#becomeafirefighter

Your Polygraph is Inconclusive

2022-03-02T23:01:15+00:00

Your Polygraph is Inconclusive Part of the firefighter hiring process may or may not include a polygraph test. Do not be surprised if your day with the polygraph examiner comes sooner rather than later. Here is what the poly looked like for Bill. There were six pages of questions. These questions were read out loud by him before he was hooked up to the polygraph. When Bill was hooked up, only ten questions were asked to him. Each question was asked 3x in a different way and in a different order. Confusing right? Well, that is the point. For Bill, everything [...]

Your Polygraph is Inconclusive2022-03-02T23:01:15+00:00

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us?

2022-03-02T20:23:53+00:00

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us? Being prepared for the firefighter hiring process before you show up will put you in a better position to get that badge. You do not want to be caught flat-footed and wondering what happened when the career you have been pursuing evaporates before your eyes. Are you hearing me? Let me tell you about SCOTT. The first time I had contact with him was 45 minutes after he got the call that he failed his poly. He was devastated. I asked him how he had prepared for his polygraph. He said he used the free [...]

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us?2022-03-02T20:23:53+00:00

Know the Formula!

2022-02-16T20:59:02+00:00

Know the Formula! If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times, after 40 years in Fire Service, we know a thing or two. Some things have changed in fire service, but not the basics. What I mean is that the written and physical ability tests are still pass/fail while the ORAL BOARD carries all the weight of getting you that badge.  After sitting on more than 100 Oral Boards, I have seen quite a few things. I have seen awesome candidates with great credentials. Yet, there is something missing. These candidates couldn’t present what I [...]

Know the Formula!2022-02-16T20:59:02+00:00

It’s Finally Here!

2021-11-15T17:28:04+00:00

It’s Finally Here! Well, it's finally here. Your day has come. Congratulations! And, welcome, Brother. There were ups, downs, twists, and turns. No matter what happened and however long it took, you stuck with it. Persistence is key. You now have your badge. Let's back up and talk about the road traveled to get here. Sharing your experience could help others get the badge, too. Don't be too big for your britches. Share what happened along the way. Be open with recruits who may be so green behind the ears that a bit of encouragement could change his path. Yes. [...]

It’s Finally Here!2021-11-15T17:28:04+00:00

There is No Need to Create Trails!

2022-02-16T21:18:56+00:00

There is No Need to Create Trails! In all my years in Fire Service, one thing stands out and shocks me again and again. I cannot believe what many candidates will freely and willingly reveal! Let me explain: Often, candidates call me after an oral board, background check, or psychological interview. They are concerned by some information they have revealed. Usually, this is related to something from their past. Did you hear that correctly – I SAID SOMETHING FROM THEIR PAST. My first question is, who besides you knows the ins and outs of this past event. Whom could they [...]

There is No Need to Create Trails!2022-02-16T21:18:56+00:00

Crossing the Bridges

2022-02-16T21:20:34+00:00

Crossing the Bridges Part of the work we do in preparing recruits for the firefighter testing process involves fielding phone calls. We get many, many phone calls. Some of these calls are from folks who want help with the Oral portion of a test. First, I ask the date of the Oral. The usual response is that the Oral has not been scheduled yet. They have just put in the application. For those of us training others, having more time to help our trainees is a good thing. We’ve been trying to get people to reach out to eatstress.com while [...]

Crossing the Bridges2022-02-16T21:20:34+00:00

Digging In: Your Background Check

2021-05-24T20:56:55+00:00

Digging In: Your Background Check After 40 plus years in Fire Service, we have seen a thing or two. We have been asked some great questions. This is always the case when it comes to the background check. Here are a few: What exactly happens during a background investigation? What kind of information does the background investigation dig up? Who do they contact and how? Is it likely they will contact the references I give them? Do they contact family members or friends? Do they try to get the phone numbers of people through them? Here is what we know. [...]

Digging In: Your Background Check2021-05-24T20:56:55+00:00

Navigating the Background Appeal

2021-05-24T21:18:54+00:00

Navigating the Background Appeal Even after working with firefighter candidates, we usually hear from them. From time to time, a candidate will call or email when things are good, and when things are not. We are happy to help. Read what situation our friend, John D., ran across. Dear Captain Rob, Once again, I need some advice. About 10 years ago, I got in trouble for having a fake ID. The result was a gross misdemeanor. Because of this, I was recently removed from a hiring process in Washington State. I received a letter from the department that stated I [...]

Navigating the Background Appeal2021-05-24T21:18:54+00:00

When the Wheels Come Off the Wagon!

2021-05-24T21:23:40+00:00

When the Wheels Come Off the Wagon! The firefighter hiring process includes a Psych Test with an evaluation by a psychologist. When the evaluation goes wrong, the firefighter candidate is eliminated from the hiring process. As you can imagine, the wheels start coming off the wagon. Here is how it goes down. Before the interview, the psychologist will often have you take a separate personality test, fill out a personal family history, a biography, and additional information forms. The biggest mistake firefighter candidates make during the psychological evaluation is thinking there is patient/doctor confidentiality. There isn't. The Psych Evaluator is [...]

When the Wheels Come Off the Wagon!2021-05-24T21:23:40+00:00

Pass the Psych Test the First Time Out!

2021-05-24T21:26:59+00:00

Pass the Psych Test the First Time Out! You want to be a firefighter. You have jumped through all the flaming hoops and made it through the background check. Then, you are offered the job pending the medical, which includes a psychological test. You take the test, no problem. Right? Wrong! All of a sudden, the phone stops ringing. Let me tell you about my experience with Bill - a firefighter/medic candidate. Bill had been testing for five years before he received his first job offer. Sadly, Bill failed the Psych Test. I received a phone call from Bill asking [...]

Pass the Psych Test the First Time Out!2021-05-24T21:26:59+00:00

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Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:44:54+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.  
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:47:33+00:00
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out what the heck I was doing wrong… with Captain Bob’s program and coaching, I was shocked to see I had ranked number one and got my badge.”  
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:51:46+00:00
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there that don’t believe this, try passing and ranking #1 on orals with a stuttering problem…I did.” – Dave, FF/PM  
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:01:21+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:02:45+00:00
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out of a possible 120 pts, I scored 119.87 pts! I couldn’t believe it! … Just wanted to say THANK YOU!” – Armando  
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Becoming a Firefighter

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