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Old 11-10-2008, 10:47 PM
 
7 posts, read 48,534 times
Reputation: 14

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I am 29 years old. I have been working in the film industry for the last 9 years. Recently I have decided that this is not what I want to do with the rest of my life. I've always wanted to become a firefighter. It is something I could be proud of. My background will show (in all seriousness) experimental drug use when I was younger; as in light marijuana use in high school (over 10 yrs. ago), cocaine twice (over three years ago), ecstasy 4-5 times over 7 years ago, and lsd once over 7 years ago. Not proud of it, but it is what I did and it is in the past. Today, I am engaged and have a 7 month old daughter. I took the la city online preliminary background application and it told me that I wouldn't qualify to become a firefighter. Does anyone else have any experience with this or know how I should proceed? I need advice, any help or am I just SOL? Thanks!
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Old 11-11-2008, 02:45 AM
 
Location: Henderson, NV
7,087 posts, read 8,636,118 times
Reputation: 9978
Do you have to admit to drug use like that when you apply? haha.

It's interesting you are switching from film to firefighting as a desired career, I'm sorry to hear film didn't work out. I am pursuing film, but I have to be honest one of the backup professions I'd consider is law enforcement, haha, just because it'd be something interesting at least and the pay wouldn't be bad all things considered.
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Old 11-11-2008, 04:38 AM
 
Location: Las Flores, Orange County, CA
26,329 posts, read 93,761,592 times
Reputation: 17831
Quote:
Originally Posted by ikikas View Post
I am 29 years old. I have been working in the film industry for the last 9 years. Recently I have decided that this is not what I want to do with the rest of my life. I've always wanted to become a firefighter. It is something I could be proud of. My background will show (in all seriousness) experimental drug use when I was younger; as in light marijuana use in high school (over 10 yrs. ago), cocaine twice (over three years ago), ecstasy 4-5 times over 7 years ago, and lsd once over 7 years ago. Not proud of it, but it is what I did and it is in the past. Today, I am engaged and have a 7 month old daughter. I took the la city online preliminary background application and it told me that I wouldn't qualify to become a firefighter. Does anyone else have any experience with this or know how I should proceed? I need advice, any help or am I just SOL? Thanks!
What about your other qualifications? Education? Experience? I've read the becoming a firefighter is competitive. What would make you stand out?
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Old 11-11-2008, 04:54 AM
 
Location: Declezville, CA
16,806 posts, read 39,945,786 times
Reputation: 17694
How will your "background" show light mj use back in high school? As for drug use after that point, if it involve convictions, fawgeeddabawdit.

If there are no convictions or arrests for your past drug use, it doesn't exist. Don't mention it.

Additionally, I wouldn't waste my time trying for LA City or County unless I had a 4 year degree.
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Old 11-11-2008, 08:37 AM
 
Location: Planet Earth
1,084 posts, read 3,288,274 times
Reputation: 857
Do they give polygraphs when applying to be a firefighter? I know they do for LAPD but I wasn't aware they did it for firefighters as well.
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Old 11-11-2008, 11:06 AM
 
Location: South Bay
7,226 posts, read 22,197,011 times
Reputation: 3626
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fontucky View Post
Additionally, I wouldn't waste my time trying for LA City or County unless I had a 4 year degree.
I would add on to this statement "unless you are a minority."

I have friends who are firefighters and have told me that if you are a minority and can pass the academy you are practically gauranteed a position in the department. If you are white, it is going to be much more difficult.
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Old 11-11-2008, 11:16 AM
 
Location: CITY OF ANGELS AND CONSTANT DANGER
5,408 posts, read 12,665,367 times
Reputation: 2270
Quote:
Originally Posted by BRinSM View Post
I would add on to this statement "unless you are a minority."

I have friends who are firefighters and have told me that if you are a minority and can pass the academy you are practically gauranteed a position in the department. If you are white, it is going to be much more difficult.
not true, i have enough friends who are fire fighters who arent minorities. and i also have friends AND A BROTHER who has been trying to be a firefighter as well. college athletes, fit, smart, "minority", good backgrounds. they are having trouble. my brother has only been able to join the reserves. hes on a wait list.

there is a hiring freeze right now. thats the biggest problem. and if there wasnt, minority status would not matter much. besides the "good ol boys club" mentality still exists in many houses. it does not matter what you look like, a lot of times its who you know.


anyhow if the OP is serious about being a FF, try it out. have you thought of taking fire science classes first? rio hondo cc has a fire academy. you can start there. talk to other people interested in the field. talk to professors. firemen. get their perspectives. some of my buddies who did make it arent the pick of the litter. one of them in particular i wonder about. i think his military service might have helped him. hes a great guy, jsut not very bright.

lots of factors to consider.
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Old 11-11-2008, 11:47 AM
 
7 posts, read 48,534 times
Reputation: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fontucky View Post
How will your "background" show light mj use back in high school? As for drug use after that point, if it involve convictions, fawgeeddabawdit.

If there are no convictions or arrests for your past drug use, it doesn't exist. Don't mention it.

Additionally, I wouldn't waste my time trying for LA City or County unless I had a 4 year degree.
I don't have any convictions, but the first thing you do for LA City is a background interview online. It asks specific questions about drug use, criminal history, credit, etc. Later, a polygraph is to be taken. If the polygraph shows you lied on the background interview, automatic disqualification. Am I to be honest on the background interview, or does it not matter.

As far as education. I do not have a degree. but firefighter friends have told me that I won't need a bachelor's degree, but having my emt and a firefighter 1 certificate would be plenty for getting hired. I am prepared to get the cert, but don't want to spend the money and time for nothing.

Do you have experience with this?
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Old 11-11-2008, 11:51 AM
 
7 posts, read 48,534 times
Reputation: 14
Quote:
Originally Posted by the one View Post
not true, i have enough friends who are fire fighters who arent minorities. and i also have friends AND A BROTHER who has been trying to be a firefighter as well. college athletes, fit, smart, "minority", good backgrounds. they are having trouble. my brother has only been able to join the reserves. hes on a wait list.

there is a hiring freeze right now. thats the biggest problem. and if there wasnt, minority status would not matter much. besides the "good ol boys club" mentality still exists in many houses. it does not matter what you look like, a lot of times its who you know.


anyhow if the OP is serious about being a FF, try it out. have you thought of taking fire science classes first? rio hondo cc has a fire academy. you can start there. talk to other people interested in the field. talk to professors. firemen. get their perspectives. some of my buddies who did make it arent the pick of the litter. one of them in particular i wonder about. i think his military service might have helped him. hes a great guy, jsut not very bright.

lots of factors to consider.
Do you know of Verdugo Fire Academy? They work with Glendale College. Fire Tech courses at the college and FF training at the academy. Problem, it takes a year, making me 31. Thank you for your input
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Old 11-11-2008, 02:37 PM
 
Location: CITY OF ANGELS AND CONSTANT DANGER
5,408 posts, read 12,665,367 times
Reputation: 2270
Quote:
Originally Posted by ikikas View Post
Do you know of Verdugo Fire Academy? They work with Glendale College. Fire Tech courses at the college and FF training at the academy. Problem, it takes a year, making me 31. Thank you for your input
well age means nothing. if you can handle the rigors of the academy then you will be ok. they do some serious running and heavy lifting. also dont forget that the hiring process is a bit lengthy.

i am not familiar with the verduga academy. there is also one in santa ana. those guys(that i know) get hired pretty quickly(1-2 years).

but emt classes and cert are a good start. thats what my brother did. that along with reserve work looks real good. but the way the budget is now in CA, who knows when depts will be hiring. its always a gamble.
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