Firefighter Mock Interview
Practice 35 Firefighter interview questions covering situational scenarios, physical fitness, and emergency response judgment.
Question 9 of 35
Tell me a little bit about your Firefighter training.
Why the Interviewer Asks This Question
Example Answer
What to Avoid
Example Answer 2
Community Answers
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
The interviewer wants to know what fire classes you have taken, degrees earned, certifications received, volunteer work, and if you have attended a fire academy.
Be specific in your response and mention any specialized courses you have taken, such as Confined Space Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Swift-Water Rescue, or Emergency Vehicle Operations Course. You can also describe any classes you have signed up for and when you will be taking them.
If you attended a fire academy, describe what you were taught. Your instructors may have educated you on vehicle extrication, swift-water rescue, high-angle rescue, Hazardous Materials incidents, and mass casualty incidents. If you participated in live-fire drills, be sure to include that in your response.
The more firefighting training and experience you have, the better. Highlight any experience you may have with firefighting, such as attending a fire academy or working as a volunteer Firefighter. If you have experience as a Firefighter, describe how many years of experience you have and with what department(s).
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I received my EMT certification three months ago and am now enrolled in a fire academy. I have been in the academy for three months and have been taught the fundamentals of firefighting, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials, swift-water rescue, and high-angle rescue. Last week, we had our first controlled burn, and I worked the nozzle for fire suppression on an interior attack and rescued two victims during our interior search."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
When responding to this question, avoid telling the interviewer that you do not have any Firefighter training and hope to get trained by their department. While some departments may not require any previous training and will train you when hired, most departments want to hire Firefighters with some training.
If you made it to the interview, you must meet the department's requirements. Be thorough in your response, outlining all of your certifications and specialized training.
If you do not have any previous Firefighter training, explain that, while you have no formal training, you plan to enroll or are enrolled in firefighting classes or the fire academy. Showing that you have a plan and have taken the initiative to become trained as a Firefighter will look favorable to the interviewer.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I graduated two months ago from a six-month fire academy, where I received my Firefighter 1 certification. I was taught fire behavior, the fundamentals of firefighting, search and rescue, CPR and AED use, vehicle extrication, swift-water, and trench rescue, and the Incident Command System. I have participated in three live-fire drills and was placed in different positions for each. I have been on the nozzle for fire suppression, ventilated a roof, and performed a rescue of a downed Firefighter. Also, I am currently enrolled in an EMT class and will graduate next month."
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Anonymous Answer
I am currently enrolled at Honolulu Community College and I major in Fire Science. I also work with Kela Hanson in his Fire explorer program that exposes youth to Firefighting.
Amanda's Feedback
It sounds like you're in the process of completing excellent training. Consider expanding this answer by sharing when you anticipate graduating from HCC. Also, share what kind of hands-on training or experience you've gained through HCC or the Fire Explorer Program as well as the applicable skills you've gained through your training. Where possible match those skills against those required by the job description for the role you're applying to. This helps emphasize that you'd be a good fit for the position.
Anonymous Answer
My firefighter training first began with joining the volunteer fire department in my hometown at the age of 16 years old. We had training every first and third Tuesday of the month and on my first one, we simulated a motor vehicle collision with two trapped casualties. After that night of training, I knew I for sure wanted to become a firefighter someday. I continued to train and go to emergency calls for 6 years and in between that time, I had taken some courses with the Provincial Volunteer Firefighters Association and went to Lakeland College for Emergency Services Technology. My time at Lakeland was one of the best times of my life without a doubt. Our class consisted of 31 students and everyone was friends with each other within the first month. The training we were given there was amazing as well as providing us with our IFSAC and Pro Board Certificates through both theoretical learning and practical hands-on learning. I'll never forget my time there and the lessons taught for both fire fighting, and life lessons, and teaching me more about who I am and want to become as well. During the last month of my time learning from Lakeland, we all had gone on a month-long practicum with participating departments, and I had done my practicum with the Medicine Hat Fire Department consisting of a total of 160 hours. The experience I had gained with the Medicine Hat Fire Department had taught me valuable lessons in the fire service, shown me what I had excelled at, and needed to work on while in this service.
Amanda's Feedback
This is a great answer because your enthusiasm for firefighting really comes through and it's clear to see how that has pushed you to consistently pursue a career in firefighting over the course of several years. You also give a clear timeline of your training that tells the interviewer where, when, and what kind of training you've received, illustrating that you're committed to this career path and have taken advantage of every opportunity along the way to make sure you're successful.
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