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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 2,311 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.
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"Every memorable act in the history of the world is a triumph of
enthusiasm. Nothing great was ever achieved without it because it gives
any challenge or any occupation, no matter how frightening or difficult,
a new meaning. Without enthusiasm you are doomed to a life of mediocrity
but with it you can accomplish miracles."
—Og Mandino, 1923-1996, Speaker and Author
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know that wants to shorten the learning curve to get
that badge!
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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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Captain Bob,
I have a very serious problem that I have come across when interacting
with established firefighters, that I was hoping you might be able to
help with. I look up to you guys so much. I have a hard time separating
the man from the position. In fact, if I was honest, I would admit that
until I met my father/brother in-law, who are firemen, I would not have
believed I can do this job. So my question is, in an interview, how can
you speak to your interviewers as the people they are, not the heroes
you see them as? I hope it does not sound like I want to be a hero,
because I am the farthest from that possible. I just realize how
important the job is, and how it can give purpose to someone’s life, and
besides my family, that is what I am looking for. If you have any
suggestions/ comments please get back to me. Thank you so much for your
time,
This is common. This might help:
We went to a matinee play in San Francisco. There was a fraction of the
audience this theater could accommodate. You would have never known it
by what took place on stage. During intermission I spotted two of the
lead actors. I told them although the audience was sparse the cast
wasn’t. The energy and enthusiasm were fantastic, as if they were
playing to a packed house. These were professionals. They thanked me
for noticing.
Consider doing the same thing going into your oral boards. The door
opens and they call you in. The curtain is going up, it’s the bright
lights of Broadway. It’s show time. You have to grab your top hat,
cane and know matter what the audience (panel members) you have to give
it your best shot and step it OUT!
Not floundering trying to remember the lines for your part. Being
embarrassed by stage fright that causes you to forget your best stuff,
as your mouth goes dryer than the Sahara Desert. Being able to speak to
your interviewers as the people they are, not the heroes you see them
as? Visualizing the tones are dropping and on your going on your first
call. Everything you have worked for is on the line. You’re
auditioning for the part to be a firefighter. You have practiced and
rehearsed for this part haven’t you? You know all the lines for your
part don’t you?
The raters pick up on your energy and enthusiasm as we did at the play
and they’re saying in their minds, bravo, bravo, we have been waiting
for this all week. They’re starting to smile. Throwing you lines that
you adlib to enhance your performance. Nothing has stumped you. You
know you’re going to make the cut for the call back. You have never had
an interview like this. The hairs start standing up on the back of your
neck and the raters too. You walk off stage knowing you nailed it!
Haven’t had this feeling in your oral boards yet? Well, do you have a
script that you have been religiously practicing with a tape recorder?
It doesn’t surprise me. Ninety-nine percent of the candidates I ask
aren’t either. I asked a college program recently how many had been
practicing with a tape recorder daily? No hands. How about weekly
then? Nope. None. O.K. how about monthly? Finally three hands went up
out of a total of 40. Then, don’t be confused by why you’re not getting
high enough on the list to get a call back to play the part of a
firefighter. The mystery has been solved.
You might not have the oral board skills (the oral is still 100% of the
score to get hired) to convince the producers (raters) you have what is
takes. You see getting this part as a firefighter you have to convince
the raters you can do it before you get it.
New 40% Off Special Newsletter Offer on our best program here:
http://www.eatstress.com/special_offer.htm
I often get calls from moms, wife’s and girl friends looking for ways to
help their candidates. Let’s hear it for Moms!
I purchased your system for my son several months ago... although he
fought it at first, I gave him key pointers, gave him the book (which I
know he read) and he has been hired (YES, PRAISE GOD) by the City of
West Palm Beach - the place that he REALLY wanted to work... he will
graduated from paramedic school in December, and as long as he passes
his physical next week (which should not present a problem) he will
start in October! Thank you SO much for your Gold Package Program!!
Anne Perry (Mom)
For a look at the script to audition for the job of a firefighter job
check here:
http://www.eatstress.com/workboolette.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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Training Division On Line Fire Academy
If you’re a candidate who can’t take off time from work and or come up
with big bucks to get in a fire academy we believe
www.TrainingDivision.com
in Texas is worth your consideration.
The course is broken into two portions. The larger portion is done
online in a virtual classroom following strict NFPA Firefighter and
Firefighter II standards. Then the second portion two-week “Boot Camp.”
