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So you want to be a firefighter.
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Posted 21 days ago Let me start by stating that I don't pretend to speak for the entire fire service; and what follows is just my opinion based upon fifteen years experience evaluating entry level applications. For the record, I am a BC in a municipal FD; I have 25 years of fire service experience, and 15 years as the TO. Each and every recruitment, I am appalled by the number of applications that FAIL to have the desired effect. IE make the initial cutoff, and provide the applicant with an invitation to test. Just yesterday, I rejected 73 applications (out of 148) for failure to provide the information essential to the application. Let me elaborate that these weren't "They didn't dot every I" rejections; but applications that gave me absolutely nothing to work with - I go out of my way to give every candidate a fair shake; but c'mon, work with me here (If I rejected every application that didn't follow the application instructions, the rejected list would have been 145).
No matter how much experience you have, no matter how great your qualifications are, and no matter how perfect you are for the job, your knowledge/experience/training is wasted if you can't pass the first part of the test - that is, fill-out a job application.
Some pointers:
Read the entire announcement, not just the "minimum qualifications"
80% of the applicants failed to submit a DMV printout. While I didn't reject any applications on this basis alone, I could have.
If you get your job information from a website, actually take the time and effort to verify that the web-info is current. Contact the employer and get a copy of the announcement and the current application.
Read the entire announcement, and follow the directions.
Our announcement said "All information regarding your qualifications must be documented on the application; copies of materials verifying your qualifications must be attached. Resumes will not be accepted. Please submit requested materials only."
Most applications failed to show that the applicant met the minimum requirements, several said "see resume"; and one person even listed "N/A" for qualifications. I also received numerous applications with two copies of every certificate available to the fire service (think of the trees); wading through 100 useless pages, to find the 3 items required is time consuming; and If I miss a page with the required information, you are the one that loses out.
Our job announcement also required that you submit a current "National Registry or State of California EMT or Paramedic license; ... a course completion certificate does not fulfill this requirement." Yup, you guessed it, tons of applications with course completion certificates; and no sign of an EMT/Paramedic license.
Read the application, and follow the directions.
If it asks a question, answer it. If it asks for 3 references, list them. Oh, and when you are faxing your application, please make sure that you are faxing the correct pages to the correct employer (I received 3 applications, with the signature page from a different employers application). I realize that many of you are “playing the field”; and will happily go to work for whichever agency asks you first. This is fine, it is understandable, and it can get you passed over. While I didn’t reject any applications because I thought the person wasn’t sincere about wanting to work for my department – I did reject all 3, for failing to submit a complete application.
Be prepared.
There are certain things you should have copies of. Either the application or background process is probably going to require your:
Birth certificate, Social-Security Card, HS Diploma or GED, Honorable Discharge (If you had prior military service), EMS license, Firefighter 1 certificate, etc.
The Fire Service, at least in California, is extremely competitive; and the competition doesn’t start with the written test. It begins when you apply.
Think about it. I am a fire officer. I need employees that can follow complex instructions, without hesitation, in the most dire of circumstances. Why should I hire someone who can’t follow instructions, while in the comfort of their own home?
Finally, if you are going to submit a resume (even when we tell you not to), please make the effort to make sure it is up-to-date. Yesterday I read seven (7) cover letters that were addressed to a different organization. If you can’t be bothered to put in the effort …
Just a gentle reminder, while I could have dismissed 145 out of 148 applications, I did not do so. However, if the pool of “complete” applications had been somewhat larger, I would have made no exceptions. What this means is this – if your competition takes my advice, and improves their application; you won’t get a break next time.
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