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Since 100% of your score in obtaining a firefighter badge is in the oral
board, what are you missing that's keeping you from gaining that badge?
Over 2,259 and counting have received their badges from this program!
Thousands more have been hired by using the free information from our
web site and having their questions answered by phone or e-mail.
Leave FireZine easily here:
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
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The proof is in the badge!
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Please forward or recommend this FireZine to anyone you
know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
that badge!
If you are receiving this issue as a forward, and want
your own subscription, visit
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
For Back Issues of FireZine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
=========================================
Please forward or recommend this FireZine to anyone you
know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
that badge!
If you are receiving this issue as a forward, and want
your own subscription, visit
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
For Back Issues of Fire-Zine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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In This Issue
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
2. Entry Level Skills Tip
3. Robs Corner
4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
(Entry level should read this too)
5. New Badges
6. Humor
7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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Violating a Direct Order
Question: I had an oral a few weeks ago in which I was thrown for a
loop. I was asked:
Your a rookie FF and your captain tells you to perform a task that you
know directly violates the departments policies and procedures, what do
you do?
I said...I would advise the Captain that his order violates SOP and see
if we can mitigate the situation in a way that is not against SOP. I
said...It is my job as a rookie to be familiar with the departments
SOP's, perhaps my captain was just testing me to see what I would do.
and they said, (OF COURSE) no it's not a test; he wants the task carried
out.
So I told the board....SOP's are in place for a reason and they need to
be strictly adhered to for safety and also for legal purposes. BUT, as
a FF, I am directly under the supervision of a Company officer, and if a
captain feels it is pertinent to break SOP to perform an operation, then
when I am given an order by my captain, it is my duty to carry out that
task, so I would carry out that order.
1 board member shook his head and said good, the other two looked at
each other with big eyes and said nothing. It was un-nerving.
Reply: This is a dilemma. Some departments want you to blindly follow
orders, yes even to the point of jumping off a cliff, and others want
you to draw the line at some point where you would remain an asset
instead of a liability that would place others in danger that would have
to come in after you.
In many situations the panel members aren’t from the department you’re
testing for. So, they might not know the department SOP’s. In this
scenario type question one panel member is usually asking you this
question. If you can create banter back and forth with this panel
member, as if they were the Captain who is giving you the order, you can
start building up valuable points.
You can start out by repeating the order to make sure you understood it.
The Captain will confirm that’s the order. Than you can banter back
and forth as you did above outlining your concern. Once you get to
point where he said, (OF COURSE) no it's not a test; he wants the task
carried out. Look directly at the panel member and ask, “As my captain
are you asking me to violate department policy?” If the answer comes
back yes, that’s what you will do.
Hey, in real live you might do something else. But the oral board is
fantasyland in many ways. Just go through the drill. You could add
that you don’t know what the Captains plan is or what additional
resources they have coming that could be in place before you advance a
line, perform a rescue or any other emergency situation.
A recent candidate got to the point where you were and he refused to
follow the order. Later in the interview a panel member gave him the
opportunity to revisit his decision. That should have been a clue they
wanted him to follow the order.
You wrote:
1 board member shook his head and said good, the other two looked at
each other with big eyes and said nothing. It was un-nerving.
You could be psyching yourself out when this happens. You can’t know
what the panel is thinking. Once you start trying, you will tank your
oral board score. Just give your best performance no matter what you
think the oral board is doing. Trying to interpret the expressions,
attitudes of the panel, what they are writing, etc., is a mental game. I
had several candidates contact me after their orals where I was on their
panel. They would tell me what they thought I was thinking or doing.
They were never right.
“The solution is there, you just haven’t seen it yet.”
More Oral Board tools here: http://eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
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LA City Testing Process inside information Here:
http://www.eatstress.com/la_city_test.htm
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Check out http://www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm and learn how entry
level and promotional candidates are improving their interview scores up
to 15 points and nailing that badge!
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Want Captain Bob to come speak to your group? See
http://www.eatstress.com/seminar.htm
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2. Entry Level Skills Tip
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It Happened!
Slow at first. You couldn’t see any signs, but there was a lot of
behind the scenes preparation going on even under harsh conditions.
Then, from a dormant stage to small buds, shoots, it seems like just
overnight, BAM! Like a horn or plenty, blossoms with brilliant colors of
the rainbow everywhere. Trees, flowers, daffodils, bulbs all along the
sides of roads and freeways. Birds singing. Spring is here! What a
visual relief.
It’s the same thing with oral boards. It just doesn’t happen overnight
if you want that badge.
