Becoming A Firefighter
or Officer-----The Complete Guide to Your Badge!
Fire "Captain Bob"
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Becoming A Firefighter
or Officer-----The Complete Guide to Your Badge! Fire "Captain Bob"
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Get an Immediate Edge and Bonus when you sign up for our Free Newsletter here FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get A Badge Store/Shop Got A Question? Call or e-mail us here LA City Fire Now Testing Monthly Here! Los Angeles County Fire Testing FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get A Badge There is a wealth of information in past issues of our newsletter here FREE 10 day test drive of inside secrets. Learn more here Five Nuggets for successful Oral boards 30 sample oral board questions Check out how candidates have improved their position in gaining a badge. What changed? Rob’s corner: Wisdom and insight Links to other firefighter web sites Coyright 1998 - 2008
"Getting the job of your dreams is like winning the lottery!"
"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge. Nothing!"
Anything less and you're still the bridesmaid.
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Firefighters Leave FireZine easily here: factors are favorable do nothing." —William Feather, (1888-1981), Author ========================================== For Back Issues of FireZine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
========================================== Question: What is a good CPAT time? The last test I took the proctor said that your time could factor into who was selected for interviews. CB Reply: It’s not uncommon for some agencies to have “scouts” to watch for those at their CPAT who are struggling at the finish line where a photo finish was needed and those who breeze through. It would be hard pressed for an agency to turn someone down who had a passing time in this “pass/fail” event but you don’t always know what’s going on behind the scenes. Just because you passed the physical agility doesn’t mean you are ready for the fire academy or you will be a good firefighter. Whether you agree or not, the CPAT or other physical agility is just a base line. Departments know this. The agility is certainly another part of the interview process. It can be hard getting this job. It can become difficult keeping it! Often, candidates don’t realize that it’s not just strength in the physical agility. The “Nugget “ is technique, momentum and grip. I witnessed a 5’ 1” fire lad who was 119 pounds blow through the CPAT leaving the staff shaking their heads. On game day, you need to pass the agility the first time out in order to move onto the next step in the hiring process to gain your badge. The key is to be prepared before you show up!” The secret to passing the agility is to be in shape with a high cardiovascular fitness level and to know the proper techniques to make the cut. The best hands on program I’ve seen to assist candidates to get ready for the CPAT is the Fire it Up Agility from Dr. Jen Milus. Candidates who have utilized this program have been not only able to pass but to lower their times, keep in shape injury free through the academy, probation and on into their career. You can find out more here: http://www.eatstress.com/agility2.htm More: I had the chance to get the cooks tour of the new CPAT Testing Center in Dublin, CA, with director Kevin White. Impressive. Now candidates in Northern California don’t have to drive all the way to Southern California to get certified. You can find more on their web site here: http://www.eatstress.com/CPATTesting.htm
Captain Bob, I am writing today with hopes that you can explain a few things in relation to the polygraph examination. Last week I was subject to an oral board examination and a polygraph for fire department. I was very excited about my interview because I knew that I was going to nail it, which is exactly what I did. After completion of my interview I was moved onto fitting for turnout gear after which I was moved onto my "lie detector" test. The test started off with the polygraph explaining the test and assuring me that as long as I "tell the truth" I have nothing to worry about. I have no skeletons in the closet and have a completely clean background (no drugs, no crimes, etc.). I willingly submitted to the test. After the explanation of the test the polygraph handed me an approx. 8-page packet which contained a waiver, the ten questions to be asked on the polygraph test, and several "have you ever committed _____" questions. I filled out this packet of information and waited my turn to "test." After a few minutes the candidate who was being polygraphed before me came out and the polygraph evaluator led me into a private office to conduct the "test." Immediately the polygraph started to patronize me. He mocked my signature and commenced to interrogate me as to why I want to be a firefighter. I assumed at first that his curiosity was just trivial, but when I told him that I was trying to attain my dream job he started to mock this as well. After the hazing was completed he progressed to ask me pertinent questions that related to my background. I told him of the few things that I have done wrong and we commenced the polygraph "test." During this test he would not allow me to take a deep breath nor would he allow me to open my eyes. He told me "if you don't close your eyes I wont do this test" and "no more deep breaths or I wont continue the test." Additionally he changed the questions that were supposed to be asked on the "examination" to take new forms. I completed the test and was unhooked from the machine. We had a casual discussion of no significance and he escorted me from the room. As I exited the room he asked, "do you have a sense of humor?" I replied "yes." As I stepped into the hallway from which the room was accessed there was another candidate and several employees of the fire-rescue division standing outside "shooting the breeze." I shook hands with a few of the employees and candidates that I recognized and started to head for the exit. As I was walking away the polygraph said "hey Steve, stay off of the marijuana!" As previously mentioned I have NEVER consumed any illegal narcotic, including marijuana. I was so humiliated by his comment that I couldn't even turn around to make any sort of retort to his remarks. I exited the building and went home. I have spent years preparing for this opportunity and I am terrified that some jerk just ruined my chances of the career that I have dreamed about for years. You can learn more about the
