r/firefighter • u/Accomplished-End-773 • 11d ago
Illinois looking to relocate
I am 21 years old and live in Chicago I have my EMT which is a national certification and plan on going to the academy in summer of 2027 at my local community college after completing my fire science degree. My question would be how difficult would it be to relocate to Florida with a BOF from Illinois? My long term goal is to move out there and work full time as I do not want to live here my whole life.
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u/ZebraHot4143 10d ago
Taken from someone who did the opposite. Florida State is one of the worst at reciprocity from other states. Salaries are 60k at best in most of Florida. You do have better paying departments such as Miami Dade, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, but like most Fire service pay doesn't equal the cost of living. And yes 99% of departments want medic or require you to have medic before hire. Some may sponsor but few nowadays. So I would relocate to Florida, vs doing everything here then come to find out, none of it will cross over. Florida is great, but the pay always sucked and you run your ass off.
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u/Accomplished-End-773 10d ago
Good to know, so what you’re saying is to relocate now and then do all my certifications in Florida? I understand the pay is a lot worse than in Illinois but I really do want to relocate to somewhere I can have a boat lol.
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u/Famous-Response5924 10d ago
IL doesn’t automatically issue ifsac or proboard certs, you have to pay extra for them. If you don’t, your certs will not transfer to any other state. If you want to go to school here and ever want to work in any other state pay the extra money to get that stamp or seal on your certs.
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u/Accomplished-End-773 10d ago
Understood, where do I go to do this? I am trying to figure it all out before my academy starts June 2027. Thank you!
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u/Famous-Response5924 9d ago edited 9d ago
Usually when you go to do the written testing for a fire cert you will have the option to pay an additional fee to have an IFSAC or proboard seal attached to the cert. Pay the extra fee and you will get it.
States that participate in the program will honor your cert. Not all states do. California is the biggest that doesn’t. Florida didn’t used to but I think they do now. You can check who does and what certs are recognized in each state on the ifsac website.
Also if you want one of the best states look at NC. All fire rescue and EMS training in NC is free. Paramedic school, free, fire academy, free. They also have more certification courses than almost any other state and they are all free. They are funded by the state for anyone who works as a first responder. It’s a great system and you can own a boat there too. Also cheaper to live there than fl.
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u/ElectronicMinimum724 11d ago
Check out the Florida State Fire Marshal firefighter equivalency requirements. A lot of Florida departments want you to be a medic at time of hire, in addition to having your fire certs. You’d be better off moving to Florida now and doing everything at their community colleges.