Fire Careers

U.S. FOREST SERVICE – Region 5 (California)

This is somefollow up info taken from a pdf flier. All California Forest Service areas are in this text and how to make application, Good Luck

U.S. FOREST SERVICE – Region 5 (California)
Forestry Aid and Forestry
Technicians
Temporary Wildland Firefighter
2012 Fire Season
Apply Now – Contact Captains ASAP – Job Offers may be made in
January and February
Updated12/05/11
The Forest Service requires talented people working safely together to be successful. Wildland firefighters work in
a variety of … Read the rest

What Is in the Firefighter One Exam?

The firefighter I exam, taken after completion of several classroom courses and hands-on training, prepares you for the next level of firefighter training and the firefighter II exam.

Healthy Holiday Appetizers

recently,  we went over four appetizers to steer clear of this holiday season – today we serve up healthy options for your cocktail plates!

1. Crudités. The fiber in veggies will help fill you up, and they provide a nice, satisfying crunch. Choose a spectrum of colors (broccoli, cauliflower and carrots are good choices) and serve with low- or non-fat plain yogurt. Add some fresh herbs and seasonings for flavor.
2. Mixed nuts. When eaten sparingly, nuts are a terrific snack. Walnuts

… Read the rest

Holiday appetizers to avoid

4 Worst Holiday Appetizers

Holiday parties are notorious for finger foods filled with high-glycemic carbohydrates and unhealthy fats. See a few of the worst below and stay tuned for some of the better choices.  Knowledge is power, so being aware of what you are eating makes all the difference –

1. Dips. Skip the creamy, cheesy dips and opt for fresh salsa instead.
2. Cocktail franks and mini-meatballs. Neither is a good source of lean protein and both can pack a

… Read the rest

2012 Becoming A Firefighter Workshop

Now that the holiday season is officialy in full swing I wanted to take a moment to
wish you and your family a Happy and Safe Holiday Season. We all have much to be
thankful for at this time of year, the least of which is our family and friends. It
is with this thought that I say thank you to each of you for your friendship over
the years. For me it has been both an honor and a … Read the rest

Food Focus: Oils and Fats

Oils and Fats

Not all oils and fats are created equal. Heavily processed, hydrogenated, “trans” fats and oils that are used in prepared, packaged foods can be extremely damaging to the body. However, fats and oils from whole foods and other high-quality sources can steady our metabolism, keep hormone levels even, nourish our skin, hair and nails and provide lubrication to keep the body functioning fluidly. Our bodies also need fat for insulation and to protect and hold our organs … Read the rest

Increase Your Energy: Top Ten Ways

1)     Reduce or eliminate caffeine.

• The ups and downs of caffeine include dehydration and blood sugar ups and downs, making mood swings more frequent.

2)     Drink water.

• Most Americans are chronically dehydrated. Before you go to sugar or caffeine, have a glass of water and wait a few minutes to see what happens.
• Caution: Soft drinks are now America’s number one source of added sugar.

3)     Eat dark leafy green vegetables.

• Green is associated with spring, the

… Read the rest

6 ways to stall your firefighter job search

In today’s Sunday paper, I noticed a timely article titled “6 ways to stall your job search,” by Larry Buhl, and I wanted to share it since I think it really provides a lot of guidance for future firefighters. Now before we go any further, I’ve heard more and more people say they don’t read the daily newspaper because they don’t have time or they don’t think it’s relevant. I believe it’s critical for fire service professionals to be in-tune … Read the rest

Got The Love?

Its was 230 am…Again.  I couldn’t sleep, and my heart was racing.  I remember and staring out the window of my bedroom with the strangest mix of emotions.   My mind wouldn’t shut down.  I alternated between unbridled motivation and excitement to sheer panic.  This does not bode well for rest.

