Seattle First Round Interviews

[catchtwenty2]

Can anyone provide any insight into the Seattle Fire interview process?

The letter I got said there would only be one monitor and a tape recorder for the first round of interviews, and that the recordings would be rated by a panel of fire representatives at a later date.

I'm a bit confused as to how this will work, and what specific questions they will ask. Any help guys?

Thanks!

[mitllesmertz1]

There will be a room with a TV and VCR, with a chair in front of it.
There will be a video camera on top of the TV pointed at the chair.
You sit in the chair.
The VCR starts, there are typically 10 scenes or so.
Each scene lasts about 1 minute.
The scene will be shot from "your" perspective.
Example #1: "You" pull up to an mva with a bus. Your officer tells you to check out an area for victims. There is generalized chaos all around. You are walking towards a group of people sitting on the curb with apparently minor injuries.
A very distraught group of parents confronts you and starts yelling about their kids, where are you going, why aren't you helping their kids.
The tape will stop, you look into the camera and respond as if you're talking to the parents.
Example #2: "You" are in an aid car parked in front of a 7-11 store. Your partner is just walking out of the store wit ha pop and chili-dog. Dispatch sends you to an elderly male, fall. You partner starts whining about going to the same pt AGAIN, third time this week, he's always fine, etc. He says he wants to finish his chili-dog, and then respond.
Respond to the camera again.
Example #3 "You" are in an engine, you pull up at an apartment fire, people running around doing fireman stuff. Your officer tells you to go upstairs and look for victims. You take an axe and a partner and head up the stairs. As you reach the 3rd floor landing, a large, dishevelled looking guy pops out of a doorway, blocking your path. He says something like, "where the hell do ya think your going, get out of here!"
Respond..
Example #4: "You" are at an aid call inside a house. As the pt is being taken out of the bedroom on a gurney, you see your partner take a watch off the nightstand and put it in his pocket.
Respond...
You get the idea?

There are no textbook "right" or "wrong" answers, they are looking to see your verbal skills, they are looking for confrontational attitudes, verbal skills etc.

*** NOTE: these are not current examples of the Seattle Fire Department testing process. I am not representing them in any way, and I am not saying that these examples are part of their current test. These are examples that have been relayed to me over the years by other candidates that have taken similar tests.

[elswappo]

Last Years first interview was nothing like the on above. They take you to a room, with a interview moderator, then they let you read the questions. The tape recorder goes on, and they ask you the questions. The tape records how you answer the questions. The tape is then judged, at a later date, by a panel of firefighters.

Thats how it was last year. Good luck, maybe I'll see you there!

[CaptBob]

That's my undersanding too.

[mitllesmertz1]

there used to be a video portion, I was referring to that.
Several other departments in the area use it, including Kent and Olympia.
I "heard" it was pretty fun to watch the candidate's answers...

[ffbam24]

there used to be a video portion, I was referring to that.
Several other departments in the area use it, including Kent and Olympia....

Not to rag on ya but...sorry, no. To my knowledge, Seattle never used that type (B-Pad I believe).

People may be confusing that with the fireteam.com test we took as a group.

The first oral interview should be like elswappo stated, so it should be the same as last year's. Two small tape recorders, the interview proctor and you.

Good luck,
bam

[TheCrow1994]

Omaha, Nebraska used to do the videotaped/panel judged interview just like elswappo stated. Then, they replaced that with the fireteam test (Ergometrics) to save money.

[justink]

hi does anyone know what type of question seattle ask. Are they why you want to be a firefighter type question. Are they more on the lines of a situational type question. any information would be helpful
thank you

[ffbam24]

Criminy!....To even ask that on a public forum in the middle of their interview process???

[pgloede]

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Fire "Captain Bob" http://www.eatstress.com
Author of , Becoming A Firefighter,
Conquer Fire Department Oral Boards, and
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