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!! Good luck!!!!
http://www.firemanemtparamedic.com/html/firemanemtparamedic_com_email_.ht ml
2. FREE 50 question practice examination!
Go to the link below to start gaining that competitive edge over your competition!
http://www.firemanemtparamedic.com/html/free_50_question_firefighter_p.html
3. New Section - Firefighter Applicants Frequently Asked Questions!
We have added a new page to both of our websites,
www.FirePrep.com and www.FiremanEMTParamedic.com. This is an in-depth question and answer segment supplied by the nation's top entry-level authors. Here is an example of one question:
Question: Will it
help to present letters of recommendations from prominent people, such as a former police chief or my Priest or other firemen in the area? Will it carry any weight at all?
Reply: On most oral boards, the
raters are from other departments. It is my experience that although the raters might thumb through and glance at any attached documents they seldom if ever read them. And come on, if you're going to attach
a letter of recommendation, its not going to say anything bad but only glowing words about you. Save a tree, the raters will not read these volumes. Don't send us on a treasure hunt to find your great stuff.
I'm a
one-page resume guy for entry level without a cover letter, not in a binder or folder. Do not give us a book. We will not read it. Write it believing the raters won't go past the first page. You can put any supporting
details, documents, certificates and if it will help you sleep better and letters of recommendation following the first page. Keep it simple.
Question: If you are going to attach any letters of recommendation
following the first page how many is appropriate. I am thinking maybe two. I realize that there is a very good chance they won't read it but wouldn't it still look just a little better to have a couple of
them?
Reply: How about none! Again, I'm a one page stand alone resume guy. Don't give me a book. And, if you have already listed your education, experience and certs on your application and
resume, why do you need to attached them; unless they were requested or you're going to a chiefs interview where there is more time with each candidate.
Many entry level and promotional candidates have told me they
were complemented on having just one, as in one page only, resume.
As you know everyone becomes an expert on these issues. They will fill you head with all these crazy ideas and stuff. And because "They
Said" (I've been trying to find "they" for 30 years) you needed to have all that extra stuff or the other candidates are going to get ahead of you. So, how is all this extra stuff going to help you,
really? Keep it Simple.
Thanks to Capt Bob for his keen insight into the oral board exam process! More information on Capt Bob's oral interview program and book can be found at the following link:
http://www.firemanemtparamedic.com/html/fire_captain_bob_s_oral_interv.html
Click on the following link for more questions and answers to gain that competitive edge over your competition!
http://www.fireprep.com/firefighter_applicant_faq.htm
4. Oral Interview Skills: Using Humor in an Interview by Capt Bob Smith
Unless you're a humorous person, don't plan on laying something funny on the
panel. I've seen people that weren't funny to begin with try to include humor in a presentation. It bombed. How would you feel in that situation if the room went dead silent and everyone just stared at you? What if this
humor was your opening statement?
This happened to Ted. He said it threw off his timing and confidence and he really never recovered. If something funny happens naturally during your interview or presentation, that's
a gift. Don't plan on it happening.
You sure don't want to have this happen in your interview.
Along with answering the questions correctly and having enthusiasm, it is important to keep a smooth flow during your
interview. We have all been at a party where a group of guys are standing around telling jokes and laughing. Then somebody says something that doesn't quite fit and the mood is gone, there is that
uncomfortable silence.
One of the places I have seen this is when someone is asked a question like, "What if you are on duty and a co-worker smells like marijuana smoke?" The candidate, thinking
he will get extra points for being innocent, says, "Well, I don't know what marijuana smells like." Then there is that uncomfortable silence. You see, the oral board wanted to find out how the
candidate would handle a drug problem in the work place. Now they have to explain that he does know what it smells like, and pick back up with the interview. But he never regains the smooth flow.
Another
candidate, when asked if he had anything to add, or any questions for the panel, said "I just wanted to know if you could think of any mistakes I might make in training, after I get hired, so I can avoid
them?" This was met with the opened mouths of the interview panel, they didn't know what to say. He had taken an excellent interview and just flushed it. The last impression they had of him was
that he might be kind of goofy.
In both of these situations, the person had done something they thought would make them stand out. Well it did, but not the way any of us would want. Don't try any funny
stuff in the interview. It is just too hard to recover if it goes bad.
The best way to keep a smooth, steady flow is to practice, talk into a tape player, talk in your car on the way to work. Do mock interviews.
Jump at any chance you have to be speaking your stuff. Get to the point that it is like pushing play on a tape player.
So when you go in for your next interview, you can relax and be yourself. Getting to
the point that your script is so well memorized, that there is no way you could forget any of it. It can make a big difference. Even if they don't ask all of the questions you have prepared. It is just the
way you carry yourself when you know you have done all you can to be ready. It is a great feeling.