You have to develop a plan (slow at first)
http://eatstress.com/stuck.htm
There has to be a lot of behind the scenes preparation.
http://eatstress.com/workboolette.htm
http://eatstress.com/recorder.htm
Going from being dormant to small buds to test the waters.
http://eatstress.com/planb.htm
Then BAM! You blossom with confidence presenting all the colors and hues
the oral board panel wants to see. Three interviews in a row with call
backs for chief’s interviews.
Looking back now it’s hard to believe what has taken place. But one
thing you do know is if you had you not sown those seeds of preparation
you would not have a different mindset that can transcend many fields to
reap the harvest.
This is how one Jon explained it:
Capt. Bob,
I’m thankful I literally stumbled across your web site and then had the
wherewithal to purchase it… against my nature believe me.
I ordered your information about a year ago as I had several City
positions I was applying for. In some cases they were hiring only one
out of several hundred. In that instance, I placed second (and know
exactly where I made my mistake… great rehearsal for the next time).
Your information is invaluable and crosses over to several, if not most
entry level civil service positions along with a little common sense.
Now I’m 40, and made it through to background investigation with
Pasadena’s PD.
A word of wisdom to the younger folks in the crowd; Keep your nose
clean, run from questionable behavior/situations. Try and never become
involved in a lawsuit if possible for whatever reason. Sage advice I
wish I had as a youngster. But I digress.
I gave your information to a friend to study for a supervisor position
with the city of Glendale, CA. While the questions he encountered were
a bit different, he was prepared to think properly. He got first and is
now a supervisor. Hey I got dinner out of it. He is now making an
extra $1000 a month.
A couple months ago I tested with the City of Burbank for a
Line-mechanic apprentice position. My results placed me a full 2 points
ahead of everyone else! (pause), (nugget/personal answer) and viola’!
I was sitting outside the oral room and could hear the candidate in
front of me… I was thinking… WHERE IS YOUR ENTHUSIASM MAN! So I walked
in (there were only two on this board), and I don’t think those two
emotionless interviewers came of the back wall until I left. I felt
confident in my answers and on point. No extra end-trails. Said what I
wanted and stopped.
After reading/studying/listening to your Gold Package Program, when the
pens were set on the table and they would sit back and cross their arms
and listen, it was like a turbo boost of energy for me. I knew I was
being different. Before having studied your information, when they
would put their pens down, I felt as though they were bored, as they
weren’t taking notes any longer. Just the opposite was true.
Jon G.
“If you expect the best, you are given some strange kind of power to
create conditions that produce the desired results.”
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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge,
tell them you want our new Gold Package!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/goldpackage.htm
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Bottom line getting a badge is all presentation skills!
Check out http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm for the FREE 101 Inside
Secrets How to Get a Badge!
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Ask Captain Bob any questions
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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The secret Formula to get a badge here:
http://www.eatstress.com/formula.htm
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3. Robs Corner
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Don’t Let Freezing Up Freeze You Out!
We've all had it happen in a job interview, high school book report,
talking to a girlfriends parents, you freeze up. It's like that dream
where you want to talk but your mouth won't work. But this isn't a
dream, it's real life.
There are two reasons this happens. Nerves of course are the main
reason, you aren't prepared or you've psyched yourself out. The other
reason is vapor lock, or analysis paralysis, you get to thinking and you
just can't reach a conclusion.
The cure for nerves is to be prepared; when you know you're ready you
can even get to the point where you look forward to the interviews. I
know guys that kept testing even after they got their dream job, not
because they wanted the job, but because they got to enjoy themselves.
Practicing with a tape recorder, mock interviews, working with me, and
speaking in front of others are the best way to get rid of the jitters.
If you can't tell your buddies why you want to be a firefighter, how can
you do it when it counts during the oral board?
Analysis paralysis is completely different. You start taking apart the
question like it's an onion, layer by layer. The oral board asks you a
question and they watch you shut down, go on a journey and leave them
behind. Far better for you to talk out your thought process than to just
sit there. You can ask them clarifying questions. After a while anything
is better than silence.
If you plan on saying, oh, I don't know the answer to a question; try to
get a few points out of it first. I know a guy who was asked what NFPA
stood for. Instead of saying I don't know, he looked them straight in
the eye and said, " Well, I could guess, but I'm not sure. But, I can
tell you after I walk out that door I'll find out, and I can guarantee I
will remember it for the rest of my life."
If you do mess up on a question, don't let it mess you up for the rest
of the interview. Everyone else my have made the same mistake, it's how
they overcome it that matters. I was asked to give an oral resume and I
was ready.
