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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?
Estimated reading time 2-5 minutes for any segment!
May 2006
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In This Issue
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New feature: Who’s Testing
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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Who’s Testing:
Oakland: Rumor is Oakland will start handing out applications at the
end of May to be returned early June. Keep a watch on the Oakland web
site:
http://www.oaklandnet.com
Columbus Ohio Firefighter Examination – Over 100 firefighters to be
hired! Applications will be accepted from April 24 through May 12 by
the following methods:
Online at
http://www.csc.columbus.gov/Jobs/job_posting_i.asp?id=6127
More on how to prepare for the Columbus test including a seminar at
www.fireprep.com
http://www.fireprep.com/columbus__ohio_firefighter_sem.html
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1. Quick Presentation Skills Tip
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Air Time
In the 20 plus minutes of an average oral board there will be 5-6
questions. You’re looking for a seamless, no surprises interview. You
have to decide how much “Air Time” you will give to each answer that
will get you the top score on that question, satisfy the panel members
and cause the panel to move onto the next question.
On the question “What sparked your interest or why do you want to be a
firefighter” too many candidates dwell on younger years when a car hit
them or the fire department responded to their home for a loved one or a
fire. Using too much airtime with a detailed story of being hit by a
car where you remember the under carriage of the car and details of
every firefighter might not create the desired affect. Sure mention the
incident but limit the airtime by telling the story, making the point,
and moving on.
Where you really want to use the airtime is where there was a point in
your pursuit during a class, ride along or a personal life experience
where your mind went click; that’s it. This is what I want to do in
life. My life is not going to be the same until I get that badge.
When did this happen? That’s your story that your can marry off with
you other information.
One recent candidates home was almost lost by fire when he was eleven.
He was a volunteer working with senior volunteers who had responded when
his home caught fire when he was age eleven (this is his early years
story).
His pager went off for a structure fire. He was on the first rig of
five engines to respond with his captain. Engulfed in fire on their
arrival he was ordered to advance a line. His captain joined him on the
line and asked if he was ready. Oh, yea, he was ready!!!!!! Other
units arrived as they made the initial attack. Soon after in this rural
area a chopper dropped a load of water on the crew. It was great. How
did you feel after the knock down? I was stoked!!!!!
Here’s another:
Hi Captain Bob, I was hoping you could lend me your wisdom in trying to
determine my "signature story" as to, “Why I want to be a firefighter”?
I have a couple and I am trying to decide which would be better and more
appropriate.
My first option is:
Early one Saturday morning while I was watching television with my
sister when I was about ten years old, there was frantic knock on the
door. I opened the door to a woman screaming that our apartment building
was on fire. I immediately woke up my parents, grabbed my sister and
went outside. One of the apartments near ours was fully involved. I
remember being scared that our apartment would catch fire as well. I
remember the firefighters showing up and I remember how without a
moment's hesitation they entered the building and the window that only
moments earlier had fire pouring from it now only had occasional puffs
of steam. I remember how happy all the evacuated tenants became and how
relieved I felt. I wanted to be able to do that same thing for people.
My second is:
Years later while I was a senior in high school I joined a local
volunteer fire department. I was already accepted to college for
something other than firefighting. I had only been with the department
for two months and on one cold December day while driving in my car my
pager went off. It was a reported structure fire, my first one. I
remember pulling up to the scene and seeing the black smoke rolling
across the rode. There were two separate houses connected by a carport
that was fully involved. As I stepped out of my car and opened my trunk
I quickly looked around and realized I was the only person there. I
quickly put on my gear and moments later the first engine arrived on
scene. I quickly put on an SCBA when I captain who was driving the
engine shouted at me to "HURRY UP AND PULL A LINE." As I was deploying
the first attack line, my firefighting instructor joined me and assumed
position at the nozzle. We both knelt down and he turned around and
asked me if I was ready. I nodded "yes" and we advanced into the
carport. I remember the heat and my training officer shouting at me
through his face piece, he was telling me which ways to move the hose
line and I was doing my best to keep up. After the flames were knocked
down and overhaul was completed, I walked to the rehab area where my
training officer now stood. He gave me a hi-five and said, "That's what
it's all about, and we saved both of those houses."
