FireEmploymentCanada.com - How to Become a Firefighter

The job of a firefighter is one of the most personally rewarding careers an individual can have. This is a profession of helping. How many jobs can you name where you can go to work and be of service to people continuously? Whether it is rescuing people from a burning building, caring for their medical needs, extinguishing fires in a home or in a large building, this profession is all about helping others.

Ninety-eight percent of firefighters look forward to each and every day of going to work. When you become a firefighter, you become part of a large united family. The firefighters you will work side by side with become as close to you as your own family members. The camaraderie, the helping of others, having pride in what you do and just an overall good feeling about yourself; there are not many jobs as rewarding as a firefighter.

Firefighting demands a high level of dedication and professionalism for those who choose it as a career, and must possess the courage and stamina to risk their lives for the sake of others. They must also study long hours and go through extensive periods of training to become effective and efficient.

The pursuit of becoming a firefighter can be a successful one, only if you truly want it. This is not a career choice that you sort of want or kind of want. You have to need it like needing oxygen. The competition is tough but the people who put in their heart, soul, and are willing to spend hours of preparation, are the ones who come out on top.

The process of becoming a firefighter involves taking a written, physical agility and psychological exams along with medical and background checks, and last but not least an oral interview.

Remember that the competition is very tough and you have to be able to show why you are the best candidate for the position. 300 persons competing for 1 position doesn't leave you with many margins for error. Think of the process of becoming a firefighter as “Survival of the Fittest” or best prepared.

There are many ways to that you can prepare yourself to become a firefighter. Remember that you want to be distinct in a positive way. You are truly competing against yourself, not the other candidates. The more you can prepare yourself, the better chance you stand at attaining the goal of becoming a firefighter.

Many students just want to get the bare minimum, which I feel is an EMT certificate, a firefighter 1 academy certificate, and maybe a certificate of achievement in Fire Technology. Many just finish the academy and don't bother to complete the remaining three or four classes for their certificate of achievement. All of those qualifications should not be your stopping point; they are actually your starting point!

Some fire departments require an EMT certification or a Paramedic license to take the test (bare minimum requirements). Some require one or both of those plus a Firefighter I academy or Firefighter I certificate. Some just require you to be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. So if everyone has the bare minimum requirements or a notch above the bare minimum, what is going to make you stand tall among them? What makes you unique compared to everyone else?

The following is a list of certificates that will help you compete in today's entry-level firefighter market:

Volunteer Experience – This is a great way to do something unique. Besides trying to become a volunteer firefighter, contact your local fire department and see if you can volunteer in other areas of their fire department such as in administration, fire prevention, hazmat, training, etc. Or try to have non-fire related volunteer experience to prove that you are "well-rounded" when it comes to serving your community. Many candidates don't realize the importance of a well-rounded background.

Bilingual Ability – If you don't presently speak a second language, immediately attempt to do so. Many departments give preference to bilingual candidates when hiring. For example some departments may require EMT, FF-1 and a fluency in a second language just to take the test!

Clean Driving Record – This includes no accidents and no traffic tickets. This is important because at some point you will be driving fire apparatus. If you have accidents and traffic tickets on your record, how are you going to prove you're going to be an excellent driver that the public and your crew demands and deserves.

Excellent Physical Fitness – If you don't have a physical fitness routine now, you need to get one! Pair up with a buddy or two and get a routine. Preferably try to get guidance from a professional on what to do and how to do it to obtain the maximum results. Weight lifting alone won't cut it! You need to have a combination of aerobic activities, cardiovascular activities, and muscular / strength-building activities. Don't forget your diet! Physical training now is critical to be ready for the Academy.

There is no guaranteed formula on becoming a firefighter. Above are only suggestions and opinions the help guide your way in achieving a career in the fire service. Don't think you have to get every one of those items to become a firefighter. Some get hired with very little or none of the requirements and some have almost all of the requirements.

If you cannot sell your qualifications or market yourself properly, you're not going to get the job! Just because you have it on paper or have done it in the past doesn't mean you can communicate effectively what you have done. That communication is done in the oral interview, on your application and/or on your resume, and how well you do on your written exam and by simply showing your face.

Drop into one of the fire stations that are in the area where you hope to work (not lunch time) and ask if you could tour the station and view the vehicles and apparatus. In most cases they will accommodate you and explain the different equipment and its uses. This is a good opportunity to get a feel for the environment in a station and an opportunity to ask some questions about the department.

