Lance's Fire Department Interview

[jusbnme]

Thanks for all the great words guys.  It really helps the stress.   

[YOSP]

What's up sly bros and gals?  Just thought I'd throw an update out there.  Got some good news today on one of the other cities I have been trying for.  The city Newport News called me today and said that I did well enough on their agility test to move on to their interview which will be on June 12th.  I'm still waiting to hear from Hampton city which would be the chief's interview but at least I'm still in with both.  Hopefully one will pick me up. 

Lance... whats up brother, I used to live in both of those cities in VA, I was stationed at Langley and then stayed around for another 2 yrs. How do you like it there?

[skinhead002]

You'll enjoy being a fireman.  Ours are great-we are always giving each other(the depts) a hard time in good fun.

[jusbnme]

What's up sly bros and gals?  Just thought I'd throw an update out there.  Got some good news today on one of the other cities I have been trying for.  The city Newport News called me today and said that I did well enough on their agility test to move on to their interview which will be on June 12th.  I'm still waiting to hear from Hampton city which would be the chief's interview but at least I'm still in with both.  Hopefully one will pick me up. 

Lance... whats up brother, I used to live in both of those cities in VA, I was stationed at Langley and then stayed around for another 2 yrs. How do you like it there?

I really like living here in Virginia.  I actually live in Yorktown in the Tabb area if you know where that is.  I grew up mainly in Seaford which is in Yorktown if you know where that is too.  My mom still lives out in Seaford.  I love that little community.  It's so quite out there.  It's like living in the country or near a beach but you're still only a few miles from civilization if you know what I'm saying.  Unfortunately due to me not working for over a year and my wife having the only income we can't afford to get a house in York County just yet.  Because it's such a clean and nice place to live the prices for houses are crazy right now.  I'm living with my grandmother right now to get by who has a big house that we can all "breath" in.  I wanted to try out for the York County fire department also but they require you to already have EMT - Basic and they would prefer that you have already put yourself through the fire academy.  The fire academy costs around  $2,000.00.  Since Hampton and Newport News are willing to dish out the money to put you through I figured I'd go that route first.  If they don't pick me up I may just say the hell with it and spend some money I don't have and put myself through so I can try out for York County.  Don't get me wrong, Hampton and Newport News are great cities too but I just prefer the county.  How did you like the area when you were here? 

[skinhead002]

You live in a nice area. I'm very familiar with it-Fort Eutis and Fort Monroe are there.

[jusbnme]

You live in a nice area. I'm very familiar with it-Fort Eutis and Fort Monroe are there.

That's cool man.  Did you live here before or military?  It is a good area to live in but just like anywhere else it has it's "spots."  That's why I mainly prefer to try and stay in "the county."   

[YOSP]

 Don't get me wrong, Hampton and Newport News are great cities too but I just prefer the county.  How did you like the area when you were here? 
[/quote]

I am from Philly, so it didn't have that big city feel to me that I liked...I had a good friend there whose family lived in Seaford, they had a huge house, they own a paper supply company in Newport News. It was pretty cool while I was there, I used to bounce at a place called Hoss's in N.N., we would also go over to the other side of the peninsula and pick on the Navy guys...

Its a small world.    

[jusbnme]

Don't get me wrong, Hampton and Newport News are great cities too but I just prefer the county.  How did you like the area when you were here? 

I am from Philly, so it didn't have that big city feel to me that I liked...I had a good friend there whose family lived in Seaford, they had a huge house, they own a paper supply company in Newport News. It was pretty cool while I was there, I used to bounce at a place called Hoss's in N.N., we would also go over to the other side of the peninsula and pick on the Navy guys...

Its a small world.    

Yeah brother, I know Hoss's.  It's right down the road from me.  Cool.

[RichardN.]

Good Luck, Lance.  I really like Virginia.  I spent a lot of time in Norfolk during my Navy days.  I got to know it pretty well & like it very much.  I love Busch Gardens in Williamsburg.  They give military members free admission.  Awesome, huh?  Think positively & you'll be fine.  I'll keep my fingers crossed, just to be sure!!!

Hey YOSP, what do you mean "pick on the Navy guys"?

[YOSP]

Hey YOSP, what do you mean "pick on the Navy guys"?
[/quote]

no comment ...those days are now over for me, with myself getting married in 3 months, I have to keep myself in check and out of trouble...