Boot camps will be scheduled as often as needed and in locations
geographical layout of enrolled students.
The course is approved by the State of Texas, an International Fire
Service Accredited (IFSAC) state. This accreditation is transferable to
other IFSAC accepted states. Check with your local jurisdiction for
details on their individual IFSAC process.
At the two-week boot camp, TrainingDivision.com provides housing, food,
materials and structural turn out gear.
How’s their success rate? Scores average 87 on state tests, far
exceeding state averages.
Cost $2500
Learn more here:
http://www.trainingdivision.com/index.htm
Lucky???? Consider this:
I finally started as a FF/PM with an excellent LA Co. dept. this week.
It has not sunk in yet that I am actually a paid city FF. I still feel
like a reserve or a ride along.
I wanted to thank Capt. Bob for the materials you have produced, and the
insight they have given.
Now that I am hired, I am not going to stand on my soapbox, but I will
say this.
I went to a Fire Academy, I completed my AA, I became a Seasonal FF, and
a Reserve. I did mock oral's every other week with any fire station I
could hook up with. I went to Paramedic school. I got Capt. Bob's Gold
package. All I did for 6 months was eat breath and sleep my oral
interview. I even stopped listening to music in my truck just to talk
to myself everywhere I went. After I got the Gold Package and really
applied the information, my oral interview skills became absolutely
outstanding. From then on every interview I went to, all I got was big
smiles and nods the whole time, and always knew I was going to get a
chiefs interview. I literally took every test in so. California for 6
months. I sometimes had 3 interviews a week. After about 4 months I
started to not only make it to every chief’s interview, but I started
getting within reach of being hired. On the 6 month I finally got a
call from 4 depts. for background checks. I took the first dept. to
finish my process, and turned the rest down.
The point is this. I finally realized that for every 50 guys that say
they want to be a FF only about 10% actually do what ever it takes to
make it happen. I literally was a madman for 2 years, and I made it
happen. Ask yourself, next time you say that you want to be a FF, if
you are currently taking every test that you can get to, you are going
to a mock oral at least 2x per month, and have you bought capt. bobs
package? A lot of people tell me getting hired is like winning the
lottery or that I just got lucky or that my number was finally up. I
say it was because I made it happen for myself and my family and did
what ever it took in my power and every waking moment to make it happen.
Again, thank you, Capt. bob for producing the tools necessary to truly
rise above and stand out, and for being a resource that when tapped
produces results for a life time career.
Reply: Thank you for your gracious words, sharing your journey and
letting us be part of your pursuit. You have inspired and motivated more
than you will ever know.
There are many roads to gaining a badge. You used your personal GPS to
fix on the destination, focus on a plan and achieved the goal.
Candidates reading this can add whatever portion of your formula to
piece together a plan that can gain them success too. All you need is
the desire and motivation to achieve. We hereby bestow upon you badge
number 2,307 from our program.
"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"
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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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New: It’s here. We’re excited to announce that now you can listen to
segments from our CD programs from your computer, iPod or MP3. More
here
http://www.eatstress.com/mp3entryintro.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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Mentors
You need to pick a mentor, or style and stick with it. In karate, in
the advanced levels, a student will pick a style that fits them, the
Crane, or Monkey are a few examples. You need to find your style and
find someone to help you bring that out. I have never met two people
that have the same delivery, or cadence in their presentations.
I have talked to a number of people that are sooooo confused. They have
been listening to people at the local fire academy, the other people
testing, people at fire stations they visit, and family members and they
have gotten so much conflicting info, they are vapor locked. There are
many different styles that could get you a job; there are many possible
directions you could take with a customer service question for example.
But you cannot take every direction.
I have had people answer questions very briefly and concisely, and they
got their point across and would have scored well. I have had other
people that went into great detail, and also would have scored well.
But if the first guy had tried to give the details, or the second and
tried to be too brief, it would not have worked for them, because it was
not them. You need to get your presentation to the level where you are
bringing yourself into the interview.
I was talking to a guy the other day that is going for a captain’s
promotion. I asked him what the job of a captain was, and he said, “I
see the role of the captain as being multi-facetted, that carry with it
a myriad of responsibilities and duties which are as follows”. This man
had never before in his life used the word “myriad”; he was trying to do
something that didn’t fit his personality and personal style. He
changed it to, “I have a lot of responsibilities and things to worry
about as captain and here are some of them”. Now it sounded like him
talking.
