topgun

Captain Bob:

You may not get many questions like this, but maybe you could offer some guidance.

I am contemplating a long considered career change.  I am a college graduate with a degree in Accounting as well as a CPA.  I have been blessed with the drive and learning capacity to achieve the degree and accreditation and have done fairly well working in various financial roles.  However, a career in the fire/public safety is why I was placed on this earth.

I have volunteered for two separate fire departments for a cumulative period of 15 years. I am currently an active volunteer member associated with a large city Fire Department in the mid west.  Through my involvement with the Volunteer Fire Department I have received over 9 years of big city/big department fire fighting experience.

The downside is I am 36 years old - time is running out.  My question is - Can I parlay my financial/accounting degree/experience with my volunteer firefighting experience along with an additional degree/certification and carve out a career in the fire service?

My sights, should I make this move, will be focused on the top spot in a small to medium department.  I have analyzed the changes that are taking place in the fire service. Within my lifetime, many cities, towns and counties will continue to migrate towards professional fire service and there will be huge opportunities for someone like myself who can bring to the table both firefighting experience, financial/managerial background and the love for the industry.

I would appreciate your thoughts and comments.  Do I need to "suck it up" and start on the bottom rung?  Can I move into a fire department administrative job immediately? I have a firm understanding of the career track record in the Fire service, but what is it like in smaller departments?  If I entered the rank and file, my goals and intention would be to absorb as much training and experience as quickly as possible?  Will this attitude get me in trouble?  Is joining one department with the intention to "get experience" then go elsewhere viewed as a negative?

Again, your thoughts would be appreciated and if there is anyone else that you can refer me to for additional information, I would appreciate it. Jason

Reply:

You wrote:

Can I parlay my financial/accounting degree/experience with my volunteer firefighting experience along with an additional degree/certification and carve out a career in the fire service?

Do I need to "suck it up" and start on the bottom rung?

Reply:

Although you may test, I think it would be difficult trying for a top position.

The biggest problem I have seen with candidates with your credentials applying for entry level positions is they don’t leave your time and rank in their locker trying for a snotty nose entry level position. This might help:

http://131.103.247.166//rookie.htm

If I entered the rank and file, my goals and intention would be to absorb as much training and experience as quickly as possible?  Will this attitude get me in trouble?

Probably get you into trouble.  You have no time, opinion or rank.  No matter where you came from.  I know a candidate who came from a large department and was let go in the academy because he didn't understand how to keep his mouth shut and he was only a rookie.

Is joining one department with the intention to "get experience" then go elsewhere viewed as a negative?

Reply:

The department might not be too happy, but it happens all the time.  Many start out with that intention and fall in love the the department and area they serve; never leaving.

This from Tom:

"Within my lifetime many cities, towns and counties will continue to migrate towards PROFESSIONAL fire service and there will be huge opportunties for someone like myself who can bring to the the table both firefighting experience, FINANCIAL/MANAGERIAL background and the love for the industry."............WOW!

Let's back the career truck up here and chock it as well. Take a hard look at what has been posted.

Do you have any facts to back up your contention about the "migration" to professional fire service? (You could be right!)In the mean time, there are more candidates for fire jobs than jobs available.Be very careful with this train of thought. Many volunteer and paid call fire departments are doing just fine and are professional in every aspect.

Financial/Managerial background.

Whoa!!!!!! Hold it right there before you derail your career. Entry level Firefighters have nothing to do with finance or management. If you come off in anyway trying to qualify yourself for the job of a firefighter with most of what you have posted, you will get no job offers. That is a hard fact. Chief officers run the department, not firefighters. Chief Officers come from within the ranks and not from outside the fire service.

What you have (education/experience) could benefit most any department in the future should you promote up. Right now, tuck that away and learn the job of firefighter for the department you may soon be working for.

If you are going to impress someone with the paragraph you have posted, shorten it down to "Background and love for the fire service." Now, build on that and your chances may improve at getting hired. You have a lot going for you. Just tweak it so that an interview panel will be impressed with you. Best wishes

“Nothing counts ‘til you have the badge . . . Nothing!”

"Captain Bob"

Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question

Top of Page

Home

Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain, speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the books "Eat Stress For Breakfast" ISBN 09657620-3-3, "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.

E-mail: captbob@verio.com Web site: www.eatstress.com