By Assistant Professor Michael J. Ward

Fire departments continue to hire as if it was 1899 – you are a slab of meat evaluated for your physical, mental and moral capabilities. The regional or local fire academy will provide the needed on-the-job training. ost of them do not care about your volunteer experience or existing fire service certifications. Obtaining an AAS degree in Fire Science does not increase your chances of getting hired.

It is cruel, unfair, capricious and frustrating. So what should you do? Here are my suggestions.

Obtain Certification as a National Registry EMT-Paramedic

This provides you with the ONLY skill that results in preferential hiring consideration for the Metro Washington Area.

Assistant Dean Holly Frost has developed an excellent program. You can achieve EMT-Intermediate after the first academic year, EMT-Paramedic at the conclusion of the two-year program.

Go to: Emergency Medical Technician Program

• All courses offered each semester
• Evening courses available
• Program placement required, but no waiting list
• Information sessions are mandatory, see posted schedules for dates

State law requires that EMS students/practitioners have never been convicted of a felony involving a sexual crime and are five years past probation for other felony charges.

Paramedic program applicants must interview with the EMT program head. They must be currently certified as an EMT/B. We strongly encourage affiliation with an EMS agency which provides advanced life support services.

Emergency Medical Services Technology: 703.822.6557, Medical Education Campus, HE 239

Before you can start the paramedic program, you need to be certified as an EMT-Basic. It is about a 140 hour course that is offered at NOVA (EMT 106), as well as the local fire-rescue academies in Prince William, Loudoun and Fairfax Counties. EMT training is free if you are a member of an affiliated volunteer fire department.

Consider Joining Your Local Volunteer Fire Department or Rescue Squad

Volunteer experience does not improve your chances of getting hired. However, volunteer experience does provide an opportunity to sample the public safety lifestyle and receive free emergency service training.

Start a Hiring Notebook

Each jurisdiction has a slightly different procedure for hiring. Your objective is to understand and completely comply with all requirements of the process.