I immediately realized what we had accomplished and I couldn't believe
how good I felt. I remembered being a child and wanting to have this
opportunity. In those few moments, I truly realized that this is what I
wanted to do for the rest of my life. Justin
Justin: Who else can tell the story? Use both!!!!!!!!!!!!! The second
story caps off the first to deliver an awesome personal life experience
story.
You have stories too! Even if they’re not fire related. Here’s a
perfect example:
CPT Bob
I Got The Badge First Time Out
I just wanted to thank you for your program. Your insight and wisdom was
the deciding factor that got me the badge. I had just returned from a
tour in Iraq and I had decided it was time lay down some roots. I
didn’t want to drag my wife and three children all over the world but I
still wanted to serve my community. I have absolutely no fire or EMS
background but this is something I had wanted to do for a long time. I
got back in time to apply for a position with Sioux Falls Fire Rescue,
the town I grew up in. I was concerned that I was too old (I am 36)
and not qualified for the position. I bought your gold package a
followed it to the letter. Over 700 people tested for the position. I
aced both of my oral boards.
After all was said and done I was #2 on the list, first time out, I
couldn’t believe it. Without your program I would have been a clone, but
in turn I was able to use my life experiences and my personal stories to
set myself apart from the crowd. Last night I graduated from the
academy. The Chief handed me my badge and my wife pinned it on me. It
is hard to put into words the emotions running through me having my
entire family there to see me realize a dream. The look on my kids
faces when they saw me getting ready for my first day on the floor
pretty much said it all. Thank you again Firefighter Bob Small
CPT Robert D Small
While you’re here get a 10-day test drive of selected inside secrets how
to get a badge. Learn more here:
http://www.eatstress.com/testdriveintro.htm
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Check out http://www.eatstress.com/
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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Color Impaired Updated. You have to check out the video:
Hello Captain Bob,
I just wanted to drop this web site by; it is in regards to color
vision. I was recently disqualified from the San Diego fire academy for
failing my medical Exam. I failed because I was unable to pass the
color vision tests they gave me. I appealed the disqualification and
did many hours of research on color deficiency and in my research I came
across like the colormax lens. Contact lens called Chromagen lens that
are FDA approved. I contacted an ophthalmologist that is proved on
there web site and was able to get a prescription to correct my color
vision. I was able to pass 100% both color vision tests the ishihara
and Farnsworth. I was able to retest with the city and passed the color
vision part of the medical exam. The total cost for the Doctors visit
and prescription was appox. $600.00. If this can help any one else with
color deficiency I would highly recommend it.
Web Site:
http://www.chromagen-international.com/chromagen/index2_ingles.htm
Jeremy
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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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Polygraph and Voice Stress Analyzer (VSA)
Is there a polygraph or Voice Stress Analyzer (VSA) in your future?
ABC’s Dateline did a special on the VSA. Here’s a segment from the
report:
'Nothing More Than a Prop'
"This device (VSA) is nothing more than a prop," said John Palmatier,
who earned a doctorate in psychology and who studied the machine for the
Michigan State Police Department, where he worked. He said his study
along with others found no scientific basis for Humble's claims, the
inventor of the VSA.
One evaluation critic of the VSA said, “The VSA has no better chance of
determining if someone is lying as hooking someone up to a sewing
machine.”
In an interview with the inventor of the VSA, Humble, it was revealed
that he has questionable credentials in this field, there are no
scientific research or studies that can validate if the VSA works, and
he has a phony degree in psychology hanging on his wall. This is the
machine that’s going to pass judgment on whether you get a badge or not.
"You could not accurately discriminate between truthful and deceptive
subjects using that device (VSA)," said Palmatier. As to whether the
device could be used as a scare tactic, Palmatier answered, "Oh,
exactly. Police officers have for years."
You can read the entire report here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/story?id=1786421&page=1
Bottom line you need to prepare for every step in the hiring process
before you get there including the polygraph and the VSA by going to
www.polygraph.com
There is much more on the Voice Stress Analyzer (VSA) here:
http://www.eatstress.com/voicestress.htm
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If someone asks you what you need to help you get a firefighter badge,
tell them you want our Gold Package with the companion “It’s Your Turn
in the Hot Seat” CD Series!!! Check it out here!:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
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While You’re here get a 10 day test drive of selected inside secrets how
to get a badge. Learn more here:
http://www.eatstress.com/testdriveintro.htm
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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Mistakes, they Happen
“Capt. Smith, I left my turn-out boots back at the station”. Imagine
the stress and fear that must have been going through this new recruits
mind when he had to tell me we had to go back to the station to get his
boots. It was one of his first few shifts in the companies and he
probably been having nightmares about something just like this
happening.
