Resources
Guides, tips, and career advice for firefighters and aspiring fire service professionals.
Background Investigation for Firefighters
What to expect during the background investigation process when applying to a fire department.
By Paul Lepore
Polygraph Examinations in Fire Service Hiring
Understanding polygraph exams and how they fit into the fire department hiring process.
By Paul Lepore
Being Married to a Firefighter
An honest look at life as a firefighter's spouse and how to navigate the unique challenges.
By Paul Lepore
Why Do You Want to Become a Firefighter?
How to answer this common interview question and what fire departments are really looking for.
By Paul Lepore
Fire Department Interviews
Tips and strategies for acing your fire department interview and standing out from other candidates.
By Paul Lepore
Firefighter Entry Certifications
A guide to the certifications you need to start your career as a firefighter.
By Paul Lepore
So You Want to Be a Firefighter
Everything you need to know about starting a career in the fire service.
By Paul Lepore
Judgement, Human Relations & Problem Solving
Key skills tested in fire service hiring and how to develop them.
By Paul Lepore
On Getting Hired
A comprehensive guide to the fire department hiring process — from the written exam to the oral board to the badge.
By R.D. Mandery
Why Do Firefighters Die?
Nearly half of firefighter line-of-duty deaths are cardiovascular — and most are preventable. An honest look at what we can do.
By Charles E. Truthan, D.O., FACOFP
Thirty-Plus Basic Oral Questions
The fundamental questions that appear on fire department oral boards, with guidance on how to approach each one.
By Captain Bob
College Prep Courses
Relevant college and university majors for individuals pursuing employment and advancement in the fire service.
By FireJobs.com
Oral Interview Power Words
The words you choose in an oral board paint a picture. These power words make the difference between a forgettable answer and a memorable one.
By FireJobs.com
Take the Tests
There are over 3,000 fire academy graduates competing for every job. The single most effective strategy is also the simplest: test everywhere.
By Captain Dennis Childress
Top Scoring Examination Strategies
Nine proven tactics for maximizing your score on firefighter written examinations — from reading directions to managing time under pressure.
By Brent Collins
Test Taking Strategy for Reading or Verbal Comprehension
How to read and answer questions based on written passages — the most common format on civil service firefighter exams.
By Brent Collins
Strategies Before the Examination
How to prepare your study environment, physical condition, and mental state in the days leading up to your exam.
By Brent Collins
Final Days Before the Examination
Simple diet and logistics steps to put yourself in the best possible position on exam day.
By Brent Collins
Arriving For the Examination
Arriving calm, early, and prepared gives you a meaningful performance edge before the first question is asked.
By Brent Collins
Test-Taking Tactics: Evaluating Answer Choices
A systematic approach to evaluating multiple-choice answers — including how to handle negative questions, half-true answers, and tough toss-ups.
By Brent Collins
Word Clues
Small words like 'always,' 'may,' and 'will' determine whether an answer is right or wrong. Learn to spot them.
By Brent Collins
Understanding the Test Maker's Tactics
Know how test makers construct wrong answers and you'll be far less likely to fall for them.
By Brent Collins
Strategy for Deductive Reasoning
How to apply general rules to specific situations — the core skill tested by deductive reasoning questions on firefighter exams.
By Brent Collins
Strategy for Inductive Reasoning
How to work from specific facts to a general conclusion — the reverse of deductive reasoning and equally common on firefighter exams.
By Brent Collins
Strategy for Information Ordering
The key to information ordering questions is rigid thinking: one correct sequence, every step in order, no steps skipped.
By Brent Collins
Strategy for Memorization
The SPACE technique — Select, Picture, Arrange, Compare, Exercise — for retaining detailed information on firefighter exams.
By Brent Collins
Strategy for Reading or Verbal Comprehension
Techniques for reading technical passages with precision — the core skill for the reading comprehension portion of firefighter exams.
By Brent Collins
Strategy for Visualization
Visualization questions test your ability to picture scenes and objects — and mentally track changes to them.
By Brent Collins
What About Tattoos?
Visible tattoos can end your candidacy before you've said a word. Understand who's doing the hiring.
By Captain Bob
Are You Prepared?
Most candidates think they're ready for the oral board. Most aren't. The story of Dave illustrates what real preparation looks like.
By Captain Bob
Sometimes Life Can Be Plan B
Jon and his nine academy buddies each had a Plan A. Only Jon expanded his horizons — and only Jon got hired.
By Captain Bob
Psychological Evaluation
Over 40% of applicants fail the psychological evaluation. Most don't fail because of who they are — they fail because of what they say.
By Kelly Salbato
Making a Good First Impression
The first impression wasn't made when you walked in the room — it was made when they read your application.
By FireJobs.com
Firefighter Disqualifiers
The criminal, driving, drug, and employment history factors that commonly disqualify candidates from fire department hiring processes.
By FireJobs.com