More information on Capt Bob's oral interview program and book can be found at the link below:
http://www.fireprep.com/fire_capt__bob_s_-_complete_gu.html
More information on oral interview strategies can be found at the link below:
http://www.fireprep.com/conquer_the_job_interview_capt.html
5. Learn How
to Master the Fire Service Hiring Game - Steve Prziborowski
To successfully become a firefighter, it is paramount that you learn to master the game. If you can master the game, you are going to get hired. This is
where most candidates fail; they do not learn how to master the game. They do not take the game seriously and they do not do everything in their power to be the best they can be at the firefighter hiring process.
Let's take a look at some ways candidates can master the fire service hiring game:
Know as much as you can about the department you are applying for. Research is paramount when you are applying for a job, and can be
done via the internet (city website, fire department website, International Association of Fire Fighters Union Local website for that department, via search engines, etc.) and in person by doing station visits. How do
you expect to do well and get the job if you have not taken the time to research what you are hoping to get into?
Know as much as you can about all of the phases of the firefighter hiring process. It amazes me how
many candidates don't know what each phase consists of or expects of them. It is usually specifically stated on the job flyer what the different phases entail; if it is not, you can typically find that information out
by visiting a fire station, visiting the fire department headquarters, or contacting the personnel/human resources department. How do you expect to be successful at the process if you do not know what the different
phases consist of?
Be able to successfully pass all of the phases of the firefighter hiring process. Besides knowing as much as you can about the phases, you also have to be able to successfully pass all of the
phases. I know many candidates that cannot even pass the written test. In most departments, the written test is usually one of the first phases of the hiring process. If you can't pass that, how are you going to get all
the way to the final list?
Take every test you qualify for. This helps you learn your strengths and weaknesses, so that you can hopefully capitalize on the strengths and improve on the weaknesses. Trust me, we all
have strengths and weaknesses; the key is learning what they are so we can make the most of them. Taking every test you qualify for also increases your chances of getting hired; the negative part about doing this is if
you are finding yourself at a certain plateau and you are going nowhere. For example, you have taken ten different firefighter tests and you have yet to pass one of them. Why did you wait until the tenth test before you
realized it was a problem? Shame on you! You should have immediately realized it was a problem and started working on those perceived weaknesses that you encountered during that phase of the hiring process.
Don't
wait until the last minute to prepare yourself! Remember that you should always have the attitude that your dream fire department will be opening up their recruitment process tomorrow and that you will only have one day
to apply. Too many people feel they don't have the time to prepare for an upcoming test, or they do not feel it is necessary to plan ahead. I remember having a firefighter ask me what books he should purchase for the
upcoming captain's test - when I say upcoming, I mean that it was occurring in one month! After picking up my jaw from the ground, I tactfully told him which books he should purchase for the NEXT test that will be
occurring in about 18 months. With a puzzled look, he asked me "what do you mean?" I told him that there is no conceivable way he could read and comprehend a few thousand pages of material in one month. He
could definitely read and comprehend the material in 18 months, and now would be the best time to start preparing for the next test. Needless to say, he did take the captain's test, but he did not do well enough to get
promoted. The bad part is that he got very close to getting promoted; so close he could probably taste it. I venture this made him kick himself for not taking more time in advance to prepare. So close, yet so far away.
Treat everyone you encounter in the hiring process with utmost respect and courtesy. Besides this being the way you should be treating everyone anyway, and being the right thing to do, you never know when and where
you will meet up with these folks again. Trust me, it is a small, small world out there. I used to love a sign I saw some years ago "be careful of the toes you step on today - they may be connected to the butt you
have to kiss tomorrow." So true, so true.
You've probably heard the saying that "life is just a game." Yes, it is. Now take it a step further and realize that becoming a firefighter is also just a
game. The key to your success is that you are able to master that game. Mastering the game will get you where you want in life, guaranteed. Follow the above mentioned steps and you will provide more focus to your
pursuit of becoming a firefighter. Start taking control of your destiny, and do what it takes to be successful - only you can make the difference!
Our thanks to Steve Prziborowski for his informative article!
Steve Prziborowski is a Captain with the Santa Clara County (Los Gatos, CA.) Fire Department and has been in the fire service for 12 years. He is also the Fire Technology Coordinator at Chabot College in (Hayward, CA.),
where he has been instructing fire technology and EMT courses for 10 years. He also publishes a free monthly newsletter geared toward better preparing the future firefighter for a career in the fire service, "The
Chabot College Fire & EMS News," that is available on his website at www.chabotfire.com.
For more articles by Capt Steve Prziborowski can be found at the link below:
http://www.firemanemtparamedic.com/html/captain_steve_prziborowski.html
6. New Product - Downloadable Psychological Exam Prep and Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Exam Prep!
NEW!! For those of you
taking one of the most important steps in the hiring process - the psychological exam - we now have available an immediate, digital download of our Psychological Exam Prep Program! You can now download this
material directly to your computer so that you can begin having that competitive edge over your competition immediately!
