Straightshooter
Ultimate Member
Application cutoff I think is around Sep 19
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Job Posting Baltimore County Firefighter
- Thread starter Straightshooter
- Start date
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survivorRob
Active Member
- Apr 1, 2009
- 275
Anyone know what kind of vision requirements they have? My nephew is interested but not sure if he is eligible
Straightshooter
Ultimate Member
Pretty sure if he can pass a driver test he'd be good to go. There's a bunch wearing glasses. Color blindness has always been a deal breaker though.
Skins_Brew
loves the smell of cosmo
What is the deal with the range of the salary? Could you enter the academy making $46k?
Name Taken
Ultimate Member
Good luck trying to figure out the pay scale. It seems like it's meant to be overly complicated.
You likely will not start at 46k. You will start at the lowest end of the announcement unless they are willing to place you higher on the scale due to previous employment.
The pay scale does not really represent what you will actually make.
It would be best to find a paid FF here or off the board and sit down and have them explain the steps and at what point in your career you would climb the pay ladder.
I can tell you it is a highly competitive hiring process with MANY MANY experienced FF's applying.
Straightshooter
Ultimate Member
I'm no longer up to speed on the pay thing but if my memory serves me, the probation period is now two years. You enter at the low point and by the time you complete the 2 years, you will have received step raises to bring you to the upper figure. After that, the sky is the limit with annual raises and promotions. The first promotion is to the rank of Firefighter after the probation is complete and they throw more money at you for that. It ain't a bad living. Just look in the driveway of any fire department employee for validation.
Ditto what has been stated. Very tough competition for the most rewarding of noble professions.
Name Taken
Ultimate Member
The main draw would be the benefits of the schedule.
You could work your FF hours and still have time for another full time job elsewhere.
Baltimore County almost across the board takes very good care (in regards to pay and benefits) of their employee's. Just don't get hurt on the job or do something to bring negative attention to the employer.
fd0816
Active Member
This is not entirely true.. although it may help you it doesn't mean you won't get hired because you don't have prior experience. That is why they do a several week long training academy. It's one of the few careers that will pay you to learn how to do the job.
It is a highly, highly competitive process. In this area, recent firefighter recruit classes have had several hundred applicants for each available position. Read the recruitment announcement and all the links. Do a web search for the process. Study up, get in shape. Many applicants fail the background check or the drug tests (tends to make the first cut easier). There are books available that should be studied carefully, especially the ones about the interview. Written and physical tests are generally pass/fail. Much of the sort happens in the interview. Veterans (rightfully) get a preference.
Understand that most fire departments are in desperate need of medics. Fire calls are down, medical calls are way up and on the increase. This applies nationally. If someone really wants a career in the fire service, the very best ticket to play is held by a fully trained paramedic. I know departments where a starting paramedic can make over $100K/year (with overtime). Several local community colleges have 2-year medic programs.
I am a retired career chief, currently working at the National Fire Academy. My sons have been volunteers for years. One has an AS degree in Fire Science and took every class that Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) offers. Not many more qualified applicants out there. He applied at departments all over the east coast for 3 years. Made the hiring list in many, but not high enough on the list. Finally got hired by Fairfax County VA back in March - his dream department! He is neither a veteran nor a minority, showing that there is hope.
Understand that most fire departments are in desperate need of medics. Fire calls are down, medical calls are way up and on the increase. This applies nationally. If someone really wants a career in the fire service, the very best ticket to play is held by a fully trained paramedic. I know departments where a starting paramedic can make over $100K/year (with overtime). Several local community colleges have 2-year medic programs.
I am a retired career chief, currently working at the National Fire Academy. My sons have been volunteers for years. One has an AS degree in Fire Science and took every class that Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI) offers. Not many more qualified applicants out there. He applied at departments all over the east coast for 3 years. Made the hiring list in many, but not high enough on the list. Finally got hired by Fairfax County VA back in March - his dream department! He is neither a veteran nor a minority, showing that there is hope.
Skins_Brew
loves the smell of cosmo
How would a veteran with the equiv of an AA do in terms of the "competition." Physical agility test should be fine along with the written (went through the "study guide" earlier, fairly easy for me).
