No…I’m not looking for a job…but this guy is!
Today, while you’re busy reading this, I am off on a LONG car ride to Sioux City, Iowa with my son. He’s going for his second round of elimination in his hunt to find a firefighter job.
If you aren’t familiar how job interviewing works for fireman, here’s a little run down for you. First off, most departments interview about every two years keeping a running list from the interviews that they will hire from over the course of that time. To make the list, you first need to pass a written exam filled with question about fires, equipment, staging, hazardous materials and triage to name a few things. If you pass that section, you are allowed to move on to take the physical test. Here the participants have to go from station to station completing tasks in a designated amount of time with precision. From here they start a list and finally get to talk to someone. Before an actual hire, the candidate will go through at least three interviews not counting the written or physical test. It is a LONG arduous process that can take up to six months.
Well when Buck showed up to take the written test on Wednesday, 225 people were there with him to take the test. Buck made it through the written testing along with about 99 other people…now today, he’s going for the physical testing. We are so excited that he made it through the written testing as that is his weaker area-not because he doesn’t know the information but because he is not a good test taker.
But (why is there always a but in my stories) Thursday, he injured himself. He sliced open the webbing part of his skin where his thumb attaches to his hand. He refuses to go get stitches as he is afraid they won’t let him test if he is obviously injured. He doesn’t want to be eliminated over his injury. I am just hoping a good dose of tylenol and some ice will help him through the testing.
Lots of people don’t realize how arduous the hiring process is for firemen. Before our son wanted to be a fireman we knew nothing about the process. Making things even more difficult is the state of the economy. States and cities are cutting their budgets and services, meaning few firefighting are opening up. So say a prayer, keep your fingers crossed or whatever you do help someone along….we need it!
If you know of anywhere hiring firefighters…drop me a note. I have a guy who would LOVE a job.
But on a quilty note…..I’m stopping at a quilt shop on the ride home…. Country Threads just might be the place! I am SO happy about that.
Good luck to your son and happy shopping at Country Threads!! Lucky girl!!
Jealous!!!!
Wishing your son good luck in his hunt for a job!
My son is a fireman. We went through the same ordeal. He tested for several major fire departments and he volunteers for one. He is on Two Fire departments now. One as a 911 dispatcher/fireman and the other as a EMT2/Fireman. He is also and accredited instructor so that takes up a lot of his time. He travels all over to train. Good Luck to your son. Tell him keep trying. Chris
Try this website:
http://www.theblueline.com/
Good luck!
Good luck to your son! With this horrible economy a lot of the young people are going to have a hard time finding jobs! Many school districts are laying off 1st and 2nd year teachers, so you can imagine what the job market for new grads with Education degrees is going to be. Businesses large and small have a hiring freeze going on,,, so there just isn’t going to be anything for those kids either. I feel so bad for them!
Good luck to your son! With this horrible economy a lot of the young people are going to have a hard time finding jobs! Many school districts are laying off 1st and 2nd year teachers, so you can imagine what the job market for new grads with Education degrees is going to be. Businesses large and small have a hiring freeze going on,,, so there just isn’t going to be anything for those kids either. I feel so bad for them!
Jealous!!!!
Hope your son made it through the testing okay with his hand… I admire firefighters SO much… to risk your life on a daily basis for people you don’t even know…
Takes a very special person
SheilaC
My son’s future in-laws wanted to call off their daughter’s wedding, since they thought he would not find a job as a firefighter and he should give up and do something else, but he got the call to go to work 1 week before the wedding. (I am still miffed at them for being so callous to such a sincere, kind-hearted young man who loves their daughter.) He now works full-time time for two area counties as a paramedic. Tell your son to hang in there. Karmen
Hope by now your boy has a job near home, if not….what about Belfast (Ireland) we are always looking for firemen here, plenty of work! weather wet, damp cold, but a pair of Big boots, thick clothes and he will be fine..Cead Mile Failte (l0000 welcomes)