Recruit Class 37 – Coming To A Fire Station Near You Soon!

Recruit Class 37 – Coming To A Fire Station Near You Soon!, a set on Flickr.

By: Captain Jason Blake

Recruit Class 37 is finishing their training at the academy and have received their station assignments. The "Grand Finale" of their fire/EMS training occurs over a long and physical demanding day that the recruit's family gets to see them in action. Recruits are assigned to riding positions on engines, trucks, ambulances and rescue squads with lieutenants and captains from the field. They are dispatched and respond to calls on the 56 acres of the academy. A wide variety of calls occur over an eleven hour time frame with everything from building and car fires, to sick people and assaults. Recruits even deliver a baby in a car. There are over 50 scenarios that occur and are very realistic with smoke, fire and moulage of victims that make the most seasoned firefighter to look twice.

Thank you to Chief Clemens, Captain Carter, Lt. McDonald, Academy Staff and Adjuncts for training the largest recruit class in the history of the department.

MCFRS is Accepting Applications for Firefighter/Rescuer I

Candidates Must Possess Specific Levels of Training/Certification

Closing Date: July 8, 2011

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service is recruiting for the position of Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit). All applicants must meet specific levels of training and certification in order to qualify for consideration. This recruitment will be used to establish an eligibility list for two upcoming recruit classes.

Employment Information:

Starting Salary for all applicants hired: $41,613

The Firefighter/Rescuer I (Recruit) position is an entry level position. Applicants must possess the following certifications to be considered eligible for the position:

1) NFPA Firefighter II Certification

2) NFPA Hazardous Material Operations Certification (minimum of 24 hours)

3) Maryland Certified EMT-B, CRT, or EMT-P*

• Must be documented with a photocopy of your current certification (Maryland EMT-B, CRT or EMT-P).

* Maryland State Certification of EMT-B, CRT or EMT-P must be maintained throughout the hiring process.

For important information regarding the recruitment process, required certifications/documentations, critical dates and exam information, applicants should access the job posting at: www.montgomerycountymd.gov and click on careers. Applications that do not meet the specific requirements of this recruitment will be deemed ineligible.

Montgomery County is an equal opportunity employer committed to workforce diversity.  It is the policy of Montgomery County to conduct all employment activities in a manner that will ensure equal employment opportunity for all persons without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, genetic status, or political affiliation.

Current Hiring Status

Are You Ready to Love Your Career?

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service offers an exciting work environment, outstanding benefits, and top-notch training.

The Montgomery County Council has recently allocated funds for two abbreviated recruit classes of pre-trained firefighter/EMTs. For these classes, MCFRS will be seeking applicants with some pre-existing certifications. The specific requirements and certifications necessary to be considered for this recruit class have not been announced, but may include firefighting, hazardous material and EMT experience. Applications for the pre-trained classes may be accepted during the month of June, 2011.

To learn more, please click HERE

FY12 MCFRS Budget Includes Funds for Two Recruit Classes

The Montgomery County Council has allocated funds for two abbreviated recruit classes of pre-trained Firefighter/EMTs. For these classes, MCFRS will be seeking applicants with some pre-existing certifications. The specific requirements and certifications necessary to be considered for this recruit class have not been announced, but may include firefighting, hazardous material and EMT experience.

Applications for the pre-trained classes will likley be accepted during the month of June, 2011. Additional information about any pre-exsisting certifications will be posted on the MCFRS website, blog and facebook as soon as it is known. All interested persons are encouraged to sign up for the MCFRS e-mail newsletter at our website (www.mcfrs.org/recruiting), Twitter Page, or to check the facebook page frequently.

Montgomery County Maryland Hiring Firefighter/Rescuer Recruits

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) is now accepting applications for the position of Firefighter/Rescuer I Recruit. Two separate recruit classes are anticipated; however both classes will be dependent on available funding. Recruit Class “A” is open to applicants with no previous experience or training. Recruit Class “B” is open to applicants that possess a specific level of training at the time of application.

Applications must be received by June 30, 2010 for both classes. Applications will be accepted online only at www.montgomerycountymd.gov click on careers.

Applicants for both classes must be 17 ½ years of age to apply and 18 at appointment, with a high school diploma or GED. All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, as well as possess a valid motor vehicle driver’s license.

Applicants for Recruit Class “B” must possess the following training certifications at the time of their application: MFRI State of Maryland Certified Firefighter II, MFRI State of Maryland Certified Hazardous Material Operations Level and current Certification as a Maryland Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic or EMT-Paramedic) or Maryland Cardiac Rescue Technician (CRT).

MCFRS Firefighter/Rescuers receive outstanding benefits including 20 year retirement with no age limit, group health and life insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation and paid sick leave. Tuition assistance may be offered through State of Maryland and County programs. Additional compensation may be received through the attainment of specialized skills once hired.

Additional information regarding this position or the application and hiring process can be found on the Firefighter/Rescuer I Recruit application at Montgomery County’s Human Resource’s website at www.montgomerycountymd.gov and click on “Careers.”

MCFRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity in the workforce.

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Blair High School Sports Academy Mentor Program

A collaboration involving MCFRS, Dept. of Recreation and the Task Force on Mentoring, has implemented a mentor Sports Academy program for students at Blair High School (BHS) in Silver Spring. The sports event kicking off the program is a flag football tournament. The County Council has been a strong supportive advocate for the Sports Academy and its work with under-achieving students.

Captain Tommy Foster is the lead for MCFRS in this very worthwhile endeavor and shares his experience, thus far, below:

I met with John Smith (Councilman Andrews Office), Joy Rafey (Task Force on Mentoring), and Daryl Gincherman (Task Force on Mentoring) for a brainstorming session on how we could make this happen. We all agreed that we needed to find a way to connect with the kids and felt strongly about utilizing sports as a way to make that connection.

John and Joy moved very quickly in setting up a meeting with BHS Principal Darryl Williams and Jose Segura from Sports Academy. A plan was devised, and the motions of the plan moved forward. The idea was to have a large flag football tournament, which would last approximately 6 days between the hours of 3pm-5pm.

I went back to senior leadership within my organization, and was given support by Fire Chief Richard Bowers towards moving forward with this collaboration.

Jose Segura from the Sports Academy recruited and organized 80 to 90 students for the event, which began this past Monday, November 16th. I brought a handful of firefighters and volunteers with me to participate in the games and began plugging them into different roles. Some of went in as quarterbacks, wide receivers, and defenders while others would help by refereeing the games. It felt great to see my fellow firefighters making an impact for the different teams. .

I was able to find several strong, diverse, young, and athletic role models in MCFRS to help out. Firefighters Tony Bencosme, Van Free, Seshibe Sefako, Ariel Dominguez, and Sean Carroll. Our approach was to have fun and mentor later. What I found on day four was openness from the students that allowed me to provide them information about ride alongs, career and volunteer opportunities, and an opportunity to come visit any of the mentors at their stations (to learn about life in a fire station) when the tournament was finished. I told the students they were not obligated to sign up for anything I had to offer but, to my amazement, they all signed up!

My goal is to provide these kids with valuable life lessons as they observe the discipline, focus, and accountability that their fire department mentors have demonstrated. They might also be inspired to volunteer their time and serve their community or attempt to make the fire and rescue service a career. These kids are hungry for opportunity, and are hungry for a vision to the possibilities that surround them!

This has been a wonderful and eye opening experience.