I don't know if you can tell that well about my not so straight nose structure, and that is after surgery

[YOSP]

Yeah brother, I know Hoss's.  It's right down the road from me.  Cool.
[/quote]

I also used to bartend at Linda's also, we used to go there all the time for dart tourney's, that is why I had to eventually leave, I was dating this girl there (N.N.) for a couple of years and that was the extent of our weekends, darts, there and Philly's...

I used to live right near the JRB.

[jusbnme]

Well my sly bros;  Just giving an update.  I received an official letter from the city of Hampton the other day which is the city I was waiting to hear about the Chief's interview.  They turned me down this time around.  I have been talking to a few fireman that work for Hampton though and they told me that some guys who don't have any experience do get turned down their first go around.  They told me to just reapply and go back through all the steps again to show that I am really interested in making this a career.  They said the more they see my name and face it will really make a difference.  They told me I would probably get picked up if I would just do it a second time.  They said on average guys without experience usually get picked up on a second try.  So I noticed that Hampton has already started a new hiring process and I went ahead and reapplied a few days ago and I've already gotten all the other paper work I need in order.  I've registered to take the written test again the second week in July which is the first step in the process.  I'll be starting from scratch but hopefully this time I'll get picked up.  Then again I do still have my interview with Newport News nest Tuesday so I'm still in the running for that city.  But if they also don't pick me up I'm all prepared to go through Hampton's process again.  I'm not giving up until I get the job.  Thank God I have such a supportive wife and of course the encouragement of all my sly bros.   

[skinhead002]

Speaking as a policeman, I wouldn't be discouraged.  Reapply but also keep going at other agencies.  Many of the departments play games, and again speaking as a lawman, I'm telling you many of the recruiting officers learn a hard lesson when they call back high quality applicants after the intial required "2d rejection" only to find the applicant has been hired "away" and is now working for another city or county.

The other aspect you must be aware of in gov employment and particulary fire departments and law enforcement is affirmative action.  Your rejection might very well have NOTHING to do with your qualifications but only with your race and gender. A female applicant shut down the City of Austin, TX  hiring of new fire fighters several years ago when she and her worthless parents sued the city for discrimination after she failed the physical testing. I believe she won and the city of Austin "dumbed down" the physical testing requirements so women(she in particular) could pass.  I was sincerely praying that applicants whose acceptance was placed on hold during the "investigation of the discrimation" and lawsuit against the city, brought a class action law suit against this fine "future cadet" and her parents.  I wouldn't be a firefighter for Austin, TX. The female fighter fighter backing you up might not be strong enough to lift a ladder off the truck and save a stranded firefighter (but by God, the city is PC....).   It's sad.

[jusbnme]

Speaking as a policeman, I wouldn't be discouraged.  Reapply but also keep going at other agencies.  Many of the departments play games, and again speaking as a lawman, I'm telling you many of the recruiting officers learn a hard lesson when they call back high quality applicants after the intial required "2d rejection" only to find the applicant has been hired "away" and is now working for another city or county.

The other aspect you must be aware of in gov employment and particulary fire departments and law enforcement is affirmative action.  Your rejection might very well have NOTHING to do with your qualifications but only with your race and gender. A female applicant shut down the City of Austin, TX  hiring of new fire fighters several years ago when she and her worthless parents sued the city for discrimination after she failed the physical testing. I believe she won and the city of Austin "dumbed down" the physical testing requirements so women(she in particular) could pass.  I was sincerely praying that applicants whose acceptance was placed on hold during the "investigation of the discrimation" and lawsuit against the city, brought a class action law suit against this fine "future cadet" and her parents.  I wouldn't be a firefighter for Austin, TX. The female fighter fighter backing you up might not be strong enough to lift a ladder off the truck and save a stranded firefighter (but by God, the city is PC....).   It's sad.

Thanks for the kind words man.  The Austin situation with the fire department sounds messed up.  I agree with you.  I'm all for equal rights and all that stuff but what is, is what is.  If someone isn't physically strong enough to do a job then that's just it.  It has nothing to do with them being male or female.  By them lowering the physical test they are putting others in harms way. 

[Paul]

Sorry to hear about the initial rejection bro...but glad to hear you are continuing to pursue your dream.  That is some sound advice about continuing the process with the same dept and the name/face recognition thing and it shows a true commitment to being a firefighter.   Keep up the physical training, etc so that you can show them your sincere desire to excel at your chosen career.   Best of luck