Daniel Guerrero

Senior Exhibition
Lesson 4

Career Interview I
Name: Thad McKay
Title: Firefighter/Paramedic with Barona Fire Department
1.)
Why did you become a firefighter and when did you
realize thats what you
wanted to do?
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2.)
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3.)
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I think I always wanted to be a firefighter; even when I was a little kid. It

always interested me how many things that firefighters have to know and
be able to do. One of my dads friends was a firefighter and we would
visit him at the station. I would try and do a ride along whenever I could.
I always liked to be around the engines and tried to learn as much about
being a firefighter as possible. Then when I was 19 I heard about a cadet
program with San Diego city Fire Dept.; I was accepted in the program and
continued from there.

What kind of education do you need to be a firefighter?

You need to have a high school diploma. After that, the more education
you have the easier it will be to get a job and to promote later on. There
are associates degrees from community colleges in Fire Science; or having
a Bachelors degree always improves your chances for becoming a
firefighter. You also need to become an EMT and eventually a paramedic.
Most departments now will only hire paramedics; so that is definitely
something that you would need to do.

What are the best/worst parts of the job?

The best parts are being able to help people, with whatever emergency
they have. To teach people how to be safe and how to react and deal with
fires and other emergencies. To be part of a team and to learn how to
depend on the people you work with. You get to put fires out and ride in
the fire engines!
There really isnt anything thats bad about being a firefighter. The only
thing can be the schedule. You will work on holidays and birthdays.

4.)
What advice would you give to up and coming
firefighters?
- Get as much experience and education that you can now. Make sure you
finish high school and then start taking classes at the local colleges. Get

Daniel Guerrero
Senior Exhibition
Lesson 4
your EMT certificate and start working as an EMT; work towards becoming
a paramedic. Contact the local fire departments and see if they have a
volunteer or reserve program. A lot of departments will send their
reserves through firefighting academies. Never stop learning and never
give up. Because its such a great job, a lot of people want to do it. So,
the more you have learned and have done; will only help you in the long
run. (Also, learn how to cook!)

5.)
What kind of additional education requirements did you
need for your current position?
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6.)
7.)
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8.)
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9.)
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I have an Associates Degree in Fire Science and I am also a paramedic.

But I am still taking fire related courses all the time. Plus I have
certificates that have to be renewed every year.

Has being a firefighter been satisfying?

I cant think of anything else that I would rather do. It is the most
satisfying job there is.

How can I start preparing myself to be a firefighter?

You need to finish high school and start taking classes and getting
involved with the local fire departments as much as possible. Become an
EMT as soon as you can. Try becoming a volunteer or reserve firefighter.
You could even contact the local fire academies and see if they take
volunteers.

Whats a typical week like for you on the job?

My schedule is 2 days on (48 hours) then 4 days off (96 hours). I start at
8am, with all of my gear on the fire engine or ambulance; whichever Im
working on that shift. I check out all of my equipment that I could be
using and make sure its all in good working order. We then have a
morning meeting and discuss any projects or training we will be doing.
We also make a grocery list for the entire shift. The rest of the day is for
projects, training, cleaning the station; and of course running any
emergency calls that come in. Then later on is our time; sitting in the
recliners, watching TV, etc. But we have to be able to respond on a call
at any time.

What are your job responsibilities?

I am a firefighter/paramedic. I can be on either the ambulance or the
engine. If I am on the ambulance, I respond to all medical emergencies,
traffic accidents and fires. If there is a medical emergency I give
advanced first aid and I take patients to the hospital. On the engine I
respond to fires (structure, brush, car) and put those out. I respond to
all rescue calls and all traffic accidents. I also respond to medical

Daniel Guerrero
Senior Exhibition
Lesson 4
emergencies and work as a paramedic on the engine as well. We go to
schools and teach fire prevention; we do inspections of the local
businesses and we help in the community.

10.)
Once you become a firefighter, do you get to choose
where you want to be stationed?
- Usually not at first. Your first year you are on probation and are assigned
to the stations that youre going to work in. It will depend on the
department that you work for; and how many stations they have.

Career Interview II
Name: Jonny Butler
Rank: Engineer/firefighter
1.)
Why did you become a firefighter and when did you
realize thats what you wanted to do?
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2.)

I wanted to become a firefighter because I wanted to help people. I realize

this is a cliche response but it is an essential part of who I am and this job
is alignment with that. Another reason is that it is a dynamic profession
that requires complex problem solving capabilities. No two calls are alike,
one moment may be spent fighting a wildland fire and the next call could
be delivering a baby. Both requiring a dynamic skill set.

What kind of education do you need to be a firefighter?

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3.)

Typical requirements are state firefighter I, EMT or paramedic

licensure. These are just a baseline requirement, typically you have
to build a broader resume for example I have a degree in
psychology in addition to my career related education.

What are the best/worst parts of the job?

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Best part is that every day is different, and to serve the public in a
just profession. Worst is long hours and being away from family and
friends.

4.)
What advice would you give to up and coming
firefighters?

Daniel Guerrero
Senior Exhibition
Lesson 4

Persistency and staying optimistic. Its a competitive job that

requires a lot of work just to be given the chance. Also working as a
seasonal for the state or feds gives you a good taste of the
profession, while still allowing you to build your resume in the
winter.

5.)
What kind of educational requirements did the job have
for you?
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6.)

Has being a firefighter been satisfying?

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7.)

Classes at junior colleges and applying to be a seasonal firefighter.

Whats a typical week like for you on the job?

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9.)

Yes on all aspects.

How can I start preparing myself to be a firefighter?

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8.)

Answered in question 2

There is no typical week. We do have obligations such as

prevention, public education, and daily training.

What are your job responsibilities?

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I work as an Engineer, meaning I drive and am responsible for

operating the pump on fires. It is a step above firefighter and just
below the Captain in rank.

10.)
Once you become a firefighter, do you get to choose
where you want to be stationed?
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No, the chief picks where you will be. I tested from Seattle to San
Diego, and found a great place to work just north of San Francisco.
It is the best career in the world for me .