FireFighter Training Programme Galway Airport

wiger toods

Has anyone done this? Does it actually train you to become a fully qualified firefighter at the end of it, or are you just paying E1500 to dress up in a fire suit and see some explosions for six months at galway airport?

civdef

You'll be a qualified aviation firefighter, which is a different job to a local authority firefighter (though with a good few common areas obviously).
If you go into a local authority service, the training won't be recognised and you'll still do the basic courses - it will give you plenty to talk about at the interview though.
I understand when the likes of Galway airport recruit firefighters, they like them to have this course done beforehand.

wiger toods

civdef wrote: »

You'll be a qualified aviation firefighter, which is a different job to a local authority firefighter (though with a good few common areas obviously).
If you go into a local authority service, the training won't be recognised and you'll still do the basic courses - it will give you plenty to talk about at the interview though.
I understand when the likes of Galway airport recruit firefighters, they like them to have this course done beforehand.

Thank you!

DOBBER112

civdef wrote: »

You'll be a qualified aviation firefighter, which is a different job to a local authority firefighter (though with a good few common areas obviously).
If you go into a local authority service, the training won't be recognised and you'll still do the basic courses - it will give you plenty to talk about at the interview though.
I understand when the likes of Galway airport recruit firefighters, they like them to have this course done beforehand.

Don't the Airport Police Service double as the Airport Fire Service?

Leo Demidov

DOBBER112 wrote: »

Don't the Airport Police Service double as the Airport Fire Service?

No its the other way around:rolleyes:

apc

I am very sceptical of these courses unless its actually tied to a job.

There are many firefighting courses that can be accessed by people who arent even suitable to the job, many have been disappointed when they go on to apply for a "job" and fail medicals, fitness tests, aptitudes tests. etc.

The first thing to find out if the standard of training is to international standards ( AFAIK airport FF here used to go to Teeside to do training )
What are the selection criteria to do such a course - if its open to everyone regardless then its suspect.
What Qualifications have the instructors and are they up to date
What the training entails

€1500 seems very cheap to train a person to an international standard for airport firefighting

what are employment prospects.

Do your research before you hand over hard earned cash

( heard a tale of a student who did a firefighters course run through a college??? who when he applied for a firefighters position wasnt allowed to complete the medical due to underlying medical issues)

BTW I dont know of anyone who got jobs from any of these courses, but I may be wrong

DOBBER112

apc wrote: »

I am very sceptical of these courses unless its actually tied to a job.

There are many firefighting courses that can be accessed by people who arent even suitable to the job, many have been disappointed when they go on to apply for a "job" and fail medicals, fitness tests, aptitudes tests. etc.

The first thing to find out if the standard of training is to international standards ( AFAIK airport FF here used to go to Teeside to do training )
What are the selection criteria to do such a course - if its open to everyone regardless then its suspect.
What Qualifications have the instructors and are they up to date
What the training entails

€1500 seems very cheap to train a person to an international standard for airport firefighting

what are employment prospects.

Do your research before you hand over hard earned cash

( heard a tale of a student who did a firefighters course run through a college??? who when he applied for a firefighters position was allowed to complete the medical due to underlying medical issues)

BTW I dont know of anyone who got jobs from any of these courses, but I may be wrong

Exactly, thats always been my point. There are so many hoops to jump through until you get to the crucial interview stage that you actually don't get to sell yourself until you have your Application accepted, Fitness test/medical completed, aptitude test scores good enough to proceed to the practical/fitness stage and then the almighty interview, where you can actually talk about yourself and show how dedicated you are and what qualifications/experience you can bring to the service.
You can spend thousands on courses but being realistic until you've gotten to the interview stage it doesn't count for much. I would love the interview stage to be brought forward, if anything it would be good for weeding out the people who don't have much interest in the job and have no idea of what they are getting into. There are people applying for these jobs now who are looking for something to do until better economic times come around as a job is a job and might as well chance your arm. Some of them are serious academics and have extensive experience of aptitude tests. All they need is a driving license and to maintain their fitness and they are singing. Lads who want the career, have upskilled, ticked every box imaginable and beyond get left behind. Doesn't seem fair but thats life. :rolleyes:

opelastra

Got invited to an information evening on the fire fighter course that Galway airport are running. Am thinking about doing it as part of stepping stone to becoming a fire fighter, am also hoping to join the AFS aswell. Has anybody on this done this course before??? what did they think of it?? thanks in advance:)

opelastra

anyone???

DOBBER112

opelastra wrote: »

anyone???

Read my post above opelastra, if it was me I wouldn't waste my money. Join the AFS do your Basic Firemanship and Radio course, get a full B and C1 class license (D1 too if you want the DFB), maintain your fitness level and prepare yourself for any upcoming aptitude test and interview you are lucky enough to get.
Any medical background is also worth extra points on your application having current CFR, OFA, EFR, EMT and Paramedic will also help you. Be wary of anybody running courses trying to cash in on peoples hope and expectation of a job in the Fire Service. There are plenty of people around the country offering courses for large amounts of money and some people are paying it because they think its the ticket to their chosen career. In reality you have to pass a lot of stages to include, application, fitness test, aptitude test, practical, interview and medical before you are lucky enough to be offered employment. Its all too easy to go down in the fitness test or the aptitude test and then all the thousands you have invested counts for nothing but your own personal development. The very best of luck in whatever you decide .

ratracer

opelastra wrote: »

anyone???

My brother did this course a couple of years ago. It is designed as an aviation fire officer course, and has no bearing on civilian fire service work. Some procedures will be similar, but no fire authority will accept it as recognised training AFAIK. It may be a good way of seeing if you would like a career in the fire service, but it's a pretty expensive way of finding out.

Previously successful candidates from this course have been offered jobs with Galway Airport FS 'IF' any positions were available, but with Galway Airport on the verge of closing to commercial traffic I can't imagine there will be too many jobs there now.


Think long and hard about parting with your hard earned, this will not make you a 'qualified fire-fighter' off the airfield

Delancey

The question must be asked if courses like this are really a way of taking advantage of someone's dreams of being a Firefighter , from what I can see the course discussed is of really little real benefit.
Paying a four figure sum for a piece of paper that offers little if any prospect of employment seems like a rip-off.

ratracer

Delancey wrote: »

The question must be asked if courses like this are really a way of taking advantage of someone's dreams of being a Firefighter , from what I can see the course discussed is of really little real benefit.
Paying a four figure sum for a piece of paper that offers little if any prospect of employment seems like a rip-off.

Maybe it is taking advantage, maybe it isn't. At the end of the day, its a private company trying to make money. As long as it clearly spells out what participants will and will not get out of it, then its up to individuals to decide if they want to pay for it.