How to visit a fire hall:
Approach:  When you visit the fire department make sure you park in the visitor parking lot and not in the Chief’s dedicated parking spot.  Your career could be over before it even begins (laugh).  Also make sure you use the proper entrance to announce your arrival, most fire halls have a front entrance where the general public can be received.

Be cognitive of your appearance, remember you’re visiting a fire hall not you best friends house – You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  
Appearance – Casual clothes are appropriate, such as jeans, shorts, T-shirts, etc.  However, I would avoid wearing shirts that have suggestive or controversial statements on them.  You should be clean shaven, well groomed and limited to little or no make-up.  Also avoid heavy or strong scents.  If you have piercing(s) or tattoos it’s a good idea to conceal or remove them.  This is not absolutely necessary but recommended.

Visit:  Try to keep your visit short and effective, use your instincts as to how well your visit is going.  If you have the inkling that you are visiting during an awkward time such as interrupting training or a fire department tour for children - end the visit and try again later.  You should refrain from visiting a fire hall during lunch or shift change hours.  Most fire halls will be extremely receptive to you regardless of when or what time of day you happen to visit.  If you are uncertain you could always call ahead and set-up an appointment to visit the fire hall.   

Confidence - Be sure to have a firm handshake and make good eye contact.  Ideally you should shake hands while entering and leaving the hall.  

Manners - Make sure you demonstrate proper manners throughout your entire visit.  Be sure not to chew gum or wear sunglasses when engaged in conversation or upon greeting someone.  It’s important they see your eyes to be convinced you’re sincere.  

Frequency - You should try to visit every four to six months if possible.  To eliminate the possibility of being a nuisance you can show your appreciation by bringing in donuts or ice cream for the on-duty staff.  This gesture will go a long way and you’ll probably start a frenzy around the fire hall because everyone will be wondering where the treats came from and your name is going to be mentioned all day long.  This is exactly what you want to accomplish.  

During your visits you must have a positive attitude.  The last thing you want to have happen is to allow yourself to vent your personal frustrations out on the nearest firefighter you come in to contact with and tell him/her about how hard it is to get hired or how you should have received an interview in the last recruitment for this fire department.  If this conversation does arise say something positive like “It must not have been my turn to get hired, I will get my chance I just have to be patient”.  

Departure:
A simple “Thank you for your time” will suffice in closing your visit.  On your way out of the fire hall be sure to thank everyone you see who talked to you during your visit.   

Creating a relationship with a fire department is crucial.  A common mistake candidates make is only visiting a fire hall when that fire department is hiring.  This makes it very obvious that you are only interested in the fire department because of the recruitment at the present time.  In this case you may be better off not to visit at all and remain anonymous, hoping you will get called for an interview regardless.  I suggest that you start visiting fire halls in the areas you want to work in when they’re not hiring.  This way it’s obvious you want to work there and that you have some loyalty to that particular fire department.  
One of the hardest things about recruiting firefighters is the fire department not only has to hire someone capable of doing the job, they also have to hire someone who is compatible with the other firefighters.  Chemistry in the firehouse is extremely important and if you can prove that you’re someone who is responsible, committed, loyal, and has strong well developed interpersonal skills you would be seen by the fire department as someone who is a likely candidate to be recruited.  All you have to do now is back yourself up with an impressive résumé.  If you do everything you can and keep doing everything you can, you will have your job offer.