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Diamond Medical your "clear cut choice"
Pre-Services
FireFighter Students
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| So
you want to be a |
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Well let me tell you that it can be extremely rewarding
and at the same instance challenging. During your quest
to become a member of a department you will find that it
will be time consuming, costly, and will, to some degree,
test your level of creativity. Having said that, there are
so many things that can be done in order to stand out as
a potential “probie”, and it is our hope that
you will find this information a helpful resource to do
just that.
Your
journey of becoming a firefighter has many hurdles. Education
is one of the key elements that seems to be at the top of
the list with hiring committees. The Region of Waterloo
and the City of Guelph have recently included the completion
of any pre-service firefighter program or it's equivalency
as a prerequisite to apply. This is a plus for those who
are already enrolled and may seem to be a sort of set back
for those who were not successful in acquiring a seat.
Yes it
is true that a large variety of colleges and universities
have more and more graduates who are interested in entering
the Emergencies Services field. Don't forget, that there
are many things you can do to help your goals of becoming
a firefighter a reality. We will touch on such areas as
the interview, courses to take, how to prepare and recruitment
drives.
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 How
to prepare ... |
Know your city !
When applying to a city for possible employment, it is very advisable
for you to be familiar with the basic strong points that make
each city unique. This should be quite easy if you are a long
time resident, but where points are made is when you are new to
the city and are able to answer questions regarding local government
officials (mayor, etc.) industry, population, culture, entertainment,
annual budget for the fire department and, well you get the idea.
Familiarizing yourself with these details will impress the panel
because they will be aware that you are not from that city.
Get to know your human resources. It is surprising how many people
do not realize how helpful the human resources department of each
city can be.(that is why they call it human resources, duhh) What
I mean here is that at each office there is a wealth of information
available regarding what each city is all about.
Another couple of points to mention are that at each office, you
will find personnel who are very knowledgeable and willing to
assist you with each step of your recruitment. Now this second
point is one to take notice of. Sometimes, (not always) at least
one member of the human resources staff are involved with the
recruitment process. It would be these people that you want to
get acquainted with. Like I said before, this is not always the
case but a few questions to the right people will produce the
one who could help to make the difference. There is a wealth of
information available regarding what each city is all about. Let's
not forget about the world wide web for info. |
Talk to the newest recruits !
If you are looking for accurate feedback on what to expect at
each level (which I am sure you are) one of the best ways to do
that is to talk directly to the firefighters who were most recently
hired. These individuals can give you tips on what to expect at
each interview, what to do and say, who will be there and will
generally help you to relax and feel more confident about this
segment of the hiring process. If you can ace this part, you are
now getting closer to your goal.
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Who
is hiring ?
There are several ways to find out what departments are doing
a hiring drive. On completion of our fire course, we were a little
lost as far as where to start looking for work, so with the recent
introduction of the internet we were able to access information
on several cities and their departments but we needed more, much
more. Next, there were many long-distance calls made. Even though
costly to a certain degree, you will get a chance to talk to an
administrative assistant who will give you complete details on
their up-coming plans to hire. As you make your way through your
fire program, you will develop strong relationships with fellow
students and these ties will promote group networking. Work together.
Share ideas and information. As our web site grows, Diamond Medical
will develop an information page that will help to inform you
of upcoming hires.
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Your
probation period.
If
there is something that seasoned firefighters like the least is
a new probie coming in to a hall and having an attitude. By this
I mean saying things like “well at the fire school I went
to, we did not do it that way”, coming across like you have
all the answers or not conforming to the daily tasks. I would
highly recommend that you carefully observe what the daily routine
is and jump in at any time to complete the station tasks. Having
a laid back attitude during this critical and impressionable period
can have serious negative effects on how people perceive you.
The last thing you want to do is to start off your 25 year plus
career by developing a 2 – 20 syndrome. This basically means
that a new hire (under 2 years or so) acts like they have been
on for 20 years. You have to remember that these firefighters
have been there a lot longer than you have, so the biggest piece
of advice you should take in is to keep your eyes and ears open
and your mouth shut for the first year. There is nothing wrong
with joining in conversations but just watch what you say and
how you say it.
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The
curriculum.
The fire service has gone through several changes in the last
few years including up-dated trucks and rescue equipment, bunker
gear, communication systems, tiered response calls (Fire, Ambulance
and Police), and a learning guide called The Curriculum. This
program came about partly due to the increased need for extra
training in several small Northern Ontario departments, and a
team of fire service experts (slick term for firefighters) put
together a package of job related tasks and handed them to the
Ontario Fire Marshal in Gravenhurst Ont.
