If you're in the fire service, you're going to be yelled at from time to time. I don't care how tough and talented you are, I don't care if you were the student body president or you dated the homecoming queen. The simple truth is that you will be screamed at. I admit that I haven‚t met you, but I know ...

I've been on the fire department for over a year now. Another group of recruits has come through our academy since then, and they've been out running calls for months. Another recruit class is currently in session, and I'm even starting to help with their training. I feel like I've come a long way. It's always when you feel that way ...

If your department is anything like mine, you have a pretty good number of medical calls that should never have happened. Everything from small cuts to heartburn to a ride in the big white taxi, a whole gamut of conditions that you could certainly classify as "not an emergency". You may start to think after a while that most people have ...

We all know that showing up late to an interview or dressing inappropriately can ruin your chances for a job. But what about the more subtle ways that could make you unexpectedly sabotage your job interview? Don't let it happen to you! Keep in mind these 10 common subconscious mistakes that you probably don't even know you're making. Next | ...

*+Basic Eligibility Requirements+* The fire department will post the entry-level requirements on the job description flyer. In order for a candidate’s application to be accepted, the minimum requirements must be met. While entry-level requirements vary from department to department, most require candidates to be at least 18 years of age. Some require applicants to be at least 21 years old. Most ...

With the long days of summer, there are more daylight hours in which to exercise. Many people focus on running and outdoor activities. These days, though, it may be best to stay indoors and do another type of workout instead of breathing polluted air during strenuous cardio activity. In an email this week, I was asked about running during the summer, ...

*+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 ...

*+Mental Conditioning+* It is extremely stressful to prepare for a manipulative exam knowing that if you don’t perform you will lose your job. Everyone in the academy has to perform to the minimum standards. There are NO exceptions. Being able to perform under pressure is critical. Remember, the training staff is there to help you be successful. The department has invested ...

Q: I'm 45 and just now realizing that I want to become a firefighter. Will a department even consider me because of my age? A: 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 ...

Ever wonder what you need to do to break into the fire service? Written by Battalion Chief Paul Lepore, author of three best selling firefighter career how-to books, this 5-step guide offers aspiring firefighters unique insight on how to best position yourself for a successful firefighting career and what to expect your first year on the job. A special section by ...

Background investigations are an important component of the hiring process. They are completed by most fire departments across the country. Historically, fire departments have not placed as much emphasis on a thorough background check as their counterparts on the police department. A criminal check with the local police agency and a DMV check was the extent of what we used to ...

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 ...

Introduction In the past half a century, the role of firefighters has changed a great deal. There was a time when the business of fighting fires was not as involved as it is today. The job mainly consisted of was cleaning fire engines, taking care of the station and answering phones, and then rushing to an emergency when duty called. While ...

Worried about your firefighter oral board interview? First, take the proper amount of time to prepare. Being well-prepared will boost your confidence and lower your anxiety. Experts recommend that you spend at least three hours preparing for each interview. You should draft answers to the most common interview questions and practice speaking them out loud. You also should read up ...

Stew Smith CSCS, former Navy SEAL Joins Forces with FireLink.com as fitness advisor / writer. I am pleased to start writing a fitness column for FireLink.com that will enable me to communicate with law officers on a regular basis, but also, I hope to assist our Heroes of Tomorrow and today with maintaining their fitness level and career longevity. It is ...

Getting into a running program after an injury or just starting running for the first time ever or many years is very tough. For one, the joints, soft tissues, and bones can all be injured by common “overuse” injuries such as: * Shin Splints * Very Common Knee Tendinitis * Runner's Knee (PFS) * ITB Syndrome * Heel Injuries (Plantar Fasciitis) ...

We all are susceptible to lower back injuries– firefighter, military, law enforcement, advanced athlete, beginning exerciser, or sedentary person – we all get back injuries of some sort. The back injuries seen most in doctor’s offices and chiropractic clinics world wide involve the lower back / hip region and can occur from a variety of different causes. According to Dr. Steve ...

So you want to start a new career in the Fire and Rescue industry, but you don’t know where to begin? The first step in becoming a volunteer firefighter is to research the industry. For several hundred years volunteer firefighters have protected their communities. Because they rely heavily on donations and neighborhood involvement, a good chunk of a volunteer firefighter’s time ...

After doing research and writing about physical fitness tests for military and public service agencies for the past ten years, I recognized a common appearance of the 1.5 mile run, pushups, and sit-ups test as a near universal basis for testing fitness levels. The groups who use the Common PFT are the Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and more than 50% ...

In this industry you have to have the will and the desire to get the job done, whatever that job may be. You may have to spend hours training with your department in new firefighting techniques and styles. You may have to fight for one more ounce of strength as you battle endless, angry flames during a call. You may have ...