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Has anyone here taken a Firefighters Civil Service exam before?

Kaervak

Kaervak

Diamond Member
The city of Parma is looking for Firefighters and eventhough I have practically zero chance of getting one of the spots, I've submitted my application and will be taking the exam this Saturday. For those of you that have taken one, what should I be reviewing to prepare for the test? English & grammar, math skills, U.S. History/dates, all of the above? Any good website suggestions that have sample questions and review guides? Thanks guys. 🙂
 
Most of the questions are simple math and reading comprehension. There were a couple of intermediate math questions, but nothing too difficult. A lot of the test is common sense. I did not have a review of the test beforehand, but it is not something to worry to much about.

Don't think that you've got zero chance unless you don't pass the physical test, which should be pass/fail. When I tested I barely passed the physical test (less than one second left and sucking on an O2 tank for 20 mins afterward). The written test was a breeze but I started a business before my interview with the commission came up. I wasn't really interested in the job anymore so I went to the interview in jeans and a shirt I'd worked in all day. I was totally unprepared for the interview, stammered through the questions and basically bombed the whole thing. Two weeks later the final list comes out and I was #3 after preference points were added. Over 50 had put in and over half were probably more qualified than me as far as experience and physical conditioning go.

During your interview with the commissioners, the may ask some off the wall questions. Think about what they WANT to hear, the most obvious answers may not be the best.

If there is a firefighter and a civilian injured in a burning building and you only have time to save one before the building collapses, which do you save and why?

 
Mine was math, reading comprehension, some problem solving (map reading and "what would you do if?"), and lots of tool identification. (coping saw, reciprocating saw, etc.) Oh, and some hydrodynamic questions, like, "if the pressure is x at this level, what will it be at this level?"

There were about a thousand people at my test in Las Vegas; I got asked back for the physical agility but recently tore my ACL so I was out. Scored over 96% on the test though.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Out of the dozens and dozens of people applying, I only have my EMT-B certification. I'm sure quite a few others already have their 240 & Paramedic. That's why I said I don't stand much of a chance of getting it. I do however have an Associate's Degree which they're giving a 5% bonus for. It's about time my AAS is useful for something other than potential kindling, it's from ITT Tech. 😀 Who knows, maybe I'll get lucky.

If there is a firefighter and a civilian injured in a burning building and you only have time to save one before the building collapses, which do you save and why?
Click to expand...

Oh great, National Registry style questions. Subjective, incredibly open ended and they make you second guess yourself about a dozen times. Anyway, here goes: I'd save the civillian. As firefighters we know the risks of our job. Every time we leave for work, we may not be coming home at the end of our shift. We are voluntarily putting ourselves into high risk/dangerous/emergency situations while civillians are not. It's our job to help people in situations like that, even with the great risk to our lives. It would be a difficult decision regardless of who I chose to save, but it's one that has to be made.

I guarantee that's so not the answer and I'm way way off on it. And that's with about 15 minutes of thinking about it. In reality if I had to make that decision I'd be lucky to have 15 seconds. Plus, who I choose to save could change drastically depending up the details of the situation. Oy.
 
Originally posted by: Kaervak

If there is a firefighter and a civilian injured in a burning building and you only have time to save one before the building collapses, which do you save and why?
Click to expand...

Oh great, National Registry style questions. Subjective, incredibly open ended and they make you second guess yourself about a dozen times. Anyway, here goes: I'd save the civillian. As firefighters we know the risks of our job. Every time we leave for work, we may not be coming home at the end of our shift. We are voluntarily putting ourselves into high risk/dangerous/emergency situations while civillians are not. It's our job to help people in situations like that, even with the great risk to our lives. It would be a difficult decision regardless of who I chose to save, but it's one that has to be made.

I guarantee that's so not the answer and I'm way way off on it. And that's with about 15 minutes of thinking about it. In reality if I had to make that decision I'd be lucky to have 15 seconds. Plus, who I choose to save could change drastically depending up the details of the situation. Oy.
Click to expand...


The answer the board wants is firefighter. The reasoning is that there is a substatial financial investment made by the city in each firefighter. The civilian death, while unfortunate, is less costly for the deptartment.

There is also the brotherhood factor, you NEVER leave one of your own behind. To do your job you have to have faith in the people you work with and care for them like you would your own family.

I originally thought the same as you do, but after a LOT of thought on this very question I'd have to say I would save the firefighter given the choice. You are not paid or expected to be a hero or to make that kind of sacrifice. You are there to help as much as possible, risking life and limb in the process. Sacrifice is noble, but you cannot value yourself less than the people you are trying to save. I've spent a lot of time with the logic on this question and don't see a way around this answer, though I was adamant that it was bull when I first heard it.
 