They in turn made a presentation to some college and university
members who took this material and put it into a more formal format,
thus sending it back to the fire personal for final approval in
the form of a “Learner Guide” and “Trainer Facilitator
Guide”. The bottom line here is that you are the learner
and the trainer/ facilitator will guide you through your studies.
The
trainer/facilitator will be an officer or trained member at your
department who is competent in the area of study and will be able
to grade you on your final performance test.
The subjects used for this program will not be that foreign to
you because they are each topics from the IFSTA manual which will
probably be the main text used in most courses related to fire
fighting.
Every section deals with an introduction of each topic along with
performance objectives, key elements, terms and learning materials
and activities. There will also include several written answers,
true or false questions and practical exercises. As you complete
the assigned areas, the trainer/facilitator will sign you off
as completed. It is up to each individual to complete the entire
guide and pass a provincial exam to be considered for future officer
status.
The fire service is one of many careers where the learning is
constantly ongoing. This is not only good for your everyday living,
but a necessity for continued quality job performance.
It is the design of the curriculum to provide encouragement for
lifelong learning, learner acceptance of own responsibility for
growth and development and increased competence of trainers. |
Problems
with being a firefighter.
- shift
work
- 2nd
highest rate of divorce
- health
problems ( emphysema, cancer )
-
some family occasions missed ( birthdays, kids hockey,
Christmas, grads,)
- Job
security risk (amalgamation) when times are good or
poor with the economy, seems to have a direct effect
on longevity of employment.
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Fitness
Testing
York University
- Occupation-Specific
Vision, Hearing and Fitness Assessment (1995)
In
recent years, it has been the decision of most municipalities
to require applicants for fire fighting positions to provide
some specific information. At some time in the application
process, a recently dated certificate, which shows that they
are capable of performing the physically demanding tasks encountered
with a career in the fire services, was required. Applicants
must book their own appointments, undergo the physical test,
vision and hearing assessment at their own expense and if
successful will receive the required certificate which provides
an evaluation of the participant’s performance in each
of the areas accessed. A physical examination by a medical
doctor and an electrocardiogram are not conducted during this
physical testing. Certificates are signed and sealed with
a corporate impression and mailed to each of the candidates
to be submitted to various fire departments. Changing and
shower facilities are available and testing takes roughly
4-5 hours. You should bring comfortable exercise gear (not
new shoes or you will be sorry) and be sure to have a very
light meal 2-4 hours before testing. It is also recommended
that you do not exercise heavily or consume alcohol 24 hours
before the big day.
Information
and assessment checklist.
I
am sure by now that you realize that this career you have
chosen can be very physically demanding, so therefore, employers
must make sure that the applicants who are being considered
for a job can handle it. Even if you are physically active
on a daily basis (which you should be) preparation for this
test is a must. The vision and hearing assessments are the
most commonly failed segment of the firefighter applicant
medical evaluation, which is conducted at a later stage of
the application process. However at York it’s the dreaded
treadmill. Unlike other parts of the assessment, there are
no tricks or strategy to help you through it ---- except this
little tidbit that was past on to me from one of the participants
that went on the treadmill just before me and is now a member
of the same department as myself; when you begin, listen to
the instructions and look straight ahead, pick a spot on the
wall and think of nothing else but how badly you want firefighting
to be your career.
FOCUS.
I have since had the opportunity to pass this advise on to
someone else and they came back to me commented on how much
it helped.
The following is a list of the test components:
* Please note that this list is not exact. Areas of participation
may have changed some what.
- Visual
acuity test - basic 20/20 testing is performed.
- Hearing
test - applicant is put through a variety
of low-level tones using headphones.
- Depth
perception, Color vision and Pulmonary function -
In this test, a small portable volume gage is used
to test a person’s vo2.
- Treadmill
test -
participant will run to their maximum on a graded
motor-driven treadmill while breathing through a mouthpiece
into a collecting devise.
- Flexibility
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participant will sit on floor with legs together stretched
out and will push a distance measuring devise towards
their toes. Event will be graded on passing a certain
point only.
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Sit-ups - as many sit-ups in 60 seconds
is the goal of this segment.
- Hose
carry/stair climb- task involves person to
carry on their shoulder an 85 lb. bundle of 4”(100mm)
rolled hose and nozzle up and down stairs totaling
65 ft in height.
- Rope
pull - participant must raise and lower the
weight of a 50 ft section of 2 1/2”(65mm) hose
plus nozzle (total = 50 lbs.) a height of 65 ft in
height.
