Hey rhino we do the CPAT here, do you do the same?
Have you guys run the cpat yet? It’s a piece of cake
The PAT test I took didn’t have the ladder raise and we didn’t wear the SCBA which sucked because when I was testing, they were doing burns and the smoke was thick in the air. You can see an outline of the test that I did on the Academy website:
http://bfa.edu/subsections/view/fireacademy/28
I finished in about 3 1/2 minutes. Looking to get my time down for the next run through. I always skip cardio in the gym…lol not anymore though.
That is the entrance test to get into the academy. Most of the cities down here use another physical test called the MESH test to pick applicants from so I’ll be taking that test next after I finish the academy.
We did a vo2 test then a combat challenge type of test to get into fire school.
Then during a couple of different hiring processes did the cpat and versions of the combat challenge, some departments dont allow you to go through their hiring processes without certain medical and fitness tests
Update:
Got all fancy lookin with a fresh haircut, fresh shave and a clean/pressed suit. The interviews were running late so I didn’t get mine until almost 2. The interview was me and two fire fighters. They asked me to tell them about myself. Then they asked what I was doing to get to where I wanted to go. They asked me what my strengths/weaknesses are and how that relates to the fire service. They asked me an EMT question (which I totally wasn’t prepared for. I had prepped for a few different ones but not that lol) then they asked what I was doing to get ready for the academy.
I answered all of their questions and at the end they said “ok, can we speak candidly with you? It’s not part of the questionnaire.”
They said that with my military background that they have no doubts that I’ll work hard, take orders and have no problems with the physical aspect. They said that with my military background I “am over qualified” (uh oh… That’s never good) if anything. They said that with what I’ve done I’ve probably got more life experience than they do but wanted me to know that the military and the fire service are different blah blah blah. They said that a big part of the application process is different certifications (ones that I dont have)
The guy said that I was very well spoken, I presented myself well, I was very confident and that I didn’t seem nervous at all. He said if I walked in the door of his station I would be exactly the kind of new guy that he would be excited about but they weren’t sure if I was ready for the fire service hiring process (takes a long time) they asked that multiple times. “Are you ready?”
Then they looked at my PAT time and said “you ran a 3:04?” I said, yes. They asked if I had ever ran it before and I said no. The guy said “that’s a good time” and the other guy said “damn good time” so that was good. After that they said to do as many pushups as I could to conclude the interview. I took off my jacket and my tie and started pushing em out. The interviewers stopped me at 65. I could have done more (maybe 80something) but I was feeling it at that point lol.
So I’m not exactly sure what to think about the interview. On one hand I got quite a few positive remarks and on the other they said I was “over qualified” and they mentioned my lack of certifications (basically reiterating that I am just starting out the fire fighter process) so we’ll just have to see I guess. they said I would know by Friday if I made it or not.
Good luck with it all Greg. glad to see how it all is done. The whole are you prepared for this thing, seems to be a common question in this field, entering medic school i was asked about 10 times if i was ready to give up a year of my life, its true lol.
seems like you did well though, and what baffles me is getting the FF1 cert seems to be what you need out there, so you are obviously doing what needs to be done.
good luck and keep us updated.
[quote]gregron wrote:
[quote]Rhino Jockey wrote:
Greg, what did your PAT consist of? Sounds a bit different than the one I took.[/quote]
Whats up Rhino? The PAT consisted of the following events: (all were completed while wearing a turnout coat, gloves, helmet, scba)
35 foot ladder raise
Thow a 100foot bundle of hose over your shoulder for the stairs (45lbs)
Go up the 40 foot drill tower (stairs… which covered 106 feet)
hose Hoist another 100 foot bundle to the top (45lbs)
Back down the stairs
Keiser sledge hammer (160lb beam 5 feet)
1 3/4 inch charge hose line drag 100 feet
175lb dummy drag 100 feet
end of skill
[quote]timmyo wrote:
Nice going…a solid time, especially first time running through it.
Technique helps a lot when you get on the keiser, hitting it slightly off centre and choking up in the handle can make it faster.
