Be a Firefighter >> Browse Articles >> Firefighter's Five Step Guide to a Promotion

Step 3: Oral Presentations

Featured Author:

Battalion Chief Paul Lepore

Paul Lepore is a Battalion Chief with the City of Long Beach, California, Fire Department. He entered the fire service as a civilian Paramedic for the Los Angeles City Fire Department in 1985. After completing his education at the Los Angeles County Paramedic Training Institute, Lepore worked in the high impact area of South Central, Los Angeles.

Lepore was hired by the Long Beach Fire Department in 1986 and completed their 12-week academy. He spent the next two years working as a firefighter until he was promoted to firefighter/ paramedic. Lepore was promoted to Fire Captain in 1998 and is currently a Battalion Chief.

For more information:
- Add Chief Lepore as a FireLink Friend
- Visit AspiringFirefighters.com

More articles from this author:

• Firefighter's Five Step Guide to a Promotion
• Military Experience
• Step 5: Assess Your Leadership Skills

Your oral presentation is an important part of the promotion assessment. Here’s a quick and dirty list of possible scenarios you should have nailed down before you are presented with the real deal. It is important to speak clearly, initiate eye contact with your audience, and speak genuinely and concisely. Don’t be afraid to jot down notes, there’s nothing worse than sitting down after a speech and feeling like you forgot something. Practice each one in front of peers or family and be sure to time yourself.

You are a Captain of an Engine company. Your assignment is to teach the new firefighter how to use the Emergency Response guidebook. You have been provided with a copy of the book.

You have 15 minutes to prepare a 5 minute presentation on how to properly use the guide book.

You are a Captain of an Engine company. Your assignment is to teach the new firefighter how to use a fire extinguisher. You have been provided with a fire extinguisher.

You have 15 minutes to prepare a 5 minute presentation on how to properly use the guide book.

You are a new Captain. You are addressing your crew for the first time. You have 15 minutes to prepare a 5 minute presentation to your crew.

You are assigned by the Battalion Chief to make a presentation to the local neighborhood watch group about the importance of brush clearance.

You have 15 minutes to prepare a 5 minute presentation to the panel.

You are a new Captain who has been invited by the Chamber of Commerce to make a presentation about the importance of Fire Prevention inspections.

You have 15 minutes to prepare a 5 minute presentation to the panel.

You are a new Captain. You have 15 minutes to prepare a 5 minute presentation to your crew about the importance of customer service.

Guide to Promotion: Table of Contents

	• Step 1: Plan for Promotion
	• Step 2: Assessment Center Exercises      • Tactical Scene Scenarios      • Oral Interview      • Employee Counseling Session      • In-Basket Exercise
	• Step 3: Oral Presentations
	• Step 4: Practice Interview Questions      • Scoring Criteria
	• Step 5: Assess Your Leadership Skills
	• Home

Paul Lepore is the author of the best-selling series of career how-to books for firefighters. You can buy them directly from the FireLink Bookstore