I’d figured out exactly what I wanted to do with my life.  Only a handful of people ever truly have the realization that there is a single thing that they … Read the rest

How to Become a Firefighter…

How to Become a Firefighter . Many theories exist on the right path to follow to be successful at becoming a career firefighter. Career firefighter jobs require an individual approach; the journey that works for one person may not be the same for another.
Generally speaking fire jobs require a unique set of pre-requisites and skills to be successful.
1) The candidate (you) must have a clean record free of chronic drug use, traffic issues, or felonies.
2) Usually an … Read the rest

The Building of a Vision Statement

The Building of a Vision Statement
By
Bob Atlas, Battalion Chief
Your personal vision statement will guide your life. It will assist you in following your goals and give you the direction needed to follow the course of your days and the choices you make about your career. Your personal vision statement is the lighthouse that shines in the darkness which guides you and directs you in which way to turn on the way to success. Your personal vision statement … Read the rest

The Building of a Personal Mission Statement

The Building of a Personal Mission Statement
By
Bob Atlas, Battalion Chief

You have a purpose in life. You know in your heart what’s most important to you. In fact, your mission and values are expressed every day, by how you live–you just may not realize it ! In this segment we are going to work on how to build a Personal Mission Statement. A Personal Mission Statement is critical to your success. With one you can continue to be … Read the rest

I didn’t get hired? But I thought I had the best resume!

This is a problem many candidates “don’t get” today, and was something I didn’t get when I was testing to become a firefighter. When I was testing to become a firefighter in the early 1990’s – (come on, that wasn’t too long ago – and things really haven’t changed that much, at least in my area) – I tried too hard to have the “best resume.”

It didn’t dawn on me until I was actually hired, that “best resume” is … Read the rest

It’s Cold and Flu Season… Some alternatives…

EMS personnel are constantly exposed to all sorts of germs and ill folks. With Cold and Flu season starting, people are apt to get the flu 2 and 3 times this season. There are several natural alternatives that are not widely known. Let’s take some time to discuss some of the ways patients in my practice strengthen their immune system to ward off all the bugs flying around this time of year. Try one or all of these suggestions, and … Read the rest

A mother’s wise words…

My mom used to say, “You better check yourself at the door…!”

Some rookie basics

Anyone that has survived their rookie year working at a firehouse will tell you that there are some important social & cultural expectations they had to meet every day on the job – and that many of them weren’t spelled out in a textbook or manual.  In fact, I’d venture to say that a large part of what makes someone fun to work with/around is when you feel like they not only take their job seriously, but also understand these … Read the rest

Ethical Questions or How Not To Sink Saving Your Buddy!

A candidate, questioning the oral board process, wondered what happened to the days when you would step up to help a brother who had gotten themselves into a less than desirable position? Also wondering why it seems to easy to “throw your buddy under the bus”.

We’re not in Kansas anymore, and your “buddy” doesn’t sign your paycheck!

Unity of Command Answers the Conflicting Order Dilemma

A typical Firefighter oral interview question: “Given a task by your company officer at a fire ground, you encounter another Captain who gives you a different task. What is this situation and how will you handle it?”

Unity of Command answers that question!

Begin To Dress To Your Success!

Make an excellent, long standing first impression; show that you are serious and set the bar higher for others to reach!

Oral Board Questions

As someone taking either an entry level or promotional level oral interview, there should be no “trick” or “surprise” questions if you have done your research/homework.

Meaning, there are many websites and books that have sample oral board questions that pretty much cover the majority of the types of questions you’ll be asked

You NEED this job!

I can hardly express how much you need this job. I worked for two years, taking every test I could until the day finally came when I earned my badge. After that, I became a card-carrying member of the American Fire Service. I was honored to be a part of a fraternal organization of unparalleled quality. I learned over the years that no matter where you worked or what your rank, any firefighter would bend over backwards to do whatever … Read the rest

The concept of “kaizen”

One of the most important things I believe a firefighter should both embrace and embody is the concept of “kaizen”, or “continuous improvement”.  Above all traits – physical, mental, emotional – the desire to improve yourself each day has the potential to make you a top notch firefighter candidate and a welcome addition to any fire department.  Once on the job, the concept of continuous improvement is what separates average firefighters from exceptional ones; mediocre commanding officers from those that … Read the rest

Small Thought about Customer Service

Recently, I had the opportunity to speak to 165 future firefighters at the California Fire Explorer Academy in Oxnard, CA. I chose to speak about a future in the fire service and advice on taking oral exams. One subject in the conversation was customer service and what it means to you as a firefighter.
Customer service is an added value, how you can add value to a trip to the store, a code 2 run to assist a person back … Read the rest

Welcome Josh.