Good luck.[/quote]
Oh yeah I wasted quite a bit of time on the Keiser sled… definitely gonna have to work on that. Thanks a lot
[/quote]
Yall got the easy test. I tested for a small local paid department back in the winter, and had to do all of that shit and run a mile at the end of it. I suck at running, but still got better than average time. We also had to climb a 75ft ladder and read a number off a placard to prove we weren’t scared of heights. The wind was blowing hard that day and 1 guy in my group chickened out halfway up. Another guy cried like a baby when he got to the top, but he wouldn’t quit and managed to read the number and climb down on his own so he passed. Two weeks ago they announced in the local papers that they will not be hiring this year. Oh well, I’m volunteering now in my home town so it’s no big loss.
Ahh well. i got hired.
[quote]Uncle Gabby wrote:
Yall got the easy test. I tested for a small local paid department back in the winter, and had to do all of that shit and run a mile at the end of it. I suck at running, but still got better than average time. We also had to climb a 75ft ladder and read a number off a placard to prove we weren’t scared of heights. The wind was blowing hard that day and 1 guy in my group chickened out halfway up. Another guy cried like a baby when he got to the top, but he wouldn’t quit and managed to read the number and climb down on his own so he passed. Two weeks ago they announced in the local papers that they will not be hiring this year. Oh well, I’m volunteering now in my home town so it’s no big loss.[/quote]
that sounds like a fun test. I could probably run a 6 something mile after doing the test I did… but we didnt have any running. (good cause I hate running lol)
Good luck with the volunteering portion. Hope you get hired on soon man!
Found out just now that I dont have a Hernia!!! WOOHOO!!! It was/is irritated/inflamed lymph nodes. SWEET!
one of the guys i work with said he took a test last summer and part of it was holding a pull up positon at a 90 degree angle as the last portion for either 45 or 60 sec, he also said the majority of people failed, not sure what to think lol
that is one badass interview… taking off your suit jacket to do push-ups! Sounds like cool guys!
Personally I’d join the fire department here in Roswell (suburb of Atlanta). They have a fricken hover craft.
I realize this isn’t relevant at all to the thread other than Fireman now have hover craft. It may be a time to change careers…
Good Luck Gregon and thanks for posting info about some of the interview questions!
[quote]Rhino Jockey wrote:
Good Luck Gregon and thanks for posting info about some of the interview questions![/quote]
Thanks bud.
Yeah they had like 6 questions on a piece of paper that they asked. I talked to a guy who went through the last one and he was helping my buddy and I prepare… but they asked him different questions than they asked us. I guess they change them up every time but they’re pretty similar. If you have any questions you can ask or shoot me a PM. I’ll let you know whatever I know, which isnt all that much lol
yeah I am getting very used to these types of interviews… I had two with UIC PD, and will have one with Chicago Police, DSS, and ICE. You get better at them, I just basically try to be myself and leave it at that.
Hi y’all,
Just to re-introduce myself; I am the OP and I am still in a long hiring process for a large fire department.
Here is a recap of what I have gone through to get to this point:
I took an entrance exam with roughly 3,500 other applicants and placed within the top 150.
I took the standard CPAT (obstacle course) and posted a very good time.
I passed the ergomaetrics exam (scenario based testing).
I submitted to a FBI background check which included finger prints.
I filled out a 20 page personal history statement which was closely scrutinized by a fire department investigator.
My file was then submitted to the Fire Chief and then the City Manager.
Today, I was called in order to schedule my polygraph. After I pass the polygraph I have to pass a pyschological examination and then a physical.
In short, I cannot wait to be hired!
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
[quote]OldSchoolSwole wrote:
Hi y’all,
Just to re-introduce myself; I am the OP and I am still in a long hiring process for a large fire department.
Here is a recap of what I have gone through to get to this point:
I took an entrance exam with roughly 3,500 other applicants and placed within the top 150.
I took the standard CPAT (obstacle course) and posted a very good time.
I passed the ergomaetrics exam (scenario based testing).
I submitted to a FBI background check which included finger prints.
I filled out a 20 page personal history statement which was closely scrutinized by a fire department investigator.
My file was then submitted to the Fire Chief and then the City Manager.
Today, I was called in order to schedule my polygraph. After I pass the polygraph I have to pass a pyschological examination and then a physical.
