Firefighter Mock Interview
Practice 35 Firefighter interview questions covering situational scenarios, physical fitness, and emergency response judgment.
Question 8 of 35
What have you done to prepare for a career in the fire service?
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.
This is a common question, as the interviewer wants to see what steps you have taken to prepare for this position. Highlight the steps you have taken succinctly. Start with the first steps you took to the most recent. If you have not done much to prepare, explain what you have done and plan to do.
You could include visiting fire departments and talking to the crew about becoming a Firefighter, internet research you have done, firefighting books you have read, or firefighting videos you have watched. Be sure to include everything you have done to prepare for this career, including the physical activity you participate in to stay in shape.
The interviewer mainly wants to hear about volunteer work you have done with a fire department, fire science classes you have taken or are enrolled in, CPR, EMT, and First Aid classes you have completed, and any ride-alongs you have participated in. If you have completed a fire academy and taken your Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) test, be sure to highlight those achievements in your response.
It is better to have a long answer than a short one. The more you have done to prepare, the better. The interviewer will be more likely to hire a candidate who has invested time and energy into preparing for a career in the fire service than one who has done little to prepare.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"I volunteer with my local fire department and participate in their weekly drills. In the year that I have been a volunteer, I have been a Firefighter on three structure fires and multiple vehicle accidents and medical calls. I received my EMT certification two months ago and have been working as an EMT for AMR since then. I have enrolled in a Hazardous Materials course, which I start next week. Also, I work out three to four times a week, concentrating on strength and endurance activities."
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
Avoid talking about things you have done that do not relate to firefighting. The interviewer only wants to hear about steps you have taken to prepare for your career in the fire service. If you have not done much to prepare, you can include past jobs or classes you have taken that can apply to the fire service, such as customer service jobs or mathematical or engineering courses.
Customer service jobs apply to the fire service since you will be providing customer service to the community you are in contact with. Mathematical or engineering courses also apply to the fire service because you will be using those skills daily in your job.
However, if you have adequately prepared for a career in the fire service, you do not need to include the customer service jobs or math or engineering courses in your response. The interviewer is primarily interested in the steps you have taken to prepare for a career in the fire service.
Krista Wenz has been on thousands of interview panels hiring EMS professionals and firefighters for public and private agencies.
"To prepare for a career in the fire service, I became a certified EMT, I have my BLS HealthCare Responder certification, and I have one year left before receiving my associate's degree in Fire Science. I completed a fire academy and successfully passed the CPAT test. Also, I work out daily and follow a training program consisting of strength and cardiovascular training. I have a friend who works for your department and have done 15 ride-alongs in the past year to gain more knowledge of how your department operates."
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Anonymous Answer
I have prepared for a career in the fire service through a multitude of experiences throughout my life. In 2013, I graduated from Radford University with a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing. Graduating from college helped teach me commitment and time management skills, the importance of responsibility and accountability, and gave me an understanding of the relationship between choices, decision making, and consequences. In addition, I have prepared by serving as a volunteer firefighter in __________. Serving as a volunteer firefighter gave me some insight into the demands and expectations of the fire service, provided real-life exposure to trauma, death, and difficult calls, as well as allowed me to experience the camaraderie and family bond that is formed. From 2017 to 2021 I served in an infantry unit in the United States Marine Corps. Serving in the Marine Corps allowed me to mature and grow as a leader and a team player. The Marine Corps also strengthened my sense of discipline and attention to detail. Furthermore, the Marine Corps enhanced my understanding of sacrifice and selfless service. In September of 2021, I was honorably discharged from the USMC and immediately enrolled at Red Rocks Community College, specifically in the EMT Academy. In December of 2021, I received my NREMT and Colorado State EMT licenses. In October of 2021, I met with ______ from Station 28 and he allowed me to come to the station and get hands-on with their equipment in order to prepare for my CPAT, which I passed a few weeks later. He also put me in touch with _______ from station 23 and in November of 2021, I was able to do a ride-along with Station 23 Tower c-shift. Currently, I am employed by _________ as a full-time EMT and am also enrolled in the ________ and Hazmat Operations Academy, which is held at West Metro Fire Training Center snd taught by ________.
Amanda's Feedback
Excellent! You've managed to briefly describe your collegiate and volunteer fire experience as well as your military service and EMT/fire academy education, clearly outlining the steps you've taken to explore the career path and prepare to excel in the field. Any interviewer should be impressed by the initiative you've taken and the skills you've gained to date.
Anonymous Answer
To prepare for a fire service career, I joined the _________ Volunteer Fire Department and worked with them for 6 years to obtain experience, learn how to stay calm in an emergency situation, and learn how to manage the public. After that, I had gone to Lakeland College to study Emergency Services Technology and pursue firefighting. From Lakeland, I have also received many certificates that include the IFSAC and Pro Board Seals. Throughout all that time, I have also been working out and training to keep physically fit for emergency calls that require moving/holding heavy objects and to be able to keep good cardiovascular endurance. I plan to continue keeping fit and also obtain more certificates and training to keep preparing myself for more situations.
Amanda's Feedback
This answer does a good job of relating all the thought and effort you've put into your firefighting career. Talking about working with the local department, taking college classes, and working to obtain certifications shows that you're committed, understand what the role requires, and are willing to work hard to be as prepared as possible.
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