Paid On Call FireFighter?

[GixxerNick]

I did a search on the subject and didn't come up with anything. Right now I'm a full time EMT with a private company working 3 days a week. Early next week I should be able to get on a local department as "Paid on call". I just had some questions on how I will be trained if I am only called when there is a fire? I'm sure someone has been in this situation before, post up!:D

[Sandles2Sidearm]

As all departments are different, I can only give you an example from one in my area:

OCFA Reserve Firefighters: Are hired on and are required to complete the reserve academy which is on weekends for the better part of two months (give or take). Upon completion you are required to drill once a week, for one hour.

When OCFA was a paid call, vs. reserve, calls that you respond to are paid on an hourly basis. The rate varies with status, time on, title, etc. with a minimum for to-station response being one hour and a 8 hours of pay given if the call out lasts more than 3-5 hours (I can't remember which).

Now that it is a reserve program all calls are flat rated and certain responses are translated into specific rates of pay, but are not hourly.

The money is not something that keeps people coming back, its the hope that they can get the FF I certification within the year so that they might bypass the costs of a self sponsored academy.

Like I said, all departments are different and I have only limitted experience with the one that I mentioned.

[GixxerNick]

Thanks, that's exactly what I'm in it for, to get my FF II (I don't believe there is a FF I in IL) I was just wondering how the training was because I've heard that's all "on the job training" as in they don't send you to an academy.

[KYEMT325]

I worked for a "paid-on-call" fire department for about a year in Kentucky. The way it worked there was anytime you were called out, in training, or doing community relations, you were paid-on-call. It didn't mean you just got paid when you were actually fighting fire. We did in-house training as well, and got paid for those in-house sessions. Coincidentally, we got called out of training for fires often, so at least the city got some use out of us for those time periods instead of just paying us to train.

I hope this helps answer a little bit of the confusion over paid-on-call firefighting and training issues.

[Round C]

Nick

In Lapeer County Michigan we have Motorla Minitor IV pagers. When our tones get set it beeps VERY obnoxiously and the doors at our station open automatically while everyone makes their way to the hall. Our average response time from tones set to first Class A pumper on scene is 7.5 minutes. We cover approx 36 square miles and about 5,000 residents.

I was trained to standards here by our county's training council and just passed my practical exam on April 24. I took the written on May 4 and still waiting for results. I am anxious :bounce:

As far as being paid, we are paid an hourly rate while working and also for training and business meetings. Checks are distributed quarterly.

[JimSpoor]

Round C,
I know you haven't posted much but I suggest you read the rules of the board. It is generally not a good idea to post to a thread that is more than a week or two old. Definitely not over 30 days. Consider yourself slapped with the wet noodle. Now go forth and sin no more.