Future Firefighters!!

[18atone]

I will offer a few tips based on the Calgary Fire hiring process but these items will suit a candidate seeking a position in any FD. Also on a little side note for those of you waiting on a list to be called to service. Congratulations! Don't stop growing and learning because you feel mistreated. Understand that most people, even the Chief of the department have lived on one of those list in the past so they know what you are going through. Complaining does not show you in a good light to your future boss and you may not be aware of what they are struggling with at the political end. The world is changing rapidly and most departments are struggling to keep up. The FF's of the future will need to come with a high tolerance for change built in. Playing the poor victim by being a bitcher and moaner makes you less attractive to these departments who are already overwhelmed with problems. Nobody likes to work with people who sit at the table and complain about how bad things are and how unfair this is. Talk about how things use to be is fine for an understanding of history but counter productive and down right boring if it is not to help improve conditions as they currently stand. Be part of the solutions in your career and people will like to work with you. If you seem the sort people will like to work with, well this is one of the most important traits FDs are looking for in new personnel.

Lets talk.........Credentials are all fine and good and in fact neccessary to challenge for a spot in most departments. The fact is that standing out above the crowd to get your foot in the door is not important with the hiring process at the Calgary FD. Each file is handled individually and you will get a chance to prove your worth, but you must come prepared because others certainly do. Lots of others and they bring proof of positive past performance. In today's world recruiters are not looking for the "best candidate" because everybody's definition of best is entirely different. Recruiters are trained to reduce the risk to the organization by finding people who are suitable based on criteria which are most important to the organization. If the candidate can demonstrate evidence they possess these positive attributes they are most suitable. Like buying any product it is a buyer beware story so bring your proof.

Courses may help in your quest but the more important feature will be your ability to show positive trends in your past. Consider.....A candidate can state all manner of great traits such as optimism and dependability. They can tell us that they are hardworking and able to problem solve while keeping a friendly professional demeanor, even while the world about them is in total chaos. Candidates will tell us pretty much anything they perceive we may want to hear. Credibility is the issue, what have you done to prove you are as you are promising us?

Hiring is based on lowering the risk to an organization of buying unknown goods. (hiring a recruit) The more positive information you can provide to the hiring decision the less risk the candidate is to hire. Gone are the days of hiring based on just a few attributes such as a strong back and friendly fella. These are still considered but in the context of using many other important criteria as well.

Dive or trench rescue courses mean very little in the big picture of hiring an individual for a thirty year career. We will train a candidate who shows positive behaviours that fit within a department's criteria for abilities and decision making competencies. Are they adaptable, optimistic and personable? Has this person demonstrated they are accountable in their behaviours? The public sure expects it once you put them in a uniform!! Have they demonstrated positive well rounded characteristics? An example is the issue of volunteering with a volunteer fire department. This is a noble great step for gaining a little understanding about the job and giving back to the community. Yet all to often the candidate appears to be doing this to suck up to get hired in a career department. Candidate number two shows up at our door without a bunch of fire related courses but volunteers for whatever cause which they personally truly believe in and are entirely committed to and it shows. They are learning other skills which may be things that training and fire courses could not cover off as well. Workplaces can't teach skills your mother should have taught you, but being involved with the community for the right reasons often does. Which person suits the job more? Well, consider the positive trends issue.

The CFD is expecting to hire in large numbers in the coming years and the NFPA 1001 certification will be a minimum qualification as of January 1 2006. I would ask any candidate to be certain the school you are paying your money to is offering you value beyond a simple certification. If they are promising that their training will be key to your success would you not wonder how many others were promise the same thing? What do you bring to the table that is different? The onus is on you so the key is to ask yourself this question..........."what part of this do I own?" FD's have never hired personnel because of their technical skills. Personnel are choosen because they have a mix of positive attributes. Desire alone does not make you a good organizational fit. Is your school offering training to build your understanding of the service needs beyond simply putting the wet stuff on the red stuff?

Once you apply for any department they will need evidence not only in word but in deed of your stated qualifications and attributes!!! Success will not come simply because you played a game of chase the certification. It will be because you understand how your attitude and behaviours are important to a FD. The last key will be your ability to provide evidence in your presentation and that of your references that a department is buying a superior product.

Best of luck in your quest, stay safe.

[FrAnToS]

nicely done .......

that was one of the better explanaitions of what is required of a future candidate .... or one in the process for that matter. that pretty much puts a lot of things in perspective.

[FFWannabe]

Thanks! And well said! Here in Ottawa, they do rank you by the number of qualifications and past experience you have and then interview from therre... but you're right, I have been told that many people with more qualifications than I could ever imagine, don't get hired because they weren't deemed a good fit. It makes sense.

I have been on the list since last March and I will stay on it until A) I am hired, or B) December 31/05. I am going to re-apply this May if I am not hired by then, so I won't miss the next year's hiring.. that will still put me on the list alone with the people I test with as they did not do a recruitment in 04.