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Ladder climb - climb a 40 ft ladder,
uncouple and re-couple a hose fitting, then descend.
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Claustrophobia - retrieve one or
more objects from a dark confined area while wearing
a blacked-out face piece.
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Sled drag - here the weight of two
charged sections of hose must be dragged a distance
of 50 ft.
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Victim drag - this involves dragging
a 200 lb. dummy through a 50-ft obstacle course.
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For more information or to book
an appointment contact:
York University Fitness Test
c/o Dr. N. Gledhill
room 356 Norman Bethune College
4700 Keele Street
North York, Ontario
M3J 1P3
phone and fax no. : (416) 736-5794
Cost
and Booking Information
The all-inclusive fee for testing is approx. $190.00.
Reservations may be confirmed by mailing a non-refundable
$ 50.00 certified check or money order (payable to “York
University - Fitness”) to the above address.
Since there are limited spaces available per testing day,
it is advisable to reserve your testing appointment as
soon as possible. Be sure to include your complete mailing
address and telephone number.
The remaining $140.00 or so of the testing fee is to be
paid by certified check or money order (payable to “York
University - Fitness”), or cash on the day of testing.
Additional certified copies of your results can be ordered
for $2.50 each on the day of your testing.
Again, please note that the above information was the
format when I went through it 8 years ago.
Please contact York for specifics.
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University of Waterloo
www.uwfitness.uwaterloo.ca
UW Fitness conducts the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability
Test), developed in conjunction with, and sanctioned
by the IAFF and IAFC.
What is the CPAT?
The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) was developed
to test fire fighter candidates on their ability to
perform simulated tasks consistent with the duties of
a fire fighter. The test is designed to ensure that
candidates possess the physical ability to complete
the critical and essential tasks of fire fighting. The
CPAT consists of eight (8) separate events performed
in a continuous manor. The CPAT is a pass/fail test
which must be completed in 10 minutes 20 seconds (or
less) with each event completed correctly.
Please
check the UW Fitness website www.uwfitness.uwaterloo.ca
for detailed
information and video clips of the CPAT and to register
online. From the home page, click on “Firefighter
Testing” in the sidebar.
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PAR - Q & YOU
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
(A Questionnaire for People Aged 15-69)
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology, Health Canada
has devised a questionnaire for those between the ages of 15-69
who are planning on becoming more physically active than they
are now. We can all agree how fun and healthy regular exercise
is but for some, this sudden introduction of pulse rising activity
can be of great risk.
There are 7 basic questions, which should be answered honestly,
and if yes is the answer to one or more, than first talk to
your doctor and delay becoming more active.
If you answered no HONESTLY to all PAR-Q questions, you can
be reasonably sure that you can start becoming more physically
active but begin at a slow pace. Also, there should be no problem
with taking part in a fitness appraisal which is an excellent
way to determine your basic fitness.
- Has
your doctor ever said that you have a heart condition
and that you should only do physical activity recommended
by a doctor?
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Do you feel pain in your chest when you do physical
activity?
- In
the past month, have you had chest pain when you were
not doing physical activity?
- Do
you lose your balance because of dizziness or do you
ever lose consciousness?
- Do
you have a bone or joint problem that could be made
worse by a change in your physical activity?
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Is your doctor presently prescribing drugs (for example,
water pills) for blood pressure or heart condition?
- Do
you know of any other reason why you should not do
physical activity?
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THE INTERVIEW
This
is it--- time to let all that personality shine through. Keep
in mind that from the moment you step off the bus, park the
car or however you get there, there may be eyes on you so act
accordingly. If you happen to run into a department member doing
some station duties (something you might be doing in the near
future) for heaven’s sake, say hello. Oh ya did I mention
that it is always a plus if not common sense to arrive 10 -
15 minutes early.
Ok, now you have made your way to the interview location in
a smart looking outfit but nothing too flashy and made contact
with administration personal, you are all set. Next, you may
be asked to fill out a form or two and if another applicant
arrives or comes out from the interview area, be polite and
say hi or good luck. This type of gesture is not only courteous
but will help you to relax a little. Also, you never know who
may be listening.
This is now the time that you have waited for. The gruelling
physical is done, you wrote and past the aptitude test, and
now it is time to give it your all. I cannot express how important
it is for you to do some research on the city that you are applying
to. There is a world of very helpful information at each human
resources center. All you have to do is ask the receptionist
for a pamphlet, not a book, on the city that in and inside is
a vast amount of info to use that you can use to impress the
interview panel.