I am not certified in anything, but I have documented FF experience from the Navy. Know how to put in an SCBA, turnout gear, etc. Ever Marine is a rifleman, just like every sailor is a FF, bla bla bla.
I am not certified in anything, but I have documented FF experience from the Navy. Know how to put in an SCBA, turnout gear, etc. Ever Marine is a rifleman, just like every sailor is a FF, bla bla bla.
- Dec 30, 2012
- 7,001
Unless you know the chief or are a black female, it'll be tough.
As a vet, you have an advantage. Proven ability to work as part of a team, life experiences, etc. There will be a lot of applicants who have no firefighting experience, so that's not a big disadvantage. Its a great career, go for it! If you fail this time, keep an eye out for other department announcements. You will be more experienced in the process after having gone through it once.
Skins_Brew
loves the smell of cosmo
Yea, i hit 30 and realized I really do not want to sit behind a computer for 35 years. Starting pay is not the greatest, but I figure I should maybe apply and just get a feel for the process, and hey, maybe I will get lucky. Easier to find a job when you have a job :-/
Any idea how long the application process is? That kind of comes into play since I need to coordinate this with my kids starting kindergarten.
Any idea how long the application process is? That kind of comes into play since I need to coordinate this with my kids starting kindergarten.
Straightshooter
Ultimate Member
Not entirely true. The chief only has so many friends. In Baltimore county there will be a mass exit of people in the next couple of years as employees are now reaching the number of years of service needed to take advantage of a deferred retirement option that will pay them handsomely to retire. Now is the best time to seek these soon to be vacant positions as the family and friends hiring plan only goes so far.
Also keep in mind that BCoFD for many years has been purposely understaffed which presents the opportunity to work many callbacks (overtime shifts) at time and a half or up to triple the on certain holidays.
Hiring process can take 6 months or longer. Fire academy (once you are hired) can be 6 months, each department is different. Each of applicant needs to be given an equal chance, and it takes a while to do that. In the meantime, you may want to check into your local volunteer FD. Training is free, and you'd get an opportunity to understand the culture and the job.
As Straightshooter notes, there is a big turnover expected - in many of the area FDs - Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Ann Arundel Co., Fairfax Co. and others. There was a hiring surge in the 80's, and a lot of folks are coming up on their 30 year mark. This means lots of opportunities; and the sooner you get hired, the better position you will be in for advancement.
As Straightshooter notes, there is a big turnover expected - in many of the area FDs - Montgomery County, Baltimore County, Ann Arundel Co., Fairfax Co. and others. There was a hiring surge in the 80's, and a lot of folks are coming up on their 30 year mark. This means lots of opportunities; and the sooner you get hired, the better position you will be in for advancement.
This.
The number of vacancies occurring from retirements is staggering. As said before, if you don't make it in one process, continue trying. In fact, apply to as many as possible even at the same time.
Skins_Brew
loves the smell of cosmo
Maybe this is the quiet before the storm? Baltimore COunty is the only agency I have seen in the Balt-DC corridor.
Ann Arundel hired in March or April; Montgomery did a spring class and I have heard that they will be starting a Fall class; Fairfax did a January full class and a March "pop out" for folks with experience, and is planning one or two classes for this fall. I hear that Loudoun County and Alexandria VA and PG MD are headed in that direction soon also.
There are several job boards on the net that list FD recruitment's. Can't recall the address offhand, but a quick search should show up something useful.
The hiring process for most of the fall classes has been underway for months now. Generally, an announcement is made, testing is done, and a list of viable candidates is drawn up. Most departments rank order the names and then start at the top when hiring authority is granted. Sometimes a list can stay active for years before the process starts again.
There are several job boards on the net that list FD recruitment's. Can't recall the address offhand, but a quick search should show up something useful.
The hiring process for most of the fall classes has been underway for months now. Generally, an announcement is made, testing is done, and a list of viable candidates is drawn up. Most departments rank order the names and then start at the top when hiring authority is granted. Sometimes a list can stay active for years before the process starts again.
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