polygraph in that section of the FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get a Badge
here:
Bottom line getting a badge is
all presentation skills! So you have found your dream department. You can’t wait to start. The only problem is they aren’t testing for two years and the competition is fierce. This is also everyone else’s dream department. What do you do? Well, along with the usual stuff learn all you can about the department, get all of you cert’s and education. There is something else you can do. Get you foot in the door. How do you do this you ask? There are lots of ways. A lot of departments, especially the bigger ones have a number of people employed in their support staff. My department has people that work in our supply division, radio techs, mail runners, maintenance, as well as a guy that works in the training division. We also have a few stations that have reserve firefighters. I would take any job I could find, no matter what the pay, even volunteer if I could swing it. Consider this as an investment in your future. But bear in mind that if you go down any of these paths you could hurt yourself as much as help. You are on stage and being evaluated each every day and we will talk about you. But think how nice this would be. I coached a guy for a big department that he was already working for. He worked in supply and maintenance. He picked up and delivered supplies as well as did minor repairs. So he is in his interview, two of the people know how he is, and they ask him about customer service. He says, “Well the Friday before Memorial day someone at station 15 put the wrong fuel in their smoke fan. They called at 4:30pm, I get off at 5:00pm. I went and picked it up, and on my own time I cleaned it out, put it back together, and drove a half an hour out of my way to take it back to them. I didn’t want them to go three days without their equipment. I’m planning on using that same customer service attitude that I have shown the firefighters, with the public, our customers, on every call I go on”. He got hired. So can you.
I had a similar situation with
my wife. I was trying to get promoted to captain over four years. I didn’t
score high enough on the first two written tests to be considered, but I still
put a lot of effort into the assessment center, so that I would be good at it
when I was in position later on. You can see the badge ceremony pictures here: http://www.eatstress.com/robbadge.htm I felt it was important to provide you with some feedback regarding your promotional materials. This was my first Fire Lieutenant promotional process with the Chesapeake Fire Department. I have been with the department for 11 years. The first obstacle was the test. I committed to study time every day and scored an 84, which was fifth highest. Once I knew I was in the top twenty, which are the only ones that continue in the process, I knew I needed an edge. Mike Staats from Norfolk Fire Rescue told me about your product, so I hopped on-line looked at the info and promptly purchased. After completing our promotional process, I came out #3! We have 8 projected retirements, which means I should have "the badge" by June or July! I just wanted to say thanks and to let you know I'll be calling on you in a couple of years when I go up for Captain Respectfully, David Long Hi, The final list came out Friday, I placed 4 th on the lt's list! The guy at # 3 only beat me because of his bachelors' degree which put him 1.84 ahead. Thanks for all the help. I 'm recommending you to all guys that have test coming up. Roy Dahl I began reading your emails as a Captain I believe a couple/three? years ago. I am happy to say I am now a Battalion Chief. Good work. BC Ekis For more on our promotional
program visit You showed me the way and for that I am forever in your debt. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your humble student, Steve. To Cpt Bob and Cpt Rob, Just writing to say thank you. About two months ago I ordered your gold package deal and started studying hard, and it paid off. Last week I was offered a job as a full time firefighter for Central Whidbey Island Fire and Rescue, back in my hometown of Coupeville Washington. I can’t say enough about your program and how much it helped me. I didn’t think I would get a job for a few more years at least because I'm only 22 and still in college, but because of your program I already have my dream job. Last week was my chief's interview and about two hours after the interview the chief called me and said I knocked his socks off with everything I said. In both the oral interview and the chiefs interview they didn't ask hardly any questions directly from your interview script, but they all related in some way it seemed like, and because of the study habits I picked up from your program such as talking into a tape recorder and making a personalized script, I was really confident throughout the whole process. Thanks again, and big thanks to Rob for the private