I just keep plugging away, spend some time with the guys in one of the local fire departments, work out hard and smart in the gym and look for courses that seem relevent, any bit of useful knowledge... I love to learn! :)

Thanks for the reminder to be patient and keep working! One thing I will never do is complain, I feel honored just to be on the list.. hahaha! :)

Take care! Sue :)

[firecadet911]

Hey guys,

I just got a book off the internet (at amazon.com) called "The Aspiring Firefighter's Two-Year Plan". I've found it to be an excellent resource. It places strong emphasis on life-long learning, but it also places strong emphasis on character and attitude which backs up what you were stating in your post 18atone. It also has a lot of advice and points out a lot of little details that an applicant may over-look when applying or preparing to apply.

For anybody hoping to become a firefighter, I would strongly recommend this book.

[FFWannabe]

Thanks! I'll look it up! Anything that might help, is worth the time!!!


Sue :)

[adrianvoiselle]

HI my name is Adrian and I was looking for work so if you have any jobs avaible :)

[homer]

Yeah, that is a good breakdown of what is expected and a positive attitude to go along with the explanation. I am presently involved in about five cities recruitments here in Ontario. It just seems like the city budgets come out in January and here you have a mad dash to the finish line. Just one situation where the city departments say they want you at your best buty are you? I Just covered from 9 cities in Ontario for applications, I dont feel at my competetive best that is for sure. I Personally like Calgary's system and hope to become part of their organization in the future. Thanks and good luck to all!

[duhrynchuk]

I have an interview with the calgary fire department, should I have a heads up in any departments?...I have life experiences but how do I relate that to being a great firefighter without kissing butt?

[18atone]

Hello,
So it is interview time. Have you an idea what the fire service is all about? No not technical skills, or how many trucks or the name of the chief. These things show interest which is good of course but is not what departments really want to hear. What motivates the crews? What are the issues which the department is training on or talking about at the stations. How do they expect you to deal with the public and represent their uniform? Can you think on your feet and come up with answers which demonstrate that you can positively affect outcomes in difficult situations? Is your history one of being part of the solution and not part of the problem. So many areas to show strong trends in but do consider some of these;

Are you:

- eager to serve community and department
-problem solving skills / logical / anticipates problem and is proactive
-thinks on feet
-judgement or common sense reasoning / prompt, clear decisions
-past experience to solve difficult issues / appropriate actions
-persuasive / positive / confident
- respectful / takes responsibility / sincere / honest
-self motivated / dependability / adaptability
-teamwork / behavours in dynamic and challenging situations

What have you done to prove it?

Remember to speak from experiences that demonstrate these concepts and Do Not BS there are to many ways to get to the truth and if you give away your credibility it is never yours again in the eyes of a FD. So many others to choose from do you really expect an organization to pick a flawed product. Would you buy a high tech TV with bad consumer reports? :confused:

Interviewers are trained to get your good stuff but you need to pick from your past experiences with the best story. There are no mind readers on the FD, most mind readers work at a real circus or at station 53.


As you can guess we need you to do your part.

Hope that helps.

[bestcoast]

Interesting article in firehouse.com

http://cms.firehouse.com/content/article/article.jsp?Id=8&id=40879

then scroll down............BC........

[PeTeRpArKeR]

Thanks for the heads up on that article. Very informative.

[JoJobrat]

This one is from my cheif, "Don't repeat yourself unless asked to. If you have nothing more to say shut up!"

[atwood]

Hey does anyone know if there any EMT or Occupational first aid courses in Ontario,i just moved from B.C. and St.Johns in Ottawa does not offer anything higher than a AED,im just trying to tweek my courses like everyone else but Ontario does not seem to offer any good courses to the public,any ifo be greatly appreciated

[wilyum]

im from Ottawa, St John offers an advanced medical first responder course level II, which is pretty much the highest course medically you can take short of a PCP program. not sure how many times its offered though

[mutts252]

though it's not in ottawa, toronto EMS teaches BTLS (Basic Trauma Life Support).

http://www.toronto.ca/ems/education/btls.htm

[fireto412]

Hpoe this is in right post, just like to send out a message to everybody trying to get on full time firefighting anyone needing firstaid cpr training or whmis Im certified to teach. Im in the gta back and forth. I started out teaching this and its helped me get a foot in the door.Classes are around 20-per class any one interested send me a reply.. Good luck to all in the fire service..

[smqke]

Just to ssay great Job on the writeup, it helps people like me to understand where and what to do in the learning process... 2 thumbs up for you my friend
SMQKE

[FEFD]

The closest to EMT is the EMR level 2 offered by St. John's Ambulance. BC recognizes it, and I know the states will allow you to challenge the EMT-B with the course, your best bet though is to contact the department and ask what they view as being equivalent. A lot of people from Ontario have gone out to departments out west, so they should be able to tell you what they accepted as equivalency.

[fueler]

Hey there, anyone know anything about DND Fire? Not regular force, I'm talking civiies at military bases. Reason being, is that I got an interview at CFB Wainwright A.B and just wondering if their question are the same as muni depts?

[byser5]

Does anyone know the address as where to send you application to Pearson??