I think volunteer work is a great thing to do and important to mention
in your interview. Are you asking for credit for it, yes you are. Did
you do the volunteer work just to get credit for it? No, you did it out
of the goodness of your heart. If you are that kind of person, it shows
me you have one of the qualities we look for in a firefighter. That
giving spirit we have is important, and I don’t know any other way do
describe it in an interview than by telling them what you have done in
your past. If you help build homes for the poor, or feed the homeless
when you could be out doing your own thing, I think you disserve credit
for it. It helps show the people on the panel what kind of a person you
are.
Hey! Captain Rob has a new Web Site. Check it out here:
http://www.myfireinterview.com/
CAPTAIN ROB (Thank you)
NRTC@SONIC.NET
http://www.myfireinterview.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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I have some questions regarding the assessment center. I hope you can
give me ideas to answer these questions that can make the difference in
getting the badge.
1. It states to wear the" uniform of the day" to the oral. Would that be
class" A "(dress uniform) or class" B "(station wear)?
CB Reply: It depends on what's traditional for your department. Uniform
of the day usually means class B, but ask.
2. For the Incident Management/Technical exercise, candidates will be
given written information and possibly a graphical representation of an
incident if necessary. The information package will also include a
question asking the candidate to state how he/she will address the
incident presented in the scenario making sure to address the following
issues if they apply to the scenario:
a. Size - up
b. Your priorities
c. Strategy and tactic
d. Apparatus placement
e. Water supply
Would you express your answer as if you were communicating with a radio
dispatch center and the first arriving on scene (i.e. : Engine 1 to
dispatch, Engine 1 is on the scene 2 1/2 story wood frame residential
structure". and so on) or in a chronological order (“My size -up is a 2
1/2 story wood frame residential structure, My priorities would be life
safety, confinement and exposure protection" etc.)
CB: On many of these they might first show you all sides of the
building. Then you get to decide when to attack the fire. Make sure to
ask to see all sides again before you decide. Make sure you express a
plan first before going into tactics. It could be as simple as "I would
confine the fire to the apartment or origin." Then, they might show you
a picture and say you have five minutes. What would you do? Then
another picture further along in the fire where they will give you
another five minutes to tell them what you would do, etc.
3 .I don't know if this exam is going to be if front of a panel or not.
I do know that we will be recorded on a computer. If there is a panel is
it better to enter the room and sit down at the table or stand and give
your presentation?
CB: Most candidates will sit. If given the option and you're
comfortable standing it could change the dimension of the segment in
your favor.
4. In the scoring section for the tactical exercise, under # 2
Decision-Making / Planning and Organizing it states "Develops a
strategic plan that takes life safety, extinguishment, exposures
protection, and conservation concerns into consideration. Formulates
plans based on available resources and information." That is out of
order according to the books I have read. Life safety, confinement,
extinguishment is the order in John Normans book on tactics. What order
would you follow?
CB: See the fire first. Then make your decision on what you see and
department policy. Never forget the best rescue and control of the fire
is an aggressive attack on the fire. Too many candidates are overly
concerned about concentrating on getting boxes checked off on the rating
sheet for staging, rehab, search and rescue, salvage, Ric team, etc that
they lose control of the fire. In other words go put the fire out.
New Promotional Badges:
Captain Bob,
Thanks to your program, I am now a lieutenant in Colorado Springs. I
took my first promotional test and ranked high enough on a competitive
list to get promoted six months after testing. I surprised myself and my
colleagues, but not you. You had confidence in my talents and the
ability to polish my oral board skills enough to make up for my average
written test score.
I highly recommend your program to anyone regardless of what state they
work in or what type of oral board they are preparing for. In fact, I
even recommended your program to my niece who is preparing for an oral
board for medical school.
Thank you for your support, Kathleen
For more on our promotional program visit
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm
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5. New Badges
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These Bunches of Badges have some great stories that could point you in
the right direction !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brothers...
I am living proof here today that is possible to get on a FD that has
been deemed one of the impossible.
I just received the letter I've been waiting for. I report to the
academy Aug. 22nd to my dream job! While I have been a firefighter for
many years, this is the greatest thing to happen to me in my career as a
firefighter.
