fire collage

[roulkevin]

hey, i'm an 18 year old male set on becoming a fire fighter. What my dream is, is to work in a large urban area like toronto or something. I just wanted to know what steps i should be taking in insuring i can do this. I did a local youth program last year (loved it) and they are also helping me on finding the right schools. So far i'm looking at the Manitoba Emergency School. Does anyone have any other suggestions?:confused:

[william]

If you want to be a fire fighter . The school to go to is in vermilion alberta. The reason is because most placec are dual services. Which means you are not just a firefighter. You also respond on the ambulance. Alberta is the place to go because they have the best EMS system in canada ..and it will not take long to find a job.

[FireEMTGuy]

Alberta has the best EMS system in Canada? It sure has it's share of problems, the ACP, Alberta College of Paramedics is far from the best.

Alberta, Ontairo, BC, and Nova Scotia all have good EMS systems.

What Canada needs is a country wide EMS regulatory body like the USA has, they have the NREMT, National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. This allows a EMT(B I or P) to be registered once and move across state lines without loosing their certification. It's complicated.

Fire ETC is a good school, highly reccomended.

However, if you do work in a large city department such as toronto you do not need your EMT-A, you simply need your EMR, as you do not ride along on the Ambulance. You respond to medical calls simply to assist the paramedics, or assist as a first responder at a MVA type of situation.

However, there are many integrated services out there, which are FIRE/EMS together, then which you will need your EMT-A or EMT-P, PCP/ACP.

[lil_fire_hick]

hey,
not sure where you are from, but if you are looking at colleges for the pre sevice program... i am currently at lambton college, in sarnia.
Its an amazing course here, and has a 17 acre and growing fire school.. This is something which some schools do not have, they have you pay more in tuitions to pay for supplies to be shipped in. With a fire school right there, more field work is almost garenteed you would think. I know we got so much time to practise first hand with many different senarios, as well as, basics.
There is so much hands on, and the profs. are all experienced in the field of fire fighting, They live to help young people learn so much and head us in the right direction to continue learning for many years to come. They truly believe in you and help you believe even more in yourself, They are the most amazing teachers I have ever met.
Lambton college also offers two additional years after the pre service. it is the fire science course, which allows you to get your tech. HAZMAT and higher degree of training for large plants etc. This program also has co op terms as well, which is a great way to get experience first hand with a dept, or private company, which ever you desire to work in, or both.
Though this program doesnt include the EMT, there is an EPC course included in it. it is like the EMR, and is recognized in dept.s
If the EMT is what you want on top of the pre service or full fire science, its only two more years, and jsut coming out of high school, most dept's are looking for people with more life experience as I am told in most cases.

So if you are looking in ontario, at colleges, I love the set up and program at Lambton. I highly recomend it.

take care and good luck, whatever route you deside

[Fablish]

My suggestion to you would be to find out what the department you are most wanting to become a FF with and ask them what fire college they like. I understand that there is a lot of preferences in schools. I have talked to some departments and some have told me that they really like the students that come out of the 8 month programs like Fire Etc. and Brandon has. I am not only saying this because I am an EST graduate from Fire Etc. But these schools require you to go through much like a city recruitment to become a career FF. Including the interviews with 3 to 4 interviewers. If you get in such a program and graduate from it, you are now an embassador to that school and the school's reputation lies with you and your attitude. Schools recognize this and are very careful with choosing who they take in. I am an EST graduate from Fire Etc. and would definitely recommend it. Good Luck!

Also for some other advice would be don't set your mind on just one city, it's a very competitive field and beggers can't be choosers. Look at many other cities you would like to join with. Don't be so focused on one city. Just an advice from an aspiring career FF.

Fablish