Firefighter Trainee @ BWI

Announcement for openings at BWI.

Good evening. A couple questions, if I may?

1) The announcement says no experience required. Realistically, what are the chances for someone with no experience? Or, in my case, someone with EMS experience (EMT-B), but no fire?

2) What is the physical agility test like?

3) Is this an actual firefighting position, or will there be significant time driving the medic units, like other local jurisdictions require? :D

Thanks! :cheers:

1. Your chances are just as good as any one else. We've hired trainees before without EMT or firefighter. We send then usually to AACo or BCo academy. We've also set up our own class at MFRI before. What they'll do this time is unknown.

2. We've done CPAT before but what they'll do this time... again unknown.

3. Actual firefighting position. HOWEVER... you may be driving the medic unit off and on. We try to keep 2 PMs on each unit but with the shortage we have gone to 1 & 1 before. When you drive the PM unit, you receive drivers pay.

Many thanks!

Hey, "shoe" I'm curious about the wide window in pay. What is that all about and also what's cost of living like in Baltimore?? Thanks for any information.

The wide range in pay is due to several factors.

1. After you completed the academy and come off of probation, you will go up in pay.

2. Our pay scale has 16 different "steps" and there are grades also.

You usually start at "base" pay, come off of probation into step 1. Then, in the perfect world, you would get a step each year. So in 16 years, if you are still a FF, you should be at step 16.

Cost depends on where you compare it to. I don't live in Baltimore. I live in PA. Moved there when I went from renting a home to buying. I found that I could buy more house for my money in PA than in MD. But it also depends on where in PA because some areas have higher school taxes, ect.

Thanks "shoe," :thumbsup:
I am currently living in LA, so I understand what you're saying about housing prices, etc. all to well -- it's pretty insane here too! Thanks for the salary clearification as well.

I already have ARFF firefighter/Firefighter1 and 2 IFSAC certifications along with EMT-B and Haz Mat along with a bunch of other certifications.Would I still have to go through firefighter training?

I really can't answer that one because they let one firefighter take the trainee position before and didn't require him to go to an academy but that was a previous chief.

They made others since who have had training take it over again. All I can say is apply and if you get an interview, ask then.

Good luck to all who apply.