FireLink

Candidates who have served our country in the Armed Forces have a huge advantage over those who have not. It is generally believed that while military veterans may not have as many certificates and fire science units as the other candidates (they were busy serving our country), they offer so much more. The personal growth and professional experience a military service ...

Due to popular demand, FireLink's Five Steps To Becoming a Firefighter is also available as a downloadable ebook. This ebook can be downloaded and printed to read at your convenience. Written and reviewed by experts in the fire and rescue community, Five Steps To Becoming a Firefighter has over 25 pages of invaluable information to set you on the right path ...

Congratulations on getting on a volunteer department! Hopefully, by reading through this guide you have gained some helpful knowledge to help you not only become a volunteer firefighter, but to help you along your career as well. Now that you are a part of the department, it’s time to really show what you’ve got. Keep demonstrating that you are interested in ...

Human instinct is to run away from fire for fear of being injured or killed. Firefighters are the only ones who run toward a burning building in search of people in need of help. They are willing to risk their lives for complete strangers regardless of race, creed, color, or socioeconomic status. What is it that motivates them to do this? ...

*+Schedules and Timelines+* Most commonly firefighters work in 24-hour shifts, reporting to work at 0700 and work until 0700 the next day. Firefighters usually work a total of 56 hours per week (but since these hours are worked on a continual basis, firefighters enjoy a lot of time off). On the average, firefighters work ten 24-hour shifts each month, leaving them ...

*+Volunteer Firefighters+* Over ninety percent of the firefighters in the United States are volunteer firefighters. These men and women live in the community and want to make it a safer place. Frequently the local firehouse is the focal point in the community. The fire engines, and trucks are purchased with donations raised from the community. Becoming a volunteer firefighter is not ...

Landing a job in the fire service is truly a unique challenge. On average, there are over 100 candidates who apply for each opening. Since the competition is so intense, what does it take to be the top candidate? [widget:flywheel_links] Many candidates believe it is important to be the "most qualified" individual in the testing process. The truth is that we ...

*+Networking+* The best way to standout in the hiring process is to understand the role of a firefighter. A great way to gain knowledge and experience in the fire service is to become a volunteer or reserve firefighter. These candidates will have made a name for themselves long before the testing process. Candidates often volunteer for departmental activities. These activities include ...

This week I received a fun email from a former Marine who likes to push himself still and those around him. He writes: Stew, I have been using your workouts to get my pushups up to 100 in 2 minutes (as a Marine we focused on pullups as you know) and got it last week. Now I an thinking of doing ...

I wish you could know what it is like to search a burning bedroom for trapped children at 3 AM, flames rolling above your head, your palms and knees burning as you crawl, the floor sagging under your weight as the kitchen below you burns. I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 6 in the morning as I check ...

This week I received an email titled, "LOVE-HANDLES!! Help me lose them." I have been working on a routine that incorporates exercises that will help you work your love handles (the oblique region of the torso). Personally, I like to work my "obliques" on days I work my legs, so I created the Legs and Love Handles workout seen below. As ...

*Interviews* The fire department interview is a unique challenge that is a component of the hiring process for most fire departments. As a general rule, the interview is usually weighed more than any other portion of the exam. It is not uncommon to have each of the other phases of the exam weighted "pass or fail," while the interview is weighted ...

*If still in high school look into a Regional Occupational Program (ROP).* Many local fire departments have community outreach recruitment programs. *Graduate from high school or obtain your GED.* A diploma is much preferred. *Talk with a counselor at a community college that offers fire science courses.* Set up a course curriculum that allows you to obtain a two-year degree in ...

The truth of the matter is that most people sabotage their own interviews. Instead of putting their best foot forward, they put off the interviewer by acting cocky, unsure of their talent, having bad manners, or by simply acting abnormal. FireLink has interviewed several recruitment experts to bring you unbelievable true stories of what actually happens behind interview doors. If ...

1. Why do you want to work in this industry? Bad answer: "I like firefighting. I think it's really cool." Don't just say you like it. Anyone can "like" firefighting. Focus instead on your history with the industry, and if you can, tell a story. Good answer: "I have always appreciated and admired those who put their lives on the line ...

It doesn’t matter if you are a rookie on probationary status, or you are a tenured member of the team, always ask questions! Common knowledge states that there is no such thing as a stupid question. If you don’t know something, ask a person who does. By asking questions you may not only help yourself, but other members and officers as ...

It is important to bring productive personal skills to the table when you become a volunteer firefighter. I know at my department, we have volunteers with backgrounds in electrical work, mechanics, plumbing and farming (yes, farming). Volunteer departments will sometimes work on their own vehicles and equipment if the work is something that can be done at the station. This helps ...

Being a volunteer is a great way to start out in the industry, but there are also other factors you may have to consider. Most volunteer firefighters have full-time jobs and families. Learning how to prioritize your schedule will be one of the most useful skills during your time volunteering. Thankfully, a lot of departments across the country have set meeting ...

The Fire and Rescue industry is and can be very demanding, both physically and mentally. When most of us hear the word “physical,” we automatically think of ripped abs and tones arms. This is not the context that we use this word. The phrase “good physical condition” simply implies that you can handle strenuous activity for a certain period of time. ...

This is an industry that can demand a lot from you. Not sometimes, but most of the time. Being aware of your limitations is a humbling skill that all firefighters should have. Letting your officers know of any hesitations helps not only yourself, but your department as well. Knowing when to say, “I can’t” makes you more of a person for ...