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A guy goes in for his oral interview in Berkeley, Calif. He has
education, experience, and he's ready to knock 'em dead. They asked him to tell
them about a stressful situation he'd been in at work, and how he handled
it. Well this guy has been on a C.D.F. hele- attack hotshot crew. He tells
them about this grass fire he went to, where the capt's on scene were messing
everything up. So he steps in and tells these capt's, with 20 yrs experience,
how there messing everything up, and he saves the day.
One of the capt's on the board asks him if he didn't
think maybe the capt's were just doing it a different way. He responded that
they were just "city firefighters" and were just not smart at wild land
firefighting. The capt then looks him in the eye and says, "I'm the capt you
were talking to at that fire". The firefighter candidate then began a tap dance
and moonwalk, and died that slow death we all fear in an interview.
If you are planning on being a firefighter in the city, county, or state
in which you live, understand this: If you are in a related field, volunteer
firefighter, E.M.T., paramedic, nurse, seasonal forestry firefighter, We in the
fire service will know who you are and what you've done in your past. I've
heard stories and rumors for dept's 250 miles away. Firefighters are worse than
a bunch of old washwomen, when it comes to gossiping.
When people come out of our four-month training academy, they are
shocked to learn we know who they are and every mistake they made.
Be kind and curious, and understand that the reputation you get now will
follow you for you’re who career. When I was in the firefighter 1 academy in
college, I had a curly perm, shaved the sides of my head, and dyed it red. I
was then given the nickname of poodle. That was in another county almost 20
years ago. People still call poodle sometimes and they don't even know why, I
now have short straight hair.
Just some food for thought, I thought I'd share with you.
Rob is Captain Bob's Son.
He works for Contra Costa fire department. He does all the entry level coaching
by phone nationwide. You can contact him direct with your questions or set up a
coaching appointment @ 707-869-1330. or e-mail @
nrtc@sonic.net