Connections

I wish I could say it is what you know, but it is just as much who you know in the fire service. In addition it seems like everyone knows everyone. With that in mind it is good to shake as many hands and meet as many people as you can. You never know who is going to know who and what strings they might be able to pull in your favor. If you haven't heard the term "politicking," you better start doing it now. It is the process of stopping bye a station with ice cream and getting to know the crew, and letting them get to know you. It is a humbling experience. The first time I did it I thought to myself why am I taking ice cream, this is stupid. Well on the flip side it shows effort, and camaraderie when you bring the crew ice cream. It is a sign of appreciation in them taking the time to get to know you and answer any questions you might have. This is a really good thing to do right before an interview.

Where are all the jobs?

Fire departments will post their job openings through the city's or organization's human resources department. Searching the department's website is a good way to see when the next recruitment is. To expedite your search I would recommend joining www.firecareers.com or other job search websites. When you join these sites you can narrow your search based on the position and geographical area. When there is a new job listing the www.firecareers.com will send you an email making the search even easier. Another site that is representing departments is www.nationaltestingnetwork.com. This company performs the application and written exams for the department. These resources will make your job search in the EMS and Fire industries much easier.

What is the CPAT?

The CPAT stands for Candidate Physical Ability Test. It is the Fire Department's gauge of whether you have the the physical strength and endurance to complete basic fire ground tasks. Fire departments used to hold their own tests as part of the testing process. To save money most departments now require you to have a CPAT card, which you can obtain from a private company or organization that administers the test. The most common CPAT test includes these following events:

Stair Climb
Hose Drag
Equipment Carry
Ladder Raise & Extension
Forcible Entry
Search
Rescue
Ceiling Breach & Pull

During the CPAT, you must follow a predetermined path from one event to the next in a continuous manner. Participants wear a 50-pound vest to simulate the weight of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and firefighter protective clothing. An additional 25 pounds is added to your shoulders to simulate a high-rise pack (hose bundle), during the stair climb event. The time limit is 10 minutes and 20 seconds to complete all eight tasks.

Most departments when testing require you to have a current CPAT card within the past year of the test date. It is a good idea to train for the CPAT. Training should include both endurance and strength workouts. It is also just as much technique as strength for the events. The testing centers offer practice sessions. If you have never taken a CPAT test it would be a good idea to do a practice session to get a feel for what techniques are best for you. Here is a good reference on techniques. http://www.fireagility.com/index.php.

Fire Fighter I Academy Training

Any class or certification in your pocket is a good investment towards your career. Many fire department's entry level qualifications include a State FFI certification. This certification is obtained by attending a FFI academy and 6 months practical experience with a paid department or 12 months with a volunteer department. After the education and experience components are completed, you can apply for your certification with the state Fire Marshall. FFI academies are often offered at community colleges. This website has a list of current academies http://www.firejobs.com/academies.php in your area. Like every other step of the process, research the academy and find the one best for you. Not every academy gives you the same training. Many just give you the minimum amount of certs., where others will have many added training opportunities. The basic training will include ladders, ropes & knots, how to use breathing apparatus, rescue, ventilation, elementary fire behavior, fire control techniques, firefighting tactics and strategy, fire ground safety and operations, apparatus and equipment operation and maintenance, fire investigation, report writing, wild land training, and physical fitness. Most importantly a fire academy will give you a real look into the fire service allowing you to make the decision, is it really the career for you? Most fire academies are run in a para-military style, because the fire service is a para-militaristic organization. Expect there to be attention to detail, discipline, push up and lots of running involved. The junior colleges that offer fire academies will also offer fire science classes that count towards an AS in Fire Science. Like stated before, each certification and class is a good investment for your career. Here is a great video by Orange County Fire Authority's professional firefighter academy to give you an insight into what a FFI Academy will consist of. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll-0NV2OuFw&feature=related.

Who to work for as a firefighter?

Becoming a firefighter is an honorable and easy decision, but actually becoming one is quite hard these days. There is such a large pool of competitors and so many credentials required it is easy to get discouraged. Fortunately there are several routes you can take to becoming a firefighter. One isn't better than the other, it is the one that makes the most sense for you and your lifestyle. Probably the first question I had and many aspiring firefighters have, is, where do I apply to become a firefighter? The simple answer, everywhere. As an entry level firefighter you want to turn in as many applications as possible. Firefighters are employed in several different organizations. These organizations include, city, county, state, US Forest Service, US Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and private organizations such as Rural Metro Fire. Each organization has their own entry level qualifications and requirements. You should research these entry level requirements and see which organization is right for you. It can easily become a full time job just trying to get a full time firefighter job, between obtaining necessary certs, job interviews and filling out applications. Each organization has their own website which will list their entry level qualifications. Good resources are also junior colleges which typically have fire science and medical training programs. Joining a volunteer department is also an excellent way to go about getting into the fire service. Deciding which organization is for you is a personal decision, but the good news is, there are many opportunities.