I had quite a bit of things stacked against me: I'm 33, I live over 300
miles away from where I want to be, and city employees have priority to
be appointed to the fire department. Ironically, this being my dream
job, it was the very first time I had the opportunity to test there. I
ranked high enough where I had a chance.
The entrance list expiration date was approaching. "Rumors" of one last
class before it is up. Then, the best Fathers Day gift ever! We were out
of town over that weekend, and we got home late that Sunday night. I was
the first to the mailbox. I pulled the mail out and this envelope fell
to the ground face down. I picked it up, flipped it over and saw the
return address. I was in shock and awe. I remember my wife saying, "I
suppose that’s 'THE letter’!" I just looked at her and smiled. Finally,
after jumping through all the hoops of chief's interviews, physicals,
and the hurry up and waiting my day has arrived.
I have many people on these threads to thank for that. Some, no longer
visit us here, but reading Capt. Bob's posts and even skimming thru his
website helped me with my biggest problem... The dreaded interviews!.
So...those of you who are looking to get in your dream job that people
say is "impossible" to get in....keep a clean life style, do everything
you can to get the minimum requirements, push harder to exceed those
requirements, and listen to the advice of EXPERIENCED people like Capt.
Bob.
A big thanks to StLRes2cue. I owe you more than a few cold ones. We have
never met face to face, but he has helped me keep my chin up and not to
get discouraged...."It is always the darkest right before the sunrise."
You said it Brother!
For the rest I failed to mention. I owe a great deal to all of you.
Thank you all.
fieldseng2, St Louis Fire
Friends: Just over 1 year ago I started my dream with the Casper WY fire
dept. Call me superstitious but I wanted to wait till I was off of
probation till I made this post.
For those of you who are just starting in the fire service believe me
you are getting info at the right place. There were many times when I
would get those "thanks but no thanks" letters and be extremely
frustrated. The hardest thing for many people to do is to ask for help.
I could have never gotten where I am now if I didn't ask.
Second I would like to thank Captain Bob. Somewhere along the line I
was given your tapes and they made a world of difference. Your
experience made me find the "nuggets" that separated me from 130 other
candidates. You are valuable resource to many of us young firefighters
trying to obtain our dream. If you are debating on buying Captain Bob's
material don't hesitate. You are only hurting yourself and when you
finally do buy them you will ask yourself "why didn't I buy these
sooner". I probably listened to those tapes over 20 times. They are
one more way to keep you on track with what is most important. Getting
that badge.
Finally I would just like to say to those waiting to get the job "keep
trying, never give up, and follow your dreams." Thanks again everyone.
Ben T.
Here are three badges for LA City?
Captain Bob,
Your advice worked. I earned my badge. Eight years of occasional
firefighter testing and I received my badge after obtaining your Gold
Package. All of the preparation and hard work paid off. Thank you for
helping me reach my full potential.
Snyder and Moraldo also received their badges; thanks to your program.
We start our Firefighter Academy August 15th. I can't wait. We will
keep in touch. Thanks again! Shawn
Capt Bob
My name is John; I spoke with you on the phone the other day about LA
City
Fire. Well I definitely owe you my gratitude for all the help you have
given me through e-mails and phone calls through this testing process.
But the best help that you have given me by far was making the "Gold
Package". Purchasing that program definitely gave me a leg up on the
competition. I was lost in the woods until listening to the CD and
reading the book.
If I had a question along the way in the process all I had to do was
refer to the CD or the book. I guess what got me to buy the program,
was statement I read on your web site somewhere. You said something to
the effect that, "Buying the program was an investment in a 25 to 30
year career". At first I was definitely hesitant in spending the money,
but after reading that it all made sense. I felt like I was prepared
for every step in the process. I was able to discover my nuggets that
were hidden in me. I had no idea that these were nuggets, it was just
life to me.
LA City Fire was my 1st Fire testing process ever. So for the
nonbelievers out that might call this a fluke or a coincident? Well I
also just got a letter two weeks informing me that I passed my initial
interview with Chula Vista Fire, and have a Battalion Chief's interview
in less than a month. Chula Vista was only 3rd test I have taken. The
2nd was LA County Fire, and I am in band 2 and have heard nothing from
them yet. So lets review, I started the testing process with LA City
Fire on January 8th. Well thanks again Capt. Bob
Sincerely, John
Captain Bob,
I just wanted to let you know that you can add another person to your
list of people who got "the call." After three years of trying to get
out of teaching/coaching, I finally got the call to start in less than
two weeks in Portland, Oregon. I am an older candidate (33 in two days)
and thought that I knew how to interview when I made it to the chiefs
oral after my first fire test three years ago. I thought that my
military background, degree from a great school, All-Army and
All-American wrestling accomplishments, and Master's work would make me
a shoo-in for the badge. I was ignorant. I was arrogant. I was dumb. I
almost got up and walked out!
