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FIREPREP.COM NEWSLETTER AND FIREFIGHTER EXAM ANNOUNCEMENTS!

FirePrep.com/FiremanEMTParamedic.com Newsletter #27

Fireprep.com/FiremanEMTParamedic.com's entry-level newsletter is about YOU BEING THE BEST - THE BEST PREPARED AND BEST INFORMED!  We currently have over 29,000 subscribers to our newsletter!

January 2008

The estimated time of reading any section of this newsletter is 1-2 minutes - our newsletters are well worth your time to get that true ultimate edge over your competition! 

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IN THIS ISSUE:

1. Better Understanding of the Firefighter Job Flyer – Chief Steve Prziborowski

2. Buffalo, NY, Firefighter Examination

3. Salt Lake City, UT, Firefighter Examination

4. Denver, CO, Firefighter Examination

5. Reminder – Austin, TX, Firefighter Examination

6. Reminder – Toledo, OH, Firefighter Examination

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1. Better Understanding of the Firefighter Job Flyer - Chief Steve Prziborowski

Have you ever read a firefighter job flyer and wondered what certain items meant and how (or if) they actually applied to you? If you have, you are probably not alone. The real key is what you have done to educate yourself about all of the portions of a firefighter testing process, the actual job description of a firefighter (for that specific department), and the wage and benefit packages that are being advertised for the specific position you are applying for.

Introduction:  When I turned in my first firefighter application, I really didn't spend a great deal of time evaluating the job flyer. About the only things I looked at were the minimum requirements (to make sure I was able to take the test), and the final filing date (to insure that I got the application in on time to be considered). It didn't take me long to realize that there was a great deal of valuable information to be found on the job flyer. Information that could actually assist me in preparing for the department's testing process (including the oral interview), as well as educating me in how fire departments differ from each other based on their makeup, demographics, wage and benefit packages, and testing processes.

What type of information does the job flyer contain and why is it important to you, the firefighter candidate that is aspiring to work for that department? Here are some of the main points to a job flyer and why you should pay attention to them:

Job Title: This is the exact title that the agency is recruiting for. This exact title should go in the objective portion of your resume (the first heading underneath your personal contact information (name, address, and phone number). This title will also be required for the application. Make sure you are familiar with that job title. Countless candidates come by the fire station and say they are testing for the firefighter position. Well, our entry-level position is actually Firefighter / Engineer (each company has at least two Firefighter / Engineers who rotate driving and riding backwards), not Firefighter. By calling the position by the wrong name shows me that you have not done your homework.

Overview of the position / job description: Make sure you know what the basic duties of the position are so you know what you are getting into and will be expected to do. If you are asked the question "Tell us about the duties of a firefighter for this agency," you can quote information from the job flyer (hopefully you also did more research such as stopping by fire stations and talking with the firefighters, visiting the web site, etc.). For those of you that are Paramedics, here is an important section. Many departments that provide ambulance service to their community expect the newly hired firefighters to work on the ambulance or keep their paramedic license for so many years. This is the section that might explain any such duties or expectations. Don't wait until after your hired to say, "Nobody ever told me I was going to have to spend the majority of my time working on the box (ambulance)."

Note: I would always attempt to get a full job description for every position I was testing for. Many times, the job flyer only has an abbreviated version. Go to the Personnel / Human Resource office and ask them for a copy of the full job description. They are expected to have job descriptions for EVERY position in EVERY department, from the top to the bottom.

Overview of the department/community: Many job flyers include basic information about the fire department and the communities served. Here is the start to your research that you can build upon. Many oral panels ask the question "Tell us what you know about the fire department and/or the community." Well, here is your starting point.

 
Minimum Qualifications (to take the test or remain employed after getting a job): These items can vary from department to department. Some departments only require a candidate to be 18 years old and have a high school diploma or G.E.D. Others may require a candidate to be at least 21 years old, be a paramedic with at least two years of paramedic experience, and also have a state firefighter 1 certificate.

Key Point #1 - Make sure you meet the minimum requirements or your application will usually be rejected. If you don't meet the minimum requirements, take note of what you do need to take that test in the future. Those are things you should be striving to obtain!

Key Point #2 - If there are minimum qualifications to take the test, does the application state that you are to provide copies of those qualifications with your application? If so, follow those directions or your application may be rejected. I've heard too many candidates say they were rejected because they didn't include a copy of a certain certificate. Don't let yourself fall into the same trap - set yourself up for success by reading the job flyer and highlighting things such as what copies need to be included with the application.

Final Filing Date: This is probably one of the most important things to note. Highlight this date and time. I've heard too many candidates say, "I thought they were still accepting applications" after the filing period had ended. Note this date and put it in your calendar. You should actually turn that application in a.s.a.p. Some departments (like the one I work for), actually use the date that the application was filed as a tie-breaker in case of a tie score on the hiring list. Why sit on it and take that chance? Also, some departments only pass out a certain amount of applications and accept a certain number back. I've seen filing dates as saying "Friday February 20 (or until 500 applications have been received - whichever comes first."). Application Filing Location: Some departments allow you to mail in your application, while some say you can drop them off in person at a certain location, on a certain date, and/or during a certain time frame. Some departments also only allow the person putting in the application to turn in the application. So before you have your friend or loved one drop it off (and have to face the rejection), read the fine print and follow the directions. I would always suggest going in person because then you know it was received.