[Wpfd22]

Byser you harp at others to do there own research why dont you do your own!! Go to the Pearson websiteand find out for yourself!!!

[OttawaVFF]

The closest to EMT is the EMR level 2 offered by St. John's Ambulance.

Are you referring to the AMFR ll (Advanced Medical First Responder, Level ll) by St. John's
Ambulance. Do you have this? How were you able to take Level ll?

I have AMFR l, and understood that ll is not available?

[dispatchems]

ive been following this website for the past 3 years, but have finally registered! i need to know where do i find information on finding fire dispatch jobs? please help me.....where do i apply!

any help would be greatly appreciated!

[dentedhead]

ive been following this website for the past 3 years, but have finally registered! i need to know where do i find information on finding fire dispatch jobs? please help me.....where do i apply!

any help would be greatly appreciated!

There isnt ususally many dispatch jobs posted here.But if you keep checking city websites they may post in the HR section.

Dentedhead

[sinistr]

Are you referring to the AMFR ll (Advanced Medical First Responder, Level ll) by St. John's
Ambulance. Do you have this? How were you able to take Level ll?

I have AMFR l, and understood that ll is not available?

Level II is only availible at certains St. Johns locations. I was told once where you can take it but can't rememeber where for the life of me.

[Ali_72]

I will offer a few tips based on the Calgary Fire hiring process but these items will suit a candidate seeking a position in any FD. Also on a little side note for those of you waiting on a list to be called to service. Congratulations! Don't stop growing and learning because you feel mistreated. Understand that most people, even the Chief of the department have lived on one of those list in the past so they know what you are going through. Complaining does not show you in a good light to your future boss and you may not be aware of what they are struggling with at the political end. The world is changing rapidly and most departments are struggling to keep up. The FF's of the future will need to come with a high tolerance for change built in. Playing the poor victim by being a bitcher and moaner makes you less attractive to these departments who are already overwhelmed with problems. Nobody likes to work with people who sit at the table and complain about how bad things are and how unfair this is. Talk about how things use to be is fine for an understanding of history but counter productive and down right boring if it is not to help improve conditions as they currently stand. Be part of the solutions in your career and people will like to work with you. If you seem the sort people will like to work with, well this is one of the most important traits FDs are looking for in new personnel.

Lets talk.........Credentials are all fine and good and in fact neccessary to challenge for a spot in most departments. The fact is that standing out above the crowd to get your foot in the door is not important with the hiring process at the Calgary FD. Each file is handled individually and you will get a chance to prove your worth, but you must come prepared because others certainly do. Lots of others and they bring proof of positive past performance. In today's world recruiters are not looking for the "best candidate" because everybody's definition of best is entirely different. Recruiters are trained to reduce the risk to the organization by finding people who are suitable based on criteria which are most important to the organization. If the candidate can demonstrate evidence they possess these positive attributes they are most suitable. Like buying any product it is a buyer beware story so bring your proof.

Courses may help in your quest but the more important feature will be your ability to show positive trends in your past. Consider.....A candidate can state all manner of great traits such as optimism and dependability. They can tell us that they are hardworking and able to problem solve while keeping a friendly professional demeanor, even while the world about them is in total chaos. Candidates will tell us pretty much anything they perceive we may want to hear. Credibility is the issue, what have you done to prove you are as you are promising us?

Hiring is based on lowering the risk to an organization of buying unknown goods. (hiring a recruit) The more positive information you can provide to the hiring decision the less risk the candidate is to hire. Gone are the days of hiring based on just a few attributes such as a strong back and friendly fella. These are still considered but in the context of using many other important criteria as well.

Dive or trench rescue courses mean very little in the big picture of hiring an individual for a thirty year career. We will train a candidate who shows positive behaviours that fit within a department's criteria for abilities and decision making competencies. Are they adaptable, optimistic and personable? Has this person demonstrated they are accountable in their behaviours? The public sure expects it once you put them in a uniform!! Have they demonstrated positive well rounded characteristics? An example is the issue of volunteering with a volunteer fire department. This is a noble great step for gaining a little understanding about the job and giving back to the community. Yet all to often the candidate appears to be doing this to suck up to get hired in a career department. Candidate number two shows up at our door without a bunch of fire related courses but volunteers for whatever cause which they personally truly believe in and are entirely committed to and it shows. They are learning other skills which may be things that training and fire courses could not cover off as well. Workplaces can't teach skills your mother should have taught you, but being involved with the community for the right reasons often does. Which person suits the job more? Well, consider the positive trends issue.

The CFD is expecting to hire in large numbers in the coming years and the NFPA 1001 certification will be a minimum qualification as of January 1 2006. I would ask any candidate to be certain the school you are paying your money to is offering you value beyond a simple certification. If they are promising that their training will be key to your success would you not wonder how many others were promise the same thing? What do you bring to the table that is different? The onus is on you so the key is to ask yourself this question..........."what part of this do I own?" FD's have never hired personnel because of their technical skills. Personnel are choosen because they have a mix of positive attributes. Desire alone does not make you a good organizational fit. Is your school offering training to build your understanding of the service needs beyond simply putting the wet stuff on the red stuff?