For example, there will be facts about the
city officials, including the fire chief, the basic history,
any outstanding cultural and leisure facts, (ie. Ski hills,
Theatre, markets, annual festivals) whatever has helped to put
that particular city on the map. Don’t be surprised to
find figures regarding annual budgets for the fire department
in there as well.
Trust me --- if there is one area that will
impress an interview board it is how well you have researched
a city, especially one that you have never been to. The panel
will be well aware of this fact and will be totally impressed.
Know
the department
- annual budget
- salary
- number of personnel in each department
- number of stations and their locations
- busiest station
- layout of each department
- types of trucks
- number of trucks
- know the key figures of each platoon
- any specialized equipment
- any automatic aid
- their dispatch system
- total number of calls per year
- daily routines
- some basic policies and procedures of the department |
Know
the city
- Mayor and some council members
- Cities main industry
- What has put that city on the map
- Population
- Major areas of interest
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| Here
we go...
Try to be comfortable with the fact that on the other
side of the door is a panel of at least 2 - 4 people
that will probably include the chief or deputy, a union
representative, someone high up from human resources
and maybe fire prevention. This fine group of individuals
has been asking the same style of questions all morning
to other prospective employees and is impatiently waiting
for a coffee break, so make your answers original. There
is justification why they have been chosen to be part
of the panel and that is experience. Some interviewers
like to start with open-ended questions such as, "Tell
us about yourself".
This is common in non-structured chief’s interviews.
During the next 15 to 25 minutes (which by the way will
feel like eternity) make sure to obtain good eye contact
with the each panel member who is asking you a question
and then use a general room-sweeping style when answering.
I call this sharing your wealth.
Did I mention not to slouch? Your conduct along with
courtesy, alertness and self-confidence must be at all
times maintained.
Another biggy to remember is DO NOT LIE!!!!!
When you give a response to a question, make sure you
remember what it was and when your interview is complete
write it down because chances are some of the same questions
will be asked in the second and third interview. You
would look pretty foolish if they asked for example:
who do you look up to the most and your first answer
was your father and in your third interview you said
it was your uncle.
There is also no rule that says when asked a question
that it must be answered right away. Take your time,
and if it happens to be one that catches you off guard,
just ask for a moment, think of a good answer and deliver
it.
Have a clear and focused mind because the last thing
you want to do is to say something you do not mean.
This may seem like a lot to remember but most of it
is common sense.
Most interviewers will end in such a way as to allow
you to ask any questions and/or give a closing statement.
It is recommended not to ask any questions but to give
a brief closing statement which emphasizes your abilities
and confidence.
When it is all over, stand, thank the panel
for the opportunity and quietly leave.
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| You
must keep in mind that every department is different and
so are their hiring techniques. Even though you fly through
your interviews without any problems, and feel like you
have the job in the bag, remember that you just may not
be the person they are looking for. Believe it or not,
there are some departments out there that are looking
for people who are either from various backgrounds, or
who will get along with others, or even hire based on
fit they are. The reason for you being passed over is
not always your fault; it could be that you just don’t
fit their mold. Do not give up! There will be other interviews
and each one is a learning step. When I was hired on,
there seemed to be a horse-shoe involved because one month
after finishing a program out east, I was being interviewed
by a very prominent department in Ontario, and got on.
However, my buddy who was loaded with credentials, had
been trying for four years and finally made it-- so you
see, patients is a must. |
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The rise in need for Fire Fighters and Paramedics in Canada
along with the growing popularity as a career and has in turn
caught the interest of several colleges across the nation.
From the unpredictable eastern shores of Newfoundland to the
far western parts of Alberta, emergency service related courses
offering various modules can be found. The quest of becoming
a student in one of these programs should not be taken lightly.
Some schools have quite strict entrance requirements and have
a limited number of seats available so do your research, apply
early and be sure before you lay down the dough. All pro’s
and con’s should be considered before applying. Do not
leave this element to the last minute and do not just apply
once. Who is to say if you were to apply and be put onto a
waiting list but Joe Blow applied and continued to call and
maybe even went as far as to meet with the head instructor
to help confirm his seat.
You have to use any kind of angle you can think of without
being annoying. Applying to one of them should be taken as
seriously as you would for a job.
If
you are new to the fire service, then get prepared to spend
several weeks covering the IFSTA
manual. During that time, there will be classroom
instruction and hands on scenarios of all types. Oh yes, let’s
not forget that most of these programs are run in a semi-militant
style so ready yourself to be centered out a few times. Becoming
a member of a department takes a lot of planning and discipline
and above all, patients.
