What Other Courses To Take???

[BLEVE]

Hey guys,
First off I must say this is a great site. Lots of very valuable information and well updated news. Good job on the site.

Well as for myself I'm currently a firefighter student at Durham College in Whitby, Ontario. So far the course is great. Lots of practical experience. But as we all know this course is only an opening to a career in the fire services. Due to financial stress I havn't been able to take up any additional courses other then High Angle Rescue. I'm aware that pending on the city you work for, each fire dept has different requirenments they look for. Some will look highly at the high angle cert and some won't at all but will look more at water rescue due to their municipality placement. Anyhow what I would like to know in general is what other courses do you guys recommend which are highly looked at within Ontario. Also what type of volunteer work do they like to see an applicant be part off? Or is any volunteer work good in general.
If you guys can provide me with some helpful information I would really appreciate it. Please feel free to email me @ ohh_bambino@hotmail.com

Once again thanks and stay safe

Kamil

[Newb on Fire]

Some of the other courses you might want to look at are Basic Trauma Life Support, SCUBA (PADI) certificate, you probably cover most of the important rescue stuff in your rescue class. Chainsaw certificate might help. As far as volunteering, any thing is good but you could try doing medical stuff like St. Johns Ambulance or Canada Red Cross. Habitat for humanity is good too since you learn alot of skills and get a good understanding of building construction which would benefit any department. I met some of you guys from your program during the oakville fire prevention week in October. Were you there? I'm from Seneca in the Pre-Service as well. Good to see some of us Pre-Service on here. I hope this helps.

[BLEVE]

Hey Newb on fire...
Yeah I was @ Oakville doing the smoke simulator...
Really good experience to interact with the public...
Anyhow would you know where I can receive the Chainsaw certificate?
Well thanks for your help. I'll look into volunteering with what you listed.

Hey my buddy Mike is at that course as well (seneca).

Well good luck with everything.

[Newb on Fire]

The only place that I know of is through "Outland Reforstation". http://www.outland.ca They offer the 16 hour course on March 13-14 in Brantford and March 23-24 in Newmarket for $194. The 13-14 is a weekend so that might be easier if you have class. They also do stuff like WHMIS and TDG for $50 a piece if your interested.

[whitewater-409]

You might want to look at be coming a vol. in a rural area, there are a few members at my station that are vollys, till they find fulltime postions, and have taken several courses at the ontario fire coledge. ie confined space rescue/ flash over recognition and sur. / pumper course / ex.......

[Sparky2004]

I highly recommend taking St.John's first-aid courses. SJA, aside from the Red Corss, is one of the most recognized first-aid certificates. www.sja.ca

I also emphasize getting all the information/training you can on firefighting safety.
Visit www.fdsoa.org

:p

[Smitdy6]

Also check into getting a High Angle Rope Rescue cert. Scuba is a major plus, but I suggest taking a YMCA cert course. It is longer than just a weekend course, but you are trained at a higher level than PADI. Chainsaw course may be available through your local public works dept. or Hydro dept.