| Firefighting is a great career choice but in order to | | | | they perform the written portion first or the |
| succeed and land a full-time job as a firefighter | | | | physical agility? |
| you have to beat the competition. Although it | | | | There is no excuse but laziness if you can't or |
| sounds intimidating, it need not be. Fire | | | | don't find out these things...and if you're lazy, well |
| departments across the country are looking for | | | | then, we don't want you anyway. One of the |
| quality employees who possess certain | | | | best ways to conduct this research is to get on |
| characteristics and personality traits that will make | | | | line and access the city websites you're interested |
| them long-term sustainable employees to the | | | | in working for. The information is there. |
| organization. | | | | Strategy # 2 STUDY, STUDY AND STUDY. |
| In other words, they are looking for honest, hard | | | | ACHIEVING A HIGH WRITTEN SCORE ALMOST |
| working types who can work well with others, | | | | ALWAYS GUARANTEES ADVANCEMENT. |
| learn quickly and maintain a positive attitude. This | | | | Tactical advice: Find out the written test format |
| article is tailored to those seeking full-time career | | | | and get any available study guides that the City |
| positions with city and municipal fire departments | | | | you are testing with provides. Some departments |
| across the country. So how can you become a | | | | use third party test administrators. They will have |
| firefighter and get hired by any fire department in | | | | a website as well. In addition, get yourself a few |
| the country? By following these general strategies | | | | fire exam preparation books. There are some |
| and tactics. | | | | good ones out there that I recommend on my |
| Strategy #1 EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE | | | | blog. Take the time to study and ultimately ace |
| FIREFIGHTING PROFESSION. | | | | these exams. It is hard work, and it takes |
| Tactical advice: Find out what firefighting is all | | | | discipline, but believe me, the career waiting on |
| about. Is it for you? Are you sure? You have to | | | | the other side is totally worth the effort. |
| really REALLY want this profession. Research the | | | | Strategy #3 VISIT FIRE STATIONS IN THE |
| departments you wish to work for. Don't limit | | | | AREA YOU WANT TO WORK. |
| yourself here. Would you consider a job offer for | | | | Tactical advice: Firefighters love to help. Each and |
| Baltimore? Boston? FD-NY? Houston? L.A City? | | | | every time prospective candidates stop by my |
| Seattle? It's OK to dream big here but don't | | | | station, I go above and beyond to ensure they |
| forget to research your local geographical area | | | | get the guidance and advice they need to get |
| too. It's expensive to test for these big | | | | through the process. Some departments even |
| departments if you have to travel to get there. | | | | offer ride alongs for prospective candidates to |
| There are hundreds and hundreds of smaller | | | | see what the job is all about. It's a great |
| departments that are just as progressive and | | | | opportunity. |
| they all need quality firefighters too. Ultimately, it's | | | | Firefighting is a great career. Each and every shift |
| up to you, but the point is to research and decide | | | | I love to go to work and help others. I have built |
| where you want to become a firefighter. Once | | | | lifelong friendships with the people I work with and |
| you've narrowed it down, COMPLETELY research | | | | will have a nice pension when I retire. I am |
| each departments hiring process. When are they | | | | fortunate but I have worked hard to get here. If |
| testing, what is the pay, what will the test consist | | | | you want to be a firefighter bad enough, you can |
| of? Is it single day testing or multiple day? Do | | | | have the same. Good luck! |