Once you apply for any department they will need evidence not only in word but in deed of your stated qualifications and attributes!!! Success will not come simply because you played a game of chase the certification. It will be because you understand how your attitude and behaviours are important to a FD. The last key will be your ability to provide evidence in your presentation and that of your references that a department is buying a superior product.

Best of luck in your quest, stay safe.

Thanks a lot for sharing this. Very enlightening. I would like to know why some career FF from Vancouver are willing to transfer to other departments. I learnt that in part it's because of higher cost of living or commuting but what are the other factors for this. And what's the most important issues which mainly prevents you to get hired. I know it might sound a very broad question but any feedback is appreciated. I'm just a beginner and learning.

Best regards,
Ali

[Seagull]

Well done! Very well written.

I cant believe this has been here for years and only this amount of replies.

[FFwannab]

Thank you,
That was helpful, l am not in EMS l am currently 17, and live around the london area.l am curious to what would be helpful for me to organize myself for schooling and reaching the point of being a firefighter:). Currently l am looking into Lampton which is promising, but what other qualifications would be needed for me next? If you could give me some guidance/feedback it would be greatly vauled:)
thanks

[wingman]

Just to offer a portion of my .02... I was a FF hopeful just a short time ago. I knew the importance of building a resume and gaining as many "points" as I could. Through the many courses that I took and the amount of $$ that I spent, I learned a great deal about a number of skills etc... however, the biggest thing that I learned is why to keep learning. I believe that this is the most important trait required to get hired; the ability to do whatever you can to improve yourself and your knowledge. When you get to an interview, they will not ask about the knowledge you gained from x course, but they will evaluate your ability to learn from x dept's training in the future. It is not what you have taken, but why you have taken it.
For example, your passion could be cooking... to have taken a number of courses and workshops on cooking, to have trained with professionals, and to have worked as hard as you could to develop your skills as a cook proves that you are dedicated and committed to a goal, and will do whatever you can to be as good as you can be at that skill. This is what departments are looking for; your character rather than your list of certificates. They don't care if it is high angle rescue or wicker basket repair....
I built a resume full of FF/rescue credentials, but when it came to the interview I did my best to prove my character (and WHY I did what I did) rather than talk about having x operations and x technician. And I truly believed that it wasn't what I learned, but that I put the effort into learning it.
If you can take courses and learn form this or that, that is fantastic, but remember that the most important part of it all is not what you have done, but why you have done it.
I hope this makes sense... I am just trying to convey that a bum who takes lots of fire/rescue courses is still a bum.... but a good man (/woman) who dedicates himself to being the best that he can be is an asset to any department. If you are the latter, hang in there and your day will come.

[18atone]

Well stated Wingman. Your post should help some to, "get it"!

[winterman]

The post you gave was very insightful to me and i think that it will help me in my future decisions with the Fire Department.Thanks

[Rob44]

Just read your post and the others I'm hopefull to maybe get an interview in the near future and your words of advise will be put to good use. Thanks Rob44

[ATFD130]

I am doing my TKT this week in hopes to start march 16th, I have read the material and there is a lot of information there. What am I suppose to expect from this test? Are there a lot of questions involving numbers, for example the size of a hole that should be cut for roof ventilation? OR WHAT??

[oyenfire]

Hey all,

I'm not trying to do get down on myself but sometimes it's kinda hard. My situation is that I just wrote the calgary aptitude test on the 6th of April, and unsuccessful at passing it apparently. This is the second time that they rejected my aptitude test. I wrote for GP and they tell you the actual mark and i did almost perfect on theirs. GP's test consisted of mechanical aptitude,fire knowledge, physics, PDP/ FL questions (without the givin formulas), and many other difficult NFPA based questions. in fact out of 120 recruits, I'm told I was of the last 20 and I made it to their last stage very successfully. So now how could i possibly fail a test as simple as calgary? TWICE? The questions were more perception / behavioural based and i answered honest and not just what they wanted to hear. I found the answers to be obvious and the withstanding possible answers to be standing out for their level of wrongness. I have a good moral compass and do not kow how to improve? They don't tell you what you did wrong so how can I improve? Now I have to wait another year to just attempt again. I'm not tooting my own horn but I am quite smart when it comes to tests and have been on a dept volunteer for ages so I know a little more than the average bear. what do i need to do to pass this Calgary ap? what am I doing wrong? Did anyone else fail? or pass? anyone fail before but pass now? If so what do you think you did differantly? What is the friggin trick. It's killing me to not know where I went wrong. TWICE

[t_lag]

Found a couple interesting pieces of information on the F.O.O.L.S. site.

http://foolsinternational.com/from_the_street/20_Things_All_Rookies_Should_Know.shtml

http://foolsinternational.com/chapter_news/The_4_UPS.shtml

Read this stuff and don't forget it! It will make your life that much easier when you start.

