How have you prepared yourself to remain calm and react effectively at emergency scenes?
Interviewers are looking for steps that you have taken to prepare yourself for this stressful position. They are also looking for a Firefighter who can manage their emotions during a crisis. While it is hard to prepare yourself to remain calm and react effectively to every type of emergency, there are steps you can take to see if this is the right career path for you.
For example, you can do a ride-along with a fire department, volunteer for a local fire department, or visit fire stations and ask the Firefighters how they remain calm and effective during emergencies. You could also talk with other emergency services professionals such as 911 Dispatchers, EMTs, and Paramedics to see what advice they have for you.
Describe measures you have taken to remain calm and effective when working at an emergency scene. Mention anyone you have talked to for advice, ride-alongs you have done, or EMT, CPR, or First Aid classes you have taken. The interviewer wants to hear that you have prepared yourself to work as an emergency first responder.
"I have prepared myself to remain calm and effective at emergency scenes by doing a ride-along with the local fire department once a week for the past six months. They let me take vital signs, administer first aid, console family members, and control traffic for vehicle accidents. Working with Firefighters has taught me the importance of remaining calm in stressful situations."
Avoid saying that you have done nothing to prepare yourself to remain calm and react effectively to emergencies. Working as a Firefighter is mentally and physically challenging. The interviewer wants to hear that you understand this aspect of the job and have prepared yourself.
If you have not prepared yourself before your interview, describe how you plan to learn to remain calm and react at emergency scenes. However, it is best if you have done some preparation before your interview.
Taking proactive measures shows the interviewer that you have planned to prepare yourself for this type of work. Firefighters must plan for all kinds of emergencies and remain calm while doing so. The interviewer wants to see that you have the mental fortitude to work in this profession.
"I have prepared myself to remain calm and effective at emergency scenes in several ways. I have volunteered at my local hospital for the past two years, working in the emergency department. I assist patients to the triage area when they come in, clean trauma rooms, and help patients with blankets, ice water or call family members when needed. Seeing how the hospital staff works and remains calm during emergencies has helped me do the same. One nurse I shadow told me when he feels anxious during an emergency, he takes a deep breath and remains focused on what needs to be done. I use his advice and find it helps me stay calm, too. In addition to my volunteer work, I am enrolled in an EMT class to learn how to handle all types of emergencies."
Community answers are written by other candidates practicing this set. Reading how others frame the same question is one of the fastest ways to sharpen your own.
Anonymous Answer
For preparation in regards to remaining calm at emergency scenes, I joined the Maple Creek Fire Department to gain experience in both firefighting/rescue tasks and to practice remaining calm at an emergency scene. After my first fire call, I understood the value of remaining calm so I don't contribute to the chaos of an emergency scene. If need be and the conditions allow it, I will take a deep breath to calm my mind and become more able to look at the situation more clearly.
Amanda's Feedback
With this question, the interviewer is looking for specific actions you've taken to help you stay calm in an emergency scenario. They want to know that you can control your emotions in a crisis situation. While it isn't possible to prepare for every possible scenario, there are steps you can take to be better prepared. Your answer shows that you've taken the initiative to gain experience in fire and rescue and that you work to stay focused and calm on the scene. You can improve this answer further by talking about anything else you did when you first started to gain experience that has prepared you to remain calm such as doing ride-alongs or talking with veteran firefighters about how to stay calm and work well under pressure. You can also talk about the kind of training you have that gives you the confidence to handle any situation such as first responder training, or CPR, EMT, and first aid classes.