SA Firefighter
General Discussion => SAMFS => Topic started by: RedKoopa on March 27, 2006, 02:46:58 PM
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Hey everyone,
I want to join the MFS and I've heard it's really hard to get into. Would being in the CFS give me any sort of advantage over the other applicants? Also can anyone give me any advice or pointers that would help me get in?
Thanks
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If you want to get into the MFS fulltime you will nto have any major advantage over anyone else. Go to the MFS website and read up the pre-requisites, prepare as much as you can,yes there is a lot of competition for positions.
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Train hard, run run run run run run run! Its what IM doing as getting into MFS is my aim. Started long distance running, terrible luck for Craig Mottram...
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Being BA trained, COmpartment fire trained shoul give you an advantage if you get equal score with others? )I assume its like the USA where you score out of 100)
I went down to Gawler last December and spoke to the S.O there he said those who are in a trade have an advantage cause of there hands on experience. Also I heard ex police and army people have an advantage due to the type of job they have been in. Maybe cruise down to your local station and have a chat to them, see what they have to say.
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MFS is by far the hardest service to join in Aust,make sure you have the maths,science and the PE and you could have a chance. I hear there is a intake soon,if you dont get in join another paid service work for them for a few years and transfer back into MFS....
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Can you get into MFS from the police force or army? How do you mean by "transfer back into MFS?"
They got some practice entry exams on the website, not too difficult to pass. (hmm that sounds a bit arrogant, I appologise if I offend anyone)
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I thought that MFS didn't have prior recognition for people in the service or for what training is done, it was just who passed the fitness and exams and showed most promise.
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I don't believe there is any existing direct entry or transfer process to be employed by the SAMFS. Recruit entry only....
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Become superman...
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zing!
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It was very hard for me to pass the entry exam as i didnt do maths or science at high school due to the teachers not giving me a chance... despite all of the math questions being really hard i did have a good crack at it
If you are really good at Maths & Science then the entry exam is easy :-)
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From the practice quiz you also need to be good at english. Have you done a proper entrance exam Rob? How does it compare to the practice one on the site?
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The next drill squad starts on Monday, this group is still from the last intake. It is likely that they will get one more squad of 18 from the last intake and then they may do another one.
It is all very up in the air at the moment but don't expect an intake anytime before October, may not even be this year more likely 2007.
Whenever it is make sure you are prepared and ready, remember you are going up against about 900 other applicants and you are lucky if they take 80 people.
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hmmm. when i leave school i'm thinking of trying the darwin mets. perhaps i'll have better luck there than with SAMFS. i'd love to be in SAMFS, but i just don't think its a reality for me anymore. :cry:
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Thanks for all the replies.
Robert34: I had a look at the example questions and they all seem really easy. Is the actual test much harder?
I have no problem with the fitness tests or the example questions. What type of math and science skill do they look at?
I was told by recruiting that they wouldn't be having another intake until the end of the year, around november. So I'm trying to find areas now that I can improve on to increase my chances, so I can concentrate on getting my math and science skills up if that's the case.
Also, if everyone passes all the tests with equal results, how do they determine who gets in after that?
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I would assume if ti was all equal that a CFS member would get preferacnes likewise an ex-army, police or something like that. tradespeople would get an advantage.
PB, Darwin wouldnt be any easier, I had a look at some other states recruitrment and they look harder. But if you miss one keep trying others and maybe you'll get in somewhere.
If you are good and what they want then you should get in, you'll never know if you never have a go. Im gonna do everything in my power to get in, make sure I have everyhting I need, currently Im working on my fitness to be as fit as possible and leadership skills.
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yeah, i dunno. i'll definitely try, but i doubt i'll get in.
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wrong attitude mate.
You said youre still at school so since theres an intake this year there probably wont be another for maybe 3 years, thats the time to shine and get all you need.
When I spoke to Gawler S.O he said to have a 5 year plan and work hard to get everything you need. Just head down to a station near you and ahve a chat to the firies there and get some pointers.
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yeah ok. next challenge...determine a close MFS brigade
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yeah ok. next challenge...determine a close MFS brigade
closest to you is either glen osmond or o'halloran
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st marys too
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st marys too
true but you were saying closest... :D
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hahaha.
whoo! 200th post! man!
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you could just move closer to the MFS probie :mrgreen:
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oh, we got ourselves a thinker here! hahaha :lol:
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I know this thread hasnt been active for a few days but yesterday while in Naracoorte i was sitting in my mums car listening to Star FM on the radio when an ad by the MFS came over asking for people to join as part radio operators or part time retained fire fighters
Needless to say that this suprised me being that most MFS jobs for the south east appear in the Border Watch being that radio operating is a passion of mine i jumped on the position right away and phoned my case manager in Mount Gambierwho looked into it right away
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So you guys reckon its hard getting into MFS full time? Just watched a show on National Geographic channel about the Delhi fire service in India. They have 15,000 applicants for about 70 positions each year.Not to mention they do things the hard way. Bugger all reticulated water/hydrants,hardly any appliances carry BA and they do 24 hour on then one day off shifts constantly.
