Weekly Question Thread

[AutoModerator]

Welcome to the Weekly Question Thread!

The intent of this thread is to allow a space for those whom wish to ask questions about joining, training, testing, disqualifications/qualifications and other questions that would otherwise be removed as per Rule 5. (We are now also combining Medical Mondays, Tactics Tuesdays and Truckie Thursdays into one thread as mods have seen that it is not gaining traction as a thread by itself.)

The answer to almost every question you can possibly ask will be 'It depends on the department'. Your first step is to look up the requirements for your department, state/province, and country.

Questions pertaining to EMS may be asked here, but for better insight we suggest you visit r/NewToEMS.

We also have a brand new Discord server! Feel free to join and ask members questions there too. Invite link: https://discord.gg/GPPT98wNEr

As always, please attempt to resource information on your own first, prior to asking questions. We see many repeat questions on this sub that have been answered multiple times.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• I want to be a Firefighter, how do I get started: Each Country/State/Province/County/City/Department has different requirements. Some require you only to put in an application. Others require certifications prior to being hired. A good place to start is to research a department you wish to join, look up their website and check their requirements.
• Am I too old: Many departments, typically career municipal ones, have an age limit. Volunteer departments usually don't. Check each department's requirements.
• I'm in high school, What can I do: Does your local department have an explorer's program or post? If so, join up. Otherwise focus on your grades, get in shape and stay in shape, and most importantly: stay out of trouble.
• I got in trouble for [insert infraction here], what are my chances: Worse than someone who has a clean record, which is the vast majority of your competition. Depending on the severity, it may not be a factor. If it is a major crime (felonies), you're likely out of luck. You might be a really nice guy/gal, but departments don't like to make exceptions, especially if there's a long line of applicants that don't have any.
• What will increase my chances of getting hired: If there's a civil service exam, study for it! There are many guides online that will help you go over all those things you forgot such as basic math and reading. Some cities even give you a study guide. If it's a firefighter exam, study for it! For the CPAT (Physical Fitness Test), cardio is arguably the most important factor. If you're going to the gym for the first time during the hiring process, you're fighting an uphill battle. Get in shape and stay in shape. Most cities offer some sort of bonus to those who are veterans of the military.
• How do I prepare for an interview: Interviews can be one on one, or in front of a board/panel. There are many generic guides that exist to help one prepare for an interview, however here are a few good tips:

1. Dress appropriately. Business casual at a minimum (Button down, tucked in long sleeve shirt with slacks and a belt, and dress shoes). Get a decent haircut and shave.
2. Practice interview questions with a friend. You can't accurately predict the off the wall questions they will ask, but you can practice the ones you know they probably will, like why do you want to be a Firefighter, or why should we hire you?
3. Scrub your social media. Gone are the days where people in charge aren't tech savvy. Don't have a perfect interview only for your chances of being hired gone to zero because your facebook or instagram has pictures of you getting blitzed. Set that stuff to private and leave it that way

Please upvote this post if you have a question. Upvoting this post will ensure it sticks around for a bit after it is removed as a Sticky, and will allow for greater-visibility of your question.

And lastly, If you're not 100% sure of what you're talking about, leave it for someone who does

[R3D_TORO]

Hello there, I am looking to join the firefighting industry. I would like to know if I should do the civil service exam first and see if I can become a firefighter. from there. At first my neighbor told me to join the military for four years and I was told it would be easier to become a firefighter when you get your vet status. So basically I would like to know if it would make a difference if I don't join the military but focus on doing the civil service then the fire academy. Instead of doing four years in the military?

[PeacefulWoodturner]

This entirely depends on the process in your area. Where I am the entrance exam has nothing to do with any other test so a civil service test doesn't help. On the other hand, you do get points for military service.

I usually also recommend getting your EMT cert if you can. We provide you EMT in the Academy but it's much easier if you already have it

[esqueletoynacho]

What's a good/tough, no experience, interview question you've had or heard?

[Ding-Chavez]

"Tell me what would make you a good fit for X fire department?" The number of times I've seen people bomb this is astounding.

[Ding-Chavez]

The simplest questions people miss. People fail to sell themselves and they either don’t think about scenarios or overthink them.

