Have you asked yourself these questions yet?
Why do you want to be a firefighter?
How long do you think it will take you?
Would you hire you?
What makes you valuable to a Fire Department?
Have you completely surrendered to the process of becoming a
firefighter?
“Failure only occurs when you decide to quit” Here are some tips to keep you heading in the right direction.
1)
Believe you can; If you don’t believe it, how do you expect
others?
2)
Create the environment for success
3)
Stay away from those who bring doubt; Right associations
4)
Stay exposed to the latest and greatest information; Knowledge
is key get my book “The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter”
5)
Take advantage of opportunity; Wasting opportunities will
prolong your success
6)
Surround yourself with successful people; Firefighters can
help you become a firefighter
7)
Take action; Nothing happens till you make it happen
Kory Pearn
Author of “The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter”
Manager of Becomingafirefighter.com
Host of “Firefighter Career Expo” -
Coming soon early 2012
 I’ve been looking for ways to help firefighter recruits who
are interested in the Online firefighting programs gain a better understanding
of the process and what’s involved.
My research has shown that mo
st students taking or interested in taking
the Online 1001 firefighter level I & II program are mature recruits or
those making a career change.
Having said that of course the online training program appeals to all
recruits.
For the first time ever Becomingafirefighter.com is working
with TrainingDivision.com to show you first hand how the process works. Becomingafirefighter.com has chosen a
worthy firefighter recruit who at this present time is making a life altering
career change.
Alex our recruit is allowing us to shadowing him through the
entire online process. Alex just
like you is a normal guy, has a wife and son, worked at the same job for 14
years and has now decided that firefighting is the career for him.
I will be posting more details about Alex in the near
future, since this is a process that will take about three months to complete,
means that over the next three months you will get to know Alex very well.
We want to keep this as real as possible. Alex will be posting his thoughts and
sharing his victories and blunders with you as they happen.
Right now I feel would be a great time to thank both Alex
and Trainingdivision.com for allowing us to do this.
I will be posting more information shortly… please post your
thoughts along the way and let’s learn together.
Once a fire department announces they will be recruiting probationary fire- fighters, your first step is to pick up an application package. Sometimes, the announcement doesn’t state from where or when to obtain them. Your first step is to contact the fire department or the municipality’s human resources department to obtain the application. If you haven’t actually seen the announcement, make sure you find and read a copy of it. Be sure to check the fire department’s website because there may be important information about the recruitment process you may need to know. For example, the Calgary fire department may only be accepting application packages from candidates who reside in Calgary. Other key information you want to be clear about includes dates, deadlines, qualification requirements, whether application forms can be mailed out or picked up, and if there are any fees to be paid. If you’re not sure about something, take the time to call and get clarification from either the fire department or the city human resources department.
Fire departments use application forms as a way to standardize the assessment of all applicants’ qualifications. Make sure you complete the application in a neat manner and that the information is accurate. Prepare a rough draught on a photo- copy, and then transfer your answers onto the original application when you are sure you know what you want to write.
A city’s recruitment process can be quite extensive. There can be hundreds of applications to review, and each city sets a minimum standard and creates a marking system that helps in narrowing the applicants down to a manageable number. This could be good news or bad news for you, depending on the depth of your training and experience.
It’s important when assembling your application package to put your documents in the proper order. Recruiters don’t have the time to search for the information they want.
Unless otherwise stated, the order of your application package should be assembled as follows:
1. Fire department application form (completed and signed)
2. Cover letter
3. Résumé
4. Prerequisite certificates, licences, and diplomas (Note: Provide colour
photocopies of course certificates, licences, and diplomas.)
5. Other, fire-related certificates, diplomas, degrees, and transcripts
6. Other, non-fire-related certificates, diplomas, degrees, and transcripts
7. Receipts for incomplete courses (optional)
8. Copies of previous tests results (optional)
9. Military service record and decorations
10. Awards (academic, work-related, personal achievements, etc.)
11. Criminal record search documents
12. Drivers licence and abstract
13. Volunteer documents (location, hours served, responsibilities, etc.)
14. Reference letters
15. Method of payment (cash, certified cheque, money order, etc.)
Fire department
recruitment processes vary from department to department. Each fire department
has the authority to establish what measures are taken to find the best
applicants and what minimum qualifications and standards are required in order
to be hired. Recruitment processes can be complicated and involved or short and
simple. The objective of a fire department recruitment process is to determine
an applicant’s aptitude towards the profession as a fire fighter. Fire
departments use multiple evaluations to determine each applicant’s ability to
execute fire fighting related tasks, ability to function under physical
exertion, determine the overall health and fitness level of each applicant as
well as the ability to understand written and verbal information.
Fire departments are unpredictable. It is difficult to
determine when exactly a fire department will announce recruitment. You will
hear rumors that a fire department is hiring long before a recruitment is
posted. To be a successful recruit you have to be prepared for anything.
Sometimes multiple fire departments recruit at the same time and sometimes
there are none. You must be patient and maintain a positive attitude while
waiting for opportunities to arise.
In order to outline the different stages of a firefighter
recruitment process, fire departments use recruitment programs. These
recruitment programs help determine which candidates possess the skills,
aptitude, attitude and abilities needed to be a successful firefighter.
Potential firefighter candidates must be successful in each stage of the
recruitment program in order to be considered for employment.
