Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Fire Capt. 1304 on July 10, 2009 at 12:37am

You may have to be willing to relocate. I know around where I am from we only have two paid departments. One a smaller paid dept. hired 2 people out of around the 400 that tested. The other which is much larger than the first hired 55 out of around 700 that tested. So you may need to travel to an area with a larger concentration of paid depts. so there is'nt as much competition to deal with.

Permalink Reply by wayne frary on July 10, 2009 at 4:49am

Hi Chris. I don't know what the recruitment process is over there, but here in England, the employers seemed to be more interested in our 'life skills', 'diversity', 'how we respect and get on with people of an ethnic origin' and how we work as part of a team, which was the only relevent part of the process. It was very politically correct. Our application form ( stage 1 ), was like a telephone directory, and if you missed any part, or used the wrong colour ink, they would bin it. Very strict ,and that would probably half the numbers straight away. All I can say is tell them what they want to hear ( my performance was worthy of an oscar ! ), and if you get an interview, answer questions open ended ( keep the conversation going ), and don't just answer the person who asked it, involve the others aswell ( if more than 1 interviewer ). It is very hard to get in so keep going and don't quit because they like to see persistence. Good luck in your endevours, it is well worth it in the end.

Permalink Reply by DUST on July 10, 2009 at 7:12am

Go to EMT class.

Permalink Reply by Robert Owens on July 10, 2009 at 10:18am

First and foremost that fact that you a re a volunteer means about as much to a career FD as it means to the department of utilities....Alot of departments would rather take an untrained individual and train them there way instead of trying to "rehabilitate" vollies with bad habits.

I dont know what your much more is in training but people have varying levels of much more.....for example I have a BS in fire science, Fire Officer Level 4, and Instructor Level 2....are you at that level of much more??? What is your level of EMS training? Whats your formal education level? The fire service as you know is highly competative and you have to set yourself apart from other applicants....For example the FD I work part time for had 2 full time vacancies and over 300 people applied all of them with ff1 and 2 and EMT-B...its the ones with something else to offer that usually get hired.

Additionally do you have the proper skills to pass a written test, pass an oral interview, and a physical ability test. Again these are the opportunities that an organization gives you to shine....show up in a suit an tie, do some research about the area your applying for so when they ask the inevitable "why do you wanna work here question" you have something other to offer other than "I like helping people" trust me they have heard it befor its not original....

Bottom line is firefighter EMT's are a dime a dozen you can get one anywhere you have to be the one that shines through to be something else....practice your interviewing skills, do some research, if you need help with the test there are several study guides in your local book store, if you need to pass the physical exam then join a gym....look at the money you are spending as an investment in yourself....if you really want the job then it shouldnt be an issue.

As the FDNY instructor said in the movie Brotherhood "You want this job.....come and get it"

Permalink Reply by Jay Nicholson on July 10, 2009 at 10:23pm

All of the smaller depts around here are hiring EMT-P and training them to be FFs. If you look at the job requirements, they all state "FF-1 desirable but not required."

Permalink Reply by Truckie Jay on July 11, 2009 at 12:30am

How many depts have you tested for and how many times? Robert hit the nail on the head. I've been on our dept's interview panel twice and an evaluator three times. The same old answer I like to help people, I was born to do this etc just won't cut it. You have to stand out from the rest testing. Cheer the rest on during the CPAT test, wear a suit and tie, include a professional resume and put your certificates together in a nice portfolio to show the panel.

Get a haircut the day before the interview, don't wear ratty gym gear or obscene shirts to the CPAT. Don't come dragging in looking like you just got up, been out the night before partying. Remember your interview process starts when you stop by and pick up an application or drop one off. It ends when you leave the last step of the interview process.

Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on July 11, 2009 at 7:12pm

Do you know what part of the hiring process you're failing at? As has already been said, you might consider going to EMT school.

Permalink Reply by Dewayne and Diana Bean on July 11, 2009 at 8:01pm

Ask them what could increase your chances? Is there something that would have helped you to land that job. Don't give up brother!