coaching session, which really bumped up my confidence. Thank you so much. Respectfully, Ty I received your program a little over a year ago. I know that the information I learned from your program helped my oral interview scores improve drastically. I've tested everywhere imaginable in the last year and a half. In mid June I got the call from the department that was my number 1 choice. I've completed the background, medical, and psychological evaluations and am all set to start the academy in August. I wanted to thank you for all your help. Up until now I went to college a few years, left school and worked two tough manual labor jobs barely making ends meet. With my new position I'm going to more than triple my income and actually be able to start a family. It's still hard for me to believe. Thanks again!! Brent Just wanted to let you know the good news I had purchased your materials awhile back and although I have never gone through a coaching session I have become very familiar with your site and the different ways to answer oral board questions and can proudly say I was accepted as a cadet for the San Mateo Fire Dept after trying for the last three years your sight has helped me tremendously in preparing for the position and although not hired yet I feel this is my stepping stone in to my dream dept. Thanks again Captain Bob
Here is my story. I tried to get into the fire college 3 years ago. I did the CPAT, no problem, then I wrote the written exam, aced it, went to the interview and totally bombed it. I knew that I had a year to prepare and I stumbled onto your site and I found out why I had failed. The next year I was prepared and I was accepted into fire school. I knew my interview went well because when I was leaving the room, one of interviewer's was nodding his head to the other interviewer. I closed the door, pumped my fist in the air and said quietly "I'm going to be a firefighter". It was a long 9 months but I worked hard and I got my certificate. At about 7 months into the program, my fiancé ordered your gold package for me. We both knew that I would have an interview with a department pretty soon after my graduation. I was really busy in school at the end and I did not have time to work on my interview preparation, but in the past 3 years I have gone over questions and answers in my head from time to time. So I knew what most of my answers were, I just had to put it all together. When I graduated, there was a posting for my dream department and I put my application in. I had two weeks to prepare and feel very solid with my interview. Oh, did I mention I am working full time as a labourer and preparing a wedding with a guest list of 500 people in a couple of months? I spent about 50 hours preparing in 2 weeks and then the big day came. 30 applicants 4 jobs. I got the call on my birthday for a job offer( the best birthday present ever). If it was not for your program, I would never be in this position. Thank you so much. John PS Now I don't have an excuse for helping out more with the wedding. Hi Capt. Bob,
I have just received word from a department and I scored a 91.50 on my Oral exam! I am #26 on the list.
This is after I scored a 66 just a month ago on last oral board! Your advice and knowledge have been invaluable, and if there are any doubters out there about whether you know your stuff, let me be an example. I remember hearing you say that you can help improve someone’s score on the Oral Board exams by 15 points, well; you helped me improve by a whopping 25 points in only a month’s time! Thank you VERY much for sharing your knowledge of this process!
More badges here: http://www.eatstress.com/badgesnew.htm
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It ain't over till it's over.
This is like deja vu all over again.
You better cut the pizza in four pieces because I'm not hungry enough to eat six.
When you come to a fork in the road, take it.
The future ain't what it used to be.
A nickel ain't worth a dime anymore.
It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.
I knew I was going to take the wrong train, so I left early.
Baseball is ninety percent mental. The other half is physical.
Nobody goes there anymore because it's too crowded.
I don't know (if they were men or women fans running naked across the field). They had bags over their heads.
You've got to be very careful if you don't know where you are going because you might not get there.
I don't want to make the wrong mistake.
If people don't want to come out to the ballpark, how are you going to stop them?
In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is.
Interviewer - "Why, you're a fatalist !" - Yogi Berra - "You mean I save postage stamps? Not me."
Little League baseball is a very good thing because it keeps the parents off the streets.
Mrs. Lindsay - "You certainly look cool." - Yogi Berra - "Thanks, you don't look so hot yourself." I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did. " That ain't the way to spell my name."--After he got a check that read 'Pay to bearer'.
How can you hit and think at the same time?
You can observe a lot just by watchin'
Always go to other people's funerals; otherwise, they won't go to yours.
Never answer an anonymous letter.
We made too many wrong mistakes.
When asked what time it is: "Do you mean now?"
For a spring training drill, Yogi instructed his players to: "Pair off in threes."
Reporter: "What would you do if you found a million dollars?" Yogi: "If the guy was poor, I'd give it back."
I usually take a two hour nap from one to four.
You can observe a lot just by watching.
You give 100% in the first half of the game, and if that isn't enough, in the second half you give what's left.
I never said most of the things I said.
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