Please Help me Welcome our new FCBlog team member Josh Sanders.  This is a re-print of Josh’s bio page for your review. 

Josh Sanders is a Firefighter/Paramedic with the Chula Vista Fire Department, where he was hired in 2004. He is currently assigned to an OES Type I Heavy Rescue and has been involved with the CVFD rescue program since it’s inception in the spring of 2006.

Josh is a California state registered rescue instructor in several disciplines and is … Read the rest

Future Firefighter Tip: Maintain a File System

When you first apply for a specific fire department, or more importantly, start doing research for a particular fire department (well before they are even accepting applications), it is a good idea to keep a file or binder for that specific department. It’s a good idea to do this because the average firefighter candidate has to take multiple firefighter examinations prior to getting hired, and it can get very challenging trying to keep track of all of the applications you … Read the rest

Invest in your Success…”you gotta’ pay the cost to be the Nozzleman!”

No one talks about the fact that to begin to compete for today’s firefighter jobs “you’ve got to pay to play”, meaning that to realize your goal of becoming a professional firefighter requires that you shell out some cash.

How To Answer Firefighter Oral Board Questions. (Or…You’re Not Dan Allred.)

Firefighter Return to Work Program

Today I reviewed the Firefighter opportunities that are available across the country. The FireCareers boards provide a plethora of opportunities. At this very moment, Fire departments across the country are looking to add firefighters. As a matter of fact, 1,300 departments are accepting entry- level firefighter applications right now; and more than 1,300 agencies are looking to fill upgraded positions within their ranks.

Certainly, many fire departments are suffering budget cut backs, closing fire stations, reducing staffing with work furloughs … Read the rest

Playing the Game

When I speak to a person who wants to be a firefighter, I explain that it is important first to have the passion for the game, that to want to be a firefighter is consuming.

3 Basic Tips for Surviving an Interview in the Fire Service

The quest for giving the perfect interview seems to be the desire of every aspiring firefighter. Making sure appearances are clean and professional, having the perfect resume printed on paper that probably costs more than its worth, and investing heavily in deodorant to handle the stress during the agonizing moments before your name is called in to interview are all things that everyone in the fire service seems to have experienced. The fact of the matter is that in many … Read the rest

Financial Smarts For The Future Firefighter

While reading this morning’s Sunday paper, I came across an article in the Business section written by Susie Orman, recognized expert in personal finances, that I believe many current and future firefighters can learn from, especially in today’s economy.

She talked about a few key concepts:

1. You’re not entitled to an allowance.
2. A household requires cash to function.
3. You don’t need to spend every dollar you’ve saved.
4. You may not be able to afford the college … Read the rest

Paramedics working as EMT’s

I recently met with an aspiring firefighter who had taken the step to become a paramedic. He was an academy graduate and still could not get hired. He became a paramedic with the thought that it would help him get hired. Good plan, right?
Kind of……

Where his plan failed is that after completing paramedic school, he returned to his EMT job at the local ambulance company. Huge mistake! Here’s why…….
He is most likely going to be taking lateral … Read the rest

Fire Station Visits

This past couple of weeks we did a few station visits and had a blast doing it!

First, I got to visit the Berryhill Fire Dept. in Oklahoma. I was happy to hear that the department was taking firefighter applications in anticipation that a couple of paid positions may open. The engine room was full equipment the probationary firefighter who showed me around was a few weeks away from getting off probation

Next, we went by Fresno, CA City Station … Read the rest

My First Oral Board

I recently had my first oral board interview, and here I am going to tell about the experience; what it was like, and what I learned.

At this point in my pursuit of a fire service career I’ve taken only a handful of tests and only recently had my first panel interview.  I had assumed going into the interview that the panel would be made up of a variety of firefighters and senior officers from the department, but it turned … Read the rest

Safeguard Firefighter Health

Know the signs and symptoms of cardiac distress. Immediately report discomfort in the center of the chest, upper body, or feelings of pressure or pain, shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness. Know that the symptoms of cardiac distress may include feelings of denial or doom.

A Short And Effective 3 Point Primer On Situational Questions.

