If you’re thinking about becoming a firefighter, you can better prepare yourself with these things in mind.
Skills and Certifications
Before you become a firefighter, it’s a good idea to begin acquiring important skills to ensure you are a good fit for the job. Start partaking in community service and volunteering your time to good causes. This will show the fire department you are active, helpful, and responsible. Keep a clean record and avoid getting into any trouble to further prove your reliability. Make sure you know basic first aid and know how to respond in an emergency. Take online EMT courses and become certified in CPR training. To show further dedication and initiative, you can even consider taking fire safety classes.
Physical Fitness
You will also need to demonstrate your physical abilities when preparing to join the fire department. The CPAT stands for the candidate physical ability test which you are required to pass. During the timed test, you will wear a weighted vest and perform eight events that simulate tasks you may encounter on the job. Incorporate training for this test into your regular exercise routine. Beware of overdoing it and make sure you give your body time to rest and recover in between workouts. You are given the opportunity to attend two CPAT orientation sessions and two practice tests before the real thing. This will give you a great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the entire test and ask instructors questions.
Hiring Process
Better prepare yourself by understanding every step and what is required of you from the fire department you want to join. The requirements and selection process to become a firefighter may differ by region. Ask how they conduct the written examination, oral interview, physical fitness test, and background investigation. Ask what you can do if you don’t pass your test on the first try. Find out if practice tests are available and how often retests are required.
As an aspiring firefighter, it is important to be ready for the tests and physical requirements ahead.
