OT: Firefighter exam approaches...

MauiRob

MauiRob

Joined
Nov 15, 2000
Messages
3,708
Hey everyone,

I'm taking the firefighter written test on June 11, with hopes of getting on the department this time around.

I posted a firefighter related thread once before, but I thought I'd do another.

So, here's the question: Have you taken the test? what did you think? How did you do?

how about the physical fitness test?

And from those who are, or who have been firefighters: how do/did you like it?

Thanks!

Rob
 
Hi MauiRob,

I guess there's nothing for the ill-informed like me to do other than wish you the very best of luck!



munk
 
I have a relative who took the firefighter test last year, I think. He's now a bonafide fireman. I think I remember him saying the qualification standards vary from city to city. Haven't heard from him much. He's too busy working wierd hours. He loves the job though.
 
MauiRob said:
Hey everyone,

I'm taking the firefighter written test on June 11, with hopes of getting on the department this time around.

I posted a firefighter related thread once before, but I thought I'd do another.

So, here's the question: Have you taken the test? what did you think? How did you do?

how about the physical fitness test?

And from those who are, or who have been firefighters: how do/did you like it?

Thanks!

Rob
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Good luck from Sweet family in Kali!
 
I know nothing about current regs, I just wanted to say good luck and thanks for wanting to serve.

28 years ago when I was a volunteer, there were few training requirements. Each department did their own training. I was the smallest guy on the department, so I always got to go up into the attic, or into the crawl space with an air pack. Scared *%#!-less every time, but you do what you gotta do.

All the best to you!
 
Maui

Ya might try pm-ing Code 3. He is a retired firefighter I think and might be able to help.

Good luck on your test!


Semp
 
Growing up as a teenager, I worked part time for the town fire chief. That guy was a bonafide superhero. Cool as ice under any circumstance, strong as an ox, and just plain great to be around.


Firefighters are a cut above most, I think.

Best of luck on the exams.

~ bamboo


ps. I presume you are doing push ups in between reading these responses .... :D
 
Isn't KV Colluchi a fireman too? You can find him over at the community center. Good luck on your test. My nephew is a firefighter up in Kingman, AZ. Took a few years to get on the regular force, but he loves his job too. It's a great thing you are going to do. Again, Good Luck.
 
Good luck on your test Uwinv!

An ex-father-in-law was a fireman, hurt his back on the job and retired with an early medical retirement.
Hell I wish I was in just half the shape he was. After his surgery he had little to know pain unless he just flat overdid things. He was able to go on and build a nice garage workshop and added a really nice and large front room on to their already very nice mobile home.
And every time the TFD got a cost of living raise he did too.
He was drawing over 3K a month back in the early 80's!!!! :eek:
So that proves the job has great benefits even if you're not able to physically work at the job.

The downside is some of the things you may have to do on the job.
Fighting and putting out fires is only part of the job albeit mostly the dangerous part.
There are some aspects of the job occasionally that a man would really have to stop and think about in order to decide if he is up to performing the tasks.
Pulling out burned dead folks is one thing when they're adults but when it's a child it's something else.:(
Takes an inner strength as well as a strong stomach.
 
All I can do is to wish you the best of luck with the exam. I don't know what it entails, having joined a different Fire Service, in a different time on a different continent.
What I do know for sure is that there isn't another job/career like it and that the people who serve in it (as opposed to the ones who only want to join for the pension) are a breed apart.

I hope you make it into one of the biggest fraternaties on the planet.
 
Thank you all very much for all the kind words and wishes!! And advice on who to talk to.

I met with my brother's brother in law (is there a term for this that's shorter to type--BBIL?) last night and he gave us some insight into what to expect from the interview. Scary. 5 person board that does the interviewing. Bad news is they do 250 in one day I think. So each person only gets a few minutes to somehow survive their rapid fire questions and get chosen.

I really don't expect to get on this time, but I'm gonna give it hell and try!
 
The new guy has to carry the hoses up the apartment bulding stairs while the chief carries the walkie talkies. :D
 
Well, Maui, I'm not sure if that's better or worse. I'm trying to get a volunteer position with the police dept. and my first interview was 4 hours and 10 minutes :eek: Now for the polygraph(which is suppose to last 2 hours and 30 minutes) I think I'd have prefers the rapid fire 5 minute interview..... :confused: Good luck. And do be sure to let us know what happens.
 
Best of luck Rob!

Way back in another life I was a firefighter during my first six years in the Air Force. Military firefighting is different than in civilian life, but still a lot of fun. I think you'll enjoy it.

As for the physical exam, just be in good shape. It is a grueling test if run like they did in Rapid City (had some friends on the department there). Lots of funning up and down the hose tower carrying hose (in bunker gear). But you should do okay if you are in shape.

Let us know how it goes.

Alan
 
Good luck Rob,
I'm a wholetime firefighter in Jersey, UK. No matter where you are in the world, firefighting is a great job.
All the best,
Steve
 
Well, Maui, I'm not sure if that's better or worse. I'm trying to get a volunteer position with the police dept. and my first interview was 4 hours and 10 minutes Now for the polygraph(which is suppose to last 2 hours and 30 minutes) I think I'd have prefers the rapid fire 5 minute interview..... Good luck. And do be sure to let us know what happens
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WOW!! :eek: If that's what they do for a volunteer I'd hate to see what you'd have to go though for fulltime! :)

Way back in another life I was a firefighter during my first six years in the Air Force. Military firefighting is different than in civilian life, but still a lot of fun. I think you'll enjoy it
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Cool! From what guys on there have told me I don't have to run stairs in a tower, just run on a stair master with full gear plus a big chunk of weight for a certain amount of time.

I'm a wholetime firefighter in Jersey, UK. No matter where you are in the world, firefighting is a great job.
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Thanks Steve :) I've heard the same from every firefighter I"ve talked to. I read a book recently (non-fiction) written by a NYPD detective who said that cops often transferred to the Fire Department but hardly ever came back!


Many thanks again to all for well wishes and sharing your experiences!!
 
Yvsa wrote:
The downside is some of the things you may have to do on the job.
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Definitely true Edutsi. I'm lucky that my brother's brother in law has been on the Dept. for along time (and he's a paramedic) so I've heard some horrible stories and am aware that I may be in for seeing some awful things. But I appreciate you telling me that--I'm sure some people have gotten into it thinking that its all about camraderie, firehouse pranks, and squirting water on fires from the curbside.

I've found that I'm the kind of person who tends to gravitate towards extreme situations for whatever reason (dropped on my head as a baby is my guess :D )
 
BruiseLeee said:
You had it easy. I used to have a part time job as a soccer ball.
:rolleyes: :) :D
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And now the fuzz on Bruise's head is finally explained! :D
 
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