Causes of Stress, for fire service and non fire service persons.

In order to eliminate or at least control stress, it is vital to know and understand the causes of stress. Of course, there are many causes of stress and they are as varied as the people who suffer from stress, but there are a few places to look first. And by learning about these causes of stress, you can figure out where stress is entering your life.

How To Become A Firefighter In Light Of The US Economic Situation. (For Bryan)

Bryan commented on a recent blog post:

“Thanks for the article Paul. It was a great read and I definitely agree that “the quickest road to success is one that leads straight to the ultimate goal.” I think step one, once you meet all of the requirements, is to practice written tests. I can’t tell you how many guys I know that have been trying to become firefighters for years and cannot even get past the written test process. I … Read the rest

Become a Firefighter NOW.

I’m consistently seeing candidates that ask a type of question that illustrates a HUGE and very common mistake that people make in pursuit of their dreams.  The questions often look like this:

“Should I get my two year degree in Fire Science or should I go for a more broad subject matter?  I want to have the best degree to get the job when I start applying, but I think I need to hedge my bets just in case.”

“Which … Read the rest

Starter Principals For The Firefighter Oral Board Exam. (And some great links!)

Why do you want to become a firefighter?

That is a question that is commonly asked during an oral interview, and even during fire station visits or discussions with others when they find out your career aspirations.

Unfortunately many candidates fail to hit the grand slam when they answer this question.

Common answers include:

1. I want to help people.
2. I want to make a difference in people’s lives.
3. Because of the job security (not so much in today’s economy).
4. Because of the wages, benefits, … Read the rest

5 Ways to Improve Your Firefighter Written Exam Score Right Now.

The Written Exam is the first of the Fire Department Entrance Exams.  Its most often used to set a cut off for who will go forward to the Physical Agility and then Oral Board Examinations.  In these cases, it allows the department one is applying for to reduce the field of candidates to make the process more time and cost effective.  At other times, the score is added to other scores achieved in the testing process to determine an overall … Read the rest

Perception

As I scanned the parking lot, I was disturbed to see a private ambulance parked perpendicular in THREE spots.

Secrets of Success for Entry Level Firefighters

Become the Unshakeable Optimist, This can be one of the most difficult things to do. It requires that you do not “jump on the bandwagon” every time someone starts talking negative. You must limit that exposure. It is imperative that you remain positive and protective of your time. You can choose your thoughts and how you process them. Remember, someone else is out there working on getting hired just like you. It is a dogfight and your objective is to be the last one standing. To do that you must have conviction all the time.

Fit for Fire: Does P90X Work For Real For Anyone?

Happy New Year! Have one of your New Year’s resolution been getting yourself Fit for Fire?

Have you been considering using p90x to help you get your body into the best shape you can, but are not sure it is going to work for you? Does p90x work is a question that so many people everywhere are asking and searching for the answer for.

The truth is that this system can work for anyone that uses it, but whether it … Read the rest

Interview Tip: Name-Dropping

Happy New Year!

Many firefighter candidates think it is appropriate to “drop names” when they are participating in an oral interview or some other phase of the hiring process such as visiting fire stations. You may think this is a great idea and that by you knowing that special person you are mentioning, that you will have an “in” with the fire department. Well, that may be true, but it may be more false than true. While you may be … Read the rest

Hello is this thing on?

Without regard for you or the health of FireCareers, Bill Novak and Shift Design set us on a course of complete failure and put 28 years of company history on the brink of disaster.

Age and Becoming a Firefighter

Everyone has an opinion of age when it comes to hiring new firefighters. Some people feel that a younger candidate has a better chance of getting hired because; after all, the fire departments are looking to hire a candidate for the next 30 years.

If a fire department hires a 21 or 22 year old, the department can train the recruit before he or she has a chance to develop “bad” habits. Furthermore, since the agency wants to get the … Read the rest

You’re Almost There…

Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take the time to wish you, your family and friends Happy Holidays!

Hopefully this holiday season is not too stressful and is something you can enjoy as we near 2011 (weren’t we just getting ready for Y2K? – which was about 11 or so years ago?)!

Take care, don’t just stay safe – make it safe!… Read the rest