Just looking for help..

[wolfbayou]

Hello all,
I am a 23yr old who is looking to start testing in NW arkansas for 3 different fire departments. I have around 2years experience in Vol depts. From wildland to driving pump trucks. I have my PPE, Wildland, Stormspotter(I know, I know) certifications. I will have completed EMT-B in Feb and will start one test in March/April. Will these certs and prior Vol experience help?
I also have a Diesel Technician cert from high school that would show my
willingness and determination to work. I have completed horseshoeing school, and have started and run 2 sucessfull businesses. I ultimately stopped them so that I could have more time with my family. I will have excellent references for the application.
What do I need to know for the written test? I do not know what I am up against. I am training right now using a Navy Seal type regimen and am starting to build up my stamina. I am a big guy, 6' 225, but I should be down to 200 come March. I currently work construction and am very strong. I am not trying to brag at all, just to give all the information I can. I remember talking to a man on the Memphis FD who said that the physical test is so much technique and not brawn. He recalled seeing these "tough guys" come and completely tire themselves out when chopping with the axe.
I am just a bit nervous about the written and oral interviews.
I would like to know if my past experience will help at all.
I will definately dress up for any meetings with FD personel and of course
my oral interview(if I get one). I have always been taught that you dress for who you want to be not exactly who you are now.
I apologize for spurting out my brain tonight.
And thanks ahead for any help I can get.
Any resources would be greatly appreciated also.

J. T.

[jmoulton]

So far I have tested with two departments and the two tests where quite different from each other. So it is very possible every test you take may be different. One of the things that caught me on my last test was the amount of math that was on there, and the fact that I had to do everything out on scratch paper (something i had not done in 7 or 8 years) long division and figuring percentages and such.

[MSFFKing]

I don't think the horseshoing is gonna help that much now that we have trucks, but it cant hurt hehe. I have only been a firefighter for about a year. If you are going out for a certain department, see what their tests are like. Some will give written test and have a sample test booklet that they will give you to look over. This booklet will have problems much like the ones in the sample test. If you come across a math problem in the sample test that you are unsure how to complete, learn how to work the problem correctly and you will be fine. For instance, if you cannot remember how to work percentage problems and they are on the practice test, learn how to work them because you will see it again. For the physical part, find out what the exact test is and include that as best you can in your workout. If it is the cpat, get a weight vest or something similar, get on a stair mill, and emulate the rest.