The Final Countdown...One Week to go!

6 days and a wake-up. That is all the time that remains for what is hopefully the beginning of a very long, fun career. It is the end of one chapter, but the beginning of another.

Fire Station Visit

I'm officially below the 20 day mark today. Only 19 days (including weekends) left until my first day. I'm hoping to get my leave for next week, which only gives me 8 work days at my current job (excluding today). I'm not sure how I'm going to be filling the time, but I'm sure I'll be keeping myself busy.

Last night I went to visit a fire station. From going to CPAT practices, I met a woman that is going to be in my recruit class, and she is a volunteer at Station 17 out in Centreville. She invited me out to the station to walk around, have dinner, and to try to get some pre-academy studying in. It also gave me a good look into what I'm getting myself into. And I like what I see.

The last time I was in a fire station, I was babysitting the station's (Coast Guard station, not fire) small boats during Hurricane Isabel for 2 days. Not as exciting as it sounds, trust me... So anyway, I got to learn the difference between an engine and a truck, some EMT terminology, and what firefighters eat for dinner (BBQ'd pork chops, mashed potatoes, and peas). The meal was excellent and I even got some ice cream for dessert.

I felt a little bit like a kid in a dream world, but the fact is my dream is now a reality. Well, in 19 days anyway...

The Countdown Continues...

I start the Academy in 25 days. I don't think the fact that I'm going to be in training for the next five months has really sunk in yet. It's getting there though...

Last week I went to get re-fingerprinted and pick up my employee packet. When you're filling out your direct deposit form for a new job, it helps make it just a little more real. I think what hit home the most was when I went to get fitted for my uniforms last Friday (sorry ladies, no pictures yet). I'm actually going to be a firefighter. My dream is coming true...

Getting In

Where to begin...in June of 2005 I applied to be a firefighter in the county that I live in. I had talked to some people that were firefighters and they absolutely loved their jobs. I enjoy helping people, and a lot of the aspects of the job look really cool (plus, who doesn't love a firefighter?). I took the necessary steps and applied.

I took a written exam, went through the physical test (called the CPAT-Candidate Physical Ability Test), and also completed a medical physical, polygraph test, and a psychological evaluation. I passed all the stages with flying colors and received a letter in late June 2006 saying the paperwork portion of my application was complete, that I was eligible for hire, and that I just had to wait for the call.

Fast foward seven months to January 2007. The next recruit class scheduled to convene was slated to begin on March 5, 2007. I heard that they were making calls. Finally it happened. Upon checking my messages on a Friday afternoon (January 26th to be exact, right around 2:30 in the afternoon), I had a message from Fairfax County Fire and Rescue. I was in. My wait was over. A new goal had been put in front of me: Recruit School.

That being said, I'm slated to begin training on March 5, 2007 in the 122nd Recruit Class of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department.

My hope is to keep you all updated as to what is going on in my life while in the Academy. I'm not going to have a lot of time, but I hope to keep this up to date as best as I can. I'll be going home at night, but mostly to study and rest up for the next day of training. I'll be around, but if I'm too busy to hang out, please forgive me. I'm planning on putting all my efforts in to passing and exceling in the Academy. Like I said, I'll try to keep this up to date as best I can, even if it's just a short post.

Please feel free to leave comments and words of encouragement. I'm sure I'll need them...