Vancouver

[bestcoast]

www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/fire/about/recruit/rindex.html

[wannabe]

OOOOOoooooooo.....

I don't know if I should have seen that or not. Tempting, so tempting. If my parents wouldn't be so heartbroken I'd be applying out there and only out there. Such a beautiful place and so much to do. And the water....ahhhhh....Dang.

My older brother lives in Vancouver, he's the bassist in the band "bif Naked" Know them?

Thanks for the news bestcoast... now for some thinkin' time.. :)

Paula

[bestcoast]

No problem Wannabe....Yes i know of the band bif naked..great local band.....cheers

[bestcoast]

Dec 06, 2004 application's available on the website...:cool: :cool:

[Jurassic]

Have you heard anything else? I heard from the new recruiting leuitenant that the class would start in Oct/05. And they are looking for around 10, but then he said 30, as the others would start in the spring/06.

[bestcoast]

I'd have to ask around. I'll get back to ya.........There is usually a spring and fall class but i'll see what i can dig up.........

[FFWannabe]

There's an idea! I have family out there and "the hubby" could always transfer to Burnaby! Interesting... not sure if I could move my family across the country like that though!

As for bif naked.. I love her (isn't the band name, her name?) She's one tough cookie!

Sue :)

[double0seven]

When you guys talk about classes, does that mean that someone with level I and level II already wouldn't get looked at? I guess my question is do you have to be trained by the city to work there?

[bestcoast]

No, it is basically a mini 3 week boot camp to get the guys up to speed on how thing's are done on our job. You need your level I and II to apply though....cheers........

[Jurassic]

Hey Bestcoast, what do you think it would be like to work in Vancouver? I mean, I know it would be awesome to get the badge in any city, but do you Van would be fun? I know they are tough on their recruits for the first while. I hear you only sleep and work during probation (with the exception of your off days). I'm still trying to decide if it's worth going across the country for. I came close in the last hiring.

[bestcoast]

Well the answer is easy. YES!! I'm in my 11th year and sure the probation period was tough but that's how you weed out the rookies that aren't Team guys. The job is the same no matter where you get hired but the one thing going for us out here is definately the lifestyle, mild winter's and tons to do!!! Good luck if you decide to give it a go.....cheers....

[Jurassic]

Thanks Bestcoast! I appreciate your input. It's good to hear your are happy in Van. So you have zero desire to get hired with a smaller department then? Do you live in the city? I know it's expensive out there. But it is encouraging to hear that you like it. and are happy. Yeah, must be waaaay nicer working in above zero temperatures than sub zero out here in ontario, rain or no rain. I think i'm gonna give it another shot out there. Maybe i'll cya on a hall tour. Thanks!

[bestcoast]

Nope the thought has never crossed my mind about working for a smaller department. I'm very happy in the big city and i'm not going to lose 10 yrs seniority by leaving. I live just outside Vancouver so my commute downtown isn't that bad and i look forward to going to work everyday anyways so the commute wouldn't matter. Once agin good luck and let me know when you are in town and you can swing by the hall.....cheers............

[bestcoast]

I was told by a couple guys at work that they are looking at around 15-20 guys in the spring and fall of 2005. Of course that could go up or down depending on how many guys decide to pull the pin next year.......

[Jurassic]

Thanks again Bestcoast. It really is nice getting info from the "inside". I'm getting pretty stoked on possibly applying out there again. I almost had it last time but I tripped myself up on a couple of things that are easily correctible. If they planned a spring class that would make things even sweeter.

Lemme ask ya, how is it really like out there in the winters. I mean, I know summers are gorgeous and all. But what's it like on the job when it's always rainy and wet?? I guess it would beat the sun and cold hands down? And what's morale with Van Fire like these days?

[bestcoast]

We have a saying out here in the the winter.." when it's raining in the city it's snowing in the mountain's". I was born and raised here so the rain doesn't bother me, plus you don't have to shovel rain!! As far as morale i would say it is good right now. Once we get closer to contract time again it could change though...:mad:

[Jurassic]

We have a saying out here in the the winter.." when it's raining in the city it's snowing in the mountain's".

Hey BestCoast, WHY isn't that saying holding true THIS season!

:)

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by Jurassic
We have a saying out here in the the winter.." when it's raining in the city it's snowing in the mountain's".

Hey BestCoast, WHY isn't that saying holding true THIS season!

:)

Good question, the season started with a bang and now it's gone to $hit. Oh well still have a few months to recover. Just more time to spend in the bars and pub's in the village.......I'm a "the glass is half full kinda guy".....so there are always other option's....:D ...BC....

[bestcoast]

Just found out a small class of 8 recruits starts tomorrow at the training academy, followed by two larger classes in the spring and fall of up to 20 a class....BC....

[Jurassic]

Bestcoast thank you SO much for that info! It's very encouraging to hear those kinds of numbers!!

[duhrynchuk]

I have an aptitude test for City of Vancouver on feb 20th, I have heard that the NFPA test is very hard, its based on essentials.
And what can I expect with the interview, being from edmonton and not have been able to go down there and visit any firehalls, I dont wanna put an attitude out there that i never tried to visit or learn?
Im just worried , what can I expect?

[bestcoast]

You can check the website for info on our job and being from out of town I would hope they wouldn't hold that against you for not visiting the halls. As you go through the steps and an interview is upcoming maybe come out a few days early and stop in at some of the halls. Can't really comment on the process itself, I was hired before it was brought in so i'm not familiar with it. Hopefully someone else can help you out online here. Good luck on the 20th....BC...

[BCFFFV]

If you pass the exams you will want to know a little about the dept. They will probably ask you a question like: "What have you done to find out about the VFD?" I would at least show them that you have done about as much as you could from where you are. Do a web search about the dept. history etc. And as bestcoast stated look on our city website. It's loaded with info. I would seriously try during your weekend to phone a firehall for a tour. If you show up and are able to make a good impression the guys at the hall can usually provide you with tons of info. It would also look good at your interview. Other than that small part it won't really matter where you are from.

[ssifire]

BC what station are you posted at?

I went through the JI a few years back and met a few of your guys. Parno, and John and John (the rope geeks) and a few others. Actually we had some of them over last year for a training weekend, and are doing the same this year in July. I think their at Hall 5 on the rescue, but you would no better I'm sure.

Anyhow if you see them, tell them Salt Spring says hi, and to book off July 15-17.

[bestcoast]

Originally posted by ssifire
BC what station are you posted at?

I went through the JI a few years back and met a few of your guys. Parno, and John and John (the rope geeks) and a few others. Actually we had some of them over last year for a training weekend, and are doing the same this year in July. I think their at Hall 5 on the rescue, but you would no better I'm sure.

Anyhow if you see them, tell them Salt Spring says hi, and to book off July 15-17.

I'm at 3 hall right now, a certified Glow worm. The "dopes on ropes" are down at hall's 6 and 7. Check your PM's........BC...