Chief Steve Prziborowski is currently serving as a Battalion Chief for the Santa Clara County (Los Gatos, CA) Fire Department. Chief Prziborowski is also an instructor within the Chabot College (Hayward, CA) Fire Technology Program, where he has been instructing fire technology and EMS classes since 1993. Four and a half years were also spent as the Fire Technology Coordinator, and seven years were also spent as the EMT Program Director and Primary Instructor.  Chief Prziborowski also publishes a free monthly newsletter "The Chabot College Fire & EMS News"; which is geared toward better preparing the future firefighter for a career in the fire service and the current firefighter for promotion. For more information, or to contact him, visit his website at www.chabotfire.com

Thanks to Chief Steve Prziborowski for this insightful article.  Additional articles by Steve Prziborowski can be found at the link below:

http://www.fireprep.com/steve_prziborowski_-_career_ar.html

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14-day FREE email series!

If you want to start getting that competitive edge immediately over your competition, our 14 day FREE e-mail series covers the written, psychological, oral interview and physical agility. This e-mail series will guide you step by step through the maze of the testing process to help you shorten that learning curve between you and that coveted badge. As soon as you sign-up you will receive the first e-mail with important inside secrets. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!!

http://www.fireprep.com/fireprep_com_free_14_day_email.html

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2. Buffalo, NY, Firefighter Examination

The City of Buffalo, NY will be conducting a fire exam on March 22, 2008. 
Registration deadline is March 3, 2008.  Additional registration information can be found at the following link:  http://www.takethetest.jobs/  

Don McNea Fire School will be offering a preparatory package for this exam in the near future.  Check our website at www.FirePrep.com in the next 14-17 days for the latest information!

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If you want to start getting that ULTIMATE edge over your competition in this highly-competitive firefighter job market, click on the link below for exam preparation covering the written, oral, physical agility and psychological portions of the testing process:

http://www.fireprep.com/ultimate_firefighter_examinati.html =========================================

3. Salt Lake City, UT, Firefighter Examination

Salt Lake City Fire Department administers an entry level testing process every two years to establish a list of qualified firefighter and firefighter/paramedic candidates. The next written examination will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2008. You may register online to place your name on an interest list. The deadline for placing your name on the interest list is March 28, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.  During the second week of April 2008, further application instructions and information will be mailed to those registered on this interest list.  Go to the following link for registration information:  http://www.slcgov.com/fire/recruitment.htm

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Do you know that 40-60% of fire applicants fail their psychological examination?  Go to the link below for complete psychological exam preparation:

http://www.fireprep.com/psychological_testing_and_fire.html

This recently came in… "Thanks to you and your program I just passed my psychological exam.  I know it was a tremendous hurdle because I failed it three times in the past and I finally did it.  Thanks for the insight!"  Eric

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4. Denver, CO, Firefighter Examination

Denver, Colorado, will be having a firefighter examination.  The application period opens February 1, 2008.  Application information available on website below:

www.denvergov.org/civilservice

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Go to the link below for complete entry-level exam preparation:

http://www.fireprep.com/entry_level_firefighter_exam_p.html 

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5.  REMINDER – Austin, TX, Firefighter Examination

Applications for the Austin, Texas, Fire exam will be accepted until February 4th, 2008.  The written exam will be on Sunday, March 30, 2008, at 3:00 P.M.

For more details, go to the link below:

http://www.fireprep.com/austin__tx_fire_exam.html

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This just in…

My name is Dan. I have been testing for 8 years, for the position of firefighter, with many large municipal Fire Depts.  I thought I was acing the interview process when in fact I was bombing it. 

When I heard about Captain Bob, I was not a firm believer. I decided to get his book & DVD on how to do better on oral interviews one week before my first oral.  It was the best investment I had ever made.  It made me more confident in myself.  With Captain Bob's helpful advice it made a world of a difference in how I could present & express myself in ways I've never thought possible.  I finally realized I was wrong all these years.  Boy was I WRONG!!!, SO WRONG!!!  What I learned was this…  What to say, what not say, how to say it, when to say it, basically the BIG W's ~ who, what, where, when, why.

Get the help we all need.  Find the real you. I know I did.  Now I can proudly say I've made it, I got the badge.  Go get the badge, nothing else matters till you do.  You have nothing to lose, but everything to gain, believe me.  I've been very busy having the time of my life, as a probationary Firefighter.  It's truly a blessing. Thank you Captain Bob, I can't thank you enough.  DAN THE MAN

Additional information on Capt Bob's CD/DVD Oral Interview Program can be found at the link below:

http://www.fireprep.com/conquer_the_job_interview_capt.html

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6. REMINDER – Toledo, OH, Firefighter Examination

The required interest card information must be completed by January 31^st.  For additional information, go to the link below:

http://fireprep.com/toledo__ohio_fire_exam_prep.html

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Firefighter Applicants Frequently Asked Questions and Answers! 

Click on the following link for more questions and answers by the nation's top entry-level authors to gain that competitive edge over your competition!

http://www.fireprep.com/firefighter_applicant_faq.htm

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Do you have a question you would like answered?  Email us at DMFireSchool@aol.com 

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Firefighters Walk to Christianity!

http://www.fireprep.com/Firefighters_walk_to_Christianity.doc

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Have you recently been hired by a department?  Do you have any questions?  Email us at DMFireSchool@aol.com  

We hope this newsletter and upcoming editions will assist you in obtaining the best job in the world - a firefighter.  We wish you the best of luck!

Don McNea Fire School

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