Us Young Guys/Girls

[Hally]

I've been hearing... your still young since day one.. which was about four years ago. And well i know that its not your age that matters but what you have done it your life nad how old you act. I've taken tons of schooling and what not.. everythign from Fire protections program at seneca to the pre-service at COTR. And even put in a over a year at as a volly wiht my home town department. And well i'm only 22 this year and i'm still young. I just know what i want to do and well i know it takes time to get on with a department. But What are somethings that a young Guy/Girl can do to set us apart. Like little things that i can do in the time well i'm waiting. Just looking for idea. I feel i'm ready to make that step into a full time position and i hope soon enough.

[Firefighter1680]

Hey Hally,

Do anything you can think of. Build your resume. Volunteer at habitat for humanity or anything in the community, take any courses you can find, get yourself ready for the interview, ask guys/gurls who have recently been hired to help u...Keep doing the little things and it will come..

[dentedhead]

I've been hearing... your still young since day one.. which was about four years ago. And well i know that its not your age that matters but what you have done it your life nad how old you act. I've taken tons of schooling and what not.. everythign from Fire protections program at seneca to the pre-service at COTR. And even put in a over a year at as a volly wiht my home town department. And well i'm only 22 this year and i'm still young. I just know what i want to do and well i know it takes time to get on with a department. But What are somethings that a young Guy/Girl can do to set us apart. Like little things that i can do in the time well i'm waiting. Just looking for idea. I feel i'm ready to make that step into a full time position and i hope soon enough.

Ive said it before ill say it again.Look at starting an apprenticeship,something that will go nicely with FF such as electrician, plumber etc.Good way to earn cash while your waiting and a built in days off side job when you do get on.

Dentedhead

[infernobuster]

Since im the newbie at my department, here are a few things that i can say that will set you help in you achieving your dreams. These are some of the things that helped me out.
You said you went to Seneca, go work for a fire protection company for a while doing fire alarm, sprinkler inspections. It is good field knowledge and helps you on the trucks. It certainly helped me out, and im the "go too" guy when we pull up to a fire alarm or sprinkler system thats gone off.

VOLUNTEER!! that is huge now, FD's want to see how you help out your community, town, city etc. Join St John Ambulance, get free medical training, go to medical calls and stick with it. Im talking from experience here, before getting on i was a divisional superintendent and worked up the ladder fast. If thats not an option, Red cross, big brothers/sisters, local animal shelters, help coach a team... thats a start..

Other things that you could do, is go get your NFPA level 1001 or 1002 from out west or the states, or get your EMCA ticket from any college. Take as many courses as possible, even if its only one a month. It shows that your determined and driven.
And whatever you do, DONT give up. Its a tough path to follow, and gets tougher every year. It took me almost 5 years to get where i am now.. and i love it.