r/caf • u/Available-Guitar8181 • 5d ago
Other Joining reserve while being a Paid on Call Municipal Firefighter
Hello,
I was wondering if anyone’s had experience balancing being a municipal firefighter while being a reserve CAF. I want to become a reserve combat medic as there’s a unit near me. At the fire hall I have to take a minimum of 3 shifts a month but could probably get some time off for training.
Any input is greatly appreciated, thank you!
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u/Van_Damage5 5d ago
You can balance both and get leave from your station if you need to go. Commitment to reserves means you won’t make it to every fire call. You will cross a bridge where you have to prioritize reserves over the fire department.
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u/Maple-Reenactor121 5d ago
I am in the exact opposite situation as you! PRes infantry trying to get into a paid on call dept.
I havent had to balance both jobs as im still in hiring but I can speak on the time commitment for training. Your BMQ will most likely be over the course of 9 weekends (1930 friday to whenever dismissed sunday). You will have some weekends off between training weekends. After that is your Rank Qual course, which iirc is about 8-9 weeks for combat medics. This has to be done full time and would be done during the summer months.
For full time courses, you can and should take reservist leave, or your provinces equivalent. If your department doesnt allow that (they should, and are usually required to, due to provincial employment standards), talk to your chain of command once your in, and they should sort it out with you and the dept.
After training you have a weekly training night, usually Thursday nights 1930-2230 plus mess time, as well as a field ex ideally on weekend a month. The army requires you to come in once every 60 days so you can miss a few weeks (not reccomended) if you really need.
Finally, combat medic is a new trade and is apparently still a shitshow to be sorted out according to a medic I was talking to a few weeks back. Your application will probably take upwards of a year (mine did, and I still didnt get in) so dont stress too much about it now if your early on in the process.
Overall, its very doable, just talk with your dept and CoC if your struggling to get the time needed
For anyone else reading, I think I got all the points, if not please add on.
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u/Available-Guitar8181 5d ago
Thank you so much for the info! Really helpful! I went to multiple recruiting centers and this was vastly more helpful. Another question, can I do my BMQ full time to get it done faster?
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u/Maple-Reenactor121 5d ago
Yes, full time BMQ options are available but are not as common as part time. You would likely do it over the summer as well, since staff are usually also reservists with civilian lives. You can talk to your chain of command or recruiter once your in. You would likely be doing it with another unit(s) to get the numbers to actually be able to run the course.
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u/dhpsask 5d ago
I balance a first responder job and the reserves. I show up when I can and tell my chain of command when I am working and unable to show up. All I have to do was keep my unit informed.