Originally posted by: Thorny
Originally posted by: Kaervak

If there is a firefighter and a civilian injured in a burning building and you only have time to save one before the building collapses, which do you save and why?
Click to expand...

Oh great, National Registry style questions. Subjective, incredibly open ended and they make you second guess yourself about a dozen times. Anyway, here goes: I'd save the civillian. As firefighters we know the risks of our job. Every time we leave for work, we may not be coming home at the end of our shift. We are voluntarily putting ourselves into high risk/dangerous/emergency situations while civillians are not. It's our job to help people in situations like that, even with the great risk to our lives. It would be a difficult decision regardless of who I chose to save, but it's one that has to be made.

I guarantee that's so not the answer and I'm way way off on it. And that's with about 15 minutes of thinking about it. In reality if I had to make that decision I'd be lucky to have 15 seconds. Plus, who I choose to save could change drastically depending up the details of the situation. Oy.
Click to expand...


The answer the board wants is firefighter. The reasoning is that there is a substatial financial investment made by the city in each firefighter. The civilian death, while unfortunate, is less costly for the deptartment.

There is also the brotherhood factor, you NEVER leave one of your own behind. To do your job you have to have faith in the people you work with and care for them like you would your own family.

I originally thought the same as you do, but after a LOT of thought on this very question I'd have to say I would save the firefighter given the choice. You are not paid or expected to be a hero or to make that kind of sacrifice. You are there to help as much as possible, risking life and limb in the process. Sacrifice is noble, but you cannot value yourself less than the people you are trying to save. I've spent a lot of time with the logic on this question and don't see a way around this answer, though I was adamant that it was bull when I first heard it.
Click to expand...

Now that is an absolute surprise. Personally, I would save the firefighter, but I thought they would want the civvy because firefighters knew the risk and the PR would be crazy if they found out who you chose over the other.
 
I figured the proper answer was firefighter. That's what I was thinking, but went with civillian instead. Honestly, it's not that surprising. In EMS the order of priority goes 1) Our personal safety, 2) Our partner's safety & 3) The patient's safety. So if at any time during a call things get dangerous for us, we pack up and don't return until the scene is secured. Doesn't matter what's going on with the patient, if we are at risk we leave. A medic isn't of any use to someone when they're injured also. And for those wondering, we are protected from abandonment claims/lawsuits if the scene becomes unsafe. Thorny, 911paramedic & uberman, thanks again for the info. I'll let you guys know how things turn out. 🙂
 
Well, took the exam today. 100 questions, general knowledge with some Fire/EMS questions as well. Nowhere near as difficult as I was expecting although a couple of the math questions caused an aneurysm. 😀 Now comes the fun part of waiting to see what my score is.
 
Originally posted by: Kaervak
Well, took the exam today. 100 questions, general knowledge with some Fire/EMS questions as well. Nowhere near as difficult as I was expecting although a couple of the math questions caused an aneurysm. 😀 Now comes the fun part of waiting to see what my score is.
Click to expand...

Short test. I forgot to mention EMS questions, lmao. I think my results were mailed and received within two weeks of the test. Good luck!

BTW, do they require you to be an EMT as well, or is that part of the training now? Some cities require paramedics, I mean EVERYBODY is a paramedic. I was in Hermosa Beach over the summer and one of the captains said that everybody in the dept. had to be a paramedic, which really shocked me. In Vegas (and most other areas) as soon as you hit captain you can keep your license, but not practice. The reasoning, and it makes sense, is you are now a scene commander and should stay "out of the action" in order to make decisions.

Well, good luck to you. If you want to get into the dept. start taking EMS courses, and for the most part paramedics are preferred. (But I will admit its a shitload of training and time, not to mention hard.) I am now going into nursing, so I am starting at zero and having to take all my anatomy/physiology/chemistry/microbiology, etc again. At least I know what I am doing unlike some of these polywogs. (Look it up, Navy term)
 
Well, passed my written so I now get to move onto the physical agility test. If my agility score is good enough I'll get on the list of eligible people and might even get the job. I don't know my score on the written exam just yet. They'll let everyone know after we do the agility test.


Originally posted by: 911paramedic
Short test. I forgot to mention EMS questions, lmao. I think my results were mailed and received within two weeks of the test. Good luck!

BTW, do they require you to be an EMT as well, or is that part of the training now? Some cities require paramedics, I mean EVERYBODY is a paramedic. I was in Hermosa Beach over the summer and one of the captains said that everybody in the dept. had to be a paramedic, which really shocked me. In Vegas (and most other areas) as soon as you hit captain you can keep your license, but not practice. The reasoning, and it makes sense, is you are now a scene commander and should stay "out of the action" in order to make decisions.