Anyway, getting back to the courses, here is a list
of general topics covered:
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- Fire
behavior.
There are several aspects of fire behavior that a fire fighter
needs to understand .The chemical process, methods of heat
transfer, the makeup and nature of the fuels and the environment
the fire needs.
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Confined spaces.
Quite often, fire fighting and rescue operations occur in
areas that are not easily accessible and can offer several
possible dangerous situations. Places like caves, basements,
storage tanks, and sewers are just a few examples that may
possess hazards such as oxygen deficiencies, flammable and
toxic gases, and elevated temperatures
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Vehicle extrication.
This area covers the 3 basic parts of vehicle extrication,
which are to stabilize the scene, the vehicle and the patient.
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Advanced first aid \ CPR.
Basic first aid and c.p.r. seem to be essential for many of
today’s careers. There are several occupations however
that are expanding to advanced programs that include back-boarding,
collaring, blood pressures, treatment for various bone and
tissue damage. Other topics covered include oxygen therapy,
childbirth, reaching and moving casualties, and defibrillation.
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Portable extinguishers.
The portable fire extinguisher is a basic tool used on fire
apparatuses and found also as a fixture in many residential,
commercial and industrial buildings. It is very important
that firefighters become familiar with the different types
and the correct usage of each.
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Protective clothing and equipment.
Bunker or turn-out gear as it is more commonly called, is
vital for firefighters to perform their duties safely and
has come along way from the old days of rubber coats and boots.
Today’s fire departments provide their members with
only the best in 3-layer garments and protective equipment.
National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) approved helmets,
protective hood, protective coat and trousers, gloves, safety
boot or shoes, eye protection, and hearing protection are
all items that you will find in any full-time or composite
fire department.
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Self-contained breathing apparatus.
There are two types of self-contained breathing apparatuses
used in the fire service; the open circuit and closed circuit
s.c.b.a. The open circuit is most common and uses compressed
air, where the closed circuit style uses compressed or liquid
oxygen and is also called a non-rebreather because the user’s
exhaled air stays within the system for reuse.
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Water supply.
Since water is a main source of fire extinguishment, it is
important to know how water systems operate, various ways
of providing water (ie. shuttle system, drafting), working
pressures and hydrants.
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Ropes and knots.
I have always thought that it is handy to know how to tie
more than a granny knot. However, when involved in a fire
and rescue career, it is essential to know a variety of knots
and how to apply them. This course will not only show you
how to do that but goes a little deeper and provides information
on the general make-up and service of each type of rope.
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Incident command .
This area of study is going to help prepare an individual
to incorporate all of the training acquired and use it on
a fire ground or medical emergency situation. Usually, instructors
will have each student take a turn at "running the show"
which is a great way to see how they respond under pressure.
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High angle rescue.
High angle rescue is a specialty area of the emergency services
and involves the use of a variety of knots, harnesses, rigging
equipment, setting up safe and effective belay stations, and
working well within a group to perform a rescue maneuver.
Hoses and appliances.
Probably the most used item in the fire service. Hoses of
all sizes are used and must be flexible, watertight, a smooth
lining and a durable covering. Appliances are used to help
redirect water flows and to assist in the diversion of one
main supply into two or more lines.
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Forcible entry.
This technique can be successful by using the firefighters
own strength, however, knowledge of building construction
and the proper use of available tools.
Rescue and Extrication.
Rescue covers several areas including the removal and treatment
of victims from situations involving Mother Nature, structural
collapse, removal from elevated areas or any situation that
is not considered extrication. Extrication is the removal
and treatment of patients who have been trapped by some kind
of man made piece of equipment or machinery.
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Ventilation.
This process involves techniques that will remove and replace
heated air, smoke and gases from a structure with cooler fresh
air. This in turn enables rescuers to see clearer and to improve
the safety of victims.
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Salvage and overhaul.
Salvage is a component of the fire service that relates loss
control of contents. This process invlves the search for extension
of fire or hot spots. Overhaul operations involve the search
for unextinguished fires or hot spots and scene safety after
the fire has been put out.
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Fire alarms and communication.
There are three basic areas involved – how the general
public notifies the fire dispatch call centre, how the call
centre notifies the specific emergency teams and how communication
is delivered at the scene.
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Contact
info:
Chris
Evans
Waterloo Ontario, Canada
Phone: 519-886-8787
Fax: 519-880-8749
Email: diamondmed@rogers.com
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