In short, I cannot wait to be hired!
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.[/quote]
Where?
[quote]OldSchoolSwole wrote:
Hi y’all,
Just to re-introduce myself; I am the OP and I am still in a long hiring process for a large fire department.
Here is a recap of what I have gone through to get to this point:
I took an entrance exam with roughly 3,500 other applicants and placed within the top 150.
I took the standard CPAT (obstacle course) and posted a very good time.
I passed the ergomaetrics exam (scenario based testing).
I submitted to a FBI background check which included finger prints.
I filled out a 20 page personal history statement which was closely scrutinized by a fire department investigator.
My file was then submitted to the Fire Chief and then the City Manager.
Today, I was called in order to schedule my polygraph. After I pass the polygraph I have to pass a pyschological examination and then a physical.
In short, I cannot wait to be hired!
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.[/quote]
Did you keep a copy of the personal history statement?
I ask because they are both going to refer to this.
You have some more very long questionaires ahead of you, be honest (not saying you aren’t).
On the polygraph clear your mind of everything once you sit down and are hooked up. Any thing that makes it bounce he will review with you and ask you what you thought of. Only focus on what the question asks. If they are looking at the last 5 years for something and you did something 6 years ago it doesn’t count for that question.
The psych is horrible you’re going to have a couple different questionaires for this also (one is about 400 T or F) you may also have to take the Wonderliq. Then they will have a nice little chat with you (it’s hard for me to remember exact content as my last one was several years ago).
[quote]lanchefan1 wrote:
[quote]OldSchoolSwole wrote:
Hi y’all,
Just to re-introduce myself; I am the OP and I am still in a long hiring process for a large fire department.
Here is a recap of what I have gone through to get to this point:
I took an entrance exam with roughly 3,500 other applicants and placed within the top 150.
I took the standard CPAT (obstacle course) and posted a very good time.
I passed the ergomaetrics exam (scenario based testing).
I submitted to a FBI background check which included finger prints.
I filled out a 20 page personal history statement which was closely scrutinized by a fire department investigator.
My file was then submitted to the Fire Chief and then the City Manager.
Today, I was called in order to schedule my polygraph. After I pass the polygraph I have to pass a pyschological examination and then a physical.
In short, I cannot wait to be hired!
Any advice will be greatly appreciated.[/quote]
Did you keep a copy of the personal history statement?
I ask because they are both going to refer to this.
You have some more very long questionaires ahead of you, be honest (not saying you aren’t).
On the polygraph clear your mind of everything once you sit down and are hooked up. Any thing that makes it bounce he will review with you and ask you what you thought of. Only focus on what the question asks. If they are looking at the last 5 years for something and you did something 6 years ago it doesn’t count for that question.
The psych is horrible you’re going to have a couple different questionaires for this also (one is about 400 T or F) you may also have to take the Wonderliq. Then they will have a nice little chat with you (it’s hard for me to remember exact content as my last one was several years ago).[/quote]
I have a copy of my personal history statement.
I don’t have any reason to be dishonest during the polygraph. I am just going to try relax, keep my mind as blank as possible, and respond only to the question that is asked.
I spoke to a young firefighter who had been hired within the last couple of years and he did not mention having to fill out any questionaires during his psych. He just said he had a meeting with a psychiatrist (or whatever you call them), but he probably just forgot to mention filling them out.
[quote]OldSchoolSwole wrote:
I have a copy of my personal history statement.
I don’t have any reason to be dishonest during the polygraph. I am just going to try relax, keep my mind as blank as possible, and respond only to the question that is asked.
I spoke to a young firefighter who had been hired within the last couple of years and he did not mention having to fill out any questionaires during his psych. He just said he had a meeting with a psychiatrist (or whatever you call them), but he probably just forgot to mention filling them out.[/quote]
Good job on keeping a copy, you wouldn’t believe the amount of people that don’t (but since you’re doing this you probably would LOL).
Not saying you would be dishonest. Just making a point about focusing on the question. It took me doing a polygraph to learn this (wasn’t always the innocent upright citizen I am now).
It sounds like your in a good spot, the psych shouldn’t be too much trouble.
What department or area are you testing in? (if you can say)