[fire17]

Hey all,*** I'm not trying to do get down on myself but sometimes it's kinda hard. My situation is that I just wrote the calgary aptitude test on the 6th of April, and unsuccessful at passing it apparently. This is the second time that they rejected my aptitude test. I wrote for GP and they tell you the actual mark and i did almost perfect on theirs. GP's test consisted of mechanical aptitude,fire knowledge, physics, PDP/ FL questions (without the givin formulas), and many other difficult NFPA based questions. in fact out of 120 recruits, I'm told I was of the last 20 and I made it to their last stage very successfully.*** So now how could i possibly fail a test as simple as calgary? TWICE? The questions were more perception / behavioural based and i answered honest and not just what they wanted to hear. I found the answers to be obvious and the withstanding possible answers to be standing out for their level of wrongness. I have a good moral compass and do not kow how to improve? They don't tell you what you did wrong so how can I improve? Now I have to wait another year to just attempt again. I'm not tooting my own horn but I am quite smart when it comes to tests and have been on a dept volunteer for ages so I know a little more than the average bear. what do i need to do to pass this Calgary ap? what am I doing wrong? Did anyone else fail? or pass? anyone fail before but pass now? If so what do you think you did differantly? What is the friggin trick. It's killing me to not know where I went wrong. TWICEI wrote with Calgary and passed my first time. All I can tell you is I remember the officer saying don't answer what you think we want for an answer, answer what you think is right. But the truth is their is only one right answer for each question, therefore I answered the entire test based on what I believed they would expect you to do. Complete opposite from what the officer said to do, and was successful. I don't know if this helps you, but if you have any more questions I would be glad to try to assist you.

[Ready2Start]

This is a very great thread and thank you for sharing. I hope I can put it to good use when I start applying for postions within a month.

[Car150]

Interesting reading the posts....and the comments about Calgary. I am not familiar with their tests, but with behavioral based testing...which essentially is what an interview attempts to wean out. Having just sat on the "other side " of the interview table, and having done this for many years and had the opportunity of wisdom (aka looked at candidates from interview to job...and boy...can I be wrong some times !!). I think every Fire Chief and HR Director is looking for someone that will show up to work consistantly (amazing the candidates who answer to the Question ...What do you think is acceptable sick leave per year....6, 7, 8 shifts a year...who answer yes to all and then some !), are self starters and are constantly wanting to improve themselves (not moan and -itch every time they drill, required to do a simple things like a CPR recert), who really do view the public as customers (not someone who is interrupting their TV time !), and are willing to treat their fellow firefighters with respect (not quick to point out their faults and broadcast it to all within listening view.) Fire Schools (& paramedic schools) are great at teaching technical skills....it's the great unknown as to how the candidate will apply those skills for the next 30 years. We , as recruiters, only get one kick at the cat....when we do the recruiting process. There is a concern amongst many of my colleagues that an organization that stresses "team operation" is being challenged by a "ME" generation ...aka "what's in this for me." Call me a dinasour (some do !), but firefighting still relies on company operations , working cohesively against the laws of physics...(that could care less about political correctness or your political pedigree !) with other firefighters you might not like ......but can be at the top of your craft consistantly.
This job is not about a union sticker on your windshield, calling everyone in a blue shirt brother....it's about every candidate showing up with a willingness to constantly improve themselves (don't worry about the other malcontents !), do it smarter and better than us soon to retire white hats, AND remember....maybe some of you are not cut out to do this job on a career basis. There are lots of other great occupations that will settle for 9-5, doing their jobs in a safe environment, working the sick leave ....... I am one that happens to think firefighting is still a calling....many are called....few a chosen !! Be safe our there kids !!

[taylorwagner]

I will offer a few tips based on the Calgary Fire hiring process but these items will suit a candidate seeking a position in any FD. Also on a little side note for those of you waiting on a list to be called to service. Congratulations! Don't stop growing and learning because you feel mistreated. Understand that most people, even the Chief of the department have lived on one of those list in the past so they know what you are going through. Complaining does not show you in a good light to your future boss and you may not be aware of what they are struggling with at the political end. The world is changing rapidly and most departments are struggling to keep up. The FF's of the future will need to come with a high tolerance for change built in. Playing the poor victim by being a bitcher and moaner makes you less attractive to these departments who are already overwhelmed with problems. Nobody likes to work with people who sit at the table and complain about how bad things are and how unfair this is. Talk about how things use to be is fine for an understanding of history but counter productive and down right boring if it is not to help improve conditions as they currently stand. Be part of the solutions in your career and people will like to work with you. If you seem the sort people will like to work with, well this is one of the most important traits FDs are looking for in new personnel.

Lets talk.........Credentials are all fine and good and in fact neccessary to challenge for a spot in most departments. The fact is that standing out above the crowd to get your foot in the door is not important with the hiring process at the Calgary FD. Each file is handled individually and you will get a chance to prove your worth, but you must come prepared because others certainly do. Lots of others and they bring proof of positive past performance. In today's world recruiters are not looking for the "best candidate" because everybody's definition of best is entirely different. Recruiters are trained to reduce the risk to the organization by finding people who are suitable based on criteria which are most important to the organization. If the candidate can demonstrate evidence they possess these positive attributes they are most suitable. Like buying any product it is a buyer beware story so bring your proof.

