| My fire chief told me once, while passing him in | | | | point is, investigate where you'd like to work, find |
| the hallway of the firehouse, that I had "hit the | | | | out if they have career positions and then apply. |
| career lottery". Being a probationary firefighter at | | | | You're probably going to have to take some sort |
| the time, I didn't exactly know what he was | | | | of written test. Get a study guide. This will really, |
| referring to. Now, years later, I do. | | | | really help you. I recommend a couple on my blog |
| I'm a veteran firefighter who's been where | | | | that I've used to get me where I am today. |
| aspiring firefighters are now. On the outside | | | | Third, you've got really want this profession. |
| looking in. I know what its like to want something | | | | Competition is fierce for any full-time firefighting |
| in your life so bad. I wrote this article to help men | | | | position, but that doesn't mean that it can't be |
| and women in America who aspire to be | | | | yours. Fire department administration likes to see |
| firefighters. I want to offer insight into the | | | | honest, hard working people in the hiring process. |
| profession so they can figure out what they are | | | | Experience is a lot lower on any department's |
| doing right or wrong in the hiring process. | | | | priority list. They want to invest in the right |
| First, if you're truly a rookie, and don't know a fire | | | | "people" for the job. |
| hose from a garden hose, volunteer somewhere. | | | | The last thing I'm going to recommend is to stop |
| In today's lousy economy this shouldn't be too | | | | by a local fire station where you want to work |
| hard anymore because many of my volunteer | | | | and introduce yourself. This happens at my |
| firefighter brothers and sisters have been forced | | | | firehouse from time to time and I always like to |
| from their passion by having to pick up second | | | | see people that want something so bad that |
| and third jobs. This leads to openings and | | | | they're not afraid to ask complete strangers for |
| vacancies and this, my friends, is a great avenue | | | | help. Firefighters like to help and if they aren't |
| for some good experience fighting fire. | | | | busy they'll point you in the right direction. Good |
| Second, research your markets. Maybe there is | | | | luck and visit my blog for some more tips on |
| only one fire department where you live. Maybe | | | | getting hired. |
| you didn't know it but there are three or four. My | | | | |