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Yes there are vacancies at Mt Gambier MFS for reatained firefighters and a Radio Control room operator. Usual conditions apply ie live within 10km of the station, atten pre-selection interview and tests. As well as make a committment to attend 50% of call-outs and 80% of training nights. More details available from the station.
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15,000 applicants a year? Wow.. that's incredible. Better than being a telemarketer though ;)
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Gidday may-te Im doing a survey on smoke alarms, do you have one currently in your home and is it changed regularly?
I heard that they recruit Aussies to teach the Indians how to speak "aussie" so they sound convincing...
Thank you come again
(dont take that remark wrongly please :-))
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on a boring side note: there are going to be intakes into the WA FESA on 22nd of April for anyone who cares.
go to: http://www.fesa.wa.gov.au for more
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Yes did tape the Indian Fire video.... Quite a sight see-er! :roll: I showed it to the guys after training one night and they were shocked. Such underresource but they most certainly cope well.
We should all take a close look at this and see how lucky we are.
Sam
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yeah they'd probably collapse from shock if they saw our gear.
i saw that doco too. loved the bit where the guy is pulling the brick wall down with the pike and when it goes he just bolts and only just makes it. imagine negotiating that traffic to :-o
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Is certificate II in public safety (firefighting) something that is required before you join the MFS or is it something that you do while in MFS?
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it is desired but not required according to the PDF document.
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Im assuming that's a TAFE course, might try and get into that next year, unless its full-time. Inknow you can do TAFE and year12 together. Would boost chances a fair bit.
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i don't think its available in SA mate. i've checked all the tafe /uni books about courses and on the net and i can't find it. Maybe its available in vic or NSW?
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damn, I know in the US they have a college course for firefighting. That would be pretty col if they had it over here.
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would be good but i'll just keep dreaming at the moment.
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They might have a fire fighter college, but they still manage to have the highest Death on Duty toll than any where else in the world...
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yeah? how many boys do they lose a year? are they primarily accidents or incompetence?
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Im assuming that's a TAFE course, might try and get into that next year, unless its full-time. Inknow you can do TAFE and year12 together. Would boost chances a fair bit.
The course details can be found at http://www.ntis.gov.au/cgi-bin/waxhtml/~ntis2/crs.wxh?page=8&searchTitle=public+safety&searchCode=&quallvl=10&searchOccupation=&anzsic=&sa=Y&submit=Search
and the training providers can be found at http://www.ntis.gov.au/cgi-bin/waxhtml/~ntis2/qual.wxh?page=82&inputref=1370&sa=Y&submit=Search+for+Providers
The National Training Information Service http://www.ntis.gov.au/ lists all courses available.
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There are modules Cert II and Cert III of Public Safety (Fire Ops) that you would of already done already.. BFF1 gives you about 6? modules for your cert 2.. The new level 2 is a module in Cert III.. as is CBF.. etc.
It's not a requirement for you to have your Cert in anything, it's just desirable though.
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Is there a specific course in it somewhere where you get a specific certificate?
Im pullin out all stops to get into MFS, wanna do everything I possibly can to get in.
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Get your MR license
Senior First Aid
Computer literacy certificate
Life Experience
Be fit
Show maturity
BE able to pass the aptitude, psych and physical testing
be medically fit..
and see how you go.. !
Ring up and ask for an application package.. At least you will get definate answers, and not what 400 forum users "think" you should do...
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THey prolly only send stuff like that out when theres a recruitment.
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They will send out recruitment info packs anytime you want it has all relevant info but not the next intake time :wink:
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Awesome. Is it just what they have on the site or is it more detailed info on what to do?
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The book is about an inch thick last time i saw it.
Slightly off topic here for a second, on the news tonight there was the unfortunate fatal house fire at o'sullivans beach, there was no visible CFS presence there but one of the firies in BA came out of the house wearing PBI the pants were silver and pink striping and the jacket was silver and yellow striping, Go Figure???
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MFS are multi coloured :?
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yellow just made a delightful match to his helmet :-P
Inch thick is good, means theres lots of info. Do you just ring up and ask for it?