I told him not to worry about it, just don’t make things like that
a habit. I would have really been upset if we had gotten a fire and he
hadn’t told me he didn’t have them.
We all make mistakes, no matter how long we have been on the job.
With all of the stuff a new person has to learn, there are bound to be
more than a few. You can show a lot about yourself; as well as
establish the reputation you get, by how you handle these situations.
You don’t have to go find the chief and tell him, but as soon as
you realize something isn’t right, you should find an engineer, a senior
firefighter, or your captain and let them know. Use this as a learning
experience so it doesn’t happen in the future. I told this guy that I
had done the same thing, so I try and keep my boots where I cannot
forget them, usually between me and the door. They may be able to share
a secret they have found to help them in the area you had a problem in.
Different departments have different ways of handling people that
make mistakes, in mine you have to buy ice cream. But whatever the
penalty you have to face, it is better to tell than to be caught. I
have also found it’s a good thing to tell everybody you know that you
made a mistake and what happened. That way they may not make the same
mistake. More importantly the true story gets out. You would not
believe how a story can grow and change as it goes from mouth to ear and
station to station. I have been involved in situations and then heard
the story a week later in another part of the district, and I didn’t
even realize it was the same thing.
We know you are going to make mistakes as you are learning this
job. We expect it. But if your captain has to catch you instead of you
going to him, you will find yourself under a microscope, and nobody
wants that.
Where ever you might be stuck in the hiring process from the written or
video testing, physical agility CPAT, oral interview, psych interview,
background, polygraph, or medical, you can find new powerful information
on Captain Rob’s new web site here: www.myfireinterview.com
CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.myfireinerview.com
For more on entry level coaching visit
http://www.myfireinterview.com/private%20coaching.htm
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4. Promotional Level Skills Tip
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Here’s a simple example of a fire problem: You give an on scene size up
at a fire involving a residence with fire blowing out a bedroom window.
You order your engineer to hook up as you and your firefighter start
pulling lines. If you followed this sequence, you have just lost the
fire!
You went from size up directly into tactics. Most candidates start off
on the right foot with a size up of the fire. Then they make a fatal
mistake in going directly into tactics without a plan. They confuse
tactics with a plan. Once given the fire problem, focus all your
energies on developing a plan.
Without a plan, you are out of control. What was your plan on this fire
problem? By just taking a few more moments, you would have a plan.
When confronted, candidates that went immediately to tactics would
regroup and say, “My plan is to confine and extinguish the bedroom
fire.” O.K., but if you didn’t say it, you didn’t have a plan. Size
up, plan, and then tactics.
For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5. New Badges
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If you are really serious about earning your badge, you ought to
purchase Captain Bob‘s program. This program greatly assisted me in
earning the opportunity of Probationary Firefighter (I won't call myself
a firefighter until it is official, superstition I guess). Anyway, I was
at first skeptical, but the DVD, book and materials were extremely
helpful. Also, you can get personal coaching sessions if you wish.
Really if you think about it, it makes total sense to make such a small
investment that will pay off over and over again once you are hired.
Captain Bob was tremendously helpful throughout the hiring process and
will be able to answer all of your questions. He is a contributor to
firhouse.com as well. Good luck, and spend the few dollars, it was the
best investment I made and saved me years of testing and frustration!
