Seattle 2011

[GRNFT]

Average age of my academy was 32 I think, so no problem there. We had a 42 year old make it through, but I know some of the over 40 crowd got beat up in the current recruit class. Previous experience is a definite plus if you can sell yourself during interviews. Most people had some experience, but they seem to take some flyers on a few zero experience people who have very unique/diverse backgrounds. It's a long process. I commuted 9 times for various tests/interviews etc...Hope that helps.

[KCFF84]

CFDRes thanks for the tips, looking forward to getting the process underway. I've been testing for a year and a half and am up there on a couple lists but always wanted a shot at SFD.

[jeeves1]

Yeah that could be the case, but we have an active list right now, as far as I know, but a lot of names have dropped off because it's been so long. If I hear anything from HR I'll pass it on...

the last eligible expired October as I was on it.I made one of the alternates.Seems like a waste of money as those people waited 2 and half years.At least this time round they are changing the process by putting CPAT earlier which will help eliminate a few more who arent up to it

[Persistence10]

CPAT earlier? where's your info from?

[jeeves1]

I may have read their job notification wrong but dont think I did.This time, after the eligible list is anounced, ie top 25% they will do the CPAT 1st instead of BC interview/ background/ Psych

[125cc]

the last eligible expired October as I was on it.... Seems like a waste of money as those people waited 2.5 years.At least this time round they are changing the process by putting CPAT earlier which will help eliminate a few more who arent up to it

I was high on that list as well (final panel interview and background interview), really thought I was going to get it, and even started preliminary plans on moving out there across the country. It was a very long and stressful 2 1/2 years, and very expensive as well. I understand that the city is in a financial deficit, but so are good candidates who live all over the country. I went through another west coast city process and their processes were bunched together into 1 weekend of activities. Just my .02 on that.

Seattle FD is probably one of the best departments to get picked up by and the city is awesome. Unfortunately, I don't have another 2 years and $5000+ travel expenses to chance with, and I'm not about to walk away from almost 10 years (if I got hired off this list) with a pretty decent career department I'm with now.

Good luck to all the applicants, just don't get your hopes up too much. Take the interviews seriously, get an interview prep book. Don't forget to refresh your basic math and algebra skills. Study, study, study, then practice, practice, practice. You might also want to enroll in a frequent flyer program with Northwest Airlines.

[125cc]

I love fighting fire

you might not want to mention that to any interview panel. In fact if you really feel that way, a prosperous city like Seattle may not be for you. May I suggest Detroit, Gary, Camden, or East St. Louis?

[jeeves1]

I was high on that list as well (final panel interview and background interview), really thought I was going to get it, and even started preliminary plans on moving out there across the country. It was a very long and stressful 2 1/2 years, and very expensive as well. I understand that the city is in a financial deficit, but so are good candidates who live all over the country. I went through another west coast city process and their processes were bunched together into 1 weekend of activities. Just my .02 on that.

Seattle FD is probably one of the best departments to get picked up by and the city is awesome. Unfortunately, I don't have another 2 years and $5000+ travel expenses to chance with, and I'm not about to walk away from almost 10 years (if I got hired off this list) with a pretty decent career department I'm with now.

Good luck to all the applicants, just don't get your hopes up too much. Take the interviews seriously, get an interview prep book. Don't forget to refresh your basic math and algebra skills. Study, study, study, then practice, practice, practice. You might also want to enroll in a frequent flyer program with Northwest Airlines.

I feel you man.Exactly the same situation.I traveled from the UK 4 times, at one point.extremely stressfull on a marriage as well.I think they have lost 4 or 5 on their curent class so far, makes you annoyed that they are doing a whole new recruitment drive when they still have fresh people on the list of good calibre ready to go.Mybe if a few of us top 25% got together we could email them to find out the logic behind it? Because I could never understand it.Especially because we waited for so long.?...

[CFDRes]

I feel you man.Exactly the same situation.I traveled from the UK 4 times, at one point.extremely stressfull on a marriage as well.I think they have lost 4 or 5 on their curent class so far, makes you annoyed that they are doing a whole new recruitment drive when they still have fresh people on the list of good calibre ready to go.Mybe if a few of us top 25% got together we could email them to find out the logic behind it? Because I could never understand it.Especially because we waited for so long.?...

Jeeves, just curious what made you pick Seattle out of all the FDs in the US if you are trying to come over from the UK?

Unfortunately, the nature of the beast is that there are good people on every list who get passed over, or do not have a chance to prove themselves. The FD tries to make good decisions for their department (remember they have financial incentive to pick good people who will make it through the academy and probation) and apparently they have a system they think works for them.

I don't have any insight into why the current class may be losing members. That said, I understand from friends who have hired on in Seattle that they have a very old tradition of washing out at least one recruit from every academy class - a tradition they don't intend to part with.

[jeeves1]

Jeeves, just curious what made you pick Seattle out of all the FDs in the US if you are trying to come over from the UK?

Unfortunately, the nature of the beast is that there are good people on every list who get passed over, or do not have a chance to prove themselves. The FD tries to make good decisions for their department (remember they have financial incentive to pick good people who will make it through the academy and probation) and apparently they have a system they think works for them.

I don't have any insight into why the current class may be losing members. That said, I understand from friends who have hired on in Seattle that they have a very old tradition of washing out at least one recruit from every academy class - a tradition they don't intend to part with.

I am already over here.Have been for 2 yrs career now on East coast.I have family in Seattle and love the city.Am dual national so have lot of family on both east and west coasts.Seatle had their chance with me.Im probably going for Baltimore City now

[nnfra200302]

I won't be able to attend one of the optional study workshops for the written exam. So I am wondering if anyone knows of a good study guide for their written exam. I know that their are quite a few out their.

Thank you,

Robert

[CFDRes]

I won't be able to attend one of the optional study workshops for the written exam. So I am wondering if anyone knows of a good study guide for their written exam. I know that their are quite a few out their.

Thank you,

Robert

Look above for my summary of the written test. Of the commercially available written exam study guides I have seen, none are truly that helpful with a test like Seattle's (or at least what they have been using). Reading comprehension, memory, and ability to understand maps and diagrams are what you need.

[powerhourcoug]

you might not want to mention that to any interview panel. In fact if you really feel that way, a prosperous city like Seattle may not be for you. May I suggest Detroit, Gary, Camden, or East St. Louis?

You freakin' kidding me dude? You might not want to mention you love fighting fire?


What is the FIRE service coming to these days??????

[powerhourcoug]

I won't be able to attend one of the optional study workshops for the written exam. So I am wondering if anyone knows of a good study guide for their written exam. I know that their are quite a few out their.

Thank you,

Robert

You will be given several hours of open book study time the day of the exam.

The test is a joke, and doesn't count towards your final candidate score. I wouldn't sweat it too much.

(assuming you're not a mouth breather)

[GRNFT]

I was down doing some training at the training facility yesterday and was told by the Trng Capt that the Asst Chief would like a 2011 class to start in August, but that HR is looking at Nov, possibly Feb '12, as the earliest they can get through the process. The Capt said we have the funding for it and his gut says Nov 11. Hope that provides some insight. Not gospel, just repeating what the conversation entailed.