The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter

by Pearn, Kory

• ISBN13: 9781554554362
• ISBN10: 1554554365
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-01-30
• Publisher: Fitzhenry & Whiteside Ltd

Summary

The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter provides countless tips, hints, suggestions, and details about how to successfully get hired by any fire department. This book covers everything from general knowledge about firefighting and is written from a recently hired firefighter's perspective. The workbook includes: Course Manager: Keeping track of the courses you have taken, wish to take, and must take School Selection Guide: Use this guide to help make an educated decision on what fire school to attend Recruitment Manager: This chart provides the necessary information you must collect about fire departments you are visiting and getting interviews for Sample Application Sample Written Aptitude Test Questions: Gain the edge to writing firefighter exams Sample Interview Questions: Over 150 of the most common interview questions used by recruiting fire departments Sample Cover Letter, Resumes and Reference Letters: By understanding format, layout and design you can create the perfect firefighter cover letters, resumes and reference letters. Ultimately, The Complete Guide to Becoming a Firefighter is an invaluable asset to anyone who wants to become a firefighter or is considering such a profession.

Table of Contents

About the Book	p. xv
How to Get the Most Out of this Book	p. xvii
Getting Started
Job Description of Today's Firefighter	p. 3
Roles and Responsibilities of a Firefighter	p. 5
How Soon Should I Start Planning?	p. 7
Is Age a Factor?	p. 9
Career Change	p. 12
Visiting Your Physician	p. 14
The Right Attitude	p. 16
Attitude Versus Qualifications	p. 18
Positive Qualities	p. 19
Getting Ahead of Your Competition
Minimum Requirements for Becoming a Firefighter	p. 25
Example of Minimum Requirements	p. 21
Achieving Minimum Requirements	p. 28
Recommendations	p. 31
Choosing the Right Courses	p. 33
Courses to Consider	p. 34
Course Brainstorming	p. 39
Course Manager	p. 41
Medical Training	p. 42
Choosing a Firefighting Program	p. 45
Fire Service Organizations	p. 46
Distance Learning	p. 48
Questions to Ask	p. 49
Volunteering	p. 52
Recruitment Process Strategies
Municipal Firefighter Recruitment Process	p. 59
Stages of Recruitment Programs	p. 60
If You are Not Successful the First Time	p. 66
Keeping Track of Recruitments	p. 67
Application Packages	p. 70
How to Successfully Complete an Application	p. 73
Application Form Tips	p. 74
Advantages of Multiple Applications	p. 80
Organization for the Recruitment Process	p. 81
Preparing for Written and Physical Tests
Written Aptitude Test	p. 91
Preparing for and Writing the Aptitude Test	p. 94
Preparing for the Test	p. 94
Writing Tips	p. 96
Strategies for Answering Multiple Choice Questions	p. 100
Physical Fitness Test	p. 106
CPAT-Physical Fitness Test	p. 107
Preparing for the Physical Fitness Test	p. 111
Staying Motivated for your Workouts	p. 113
Acing the Interview
The Interview	p. 123
What They're Looking For	p. 123
Telephone Interviews	p. 124
How to Prepare for the Interview	p. 126
Research	p. 126
Sample Interview Questions	p. 128
Practicing the Interview	p. 136
What to Wear	p. 136
How to Approach the Interview	p. 137
How to Survive the Interview	p. 139
Prior to the Interview	p. 139
During the Interview	p. 140
End of the Interview	p. 142
Résumé and Accompanying- Letters	p. 143
Cover Letter	p. 143
Résumés	p. 147
References	p. 158
Follow-Up Letters	p. 160
Making the Short List	p. 161
Visiting the Fire Hall	p. 164
Ensuring Job Success
Job Success	p. 173
Expectations of a Probationary firefighter	p. 174
Appendices
Firefighting Schools	p. 181
Firefighting Websites	p. 192
Firefighting Magazines	p. 194
Firefighting Technical Books	p. 195
Personal Contacts	p. 208
About the Author	p. 211
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.