Anyone work for Austin FD

[flywise]

i work for Harlingen FD, 2 years service also an EMT, Confined space and trench recuse tech, i have been considering the crossover program Austin is doing, but i need 3 years exp.. but you guys say there looking for minorities ??? arnt they civil service ?? and they have to hire off the list ? or they just look at a reason to pass you ?

I think because they are a big city they have to have a certain amount of minorities, so the dept. looks like the city they represent. They have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years recruiting all over the country.

It would be worth a shot if you want to work at a big city. Don't let our post keep you from trying.

[Michael]

My cousin works for them. Seems to enjoy it.

[Banded Drake Calls]

If you want call volume, look at Houston. Even our "retirement homes" make fires. You'll be so sick of making runs you'll beg to sleep all night. But they were putting off academy classes earlier this year and I heard we were in a hiring freeze. It all changes from one day to the next, so I would keep checking in if you are interested. houstontx.gov/fire

Houston has been the other city I've been keeping an eye on. Unfortunately I missed the test last year. A couple of guys from here made it on and opted to go through the 7 month academy so they could get in. They're a couple months into it now I think. I've heard a lot of things about how hard Austin is to get in to, but it's been something that I've wanted so I'm not gonna go down without trying.

[bassmatt72]

Absolutly try! I'd still give it a try but I'm way too old. I still like the fire calls and do wish I was in a dept that made more fire calls, the way it is now I'm a Capt. at one of two stations in town that makes 96% of all the first alarm fires in town. So, if we have one my station is going!

[EarleyBird]

Houston has been the other city I've been keeping an eye on. Unfortunately I missed the test last year. A couple of guys from here made it on and opted to go through the 7 month academy so they could get in. They're a couple months into it now I think. I've heard a lot of things about how hard Austin is to get in to, but it's been something that I've wanted so I'm not gonna go down without trying.

I used to pipe with a guy that applied with Austin while he was trying to get on with Houston. He got an interview and said they told him he had "anger issues." It was pretty funny because he said was never "angry" until he got in the fire service and started dealing with hoodrats on a daily basis.

We do have a fast-track class that is only 8-10 weeks long for certified FF/E's with at least 30 college hrs, or military.

The affirmative action thing is definitely going to be an obstacle in Houston right now. They do have periodic windows of clarity, however, where they hire anybody and everybody who is qualified (as they should) because they have to fill openings to keep the city alive. Good luck.