Re: Passing a Fire Department Background Investigation
While I would hope that firefighters might be held to the same level of scrutiny that a peace officer candidate will, I find no indication in CA law that a potential employer has the legal ability to ask about arrests or that it has a legal requirement to conduct an in-depth background. Sadly, I have found that many departments do not conduct an in-depth background and, instead, too often rely on mostly public records and cursory searches. This may be different in larger departments, but, most fire departments hire infrequently and do not possess the staff to oversee such things so they are either contracted out or inadequately done in-house.
Now, there may be a provision in state law that mandates or allows fire departments to inquire about arrests or get detailed criminal history reports, but I am unable to find any reference to it. As L-1 indicated, they can always find this information out by digging, and depending on the facts can decline to hire the prospective employee. Unfortunately, I don't know how much digging most fire departments will pay for.
Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation
In the old days, they used to have high standards because business owners gave them a key to their businesses. I have no clue what decade that stopped.
Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation
The fire service pretty universally switched to Knox boxes probably 30 years ago. These are controlled key boxes that allow the fire department to obtain access to the boxes. Your rank and file member doesn't have access to it, only the officers and most departments have rather strict controls on this. However, I can tell that 9 times out of 10, we don't even use them, we just break in. I've got a thing called a K-tool than can rip a lockset out of the door in short order. I also know a number of way to defeat most retail store doors (cheesy). There's always axes and other implements of destruction.
I believe CDW is right, most departments will likely not be able to ask about arrests that didn't lead to convictions. However, as pointed out, they have better avenues to background checks that might find them as well. They also may inquire with the local police and fire departments where you have lived to see if they have any experience with you. I can tell you for a fact when I was in the fire service we talked to every organization (employer, volunteer fire company, other career companies) that you were (or might have been) affiliated with. There are a lot of people ranging from firebugs to just those who go bananas with lights and sirens that have already been asked to leave other departments who are the last ones we want to hire.
Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation
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Disagreeable
In the old days, they used to have high standards because business owners gave them a key to their businesses. I have no clue what decade that stopped.
They can still hold those standards. However, the law limits the information that can be specifically requested from applicant and how it might be used, and it also limits who is required to provide what info. For instance, under CA law I can effectively mandate that an applicant's past or present employer provide me with details of their employment history, but, I know of no equivalent law for background investigations of fire service employees. The information might still be uncovered, but, it would involve a more roundabout method as discussed by L-1.
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flyingron
The fire service pretty universally switched to Knox boxes probably 30 years ago.
Yep. And many police agencies have keys to these as well.
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These are controlled key boxes that allow the fire department to obtain access to the boxes. Your rank and file member doesn't have access to it, only the officers and most departments have rather strict controls on this. However, I can tell that 9 times out of 10, we don't even use them, we just break in. I've got a thing called a K-tool than can rip a lockset out of the door in short order. I also know a number of way to defeat most retail store doors (cheesy). There's always axes and other implements of destruction.
Fire guys are great for that! They can get into most anything! It might not be pretty, but, they get in!