Well, good luck to you. If you want to get into the dept. start taking EMS courses, and for the most part paramedics are preferred. (But I will admit its a shitload of training and time, not to mention hard.) I am now going into nursing, so I am starting at zero and having to take all my anatomy/physiology/chemistry/microbiology, etc again. At least I know what I am doing unlike some of these polywogs. (Look it up, Navy term)
Click to expand...


I'm an EMT-B already, the minimum requirements they listed were EMT-A or EMT-B. 240 and Paramedic weren't required, but undoubtedly preferred. I just haven't had the money/time to get my 240 cert and take Paramedic classes. I was actually planning on starting Paramedic this fall at the local community college, but with how the economy is crashing in flames I really need to start bringing in an additional income to the household.

This particular FD doesn't require active personell to be medics, but I will eventually get my medic training in. They do however require completing 240 training within one year of being signed on. Some FDs around here require Paramedic & 240, while others just require EMT-B & 240. Regardless, if I don't get this I've applied to a couple private EMS companies to get some field experience until I'm lucky enough to land a FD job.
 
Just saw this thread. Good luck man...good to see you passed the written. Start training for the physical, every little point helps. If you ever get hired, remember your job as a rookie: Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and your head down. Be prepared to be treated like crap for a bit...if you can withstand the generally good natured jokes against you and respond in a positive way, you've made it.

<---Former EMT, Brother is a medic/FF
 
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Just saw this thread. Good luck man...good to see you passed the written. Start training for the physical, every little point helps. If you ever get hired, remember your job as a rookie: Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and your head down. Be prepared to be treated like crap for a bit...if you can withstand the generally good natured jokes against you and respond in a positive way, you've made it.

<---Former EMT, Brother is a medic/FF
Click to expand...

😀 The medic that taught my EMT-B class said pretty much the same thing about being a rookie. If I do land the job, the first year or so is going to be highly interesting. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Kaervak
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Just saw this thread. Good luck man...good to see you passed the written. Start training for the physical, every little point helps. If you ever get hired, remember your job as a rookie: Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and your head down. Be prepared to be treated like crap for a bit...if you can withstand the generally good natured jokes against you and respond in a positive way, you've made it.

<---Former EMT, Brother is a medic/FF
Click to expand...

😀 The medic that taught my EMT-B class said pretty much the same thing about being a rookie. If I do land the job, the first year or so is going to be highly interesting. 🙂
Click to expand...

It can vary greatly from what I understand. At one job my brother had, he had to clean the bathroom everyday, even if it wasn't his assignment (as well as his regular duties), clean the dishes post lunch/dinner, and buy coffee once a week.

A second one had him standing for the entire time he was up, even while eating dinner...I think that is a bit far, but he wanted the job, so he put up with it.

Do note though, that the "hazing" is meant to weed you out...if you can't put up with that, you can't handle the job itself. It's an odd ritual...it can be cut short though...Like when a building collapsed on my brother. They stop giving you shit then, because you just proved to them how much you want the job and that you can come back from nasty shit.
 
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Originally posted by: Kaervak
Originally posted by: FallenHero
Just saw this thread. Good luck man...good to see you passed the written. Start training for the physical, every little point helps. If you ever get hired, remember your job as a rookie: Keep your mouth shut, your ears open, and your head down. Be prepared to be treated like crap for a bit...if you can withstand the generally good natured jokes against you and respond in a positive way, you've made it.

<---Former EMT, Brother is a medic/FF
Click to expand...

😀 The medic that taught my EMT-B class said pretty much the same thing about being a rookie. If I do land the job, the first year or so is going to be highly interesting. 🙂
Click to expand...

It can vary greatly from what I understand. At one job my brother had, he had to clean the bathroom everyday, even if it wasn't his assignment (as well as his regular duties), clean the dishes post lunch/dinner, and buy coffee once a week.

A second one had him standing for the entire time he was up, even while eating dinner...I think that is a bit far, but he wanted the job, so he put up with it.

Do note though, that the "hazing" is meant to weed you out...if you can't put up with that, you can't handle the job itself. It's an odd ritual...it can be cut short though...Like when a building collapsed on my brother. They stop giving you shit then, because you just proved to them how much you want the job and that you can come back from nasty shit.
Click to expand...

I'm sure I'll get a whole load of crazy shit thrown at me, not a problem. There's not a whole lot that bothers me, so the hazing stuff will probably be more entertaining than anything else. Of course, famous last words. 😀
 
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