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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    California
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    Default Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation

    While the fire department cannot ask generally about arrests (as this tends to be reserved for law enforcement positions), they can certainly ask about employment history and contact those employers. If they contact that employer and the employer tells them what happened, you might be in a position where you appear to be concealing something. If it even APPEARS that you were trying to hide something from them, you can kiss that opportunity goodbye.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2014
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    Default Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation

    Thank you for the response, all of my previous employers were unaware of the arrest. If I choose to disclose the arrest can I fail a background investigation based on an arrest the didn't lead to a conviction?

  3. #3
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    Default Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation

    They can choose not to hire you for a host of reasons. It likely depends on what the arrest was for and if they can get any more information on it.

    A fire background is not nearly as intensive as a peace officer background, so there is a chance that it won't pop up. But, depending on the depth of the FD's background, they might find an employer or past co-worker that will tell them about the arrest. Whether they will hold it against you or not will likely depend in large part on the nature of the allegations and how long ago they were.

  4. #4
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    OH10
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    Default 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.

  5. #5
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    Default 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.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: California Public Safety (Fire Department) Background Investigation

    Quote Quoting Disagreeable
    View Post
    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.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Quoting flyingron
    View Post
    The fire service pretty universally switched to Knox boxes probably 30 years ago.
    Yep. And many police agencies have keys to these as well.

    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!

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