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You Got Fired from a Department

Let's get real here! One of the most difficult hurdles to get over is being fired by another department. It's easier if you're a medic.

There has been an alarming rate of new firefighters fired in their academy and during probation. The main reasons are new hires are showing up for their academy without being in good enough physical shape. No, just because you passed the physical agility doesn't mean your physically ready for the academy. You see the physical agility standards over the past few years have been lowered so almost anyone can pass. Fire departments have had little control over this circus. But they know once they get the candidates in the academy they will require them to meet a level of service that the job requires.

Other's can't remember the manipulative skills for equipment and evolutions. Some seem to want to shoot their mouth off on how they were trained in another academy or department.

Last, too many paramedic firefighters are carrying their position of they're in charge of patient care no matter what. Understand if you have crew members who have been going on EMS calls for over twenty years, we have had to learn something. If your officer tells you something, you had better get quickly focused and ask him or her what they're seeing that you don't. You could be 100% right and they will show you the door.

The main thing to remember is don't bring up getting fired in the oral board unless they do. Too many candidates want to bring it up on their own trying to justify their position and try to do repair work. Big error. You will only be opening a can of worms than can't be closed.

If it is brought up or covered in your background, take responsibility for what you think happened (you may never really find out why) what you learned, and how it has helped you move forward in your career.

Absolutely nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!

"Captain Bob"

Ask "Captain Bob" Any Question

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Fire "Captain Bob" Smith has coached countless entry level and promotional candidates to get their badge. He is a retired 28-year Hayward, Ca. Captain, speaker/author of the audio/video program "Conquer the Job Interview," the book "Fire Up Your Communication Skills" ISBN 09657620-6-8 and a member of the prestigious National Speakers Association. You can book him as a speaker or get a copy of his books and tapes by calling toll free at 888-238-3959.

E-mail: captbob@verio.com  Web site: http://www.eatstress.com