Courses may help in your quest but the more important feature will be your ability to show positive trends in your past. Consider.....A candidate can state all manner of great traits such as optimism and dependability. They can tell us that they are hardworking and able to problem solve while keeping a friendly professional demeanor, even while the world about them is in total chaos. Candidates will tell us pretty much anything they perceive we may want to hear. Credibility is the issue, what have you done to prove you are as you are promising us?

Hiring is based on lowering the risk to an organization of buying unknown goods. (hiring a recruit) The more positive information you can provide to the hiring decision the less risk the candidate is to hire. Gone are the days of hiring based on just a few attributes such as a strong back and friendly fella. These are still considered but in the context of using many other important criteria as well.

Dive or trench rescue courses mean very little in the big picture of hiring an individual for a thirty year career. We will train a candidate who shows positive behaviours that fit within a department's criteria for abilities and decision making competencies. Are they adaptable, optimistic and personable? Has this person demonstrated they are accountable in their behaviours? The public sure expects it once you put them in a uniform!! Have they demonstrated positive well rounded characteristics? An example is the issue of volunteering with a volunteer fire department. This is a noble great step for gaining a little understanding about the job and giving back to the community. Yet all to often the candidate appears to be doing this to suck up to get hired in a career department. Candidate number two shows up at our door without a bunch of fire related courses but volunteers for whatever cause which they personally truly believe in and are entirely committed to and it shows. They are learning other skills which may be things that training and fire courses could not cover off as well. Workplaces can't teach skills your mother should have taught you, but being involved with the community for the right reasons often does. Which person suits the job more? Well, consider the positive trends issue.

The CFD is expecting to hire in large numbers in the coming years and the NFPA 1001 certification will be a minimum qualification as of January 1 2006. I would ask any candidate to be certain the school you are paying your money to is offering you value beyond a simple certification. If they are promising that their training will be key to your success would you not wonder how many others were promise the same thing? What do you bring to the table that is different? The onus is on you so the key is to ask yourself this question..........."what part of this do I own?" FD's have never hired personnel because of their technical skills. Personnel are choosen because they have a mix of positive attributes. Desire alone does not make you a good organizational fit. Is your school offering training to build your understanding of the service needs beyond simply putting the wet stuff on the red stuff?

Once you apply for any department they will need evidence not only in word but in deed of your stated qualifications and attributes!!! Success will not come simply because you played a game of chase the certification. It will be because you understand how your attitude and behaviours are important to a FD. The last key will be your ability to provide evidence in your presentation and that of your references that a department is buying a superior product.

Best of luck in your quest, stay safe.

do they provide training or do i go take courses before applying and im 14 anything i could do to prepare like classes to take in highschool

[Hozer99]

I will offer a few tips based on the Calgary Fire hiring process but these items will suit a candidate seeking a position in any FD. Also on a little side note for those of you waiting on a list to be called to service. Congratulations! Don't stop growing and learning because you feel mistreated. Understand that most people, even the Chief of the department have lived on one of those list in the past so they know what you are going through. Complaining does not show you in a good light to your future boss and you may not be aware of what they are struggling with at the political end. The world is changing rapidly and most departments are struggling to keep up. The FF's of the future will need to come with a high tolerance for change built in. Playing the poor victim by being a bitcher and moaner makes you less attractive to these departments who are already overwhelmed with problems. Nobody likes to work with people who sit at the table and complain about how bad things are and how unfair this is. Talk about how things use to be is fine for an understanding of history but counter productive and down right boring if it is not to help improve conditions as they currently stand. Be part of the solutions in your career and people will like to work with you. If you seem the sort people will like to work with, well this is one of the most important traits FDs are looking for in new personnel.

Lets talk.........Credentials are all fine and good and in fact neccessary to challenge for a spot in most departments. The fact is that standing out above the crowd to get your foot in the door is not important with the hiring process at the Calgary FD. Each file is handled individually and you will get a chance to prove your worth, but you must come prepared because others certainly do. Lots of others and they bring proof of positive past performance. In today's world recruiters are not looking for the "best candidate" because everybody's definition of best is entirely different. Recruiters are trained to reduce the risk to the organization by finding people who are suitable based on criteria which are most important to the organization. If the candidate can demonstrate evidence they possess these positive attributes they are most suitable. Like buying any product it is a buyer beware story so bring your proof.

Courses may help in your quest but the more important feature will be your ability to show positive trends in your past. Consider.....A candidate can state all manner of great traits such as optimism and dependability. They can tell us that they are hardworking and able to problem solve while keeping a friendly professional demeanor, even while the world about them is in total chaos. Candidates will tell us pretty much anything they perceive we may want to hear. Credibility is the issue, what have you done to prove you are as you are promising us?