Find out more information at the link below:
http://www.fireprep.com/fireman_psychological_examinat.html
For those of you having difficulties with reading comprehension and mathematics portions of exams, Our Reading Comprehension and Mathematics Book is also
available both by mail and immediate digital download. Click on the link below for all the details!
http://www.fireprep.com/fireman_reading_comprehension_.html
7. Preparing for the Las Vegas or Austin Oral Interview Process?
For those of you who successfully prepared for these written examinations with our preparatory products, the link below will give you info on
gaining that true competitive edge over your competition on the upcoming oral interview:
http://www.fireprep.com/conquer_the_job_interview_capt.html
8. 2006 Boston/State of Massachusetts Fire Exam Information
Hundreds of firefighters will be hired! Application deadline April 24, 2006.
Apply online at www.mass.gov/civilservice
Don McNea Fire School will be offering preparatory packages in the near future for this
exam!
9. 2006 City of Columbus, OH, Fire Exam Information
Applications will be accepted online from April 24-May 12 for the examination which will be held the last two weeks of June. The City of
Columbus plans on hiring over 100 firefighters from this exam! Minimum requirements are: US citizen, high school diploma or GED, valid driver's license, 18 years of age.
See our website in the next 7-10
days for additional exam information and preparatory seminar information to prepare you for the Columbus Firefighter Exam!
http://www.fireprep.com/columbus__ohio_firefighter_exa.html
10. 2006 City of Chicago, IL, Fire Exam Prep
Don McNea Fire School preparatory packages are available for mailing or for immediate digital download!
http://www.fireprep.com/chicago_firefighter_examinatio.html
11. 2006 Washington, DC, Fire Exam Prep
Don McNea Fire School Preparatory Packages for the Washington DC Exam are available for mailing or for immediate digital download at the following link:
http://www.fireprep.com/washington__dc_firefighter_exa.html
12. Current Exam Announcements
Los Angeles, CA, Fire Exam Prep
The city of Los Angeles is now testing monthly! Click here:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-fire18jan18%2C0%2C3698694.story? coll=la-headlines-california
Don McNea Fire School has preparation packages to help you prepare for this examination! Visit the link below
for details:
http://www.fireprep.com/los_angeles_firefighter_examin.html
13. Upcoming Exams in the Next 2-6 Months
State of New Jersey Fire Exam
The State of New Jersey will announce their exam ment will
on May 1, 2006. The application filing period will be from May 1 through August 31, 2006. The Firefighter's exam is tentatively scheduled for winter of 2006 into 2007.
http://www.state.nj.us/personnel/public_safety/entry-level-ffighter_opps.htm
Don McNea Fire School is in the process of putting together a prep package/seminar for this examination. Please keep checking our
website for the most current information!
New York City Fire Exam
The City of New York is anticipating an exam to be held in October, 2006.
Check the link below for the most current information:
http://nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/community/firefighter.shtml
Don McNea Fire School is in the process of putting together a preparatory package for this examination. Please keep checking our website for the most
current information!
14. Preparatory Products
The Ultimate Firefighters Exam Prep Package provides you with the best tools for the entire entry-level examination process - the written, physical agility,
psychological, and oral interview
Find out more information at the link below:
http://www.fireprep.com/ultimate_firefighter_examinati.html
Preparing for an upcoming oral interview exam?
Go to the link below for Capt. Bob Smith's oral interview prep.
http://www.fireprep.com/conquer_the_job_interview_inde.html
Capt Bob's book, Becoming a Firefighter, provides you, step by step, everything you need to
know in the process, starting with the application, written, physical, oral, psych interview, background, polygraph, and medical to gain a badge.
http://www.fireprep.com/fire_capt__bob_s_-_complete_gu.html
Are you
taking an examination that contains the testing subject "Understanding Oral Information"? Don McNea Fire School's exam prep will prepare you for this type of examination!
http://www.firemanemtparamedic.com/html/california_firefighter_examina.html
Taking a psychological exam in the future? Don't go into this exam unprepared! Don McNea Fire School's exam preparation will help
you prepare! Our Psychological Exam program is also available for immediate digital download so that you can start gaining that edge over your competition.
http://www.firemanemtparamedic.com/html/psychological_exam_preparation.html
If you are serious about becoming a firefighter, Don McNea Fire School's Gold Bonus Package will guide you from the application period
through the entire testing process including the written exam, physical agility, oral interview, psychological testing and resume preparation.
http://www.fireprep.com/fire_school_s_gold_bonus_packa.html
For those
of you having difficulty on the Reading Comprehension & Mathematics portions of examinations, go the link below for help. This product is available for immediate digital download so that you can start gaining
that competitive edge right away!
http://www.fireprep.com/fireman_reading_comprehension_.html
Click on the link below to keep current on firefighter examinations and information on the top 150 departments in the
country:
http://www.fireprep.com/top_150_fire_departments.html
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