When I compare my interview after your program there is an extreme
difference in quality and presentation. When I realized that my answers
were "clone" material, at best, and took your advice; I was able to
analyze the entire interview and know exactly what I needed to do for
the next time. Two years later, I rocked the whole process and gained a
spot in the first of five academies.
After my chief's oral, I knew that they wanted me and that it was only a
matter of when I would get the call. I tell everyone interested in the
fire service to get your program. Thank you for your invaluable service.
Brian
Captain Bob,
I got it!
I just wanted to tell you that I got the results of the medical exam and
I passed. I have the job! Only had one exclusion on the medical that may
require me to sign a waiver for the pension fund but that is no big
deal. I can't wait! I start Oct 3. Thank you for your encouragement and
your advice. I do appreciate it.
Chris
Capt. Bob-
Wanted to thank you! By using your tips on the web site to get through
several oral boards I finally got the "badge" and will begin work for
the City of Concord Fire Dept in 2 weeks. I feel the most valuable
information I got from your site was the "30 + oral board questions"
I've been applying for jobs non-stop for about 3 years now, and this
feels good! thanks again!
Brian
Captain Bob,
I just wanted to say thank you so very much for ALL of your help. After
I used your program, I started doing very well with the ENTIRE hiring
process. I was fortunate to place #13 at Rancho Cucamonga, receive a
100% on my oral at LA City, a firm job offer with a start date at
Torrance, and now have 3 more shifts with my Federal Fire Dept. until I
start with LA County on 09-02-05. Your coaching session and package were
extremely helpful. You were also very helpful each and every time I
called you. Thank you!!!
FINALLY.... I found out! And yes, I got the job. I'm transferring out
to Santa Rosa Fire Department to be a full-time firefighter/paramedic!
: ) I should be in Santa Rosa, California within the next two weeks.
It's scary, but exciting.
Sincerely,
Rick
In Feb. of 2002 I got hired on with a small town Fire Dept. in South
Texas. During the process of getting hired I had to do an oral board. I
decided to buy your Gold Package Program. Although the questions I was
asked during the oral were not the same, they were damn near right along
the same line. To make a long story short I got hired on and worked
there until Nov. 2003. I got hired on with the Houston Fire Dept. in
Dec. 2003. I am currently stationed at 67’s on the B shift. I just
wanted to thank you for helping me get that badge.
-John
You should be able to find many, many, answers/suggestions on
www.eatstress.com Captain Bob has helped thousands achieve their goal
I'm Badge # 2,306
Sorry for the delay. I finally got the word last week... offer!!!!!
Start the academy Sept. 6th. Thanks again for all the advice and
support.
Bryan
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
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JOB DESCRIPTIONS:
A programmer is someone who solves a problem you didn't
know you had in a way you don't understand.
A consultant is someone who takes the watch off your wrist
and tells you the time.
A banker is a fellow who lends you his umbrella when the
sun is shining and wants it back the minute it begins to
rain. (Mark Twain)
An economist is an expert who will know tomorrow why the
things he predicted yesterday didn't happen today.
A statistician is someone who is good with numbers but
lacks the personality to be an accountant.
An actuary is someone who brings a fake bomb on a plane,
because that decreases the chances that there will be
another bomb on the plane. (Laurence J. Peter)
A mathematician is a blind man in a dark room looking for
a black cat which isn't there. (Charles R. Darwin)
A topologist is a man who doesn't know the difference
between a coffee cup and a doughnut.
A lawyer is a person who writes a 10,000 word document and
calls it a "brief."
A psychologist is a man who watches everyone else when a
beautiful girl enters the room.
A professor is one who talks in someone else's sleep.
A schoolteacher is a disillusioned woman who used to think
she liked children.
A diplomat is someone who can tell you to go to hell in
such a way that you will look forward to the trip.
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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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To subscribe or leave
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!
==========================================
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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