Firefighter seeks moving advice... (Los Angeles, Fallbrook: home, find a job, public school)

[medic1230]

So here's the deal. I grew up in the Chicago area and am now visiting in LA. Having a great time here with some friends I grew up with as well as family that moved to LA years ago. Everyone of them wants me to move here.

Here's my situation. I'm a full-time firefighter/paramedic in the Chicago burbs. A very desirable job and not easy to get. I'm single and have nothing to tie me down other than that and family.

Regarding California, I have a friend and family base out here as well. I'm thinking about trying to get onto the FD out here and move. I've got connections in the film, stunt, music, and production industries as well as some involvement myself (production, on set medic, and stunts). Not planning on becoming a big actor or anything like that but would try to be involved as a side job out of the FD. So far, everything looks promising and it's hard to resist the signs to move out here. I'm kind of resistant to big change unless it's fully researched and planned with little room for contingency.

Anyways, I would love to hear some input from people outside of my personal relationships as well as any advice about where to live and/or work.

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration in this matter.

Todd

[Charles]

What are the realistic chances of getting hired on with either of the Los Angeles Fire or a local fire departments? I don't know; Are they hiring?
Have you compared the salaries in LA vs Chicago?
Have you identified suitable places to live?
Have you compared the cost of living of suitable places for you to live?
If you bought a home after you got job and three years later you got married and had kids do you have an idea of good places to raise a family? How does that play out with your potential employment locations? Do you have an understanding of the public school quality landscape (where the good schools are, where the not so good schools are)?


I agree you need to research like crazy and you need to have a Plan B and Plan C.

[MLD012008]

Medic1230,

My father was an LA City FireFighter for over 30 years and retired as Chief. He now does part time work on the Doctor Phil Shows (and other productions) as Fire Marshall and loves it. My parents live in Ventura which is a Great litle Beach communty. He commuted to (station 105's Fallbrook and Victory) in the San Fernando Valley, however with his schedule while on duty and off days it worked out fine. The job is tough to come by with hundreds of applicants. If you are a minority ( sorry to be blunt) and with your experience you have a greater chance. Good luck, So Cal can always use a dedicated Fire fighter.

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by medic1230

Here's my situation. I'm a full-time firefighter/paramedic in the Chicago burbs. A very desirable job and not easy to get. I'm single and have nothing to tie me down other than that and family.

After reading your OP, I don't even understand why you are asking. The move sounds ideal for you. My only advice is that you should get a job commitment here (LAFD?) before you quit your old job. I suspect firefighting jobs are difficult to get here too.

[medic1230]

What are the realistic chances of getting hired on with either of the Los Angeles Fire or a local fire departments?

LAFD is hiring and so are several other local departments and with my experience chances of getting on are fairly high. Especially since I'm also a paramedic.

Have you compared the salaries in LA vs Chicago?

Salaries are higher in LA.

Have you identified suitable places to live?

Still need to look at that but as I said, I have several friends and family here already.

Have you compared the cost of living of suitable places for you to live?

Cost of living is only a little bit higher here.

If you bought a home after you got job and three years later you got married and had kids do you have an idea of good places to raise a family? How does that play out with your potential employment locations? Do you have an understanding of the public school quality landscape (where the good schools are, where the not so good schools are)?

One of my closest friends here in LA is a substitute teacher and familiar with many of the schools.

[medic1230]

Originally Posted by MLD012008

Medic1230,

He commuted to (station 105's Fallbrook and Victory) in the San Fernando Valley, however with his schedule while on duty and off days it worked out fine. The job is tough to come by with hundreds of applicants. If you are a minority ( sorry to be blunt) and with your experience you have a greater chance. Good luck, So Cal can always use a dedicated Fire fighter.

I know the schedule and commuting is actually fairly likely depending on the station I'd be working at.

I'm not a minority but I've been a paramedic for 5 years and a firefighter for 2 as of this month. As a medic, I've dealt with a lot of things including gun shot wounds, stabbings, bus accidents, pediatric trauma, drug overdose, cardiac arrest, etc. As a firefighter, I've had a few fires of different types but I'm also Hazardous Materials certified and will be going to Fire Apparatus Engineer class soon. I also am a Navy veteran. Not sure if that would help me in Cali, but it helped a lot back home.

[MLD012008]

Just a note. In L.A. Most of your dispatches will be traffic accidents. Your EMT training will be an advantge.

[the one]

well with experience the transition to work moves faster. if you were starting from scratch, its tough even to get into an academy and then find a job. a couple years long process. my buddies that do firework all had experience, military or otherwise.
my youngest brother is having a hard time finding fire work. a lot of hiring freezes. it might change now that we have a budget in cali. but best aadvice is to have something lined up.

[medic1230]

Originally Posted by the one

but best aadvice is to have something lined up.

I wouldn't move until I had something solid lined up with the FD.

[ZenMaster2008]

Originally Posted by medic1230

I wouldn't move until I had something solid lined up with the FD.

Wow, a poster with a plan! Reps to you
We do not see your kind too often, sounds like you actually know what you are doing.