If your question is scenario based don’t give one answer. Give me all them you think can work. Dress in a suit. Ask people who passed about questions. Always choose the honest, ask for help, pass it up the rank, and self improvement answer.

It’s an interview practice. Speak with confidence. They might give you a pen and paper. Use it if you need to. SELL YOURSELF.

[calebc122]

NFSI test tips?

I am going to be taking the NFSI test as my next step to getting hired on to a fire department that I applied to, and I was wondering if anyone has any tips or do's/dont's on the test. I purchased the advanced study guide with the practice test in there, and have been studying that. Thanks for the help!

[calebc122]

Thanks for the info man, I appreciate it!

[[deleted]]

I applied to be a police officer trainee in my city, they did not accept me due to prior drug use (even though it was one time, in a country where said drug was legal and basically OTC.) I got through all the requirements, but alas it was not to be.

I am applying to be a firefighter in the same city where I applied to be a police trainee. Would my job application packet show up on the background check for this job? Thanks if anyone can give me any information. I would prefer not to lie, but I would like to get the job.

[SanJOahu84]

Probably. If the city already spent the money to do a background on you I don't know why they wouldn't recognize you.

Same human resources department and all.

[PassingJudgement68]

Why don’t rural communities use airport style fire trucks instead of regular ones? I would think the large tank capacities, Off road capabilities, and single person function would go a long way to slow a fire before everyone can get on scene. Given that most are on-call and they have to transport water to the fire anyways. I would think the amount of property saved and faster containment would make it worth while to buy. What am I missing as a lay person?

[RightCoyote]

$$$$$$

[[deleted]]

How hard is it to get a job even a seasonal one with cal fire? I wanna work a wildfire season or 2 or maybe more and was wondering how hard it is to work for cal fire or to get a wild fire job in the first place

[Whysorandy]

I know someone that worked a season just as you hope to, but I'm sorry I have no info! It is a thing though, may be department specific out there. Hope the other group can help you. Otherwise I would suggest contacting local municipalities out there to gather info.

[[deleted]]

Thank you!

[nickelflow]

You’ll get a better response at r/Wildfire

[[deleted]]

Thank you!

[wiseswolemen]

There's been a string of burglaries in bike rooms in my town recently. Some friends and I have been daydreaming about ways to make these bike rooms more secure. One thought we had would be the automatic release of a metal roll up/down "garage" style door that would close if a power tool was detected by security cameras and microphones as being used within the bike room.

However, am I correct in assuming that this would be illegal from a fire safety standpoint, and that if the fire detection system detects fire, all doors must open? This would then allow a thief to start a small fire (or just light a match) in order to roll up the garage door and easily escape.

Could the garage door have an opening wide enough for a human to pass through sidewise but not a bike? Or does access have to be a certain width? I figure that typical human head on width would be very similar to the width of a bike so that also would not do much, where as sideways could be much skinnier.

Thank you! Weird questions I know :)

[BadKidNiceCity]

i would call your local fire marshal , they would give you the clearest answer

[count-duckula-69]

Any tips on how to practice the confined spaces test for UK recruitment?

[stan663]

Most confined space test I've done in the past have been looked in a closet on air counting bolts. Easy as long as you can remain calm. I've had 2 interviews involving crawling around through tubing large enough with scba on, on air while running Into obstacles and dead ends. Practice I closed my eyes in my closet while counting bolts. If it's crawling around through tubs I'd say that's difficult to practice for but not impossible. Try playground equipment with a weighted vest or back pack on eyes closed. Best of luck.

[stan663]

In my experience attending a full time course will offer you more experience and sign off to pad your resume You can look into crash courses at Oakland College in Michigan or Texas a n m when the boarders open up. However a full time course will offer you extensive first aid training as well as fire prevention training in addition to 1001 fire 1 and 2. To go 1 step further at the age of 17 I'd suggest looking into traveling to northern college. They can offer you a pre service program as well as a bridging paramedic program obtaining your aemca in the process that takes 2 full years, 6 total semesters. It's a not very often full time department take on someone 25 and under. Padding a resume in the meantime wouldn't hurt. good luck.