The only problem was I had a seven-minute presentation, and they allowed
five. I thought I'd just talk fast. It didn't work, I ran out of time
and they stopped me. It threw off my whole game plan. In front of the
same panel, I then had to give a class on the hazardous materials guide.
I knew it backward and forward. But I was off my game.
When I got the results from the assessment center, boy was I surprised.
I had gotten a 94% on the oral resume, and a 76% on the Hazmat book. I
was my own worst enemy. I psyched myself out. Don't let that happen to
you. If you mess up, just move on, take a breath, clear your head and
start over. Good Luck,
CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.eatstress.com
You can read more of Rob's wisdom by visiting
http://www.eatstress.com/robs_corner.htm
Captain Rob is Captain Bob's Son. He does all the entry level coaching
by phone nationwide. You can contact him direct with your questions or
set up a coaching appointment at 707-869-1330. or e-mail Rob at
nrtc@sonic.net
For more on entry level coaching visit
http://www.eatstress.com/private%20coaching.htm
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4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
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Tactical Fire Problem
Many agencies contract their promotional testing with outside companies.
The trend is to let you read the fire problems before you walk into the
room. As you’re called into the room they will show you visuals (not
necessarily using your departments simulator) of the A, B, C, and D
sides of the structure on fire.
Too many candidates plan their strategy on the last picture on the
screen, the D or fireside, and begin their attack. Later they discover
they made a critical mistake by starting their attack on the fireside of
the structure, instead of requesting another look at the A, B and C
sides again, picking the best side to plan and place their resources for
an initial attack.
Promotion Badges!
Captain Bob,
I have been reading your e-mails for some time. Last year, I ordered
the book and study material for promotions. A long story short, I took
all of your advice, even down to a brand new pair of underwear. I have
just received word that I am #8 on the captains list. The list is
expected (hopefully) to go to 15 or 20. I work in the City of Milwaukee
Fire Dept., which is about 1000 full paid members. This was my third
captains exam in seven years. One piece of information about MFD's
process is we only receive the final scores. We never get feedback or
any information on how or what we did throughout the process. So
whatever I did this time, it worked for me. Thank you again, and I will
spread the word about your site. Lt. Jim
Here’s a couple of Chief’s Badges!
A wise incident commander gathers resources and puts them to use where
they can do the most good.
When it comes to the promotion list for officers, positions on the
eligibility list are often determined by hundredths of a point. In order
to get as many of those hundredths of points as possible, gather your
resources and apply them accordingly. Captain Bob's promotional package
is a just one of the many resources available.
The assessment center exercises have many land mines that you don't want
to step on and lose valuable points. And, while assessment center
exercises are based on actual practice, assessment center exercise
scoring is not necessarily based on actual management practices. Captain
Bob's promotional package, and Captain Bob's knowledge of the
ins-and-outs can be a an excellent resource for you.
Tom Dominguez
Fire Chief
Coalinga State Hospital Fire Department
Bob & Rob,
Been reading your stuff for years, apparently it worked. The city
didn't even interview anybody else. Keep pushing people to be where they need to
be.
http://www.wekz.com/home/news.cfm?date=1/25/2005
You guys are the real deal. I couldn't believe you took the time to
call and congratulate me. This department really is the climax of my career. Not
a busy dept by any means, but just what I was looking for to finish my career.
We are a small P-O-C department with 4 engines, and a truck, 52 members and only
about 200 calls a year. It is the greatest place in the world to be Chief. We
work on a first name basis, and have a true two way
dialogue about department issues. This is my third department, and it
feels like this is where I "grew up". Not many people are lucky enough to have
the opportunity to lead two departments and make a difference. All of this is
because of the nuggets I picked up from you. Hey, guys THIS WORKS FOR PROMOTION
TOO! I would, and will wholeheartedly recommend your program to anyone who is
looking to advance to the upper echelon's of management.
Thanks again, and you will always be welcome at our house!
Daryl A. Rausch
Fire Chief
Monroe Fire Department
1110 Eighteenth Avenue
Monroe, WI 53566-1850
608-329-2575
Cell 608-558-2470
drausch@cityofmonroe.org
For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5. New Badges
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Dear Capt. Bob
I have been testing for fire departments in my area fir approx. 12 years
now. Last year I was walking though the station house where I worked on
an ambulance with the local paid fire department, I overheard a couple
of guys talking about this Capt Bob guy. Not paying much attention, I
figured they were talking about one of the officers from the fire house,
Until I heard one of them say, "Capt Bob helped me excel to # 3 on my
oral boards", well this certainly intrigued me and I started listening a
little closer, until I asked "who is this Capt Bob guy" To my amazement,
one of the new recruits told me all about your program, and even offered
to let me use your tapes and video.