Common Stages of Recruitment Programs
• Posting
of recruitment
• Meet
the application submission deadline
• Ensuring
applicant meets minimum qualifications
• Written
aptitude test
• Notification
of test results
• Process
of scoring applications
• Notifying
applicants of first interview
• Notifying
applicants of second interview
• Arranging
physical ability test
• Medical
examination
• Confirming
applicant passes both physical ability and medical tests
• References
contacted
• Conditional
job offer made
If you’re serious about becoming a firefighter... prove it. I want you to prove it to me and to yourself. I recently received an entry through the forum requesting me to review a resume. This was a service that I once offered if you purchased a membership to my site. To make a long story short, I’ve dissolved the resume review feature and I haven't been reviewing resumes through my website for a while, for no reason other than I've been focusing on other things on the site such as Twitter, blogs, answering questions in the forums, digg.com and so on.
When the request came through to review this recruit’s resume, I kind of chuckled to myself and it took just half a second for me to give my reply - that I would be more than happy to review his resume. The reason for my chuckle was that it had been a long time since someone had taken the initiative and cashed in on this resource. Just because I don't spell it out, doesn't mean I'm not willing to help out. The reason why it took only half a second to reply to this recruit is because I am more than willing to help those who are willing to help themselves. It was refreshing to see someone throw themselves out there with the mind set of having nothing to lose - it never hurts to ask. Turns out he took it even one step further and wrote me a lengthy email bringing me up to date on where he was regarding qualifications, his situation, and what his intentions are for the future. This was great to read and I'm sure it was beneficial to for him to write. I'll come back to why that is.
I would still like to focus on his initiative. Too many recruits have a mind set where they think they are doing everything they can to get hired, when in fact, they can always do more. If you ask me, if you haven't been recruited by a fire department and you aren’t sitting on the back of a fire truck then you haven't done enough.
To get back to why it would be beneficial for him to write an email giving me an update on his situation and recruitment experience is because sometimes I think we need to sit back and regain focus. There is so much going on at times and we forget what our objectives and goals really are. As I state in my book The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter you need to set a series of small goals in order to achieve your main goal - getting hired! Do yourself a favor and accept this challenge: write me a "comment" back to this blog stating your name, a little bit about yourself, your current qualifications, qualifications you’re planning to get, and what your short term and long term goals are. You can do this in point or in paragraph form. I don't care how you do it - just do it.
So what if others read it? The funny thing is that you can learn each other. Most recruits have the same problems and are in similar situations. Why not hear a story about another recruit who has just quit their job to attend fire college? Why not share your story?
Let's do this together, you’re not alone anymore!
Anyone else been scammed by "Recruit Firefighter" www.recruitfirefighter.com?
I have heard the same complaints from recruits over the years and I'm sick of it. Who is this lady Wendy?
Why does she not follow through with her membership promises. What a joke! I was a recruit once too and I worked hard for my money, so I don't appreciate them taking other recruits hard earned money and running with it.
Watch out! Don't be scammed.
I want to hear from you!
Becoming a firefighter doesn’t happen overnight. This career takes a great deal of commitment and patience. Sometimes it feels like you don’t get a lot in return for courses you take or things you do along the way, but when you get hired on a fire department and receive that badge, everything comes into perspective. Every single second spent to get there is worth it.
You should be able to accumulate all the prerequisites required in order for you to be eligible for most fire department recruitments in about a year. It may take another year if you decide to obtain your firefighter certification and take some other fire related courses. You may be able to complete all this sooner if you schedule everything properly, or it may take a little longer if the courses you need are only offered on a limited basis. That’s why the sooner you start the better.
I had the privilege of speaking to the recruits at Lambton College yesterday in the Fire Science & Technology Program. These recruits are a month away from graduating form their program and will enter the real world.
This is where the true challenge will be in regards to the firefighter recruitment process. I stressed to each student to keep in touch with their classmates and try to learn from them as much as possible. It's important to network with other recruits so you can stay informed of recruitments, test writing, physical fitness tests, interviews, etc.
Knowledge is the key to success!
Best of luck to all you recruits!
Why is it so hard to get hired by a fire department? There are a number of reasons why it’s a challenge to get hired and because of all these reasons and variables the applicants must overcome tremendous odds. The applicant must remain focused throughout the entire recruitment process and keep an ear to the ground to make sure they’re getting accurate information the first time. I will discuss common reasons why it’s so difficult to get hired, but remember at the end of the day someone has to get hired and it could just as easily be you over someone else. So don’t be discouraged when pursuing this amazing career just make sure you do everything you can and take full advantage of every opportunity to get you one step closer to getting hired.
There are a number of different reasons why it is so hard to get a job on a fire department but the three main reasons are:
1. Interest Level: Firefighting is appealing to a wide variety of individuals because of the low education requirements (usually secondary school diploma or equivalency); you receive a pension upon retirement, as well as great pay with a flexible schedule. Firefighting also attracts individuals who are interested in the thrill of handling hazardous situations under extraordinary circumstances and those you want an active roll helping there community.
2. Limited Job Opportunities: Unfortunately the number of applicants applying far exceeds the number of available jobs.
3. Extensive Qualifications of the Competition: Not every applicant gets hired on their first attempt sometimes it takes years before a job offer is presented. This allows time for applicants to obtain some extensive qualifications while widening the gap between themselves and someone just starting to pursue a firefighting career.
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.
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