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I'd have to agree with PF & Probie_boy about their earlier replies on this page & page 3 about TAFE SA having the certificates in Public Safety availabe at every TAFE Campus around South Australia
Being that everything has and is changing about getting Level 1,2&3 certificates it would be good if the certificates in Public Safety are available at TAFE so it would save groups having to hold Level courses when brigade members and recruits i.e. Cadets could just study these modules at TAFE during the week
Besides when I wanted to study something in Emergency Response that wasnt taught in level 1 & 2 I paid $200 to go and obtain a Statement Of Attainment Certificate which certifies me as a trained Emergency Response Warden
This kind of certificate course is only available if you are willing to stay up in Adelaide and attend a full day training course at Tactical Training Australia :-D
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The book is about an inch thick last time i saw it.
Slightly off topic here for a second, on the news tonight there was the unfortunate fatal house fire at o'sullivans beach, there was no visible CFS presence there but one of the firies in BA came out of the house wearing PBI the pants were silver and pink striping and the jacket was silver and yellow striping, Go Figure???
There were NO CFS there.. Might have been an original trial set.. but there was NO cfs there..
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Just a little bit out of CFS areas :-D
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A number of MFS personnel have now been spotted with green stripes, the jacket doesn't actually have CFS or MFS on the back. It is actually making it a little confusing on the fireground now.
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This is just my possible tohughts and have no back up for SAMFS.
I know that in the US (or they did until very recently if they dont anymore) that the probies had a green sheild on their helmet to distinguish them from the "seaosned" firefighters. So maybe the new recruits are being given green striped until they finish the probabtion period. I have no idea though.
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is there a probation period with MFS???
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Dont know. Theyre probably is I know SAPOL have one.
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probation period is now 12 months.
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whats the restrictions on being a probie?
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PF.. I have been told by those in the "know" , that its usually the 'swap' set.. EG. There gear is in being cleaned, and that is the set given out.. Or theres could have been damaged, and thats the temp. replacement..
Hence why no MFS or CFS on the back of it... :D
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That would make more sense.
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There gear is in being cleaned, and that is the set given out.. Or theres could have been damaged, and thats the temp. replacement..
I thought that may be the case mate.
We have now been told by a person in the know at Region that if you want your gear cleaned quickly to take it to Lion at Wingfield yourself, they have a contract turn-around time of 4 days and it's quicker and easier than going through the whole process of taking it into Region and waiting for them to send it off.
We have also been told that if you have Nomex to just use that as your gear whilst the PBI is off being cleaned, not exactly what we were originally told when this all came about but I guess wearing nomex for a couple of days isn't a huge issue.
Also the PBI name tags are on the way, they are pushing to get the remaining PBI orders out by June but once that is done all the name tags will be sent out to brigades as well.
Wow - really off topic now :lol:
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Last time we got our gear cleaned we didnt send it away until our replacement sets were available from the region, so we sent ours away to be cleaned and got the pleasure of thrashing another set at some jobs. We got ours back then sent the regions off to get cleaned....what a nice little circle
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We picked ours up in four days, some of it is even coming back with the name tags attached now.
I guess if you want loan stuff send it to Region, if you are happy with wearing Nomex for a couple of days and are able to get your gear to Lion yourself then do that.
Now if only i could drop off some of my own washing to them....
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mATT,that is fine if you are in the city......
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have a whinge... thats why you can take it to region.
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does anyone know where i could get a sticker of a green shield? it'll live on my helmet! :mrgreen:
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does anyone know where i could get a sticker of a green shield? it'll live on my helmet! :mrgreen:
eh? what for mate? im not sure your actua;ly allowed to have any stickers on helmets anyway, other than names, service years and rank (if appropriate)... have heard of the odd "no fear:" sticker around the place, LOL
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does anyone know where i could get a sticker of a green shield? it'll live on my helmet! :mrgreen:
eh? what for mate? im not sure your actua;ly allowed to have any stickers on helmets anyway, other than names, service years and rank (if appropriate)...
The probie needs his sticker :-P
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ok, maybe not my helmet. but i wanna get one and i'll stick it where my gear is! i could probably get away with a really small one on my helmet...
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whats the green sheild meant to mean tho'? did i miss something?
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I read somewhere (maybe this thread, but can't be bothered looking) that probies in the USA have a green shield on their helmet. I want one.
I thought about it coz theres a guy in our brigade who's nickname is wombat. So he bought a little sticker with a silouhette of a wombat on it. It looks awesome
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I read somewhere (maybe this thread, but can't be bothered looking) that probies in the USA have a green shield on their helmet. I want one.
That is correct, would you like to play for the million dollar question or take the cheque?
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can i claim my cheque as collateral? if so all i want is a massive new 34p that has no problems......and a sticker with a green shield on it.
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ooh i get it, ya mean the leather sheilds they have mounted on the front of there helmet with station/rig number and rank... i see...
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Put a big red P on your helmet.
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cut the p out of my p plates. awesome.