Capt Bob, I am here to say thank you, I listened to your tapes
faithfully for about a month and a half, even on vacation with a bunch
of buddies of mine, and I’d sit by the pool headphones on, learning the
golden nuggets of oral boards. Then next test I took for the Town of
North Haven Connecticut, I was fortunate to place number 1 on the oral
board, that combined with a decent written score has brought me to my
new career as a probationary firefighter with the Town of North Haven.
For all those recruits out there looking for an added bonus, and
encouragement in taking test, well I am here to tell I am a true success
story. I went from averaging 80's to acing my 1st oral after Capt Bob.
Again, Capt Bob, Thank you, you truly helped me go for a great job to a
wonderful career.
Fraternally,
Jason Cusack
Probationary Firefighter
North Haven, Connecticut
CAPTION BOB AND ROB,
YOUR WEBSITE PROVIDED ME WITH ALL THE TOOLS I NEEDED TO GET THE BADGE ,
ALONG WITH YOUR NUGGETS AND OTHER TIPS. YESTERDAY I RECEIVED A
CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT FROM THE LITTLE ROCK FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME TESTING AND I RANKED 20 OUT OF 400 PEOPLE
APPLYING, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.
Korey
Hi Capt. Bob,
I just got the call Monday with the final offer of
employment. All I can say is it would not have happened without your
program. My dream job has finally come and I can't thank you enough. I
also wanted to thank you for the tip on the polygraph info. I actually
found a better site if anyone else asks you. It is
www.passapolygraph.com. It is a little cheaper and way better
understanding of the process. Again, thanks for everything. Jeff
I got the call!! Wow! What an awesome feeling.
I am very proud to say that I will be starting the Tower with Tacoma
Fire Department on March 14. My home town!! I could not be more
excited!!
I sincerely appreciate this forum and the members who care enough to
post their thoughts, advice and experiences. I am fairly new to the
"fire service career search, "about 2 years, and I feel very fortunate
that I was hired so early in my journey. I understand that many people
spend many years trying to achieve this goal, and I sincerely admire
them for not giving up. Well the journey is not over. I still have a
lot of hard work ahead of me.
Capt. Bob and Rob. I would not have gotten to this point without the
info you provide...Most of it free I might add... A very simple approach
that truly shortened my path to getting hired. Thank you! Brink
Captain Bob,
After 3 years of testing I was starting to think that I may never get
"the call." However last spring I had an oral board to prepare for and
whenever I sat in my car I was talking into the tape recorder using your
techniques. When I received the results I called HR because I did not
believe my score, 100%. Drill school starts February 18!
Thank you for all the advice!-JL
Here’s three more!
Captain Bob and Rob,
I wanted to say thank you for your services over the last year and
a half. I had a coaching session with Rob in November of 2003. In
January of 2004 I was offered a job. I was merely taking this interview
as practice, to be more experienced and more prepared for the next one.
I really didn't want to move myself or my family, but it was a job I
had worked at getting for years, a chance of a lifetime. I declined the
job knowing that with the skills I had gotten from Rob that I could get
my dream job. I was offered my dream job in January 2005. I start the
academy next week. Not only did I get the job, I recommended two of my
fellow candidates, my competition, to Rob and they are both going
through the academy with me. Thank you for your help, it is
appreciated, I never would of had the confidence to be where I am today
without your help.
Hey Captain Bob,
Thank you for all your help. I purchased and studied your audio and
video materials religiously prior to my interview with the Edgewood Fire
Department in the Seattle area. I ingrained my experiences and my
abilities into all of my answers. Because I learned to personalize my responses
in the oral board I went from #5 to #1 on the list and I got my badge.
I can't thank you enough for helping me in this process of nailing my
dream job.
Adam Lathrop
Pierce County Fire District #8, Edgewood Washington
More badges here: http://www.eatstress.com/badgesnew.htm
To see how candidates have improved their position in gaining a badge
visit http://www.eatstress.com/newpage152.htm
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Check out the current "Bonus Nugget" oral board tip
http://www.eatstress.com/bonusnugget.htm
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6. Humor
Subject: THE FOLLOWING ARE REAL STATEMENTS MADE DURING COURT CASES:
Judge: I know you, don't I? Defendant: Uh, yes. Judge: All right, tell
me, how do I know you? Defendant: Judge, do I have to tell you? Judge: Of
course, you might be obstructing justice not to tell me. Defendant:
Okay. I was your bookie.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------
>From a defendant representing himself . . . Defendant: Did you get a
good look at me when I allegedly stole your purse? Victim: Yes, I saw you
clearly. You are the one who stole my purse. Defendant: I should have shot you
while I had the chance.