Practice! Practice! Practice! Often the first step in a hiring competition is the aptitude (or written) test. The aptitude test is usually made up of: reading comprehension, math questions, problems and scenarios requiring mechanical aptitude. Reading comprehension is considered by many to be the most difficult aspect of an aptitude exam.

We have several exams for you to practice with on our website under Online Exams or choose one of the publications referred to on our Publications link.

If you get as far as the Oral Interview, you have obviously committed a great deal of time and resources to the process. Don’t let up now because this is the most crucial part of the process and many people just leave the outcome to chance. Candidates tend to think that because they have done well in the “real” firefighting aspects of the competition that the interview is somehow a rubber stamp for those with high marks on the aptitude test and physical. Not true! At this point in time everyone will be fairly equal in the eyes of the interview panel. The entire hiring committee is looking for the candidate that stands out at the interview because up to this point each candidate is excellent, the best of the best. You have got to interview well to be singled out for hire. In addition to writing out and committing to memory the answers to some basic interview questions, we suggest getting someone to help you with a mock interview. Speak out loud into a camcorder and really think through the information on body language. If you know you are weak in this area this could really enhance your chances enormously if you can work on your interview presentation. This type of role playing will also help you to understand how important your physical appearance is and what kind of demeanor you put across without even realizing it. Strive to put across the appearance of someone who has self confidence and has come well prepared – this is what the hiring panel is looking for.

It is important to mention another facet of the interview often overlooked by candidates and that is body language. Long after a meeting we are likely to have forgotten the exact words someone used but we may retain a vivid image of the person. Make that image a positive image.

Posture - Comfortably seated, relaxed breathing, no visible stiffness or movements. A relaxed posture indicates no major barriers to communication.

Arms - Uncrossed arms and hands open are signals of openness.

Eyes - Looking into the other person’s eyes, particularly when they are speaking, indicates interest in that person.

Nodding - When nods are used to punctuate key things the other person has said they signal agreement, interest and understanding.

Smile - It signals that you’re warm and personable.

Leaning closer - Reducing the distance between two people, particularly when the other person is speaking indicates interest is up and the barrier to communication is down.

Gestures - Talking with the hands, particularly with palms open, indicates involvement in the conversation and openness to the other person.

Negatives - Avoid stiffness, wrinkled brow, hands clasped, arms folded in front of you, hands on face, fidgeting, leaning back, speaking before another person is finished.

You should develop answers for all ten of the following common interview questions:

Why do you want to become a firefighter?
What kinds of skills do you possess that would contribute to the fire service?
Which of these skills are your greatest strengths? (If they ever ask you what your greatest weakness is, you should always answer you don’t have one OR if you had a weakness you overcame it by doing....)
The fire department is a paramilitary organization. As such, we have a number of policies and regulations that must be followed. Can you tell us what this statement means to you?
Describe a high pressure situation and explain how you handled it.
How many sick days have you had in the last year?
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment?
Do you have plans to continue your education?
Tell us the specific responsibilities you had in your last job.
Part of the job involves public speaking and public relations, conducting tours or giving lectures. Can you tell us how you feel about this and have you had any experience in this area?

At the end of the interview you may be asked if you have any questions for the panel. So you’re not caught off guard, here are some potential questions you could ask the hiring panel:

Some people come to an interview so nervous they can’t eat and just drink cup after cup of coffee waiting for their appointment time. Don’t do this! \ This is a recipe for an anxiety attack – cold clammy hands, shaking, gnawing stomach pains, having no recollection of what you or they said during the interview process. Bad idea! Eat protein and skip the coffee. Find a strategy to keep you breathing slowly and deeply. When people are anxious they tend to breathe more and more and this sets up a hyperventilating situation which in turn feeds into the sensation of a panic attack and being out of control, the last thing you need! Be assured everyone on that hiring panel is aware of how nervous you are, so if you can put across to them a feeling of unhurried confidence in handling the interview this translates (to them) into someone who can take an hold of a situation and control it.

Remember too that this is just our opinion. There are many right ways to do something. Not just the way that a firefighter told you, whether they are your neighbor, your friend, or a relative. Remember that what worked for that person getting hired, might not work for you. They did something right to get them their badge. Respect their opinion and listen to what they have to say. Talk to as many people as you can to get information on becoming a firefighter and read as many publications as possible. That way, you will not get locked into just "one person's opinion." Remember too that you are in control of your own destiny! What you make of your life is up to you. Persevere, work hard, great effort and you will get what you want.