Well It's Official...

Yep what you are seeing in front of the house is for real. 

Our wonderful house that has been our home for four years is up for sale. We have had great memories and great adventures in this home. But in order to be on the Logan Fire Department we need to sell the house and buy one in the Cache county area. Yes, we are moving. Since October I have been testing with Logan Fire Department hoping and praying hard this would be the department I get hired on to. The middle of October was the start of this adventure of many trips to and from Logan for different tests that needed to be done in order to get hired. The first trip was the physical agility test. This test consisted of 8 stations of different tasks which needed to be done in under 5:51. I knew I was ready for this test. I just had to get it in the bag under the time. I was the first one of the morning. The department knew I was from St. George and called me asking if I would like to be the first one so if I needed to get on the road I could make it home before it got to late. I got all the gear on and went to the starting area. The first task was the tower. I had a high rise bundle of hose about 50 ft. that I had to go up two flights of stairs and down twice and on the second time up I dropped the hose and started to pull up another rolled hose with a rope which was probably about 50 ft through a window. Then back down the stairs to the Kiser sled. The sled is three railroad ties with the one in the middle that slid back and forth. I had to hit it with a sledge hammer about 2 ft or so. The next one was a serpentine I had to go through either walking or running. After that I picked up a charged hose line, and dragged it about another 50 ft about 20 ft away from a target I had to spray and knock it over. Once that task was done, I went to the ladder raise and next to a confined space pipe and drag a charge hose line through. Last but not least would be the 180 lbs dummy drag about 40 or so feet. All of this had to be done in under 5:51 minutes. I was blessed to make it at 4 minutes. It was a good but kicker of a physical test. 

           

Here is a video explaining all of that:

After the test I got a chance to talk to a few of the guys on the department, little did I know was they were analyzing me and see what kind of person I was. This was the first part of the testing and because I passed the first part I got to move onto the next part and this was the written, oral and medical scenario. I came back up to Logan about two weeks later and took the written test. I felt good about it when it was done. Next step was to get all decked out in my suit and move on to the oral part. I had been practicing so hard for this part. When I went into the interview there were about 8 people. There were a couple of Battalion Chiefs, two assistant Chiefs, and a few of the firefighters on the department. I was needless to say nervous, but I took a deep breath and on I went. The oral board each asked two question a piece. One was what are my goals for the five years. The only question I felt like I totally blew was, If there was a 10,000 sq ft building and 30% was in flames, what would be your fire attack strategy and how much water would you put on it. I had no idea at all so I thought I could try to make one up. Bad idea, Chief Kendrick looked me straight in the face and said, "Do you really think you would know that answer." I thought oh crap I need to fix this. So I said I am sorry you are right I do not know this answer and I am sorry I made it up. I am a new firefighter and I am still learning and I hope I can learn it some day. After that I thought I was done and blew it all together. After the interview was the medical scenario. I went into it took a deep breath and off the the races I went. This part of the testing I felt like I nailed. This whole process took about four hours and then on the road again to St. George. To wait and see for the results. 

 It took about two weeks to get an email from Logan about the results. I had to read it about five or six times to make sure I was reading it right. I got 29.5 out of 30 on the written, 28.5 on the oral, 19.5 out of 30 on experience and 30 out of 30 on the medical scenario. My total score put me on the list 3 out of 12. The end of the email said great job and congratulations you will be hearing back from the Chief soon. I was speechless and yet about ready to explode with excitement. They were hiring two spots for sure and one later in the future. I could not hold back my excitement I called Tiffany as soon as I could and told her the results. This was about the end of November when I got the result and I waited and waited for a phone call. Now it was almost January and still nothing. I have a friend who knew the department and the people really well and he told me to call the Chief personally and see what is going on. So I took his advice and called him on the 2nd of January. Chief Peterson answered the phone and I told him I was still interested in the job. There was a funny laugh on the phone and then Chief said call it intuition but you called at the right time. I have two files on my desk and one is yours and one is another guy and I would like to meet with you both. WOW I thought in my head. He said to expect a phone call really soon or someone will be coming down to St. George and will meet with you then. That one did not happen so I got the phone call about two weeks later and the HR lady said Chief would like to meet with you. I was once again speechless, and I said yes and will see you soon. I went up on a Wednesday and met with Chief Peterson for the interview. The week prior I was racking my brain preparing for the interview so the night before I had a huge headache. I had a big prayer in my heart and faith to know that if it was meant to be it would work. Prior to this meeting I was waiting for someone from one of my jobs to be called for references. One random day I was working at the hospital and I saw Chief Guard from St. George Fire and he said, "I got a phone call, call me later and I will tell you how it went." YES!!! Chief Guard said they asked  him why I had not got on to St. George's department and why did I applied with Logan. He told me to focus on that and all will go well. I told him thank you and I owed him big. So now back to the interview. I sat down across from Logan's Chief Peterson and the director of HR Greg Cox was also there. I thought interesting, but okay. We sat and joked a little at first and then he got a serious look on his face and said, "I am not one to beat around the bush, I am going to ask you two questions. First why have you not got hired on with St. George?" I told him I love being with St. George and it has been great experience, but I have to work three jobs to make ends meet and do what I love to do. Being hired with Logan would make it possible for me to work one job and do what I love to do. Logan is a great spot for my family and to do what I love to do. The next question he asked was, "Why do you want to be hired with our department?" I told him straight forward and said Logan had a great department for medical and fire experience and medical is my love.  Logan has opportunity for me to grow and become a great medic. Ever since I have been testing I have never met a department that made someone feel so welcome and friendly. They took time to talk and answer my questions and did not act like they were better than others, and I would love to be part of a department who shows this kind of moral to others. Once these questions were answered the chief said, "Great."  He looked at Greg and asked him what else needs to be done and Greg said a pee test and filling out some paper work. I was thinking inside holy cow I am getting hired. Then he looked at me and said, "We would like to offer you a position if this all comes together." I said,  "Yes."  He asked when I could get this stuff done and I said I could do it today I have all the time to make this happen. I was over joyed with excitement. Before I left I asked is there anything I could have to give my wife and tell her I got the job. They gave me a few stickers and told me that they will call me and let me know a start date. I left on cloud nine. I called Tiffany and asked her if she could handle her husband being a full time firefighter. She said that would be great and asked if I got the job. I told her yes. Another one of the happiest days of my life just happened that day. All the prayers, fasting, tons of faith, hard work and confidence got me to where I am at today. Thanks to answered prayers from my Heavenly Father I am a full time Firefighter Paramedic for the city of Logan. A dream and a goal that I have being working hard for for about 5 or so years came true. I want my kids to know that if you have faith in yourself and put your faith in Heavenly Father, He will answer your prayers, but you need to do your part and work hard in order for things in your life to workout. God is always there and He is willing to do His part, but you need to work hard and be worthy in order for Him to do His part. This was a huge testimony builder for me and I am glad to be in Cache Valley soon raising my family. I thank the Lord every night that I have this job and ask Him to please help me be the best I can be.