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Judge: The charge here is theft of frozen chickens. Are you the
defendant?
Defendant: No, sir, I'm the guy who stole the chickens.
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Lawyer: How do you feel about defense attorneys? Juror: I think they
should all be drowned at birth. Lawyer: Well, then, you are obviously biased for
the prosecution. Juror: That's not true. I think prosecutors should be drowned
at birth, too.
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Judge: Is there any reason you could not serve as a juror in this case?
Juror: I don't want to be away from my job that long. Judge: Can't they
do without you at work? Juror: Yes, but I don't want them to know it.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Lawyer: Tell us about the fight. Witness: I didn't see no fight. Lawyer:
Well, tell us what you did see. Witness: I went to a dance at the Turner
house, and as the men swung around and changed partners, they would slap
each other, and one fellow hit harder than the other one liked, and so
the other one hit back and somebody pulled a knife and a rifle that had been
hidden under a bed, and the air was filled with yelling and smoke and bullets.
Lawyer: You, too were shot in the fracas? Witness: No sir, I
was shot midway between the fracas and the navel.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Defendant: Judge, I want you to appoint me another lawyer. Judge: And
why is that? Defendant: Because the Public Defender isn't interested in
my case.
Judge (to Public Defender): Do you have a comment on the defendant's
motion? Public Defender: I'm sorry, Your Honor. I wasn't listening.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------
Judge: Please identify yourself for the record. Defendant: Colonel
Ebenezer
Jackson. Judge: What does the 'Colonel' stand for? Defendant: Well, it's
kinda like the 'Honorable' in front of your name - not a thing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Judge: You are charged with habitual drunkenness. Have you anything to
say in your defense? Defendant: Habitual thirstiness?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Defendant (after being sentenced to 90 days in jail): Can I address the
court? Judge: Of course. Defendant: If I called you an s. o. b, what
would you do? Judge: I'd hold you in contempt and assess an additional five days
in jail. Defendant: What if I thought you were an s. o. b Judge: I can't do
anything about that. There's no law against thinking. Defendant: In that case, I
think you're an s. o. b
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7. Resource Websites for Candidates
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Perfect Firefighter Candidate. Job listing and a complete resource web
site with a community bulletin board.
http://www.firecareers.com
Don McNea Fire School, Inc. is the #1 Firefighter Preparatory Entrance
School in the Country. They have the inside information how to tackle
those psychological and personality questions on the written.
http://www.fireprep.com
Learn how entry level and promotional candidates are improving their
interview scores up to 15 points and nailing that badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage2.htm
FREE 101 Inside Secrets How to Get a Badge!
http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
Check out the specials for entry level and promotional testing:
http://www.eatstress.com/newpage6.htm
Polygraph---Don’t even think about going to polygraph without first
checking out www.polygraph.com
FIREHIRE, Entry-level firefighter examination process:
http://www.firehire.com
Firenuggets.com "The magazine dedicated to keeping firefighters safe"
http://www.firenuggets.com
Firemanjobs: firefighter employment job listings
http://www.firemanjobs.com
You can learn more about physical agility training from
www.firefightersworkout.com
B-Pad Assessment Devices. If you're an agency looking for a new
dimension to evaluate candidates, or a candidate wanting information on
how you can orientate your skills for this evaluation check out their
web site:
http://www.bpad.com
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ARTICLES FOR YOUR PUBLICATIONS
=============================================
I have many articles available for reprint in your
publication, newsletter, etc. You may use
articles written by me that you see in FireZine or
visit our web site @ http://www.eatstress.com/faq.htm
All you have to do is print the article in its entirety along
with the by line, the credits, and complete contact
information found at the bottom of the web site page. I would
appreciate a tear sheet or electronic copy too. Thanks
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For Back Issues of Fire-Zine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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THE SMALL PRINT
Please Recommend fireZine to anyone you
know that is interested in shortening the learning
curve to get a badge. Just press "Forward" on
your email program.
To subscribe or leave
http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
TIME TO SHARE. Please send your
ideas, questions, your success stories and when you
nail that badge to captbob@eatstress.com
==========================================
Nothing counts til you have the badge . . . Absolutely Nothing!
==========================================
Code 3 Publishing. Fire Captain Bob Smith, Speaker, Author, Publisher
Information Products on How to Get a Badge.
Web site: http://www.eatstress.com Over 300 pages of helpful
information.
5565 Black Ave. Pleasanton, CA 94566 (near San Francisco)
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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