Hiring is based on lowering the risk to an organization of buying unknown goods. (hiring a recruit) The more positive information you can provide to the hiring decision the less risk the candidate is to hire. Gone are the days of hiring based on just a few attributes such as a strong back and friendly fella. These are still considered but in the context of using many other important criteria as well.

Dive or trench rescue courses mean very little in the big picture of hiring an individual for a thirty year career. We will train a candidate who shows positive behaviours that fit within a department's criteria for abilities and decision making competencies. Are they adaptable, optimistic and personable? Has this person demonstrated they are accountable in their behaviours? The public sure expects it once you put them in a uniform!! Have they demonstrated positive well rounded characteristics? An example is the issue of volunteering with a volunteer fire department. This is a noble great step for gaining a little understanding about the job and giving back to the community. Yet all to often the candidate appears to be doing this to suck up to get hired in a career department. Candidate number two shows up at our door without a bunch of fire related courses but volunteers for whatever cause which they personally truly believe in and are entirely committed to and it shows. They are learning other skills which may be things that training and fire courses could not cover off as well. Workplaces can't teach skills your mother should have taught you, but being involved with the community for the right reasons often does. Which person suits the job more? Well, consider the positive trends issue.

The CFD is expecting to hire in large numbers in the coming years and the NFPA 1001 certification will be a minimum qualification as of January 1 2006. I would ask any candidate to be certain the school you are paying your money to is offering you value beyond a simple certification. If they are promising that their training will be key to your success would you not wonder how many others were promise the same thing? What do you bring to the table that is different? The onus is on you so the key is to ask yourself this question..........."what part of this do I own?" FD's have never hired personnel because of their technical skills. Personnel are choosen because they have a mix of positive attributes. Desire alone does not make you a good organizational fit. Is your school offering training to build your understanding of the service needs beyond simply putting the wet stuff on the red stuff?

Once you apply for any department they will need evidence not only in word but in deed of your stated qualifications and attributes!!! Success will not come simply because you played a game of chase the certification. It will be because you understand how your attitude and behaviours are important to a FD. The last key will be your ability to provide evidence in your presentation and that of your references that a department is buying a superior product.

Best of luck in your quest, stay safe.
hey, just to let you all know you don't need your 1001 for calgary. It is not a minimum qualification.

[verticalvent]

do they provide training or do i go take courses before applying and im 14 anything i could do to prepare like classes to take in highschool

i would say just enjoy being a kid for a while. Theres not much you can do before you're 19. Maybe trying to get into an apprenticable trade through your high school would help you long term. say no to drugs

[dhenry4]

i would say just enjoy being a kid for a while. Theres not much you can do before you're 19. Maybe trying to get into an apprenticable trade through your high school would help you long term. say no to drugs

Well spoken. The more I read these forums, the more I feel that firefighting is about positive personal growth, strong morals, and a willingness to learn.

When I first arrived here, I searched through different schools to go to and certificates that I wanted to get. I'm starting to question my original thought process and am going to start looking at this profession in a different way. Shows how much you can get from just reading once in a while.

~Dan

[PASSCPS]

If anyone would like help with the CPS/OS test, send me a pm.... My roommate and I are fairly new firefighters. We would be glad to offer any help with not just passing but killing the CPS/OS test. We both scored in the 90s, and went though the interview process. So ANY questions, feel free to contact

[Gman44]

Wow...this is a great thread, a lot of great ideas & thoughts.
This will totally aid me in progressing through future hiring processes.

Just a little history on myself...
Have applied 2-times to the CFD & unsuccessful.
1-time in Dec.2009, made it to Stage 3 Panel Interview Oct.2010, resulted in a unsuccessful interview & deferred.
2-time applied just this past Mar.2011, unsuccessful application didn't even make it to the Stage 2 Aptitude Test? Strange I know, shocked.

Competition is very stiff & tough, I do know that, & I do not want to complain. As I do know this is a calling, some are called, some aren't. They say no more than they say yes.
After reading all these comments...it's not all about what accreditation you possess, it's more less why you took these courses & what came out of them & also what you believe in helping your community & what are you currently doing to make things better. Your "Personal Growth"! Don't stop learning & growing a person.

Even thought this was a set back...this will allow me to improve & grow. "if you get knocked down, It's how you get back up".
G.

[landrover0812]

PASS CPS I emailed you and pm'd you.

[lim075]

I agree. Great thread without enough readers. Thanks for the info!

[JoinTheTeam]

do they provide training or do i go take courses before applying and im 14 anything i could do to prepare like classes to take in highschool

Taylor

Agree with the other poster to enjoy being a kid. But if you do want to become a firefighter don't wait until you are 19. Start learning about it any way you can. In Calgary there is a fire cadets program so by the time you are 19 you could have all sorts of firefighting skills if you want to pursue this career path. I don't know where you hail from but there are things that you can be doing now to get yourself prepared.

http://content.calgary.ca/CCA/City+Hall/Business+Units/Calgary+Fire+Department/Fire+Cadet+Program/Fire+Cadet+Program.htm Check this link out.

