Becoming a firefighter is no easy task. It requires hard work, long hours of training, dedication and a sincere desire to help others. The firefighting career field is very competitive, too. You'll be up against hundreds, possibly thousands of applicants depending on the department.
Firefighters typically do the following: Drive fire trucks and other emergency vehicles. Put out fires using water hoses, fire extinguishers, and pumps. Find and rescue victims in burning buildings or in other emergency situations.
There's nothing different with firefighter interviews than other interviews. It's you across a table with 3-7 individuals (usually firefighters) and they ask around 10 questions. The interview can last from 15-45 minutes usually.
The least appealing part of being a firefighter is not being home every night.
There is no universal firefighter career path, but these are the steps aspiring heroes tend to follow.
- Get the basic requirements. Firefighters must have a high school diploma and hold a valid driver's license.
- Take the tests.
- Become an EMT.
- Attend the fire academy.
- Consider formal education.
- Continue learning.
A firefighter polygraph test is usually conducted to measure physiological factors such as blood pressure, perspiration, pulse, and skin conductivity, movement and more. One is generally asked questions before and during the test.
A good Firefighter must have passion. If you don't have a passion for this job, if you don't have a love of doing this job, GET OUT! It also takes Dedication. Also to be a good firefighter you need 3 essential things, Pride, Honor, and Integrity.
What to Wear to the Firefighter Job Interview
- Men: Do wear a wool suit in dark blue or gray.
- Don't: Wear casual or novelty watches, too much jewelry, monograms, religious, political, or fraternity affiliation accessories.
- Women: Do wear a tailored business-like suit or dress with a jacket, not overly feminine.
The median annual wage for firefighters in the United States was $48,030 or $23.09 per hour, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in 2016. The highest paid metropolitan areas were Oakland, California where firefighters averaged $94,020 per year and San Francisco where firefighters earned $89,030.
How to answer "What are your greatest weaknesses?"
- Choose a weakness that will not prevent you from succeeding in the role.
- Be honest and choose a real weakness.
- Provide an example for how you've worked to improve your area of weakness, or learn a new skill to combat the issue.
Skills
- effective communication skills.
- integrity, composure and a reassuring manner.
- the ability to follow instructions.
- the ability to work as part of a team.
- problem-solving skills.
- patience, understanding and sensitivity.
- confidence and resilience.
- adaptability and flexibility.
You're going to want to bring a couple of things with you to your interview. Most interviewees will bring a small binder with them to put their papers in. A resume, references, and maybe some certs are all good things to bring.
Career Benefits
Career firefighters benefit from medical and dental coverage for themselves as well as their family members. They are commonly given access to credit union memberships, disability insurance, retirement programs, sick leave and vacation accrual and sick child care services.Firefighters and emergency medical technicians, or EMTs, receive paid on-the-job training before they officially begin work for their department.
Last but not the least, the personal qualities that every fire fighter must embody are:
- Commitment to Diversity and Integrity.
- Openness to change.
- Confidence and Resilience.
- Working with Others.
- Effective Communication.
- Commitment to Development.
- Problem Solving.
- Situational Awareness.
Firefighters at work. The definition of a firefighter is a person who works at a fire department, either as a volunteer or by profession, who fights fires and rescues people and animals from fires.
There are many good reasons for becoming a Volunteer Firefighter. Being a firefighter is a challenging, satisfying and rewarding experience. Firefighting and Rescue Skills. Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations.
The hiring manager wants to: Learn about your career goals and how this position fits into your plan. Make sure that you are sincerely interested in the job and will be motivated to perform if hired. Find out what you know about the company, industry, position (and if you took the time to research)
Make his job easier by convincing him that:
- You can do the work and deliver exceptional results.
- You will fit in beautifully and be a great addition to the team.
- You possess a combination of skills and experience that make you stand out from the crowd.
- Hiring you will make him look smart and make his life easier.
The pumps are controlled by pressure sensors. When a fire fighter opens a hydrant, or when a sprinkler comes on, water gushes out of the system and the pressure drops. The pressure sensors will detect this drop and switch the fire pumps on. the area covered by hydrants / standpipes and sprinklers.
A firefighter candidate should be well-groomed for the interview. You want to draw more attention to your words than your outfit or accessories. Wear a suit that fits well, avoid using strong perfumes or colognes, and make sure that your hair is neatly styled. Wear minimal jewelry and avoid flashy prints or colors.