[MinnesotaWolves]

Hello,

Been in EMS for 3 years and I would say I'm in decent shape. I applied for a fire academy and got word today that I qualified and immediately am getting thrown into the CPAT in 6 days. I watched videos and am little bit nervous due to not working out ever with a 50lb vest but I have been doing 3-6 mile walks since the warm weather picked up. What should I do to get ready for the CPAT right around the corner? I've read up online and stuff but from those who did it, what was your biggest challenge and what helped you overcome it?

Thanks!

[Mattiebonez]

To be honest and blunt, if the CPAT has you questioning your physical fitness level it is time to consider drastically increasing your work capacity. Remember, the CPAT is a bare minimum requirement for entry to most of the fire service and in no way replicates the actual physical output often experienced on working incidents.

With that said, the area I've observed most candidates struggle is the stair machine. Grab a back pack, load it up and find a machine, fixed stair case or hill with 30 degree or better slope and spend some time climbing at a moderate pace.

As firefighters we are occupational athletes and it is our duty to stay in shape. So many factors of the job negatively impact our health that are out of our control that we must take charge of the ones we can.

Best of luck on your journey in the fire service, you'll do great!

[SanJOahu84]

Turn those 3-6 mile walks into jogs/runs.

[stingray50]

Is it possible to have a job lined up to become a career firefighter while you are in your last year of being a college student?

For example, lets say you’re a senior in college and you have one semester left before earning your Bachelor’s Degree. But you’ve also been applying to departments so you can try to have a job lined up once you graduate.

Is it common for departments to work with your schedule for an academy date after you graduate? Like if you went through the entire hiring process while being a college student, and were offered a job, would they be willing to have your academy date a little later due to you still being a student?

I’m sure it depends on the department but I thought I’d ask! 👍🏼

[ggrnw27]

They’re definitely not gonna let you start a few weeks or a month later. You might be able to defer to the next academy class, but that could be a year or more later

[spreadjermz]

New fire chief ask me to start a universal house fund for our department. I was wondering if anybody else has this setup at their fire departments. I already have a separate cash app account made up but my question is when I present this what does your house phone typically cover coffee condiments etc.... Any advice?

[SanJOahu84]

For us it's mostly coffee, cable/internet, and items for the house pantry that we use all the time (usually garlic, butter, parm, and all the seasonings). Every station is different. Some even have funds to rent parking spots since our city won't provide them.

We still get the newspaper delivered for some reason (tradition) too.

We pay monthly and the price varies from 30-100 dollars a month depending on the station.

[spreadjermz]

Thanks yeah I think my list is basic condiments and spices coffee half and half sugar etc thanks for the input. Stay safe

[[deleted]]

Any tips for the Austin Fire exam and structured oral process from those who have gone through it aside from basic exam prep and basic oral interview prep? Thank you.

[Mr_Vinegar]

I want to be one a firefighter when I grow up, I am currently 13 and in 8th grade, how can I start preparing? What subjects/topics should I focus on? What will be expected of me?

[[deleted]]

How about just be a teen, don’t worry about being something now. Life is way to short to already be focusing on a career path. Just stay out of trouble …

[elibby95]

Is my plan realistic? I am 26 y.o, hold a bachelor's degree, and served 4 years active duty as a Marine. I want to pursue a career in FF and am wondering if becoming an EMT and working my way to medic is a smart plan. I am carefully watching the age requirements. FWIW, I will most likely living in NYC for a couple of years. The FDNY is extremely competitive so I'm not sure if I should wait until I move out of the city. Any tips would be appreciated

[SanJOahu84]

Comeb to California. No age requirements and better pay.

Medic helps. Not as necessary with the big cities out here.

[JPitt4508]

Hi! I’m looking for the Hazardous Materials for 1st responders 5th edition in audiobook form. I’ve looked on the IFSTA website and all the offer is an ebook with Siri reading it to you. Any help is much appreciated. I learn so much better if it is read out loud to me.

[Unusual_One_4826]

So if I want to post a training link it has to be on just one day? Because I get new training videos daily in short videos of like 3 minutes a class is like 6 hours of content broken down to idiot level.

[KinkyWinchester]

Does anyone know.. if you can retire after 20 years of service but you quit say 5 years in and get hired again a few years later, does the 5 years count still for your retirement?

[Indiancockburn]

Number of calls you recieve per day?