Stay active. When you graduate highschool make sure you are strong and fit. You won't make the cuts if you can't carry your weight. So many recruits get busy training before their physical fitness test - too late. If you have an active lifestyle then you don't need to train. You just need to keep living your healthy life. The say no to drugs comment is no joke. FDs want firefighters with integrity and who make ethical choices. They want to know that you can set goals, self-reflect on your performance, re-evaluate and achieve your desired outcomes. Start setting goals right now. One of the themes running through this thread is that you have to be interested in becoming your best if you are serious about firefighting. Figuring out how to be your best is what will give you the answers you need when interview time comes.

I'm just in the recruitment right now but if you start planning now you'll be in the firehall before you know it. Like has been suggested though, enjoy your youth, but if this is what you want to do then by all means, enjoy yourself by pursuing your dream.

J

[FLFireSlayer]

HEy everyone

I went from page 1 to page 5, cause i dont have time to read them all, but to go back to the FIRST post back in 04. People Who want to be firefighter- My post isnt going to be long but to the point. REMEMBER THIS IS NOT A JOB ITS NOT A OCCUPATION ITS A CALLING! this is a brotherhood beyond any other. the guys i work with are family we go to church together, drink together. everything.

Now with that being said im a Rookie FF in Bradenton FL at SUNNY Anna maria Island. MAny of you probably vacation there haha i meet yall all the time. Im origianly from Cambridge ONT, moved here about 5 years ago. Testing is easier here but still difficult.

One thing Iv learnt though is STAY POSITIVE, like many other threads stated no Fd likes a bitcher, theres so many others that arnt. You'll be skipped like a fat kid in dodgeball.

GET INVOLVED- certs dont matter as much as who you are. Iv seen Idiots who can read a book and get A's like its no ones buisness. GO to your local depts you want to get on and get involved, hang out with the guys and get to know them. Let them get to know you. Im in a fairly small dept but have visited Cambirdge/Kitchener FD's all the time and just showing up a few time have made some great friends who would help me out in a second if i ever wanted to join there.

anywho ill leave it short and any questions, please dont be shy.

[EdmWagon]

Hey FLFireslayer,

I just had a few questions about how you went about joining a department in the states as a canadian citizen? I've always been interested in apply to a few American departments. Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated. If you could PM me when you get some time that would be great

[GodSpeed]

im a Rookie FF in Bradenton FL at SUNNY Anna maria Island.
You guys have some cool rigs. E1, C3 and C8...awesome.

[FLFireSlayer]

preciate it all our rigs are pierce made here in bradenton you can see them at WMFR.org got some nice ones

[thu062012]

Hi,

Thanks very much for this comment. It help me to think about my ideals.

Tks again and pls keep posting.

[thu062012]

If you want to get more materials that related to this topic, you can visit: interviewquestionsandanswers.biz/firefighter-chief-interview-questions/


Best regards.

[AussieDave]

Hi

Just wondering how hard is it for an international to apply for a position in Canada.

I am in the process of moving to Canada to get married to my girlfriend but wont happen for a couple of months.

I have been a firefighter for over 10 years, starting a s a volunteer then leading to fulltime with the NSW firies.

I was qualified in BA, Heavy Rescue, Vertical Rescue, Confined spaces Rescue and swift water rescue as well as Urban search and rescue along with all basic fire fighting quals.

So if anyone can help with info that would be great.

thanks.

David

[sgiambosnch]

What restrictions are ther for an International recruit

Hi David,

I am not really a professional on this because I am trying to get hired too. I would imagine that with your background you would do well in cities that do not require the Pre-Service firefighting program (ie Hamilton, Toronto). Depends were you want to live. Some departments may change their policies in the future so you have to keep checking up on the requirements for that city. (This is Ontario by the way not sure where you are moving too.)

If you want to apply everywhere you would have to research which courses you took that would transfer over into the courses that are offered at the colleges (Cambrian, Conestoga, Georgian... just a few of them). They probably would let you take the ones you are missing. I know we had a guy come from the program in Texas but had to get a couple other courses done before he could apply to Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo and Guelph for example.

You would obviously have to pass any of the department's tests and go through the interview process. So I would suggest to you if you do not want to take the college program I would research all the cities that don't require it and apply to those departments. You do have a solid background and if you do get to the interview I am sure they will look at you as a potential candidate.

Now in terms of the whole Canadian Resident I am not too sure how that works. Maybe you would have to contact HR and find out what the requirements are for that.

Hope that helps.

Good luck.

[JCFire]

Sorry for the multiple posts! I've been trying to get in touch with the Firehall.com advertising contact multiple times over the past couple of weeks and have yet to hear back! So in the meantime, I'm resorting to these posts!!

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Our workout is currently available for purchase via a 75 page eBook that contains 6 months of workouts to get you up to snuff - that's an incredible value!

We're both firefighters today after spending years on firehall.com doing exactly what most of you are doing today. Work hard and it's going to work out for you like it did for us. With this workout, you'll be entering drill school with a step above everyone else.

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