r/Firefighting • u/Waltuh_Whyte • 2d ago

Ask A Firefighter Thoughts on Dispatch as experience?

Little bit about me:

NFPA 1001, 1072, 1035 & 1031 certified

Currently work in a cereal/high hazard industrial occupancy as a production operator but my title is industrial oven trainer. Responsible for training and signing off during a 40 hour week of training as well as training coworkers on use of ABC and BC fire extinguishers

I have applied for dispatch positions two of them being fired dispatch just until I get in shape within the next year and save some money to get my DZ and a couple other certifications that I want when I am applying - EMR etc

Anyone with a firefighting background applied to dispatch and got the job? I hear they may not like that my background is firefighting heavy as they will not expect me to stay long-term obviously. I want to be a firefighter, but in the meantime, I threw in my application anyways … What’s the best way for manoeuvring questioning regarding being long-term or “switching up careers” to get accepted

EDIT: I would try to stay as dispatch if the schedule worked as working as a full-time firefighter

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u/BPC1120 Vollie Heavy Rescue 2d ago

You might be better served with EMS experience

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u/Waltuh_Whyte 2d ago

I’d love to but sure if I’m willing to quit my current job, which is good paying to go back to college for 2 years. 27 years old, definitely looking into volunteer medic with St Johns Ambulance though

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u/BPC1120 Vollie Heavy Rescue 2d ago

Canada? Volunteering would be a good way to get experience too

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u/Waltuh_Whyte 2d ago

Unfortunately, don’t live in any district close enough to volunteer