Captain Bob has helped literally thousands earn the badge! Kevin
Capt.: I had my oral interview on Tuesday April 18th, 2006 and I got the
call
I had got the job on Friday April 21st, 2006. I only read what I had
found on your web site, seeing as i only found it on Sunday the 16th
and did not have time to purchase your product. Now i have interviewed
on three separate occasions for this same department that i had been a
part time member for 7 years only to be beat out in the interview
process by someone out side and by another with a year and a half on my
department. I was always told they has something i didn’t, but after my
last interview i was told that the others interview better. I knew that
I never interviewed well, but until after this last interview i had no
idea of how bad i was. My last interview was in November of 2005, and i
had 4 of the same 6 people on the interview board Tuesday as i did in
November 2005, and all of the said how much better i had interview and
I presented myself with a confidence they had not seen before. I kept
hearing how i nailed certain questions and how impressed they were. The
asst. city manager said to me she was floored and could not believe how
much better i had done. Our new assistant chief who had only been on
our department for 3 months told me i had interview exceptionally well
but could not believe the others talking about how much better i had
done. The public safety director said in my conditional offer meeting,
that i was truly sincere or i was the best smoke blower he had ever
seen in his 30 plus years of being a police officer, i assured him i
was sincere and this time i was prepared for my interview. They said
that this was the easiest decision as far as hiring someone they had
ever had, they said it was a slam-dunk decision. Now i wish i would
have know about this months ago, maybe this letter would have been sent
earlier. I go for my physical sometime the week of the 24-28th, and
then i will have my badge i have been waiting for. I can not begin the
express my most sincere thanks in your web site and can only imagine if
the free sample web site helped me this much, then what could have your
product done. Thanks, Jim
Guess what
we spoke before.. on a few occasions.. well I got accepted into the
academy!! stats may 8th.. El Paso County Sheriffs Dept.. here in
Colorado..
Hi Again Captian Bob,
Thank-you for your sound advise last week, I listened and didn't call
and jsut waited. The Chief called today and I GOT THE JOB. I start
academy on the 24 of April, I haven't been this excited about something
since the birth of my two children. Thank-you so much for all your help,
I have sought out just about every post you have made on fire careers,
and your gold package is the real deal. It's amazing how when I started
to use the tape recorder I finally got a conditional job offer. Up until
that point i would get to the Chief's interview and then just be put on
"the list."
Once again thank-you very much, please pass my thanks onto your son Rob
also, Zachery
Captain Bob,
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help. Your firefighting
guide was a valuable tool in learning and understanding every step of
the testing process. After just finishing the process and getting hired,
there isn't one thing I can think of in that guide that wasn't helpful.
What impressed me the most was the day I called to ask you a question.
I called, left a voicemail and within 15 minutes there you were, one the
phone!! And on top of that, everything you said would happen, did
happen.
Thank you again, Justin
More badges here:
http://eatstress.com/testbest.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
GOOD MORNING !!!
Fire-Rescue Memorandum - Office of the Fire Chief
To: All Riding Members
From: Chief of Operations
Subject: Proper Narrative Descriptions
It has come to our attention from several emergency
rooms that many EMS narratives have taken a
decidedly creative direction lately.
Effective immediately, all members are to refrain
from using slang and abbreviations to describe
patients, such as the following.
1. Cardiac patients should not be referred to with
MUH (messed up heart), PBS (pretty bad shape),
PCL (pre-code looking) or HIBGIA (had it before,
got it again).
2. Stroke patients are NOT "Charlie Carrots." Nor
are rescuers to use CCFCCP (Coo Coo for
Cocoa Puffs) to describe their mental state.
3. Trauma patients are not CATS (cut all to shit),
FDGB (fall down, go boom), TBC (total body crunch)
or "hamburger helper." Similarly, descriptions of a
car crash do not have to include phrases like
"negative vehicle to vehicle interface" or "terminal
deceleration syndrome."
4. HAZMAT teams are highly trained professionals,
not "glow worms."
5. Persons with altered mental states as a result of
drug use are not considered "pharmaceutically gifted."
6. Gunshot wounds to the head are not "trans-occipital
implants."
7. The homeless are not "urban outdoorsmen", nor is
endotracheal intubation referred to as a "PVC
Challenge".
8. And finally, do not refer to recently deceased persons
as being "paws up," "ART" (assuming room temperature),
"CC" (Cancel Christmas), "CTD" (circling the drain),
or "NLPR" (no long playing records).
I know you will all join me in respecting the cultural
diversity of our patients to include their medical
orientations in creating proper, narratives and log entries.
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7. Resource Websites for Candidates:
http://www.eatstress.com/hotlinks.htm
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For Back Issues of Fire-Zine
http://www.eatstress.com/firezinearchive.htm
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http://www.eatstress.com/firezine_signup.htm
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==> SHARE YOUR TIP or STORY. Send it to
captbob@eatstress.com
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Nothing counts til you have the badge . . . Absolutely Nothing!
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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.
Phone: 888-238-3959 local 925-846-3959 Fax: 925-846-9650
E-mail Mailto:captbob@eatstress.com
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