We require all Firefighters to have and maintain a current Basic Life Support (BLS) for Healthcare Providers CPR certificate. Are you currently certified as a BLS Healthcare Provider?
Most fire departments require their Firefighters to have BLS for Healthcare Providers certification and maintain their certification throughout employment. If this is a requirement of the department you are interviewing with, it should be listed under job requirements in the job announcement, and you should be aware of this requirement before your interview.
The BLS course is designed for first responders and healthcare professionals who need to understand how to perform CPR, use an automatic external defibrillator (AED), and perform basic life support measures. The interviewer asks this question to determine if you meet their minimum requirements to work as a Firefighter. The certification is valid for two years, and it is your responsibility to keep your certification current.
If you made it to the interview, you most likely have your certification and other requirements. The interviewer wants to hear that your certificate is current before moving on in the testing process.
Tell the interviewer where you received your BLS for Healthcare Provider certification, how long you have been certified, and when your certificate is up for renewal. Mention that you stay on top of your certificates by putting the expiration date in your calendar or setting up alerts to remind you when your certification needs to be renewed.
Avoid not having your BLS for Healthcare certification if it is a job requirement for this position. If you do not have the required credentials to work as a Firefighter, the interviewer will pass you over for a qualified candidate. Read the job announcement closely before applying to any Firefighter position. Every department is different in its requirements, and you want to ensure you meet those requirements before your interview.
Avoid saying your card is current if it is not. The interviewer will need copies of all required documents, and you do not want to be caught being dishonest. If there has been a lapse in your certification, be sure to recertify before your interview. If you have not received BLS certification, you will need to take a course to meet the department's minimum requirements.
If you do not have the BLS for Healthcare Provider certification or your card is not current, be honest with the interviewer and tell them your plan to recertify or enroll in a course. However, if having this certification is a job requirement, you should take a class or recertify before your interview. The interviewer wants to hire a Firefighter who is responsible, organized, and who has read the job announcement completely.
"Yes, I took the BLS for Healthcare Provider course five years ago during my EMT training. I was certified through the American Heart Association and will renew next September. I have alerts on my phone that remind me when I am up for renewal on all of my certifications and continuing education units, so I do not need to worry about my certificates expiring."
"No, I do not have the BLS for Healthcare Provider certification at this time. I was certified in CPR seven years ago through The Red Cross when I was a girl scout and have maintained that certification. I saw on the job announcement that the BLS for Healthcare Provider certification is required for this position, and I have signed up for a course. I could not find a class that started before this interview, but in two weeks, I will have my certification and will renew it every two years."
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