#oralboard

Tell Your Unique Story

2023-05-08T23:49:25+00:00

Tell Your Unique Story Earning a firefighter’s badge is a goal! And, your success in a firefighter’s Oral interview is all about your presentation skills. Our many decades of experience tell us that a candidate will do well to weave personal experiences or stories into his or her answers. A candidate’s life experiences are unique. Personal stories can present a clear picture of who the candidate is and how they will or will not be a good fit in the department. Sound simple? It can be. We get it! It is not easy for firefighter candidates to relax and be [...]

Tell Your Unique Story2023-05-08T23:49:25+00:00

It’s All in the Presentation!!

2023-05-08T23:52:47+00:00

  It’s All in the Presentation!! When it comes right down to it, your presentation skills are everything! In a group situation like the ORAL, it is even more important. I say this because being able to put your best foot forward while in front of a group is one of the top fears among candidates. In my experience, I have witnessed many who tend to panic. Read this quote: "The toughest thing to do in making a speaking presentation, or an interview, is to be yourself on purpose." - Patricia Fripp, National Speakers Association Now, read it again: "The toughest [...]

It’s All in the Presentation!!2023-05-08T23:52:47+00:00

Is That Your Phone?

2023-03-07T02:06:40+00:00

Is That Your Phone? In many instances, access to a cell phone has made our lives easier. They provide conveniences to rather complicated situations. Being able to reach a loved one in difficult times, checking on your teenager who broke curfew,    and alerting the authorities to trouble are just a few of the many times we are glad to be connected. Cell phones offer comfort in worrisome times. In today’s world, having a cell phone by your side is a normal thing.      Cell phones are a part of each of our lives. When needed, I am grateful. But [...]

Is That Your Phone?2023-03-07T02:06:40+00:00

Who Are You Sending to the Oral Board?

2023-01-20T19:40:45+00:00

Who Are you Sending to the Oral Board? Picture this. You are sitting on the Firefighter’s Oral Board and candidate after candidate comes in, sits down, and sounds just like the person before. I am not kidding. Each candidate repeats the same things as if they memorized each other’s responses to our questions. As a participant in the Oral Board, there is no greater is disappointment. Here is what I mean… Imagine spending lots of time, money, and effort. You have gone to the same academy as some of your fellow applicants. You have even volunteered in the same department [...]

Who Are You Sending to the Oral Board?2023-01-20T19:40:45+00:00

You Must Come Out Swinging!

2023-05-08T23:17:58+00:00

You Must Come Out Swinging! If I have witnessed it once, I have witnessed it 100 times. Too many candidates get sucked into concentrating too much on the check-off list for their tactical without realizing it. In the process, they lose control of the fire and their score gets hammered. Q: What's your best tactic for rescuing or knocking down the fire? A: An aggressive attack on the fire! Yes, you want to cover all the bases to make sure boxes are checked off on the rating sheet. That said, isn’t the best tactic for putting out an aggressive fire [...]

You Must Come Out Swinging!2023-05-08T23:17:58+00:00

Unmasking the Oral Board Question

2022-11-22T21:36:31+00:00

Unmasking the Oral Board Question During my career as a firefighter and Fire Captain, I witnessed about everything imaginable in Fire Service. Having been on more than a few Oral Boards, I believe there are about 30 oral board questions – give or take. That said, these questions can and will be disguised as hundreds of other questions. Buckle up. Be ready! Now is the time to prepare for the ride of your life. Here is the list of the 30+ Oral Board Questions 1. Tell us about yourself. 2. Why do you want to be a firefighter? When did [...]

Unmasking the Oral Board Question2022-11-22T21:36:31+00:00

Fantasy Land – For Real!

2022-11-22T21:35:11+00:00

Fantasy Land – For Real! If you want to become a firefighter, an Oral Board Interview is in your future. There is no way to get around it. So – know this: The Oral Board interview is like Fantasy Land. It is not like the real world. Your answers in the oral board might not be what you would do in real life. The board understands the rules and you can't fool them. Don't try to intellectualize and bring heavy logic to this process. If you do, someone who understands the rules in fantasy land better will get the badge. [...]

Fantasy Land – For Real!2022-11-22T21:35:11+00:00

If Mama Isn’t Happy

2022-10-06T20:51:34+00:00

If Mama Isn't Happy When you finally get that call and pack up for the academy, do not forget the ones who stood by and encouraged you along the way. Do not forget those who were your sounding board or stayed up with you at night trying to figure out how you could get a badge. Firefighters already have a higher divorce rate than many other occupations. You do not want the additional stress of being a rookie compounded by a divorce. Here is a rule to follow - If momma isn’t happy, nobody is happy. I receive calls regularly [...]

If Mama Isn’t Happy2022-10-06T20:51:34+00:00

Man In the Mirror

2022-09-27T22:48:22+00:00

Man in the Mirror We get it. You want to be a firefighter so badly, that you can taste it. It is all you have ever dreamed of. Right? Right! Here is the key. The best way to get hired and earn that badge is to put yourself in a position where the department can't go around you. Here is what I mean. If you have the attitude that the system is against you, you will give off that vibe. If you have the attitude that you are being passed over because of minority hiring, you will send that message. [...]

Man In the Mirror2022-09-27T22:48:22+00:00

A Little Bit About Coaching

2022-09-27T22:50:06+00:00

A Little Bit About Coaching Being a person of faith helps tremendously in this job. Personally, my faith seems to give me a moral compass, a code of honor that keeps us out of trouble and helps with decision-making. I think that it helps many with this. In my experience faith has helped people dig a little deeper when they have needed it the most. You see, as firefighters, we see a lot of things nobody wants to see. Daily, we go into very sad and difficult situations. Over the years, my fire department has lost more on duty than [...]

A Little Bit About Coaching2022-09-27T22:50:06+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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