Just curious if anyone can shed some light on how trainees are requested/assigned for non C&G staff positions (EMPF, EMTF, FOBS, etc.). Seems as if incidents right now are just not taking trainees outside of DIVS or higher.
I know it’s technically early in the season but I’m really hoping to increase my chances of getting out there to obtain some good experience. Any information would be great.
For reference, I work for a municipal agency in SoCal now.
You might consider reaching out to your local OES chief they can help facilitate getting you an assignment
Being LG will make it tougher. Under normal circumstances, agency’s order their own folks first. Then depending on the need and how the order is placed (CFAA, CFMA, ETC) the orders then get shoped to tbe next level. For the positions you listed, the orders will go to the OES Operational Area that has the fire. They will shop the order at that level to all participating agencies in the Op area. Then comes the next level, the next op area over(there are 6 statewide) and the above proceas is repeated. Finally, if the order gets UTF’d it gets places to Sacramento OES and they shop statewide. As stated get with the leadership in your Dept and expreas the interest FIRST (NEVER SUPRISE YOUR BOSS) From there, try and talk to the OES Op Coordinator. Networking and relationships ARE EVERYTHING when it comes to getting ordered by name requests. Each OES Op Area treats the Name Request Differently. FINALLY, the chief, duty chief of your dept can/does/might/will deny ALL NAME REQUESTS based on the needs of the community/agency you work for.
not sure how it works with LG, but for Federal orders, we often ask if we can send a trainee with a qualified.
Plenty of trainees going out and EMTF/EMPF are almost always filled from LG. Unless you region OES calls your agency to ask if there is an available trainee though, which would be a lot of work, you’re never going to go out.
As was pointed out, is your agency going to actually support the assignment and everything that comes with it?
Couple things you can do. Talk to your Training Division. If you know anyone that goes qualified ask them to name request you for trainee. Always follow your chain of command.