those "i was chosen" firefighters who think the less money they make the better they are as people.


Took me a couple tries to dig down to the root cause of your total misinterpretation of what I said.

The moral cost I refered to specifically was a cultural one within departments- not the price paid by a guy who makes less money a year and has to work two jobs and never see his family. I'm making specific reference to the "cultural" environment... not the one outside of work.

Municipal is often one based more on values while industrial typically one more about policies. If you're not prepared for that reality going in then it can dampen enthusiasm for the job... even if it's "just a job." A lot of guys leave the industrial jobs in pursuit of "better" municipal positions because the negativity in the industrial atmosphere is overwhelming. Most miss the money but find the improved quality of life at work more than worth it.

I'm not going to sit here and try and convince you that the industrial world isn't all money and vacations. An industrial guy can make it sound pretty amazing but half the time they're trying to explain it to someone they're trying to convince themselves as well.

[Dave159]

Those questions are asked repeatedly here, and they have been answered many times in this forum, search around the Industrial forum.

The oil patch is BOOMING right now, you shouldn't have any problems finding work doing fire or medical in the patch, don't expect any glory though.

yea in all honesty im not expecting any big fires or anything like that, obviously I hope for them, but I do know what the industrial side is all about since I worked as a roughneck for quite some time!

although I was wondering if anyone can enlighten on what the day rate roughly is? nothing specific? just reading these posts, I am curious as to how much a person actually makes, because 200k must only be for the guys who work on the plants, not the ones that sit in the trucks right?

[bullfighter199]

well to clarify the pay structures is tough, every company pays differently. Some pay day rate (anywhere from 350-200/day), others pay salary and job bonus (usually a percentage of ticket) or even flat rates. Depending on which company you choose, u may end up just as a medic or a firefighter, others you can end up as both. PM me if ya have any other questions

[Firefiter_To_Be]

After trying hard for city jobs and banging my head against the wall for almost 4 years in and out of lower mainland, I'm just wondering what are the odds of getting into industrial firefighting in Ft. Mac Murray? Which companies or departments are hiring and what is an industrial FF day and night like? I appreciate any inside scope on this and sorry if this has been asked before. I have tried to search and this was the latest threat which came up. I appreciate your time and thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences.

Best regards,
FF_to_be

[ABVOLFF]

hmckay91 said is bang on, there is a BIG difference between a industrial fire brigade and a safety company. In the past I have worked some "fire" for safety companies and from my experience, what I found was the money was good but it came with a cost. Very long days a unhealthy life style and firefighting skills are not kept up. If all a person is looking for is cash hoping for the big blow out for bigger cash go for it. Just something to keep in mind safety companies are NOT fire departments and the focus is all about money and working for a safety company is not firefighting and does not compare in any way to an industrial brigade or municipal fire department.

So at the end of the day if a person is looking for a municipal or industrial job, get a regular job in town for less pay join a good volly fire department keep up your skills and take whatever training they offer and keep pushing out the resumes.

My 2 cents.

[Firefiter_To_Be]

hmckay91 said is bang on, there is a BIG difference between a industrial fire brigade and a safety company. In the past I have worked some "fire" for safety companies and from my experience, what I found was the money was good but it came with a cost. Very long days a unhealthy life style and firefighting skills are not kept up. If all a person is looking for is cash hoping for the big blow out for bigger cash go for it. Just something to keep in mind safety companies are NOT fire departments and the focus is all about money and working for a safety company is not firefighting and does not compare in any way to an industrial brigade or municipal fire department.

So at the end of the day if a person is looking for a municipal or industrial job, get a regular job in town for less pay join a good volly fire department keep up your skills and take whatever training they offer and keep pushing out the resumes.

My 2 cents.

Thanks for the info.

[Fire343]

Expect to make between 60 - 70 k your first year in the oil patch. Most oil field companies pay a base salary $2000 - $3000 per month, plus bonus. The bonuses are usually a percentage of the ticket or (bill) charged to the oil companies for fire services. Bonuses can range anywhere from 3% and up to around 6% of the ticket. Bonus based on qualifications and years of service.
Don t get your hopes up of making 200k. You will work long hours and be on the road for up to 15 days with most companies.
There are some great oil field service companies out there to work for and most are hiring right now. In box me for more info.

[OzzyOsmond]

The term "Indistrial Firefighter" can have a very broad definition.

There are the career guys (Your Suncor/Syncrude/CNRL/Shells), who are full timers, and have been given appropriate training throughout their careers to maintain their skills. Some of the northern departments get enough call valume to maintain their skills too.

Then there are the volunteers. These are plant operators by trade. Depending on the location, they're either "volun-told" that they're on the ERT, or they apply to be a part of the ERT as part of a selction process. While they receive SOME training, they're not really fully certified. Some get part of the 1081 series, but not all of it. Then they receive training from the full time guys, but usually the training hours are inadequate for the level of expectations (pumper operator etc.). This is an ugly paradigm that has no easy fix. Managers are trying to manage costs, and this training is usually the first thing they look at cutting.

Then there's the safety companies........they post for "firefighters", but I believe it's to catch the eyes of guys looking to get some experience. There's not really any firefighting, or training. It's just that some safety plan indicated that a stand-by crew was required to complete a job, and they send guys out to sit in a truck day & night. The guys may have their 1001s, and/or 1081s, but this is not firefighting in my opinion.

I know this'll piss off the guys that work for HSE, or Firemaster, but really, it's just a resume builder. Most of those guys are trying to get jobs with fire departments.

[Fire343]

In response to Ozzy. Have you ever been to a blowout ! I work for a safety company in Alberta. Had a fire last week. We do not sit in our trucks for 12 hours. You are in bunker gear and ready at all times. There are many dangers involved in the patch. During a Frac they use Acids, Hydrocarbons, and Propane. They are hot fueling trucks an equipment throughout the shift. There can be anywhere from 10 to over 100 people on site.
Emergencys , including blowouts happen a few times a month.
If your sitting in your truck and not prepared you are not doing your job.
We put in long hours, are away from home up to 15 days at a time. But we make decent $.

[littlejon]

Hmmmm, slop around in the mud capping well fires or walking around a plant checking extinguishers. What to do, what to do

[Fire343]

The plant jobs are few and far between. Congrats to the guys that land them. They do pay better, and yes conditions are better. But the patch is a great place to start, and the good companies pay for continuing education, including your 1081. If you have your 1001s and a class 3 ( dz ) license there's jobs in AB.