New to the board. Going for my interview for FWFD, need tips and suggestions

[FutureFWFD]

Heloo everyone. I am going in front of a board for my interview for the Fort Wayne Fire Department on 1/9/02. I have been through the process before but this is a new panel. I would like to hear some advice on tips and suggestions concerning possible interview questions. I have a college degree and feel comfortable talking in an interview setting. However, this is a huge step and would like to hear some of your ideas. Thanks

[smketer]

well go to a few stations there, but first stop by the store and get lots of ice cream. So as your asking them questions they can have a little snack.

Also maybe do some ride along time, it will help.

[FutureFWFD]

smketer:
Dude, thanks for taking a break from Maplewood. I have just read about half of the posting and laughed so hard I began to cry. That poor guy and his "butt-e" need to take there losses and run. Well, I don't know about ice cream but we have a great coney dog joint on the way. Food is a way to the belly, or was that heart? Oh well, I figure that out on the way. Later amigo.
T

[Engineman]

The Fort Wayne Fire Department,ha, what a joke. That department is 10 years behind the times. If I were you, I would find another department. They have 4 trucks when they should have 6-8. Truck work to Ft. Wayne is putting a fan in the door, then standing around. I don't think they have cut a hole in a roof on a real fire in years. They are annexing area left and right and can't provide the proper protection. They are taking in area without hydrates and have no tankers. They won't call county dept.'s because the union thinks that the volunteers have no idea what they are doing. Well the county FF's take the same FF I/II test that the city does. They just put defib units on their trucks 1 and 1/2 years ago when everyone else in the county has had them for years. They have started training employee's as EMT's 2 years ago. They run one rescue truck for the whole city. What a joke. I want to see what their response time is when they clear from a run on the southside of the city and have to goto the far northside(12-18 minimum). And for all you who say I 'm one of those guys mad because I didn't get on job with FT. Wayne, you are wrong. I am a full time FF/EMT with the county, just where I want to be. They have a lot of catching up to do.

[ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: Engineman ]

[Engineman]

I stand corrected. I forgot about their abortion of a tanker that is an 80's Stuphen, homemade tanker with a steel tank, a very small rear dump, and a portable pump mounted to the back. they blew the tank up a while back trying to get fill times for it. The hatch on top was not big enough for the air to escape fast enough as they filled. Again my 2 cents.

[ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: Engineman ]

[FutureFWFD]

Engineman;
I am sorry you feel the way you do about the FWFD. However, I have wanted to be a member of that team since I was a young boy growing up with a dad who was a cop. I have a lot of friends on the FWFD and I am sure they would back me in saying that they are a great group of guys and the department is just as great. I am happy for you but don't come on to me message a slam something that I have wanted for a long time. Where exactly do you work? Just by chance did you apply for the FWFD before your county job? I don't know the last time you were in Fort Wayne but they have two new houses and 2-3 more are in the works.

[Engineman]

Troy,
First I would like to apologize to you. I was not slamming you for being in the process. This is my opinion on the department. Sorry that you took it the wrong way. I have numerous friends on the Fort Wayne fire dept. They know how I feel and they have feeling towards the dept., but I will not speak for them. To answer your question, no I did not apply for the city before the county. I have followed the emergency services of the area for many years. Yes they have built new stations to provide service for the newly annex areas, 15's being the newest and 4's back in 96'-97'. Sorry for coming off in away to offened you, but I am sure you have opinions about other things yourself.

[ 01-07-2002: Message edited by: Engineman ]

[FHandz17]

I don't know about their fire ground routines, but they play pretty good hockey. I enjoy playing them each year at the FDIC ice hockey tournament, especially when the big tall guy punched me in the head last year.

My two cents.

It has to be better than most jobs, good luck.

[FutureFWFD]

Engineman;
Thank you and I understand your opinions. I am looking forward to a career on the FWFD. I tried 2 other times and made it to the interview but that was it. I know that I will make it and have good feelings about this time being the one. Maybe you could clarify some things for me. What is the FDIC? Is that the games that fire/police can play in? Because I had a friend compete in wrestling for them. I want to do the same when I make it on the department. Where are you located? Are you close to FW? Troy

[FutureFWFD]

FDandz17:
Sorry about the big guy puching you, but that is hockey, right? Where are you at, and do you have any suggestions for my interview, I am really interested in making the best impression I can make. I would like to start a career in the fire service. I already took the written exam and agility test, scored very high in both. There are only 61 of us going for the academy. Troy

[RoryEl]

Hey engineman, cool your jets bro, Troy Egts wanted to know something bout boards, not how you detest his prospective employer.
Each interview board has a unique personality. Some are straight forward and others aren't. Review your background info you provided before going - I hope you kept a copy - because the board will have access. Be prepared to answer the usual questions such as why do you want this job, what do you bring to the table, why should we hire you, etc, along with answers to any trouble spots/blights in your background. Keep your cool if confronted, and just answer the question. Be sure you understand any questions before answering, and don't get verbarrhea - running your mouth. Answer the questions and then shut up.
The interview board can kill you, but remember over half have to vote against you. If you can, find out the background of the differnt board members before hand so you'll know where their coming from. We had citizens, cops, FD admin and shift personnel on our boards, as well as protect class person for obvios reasons. The ones that usually fail do so due to a bad attitude, inappropriate attire, e'g, shorts, tee shirts, etc. Wear professional dress like dress pants, nice shirt and shoes. A suit is over dress.
Good luck

[FutureFWFD]

Rory:
Thanks for understanding on where I am coming from. Enginemean can and will have his own opinions and we cant blame him for that. I appreciate the advice on the iinterview techniques. I know some of the panel that will be giving the interview but nothing real personal. I have ironed my outfit that I will be wearing, dockers, white shirt and tie with a sport coat. That is what some firefighters told me to wear. I will concentrate on the run-ons and the "uhh" approach that hurts a lot of people. Thank you for the possible questions, I will practice those tonight. Thanks. Troy

[gfdtrk4]

Troy, Good Luck Bro'

I don't have any tips (I was in your position...3 times) other than try to remember the questions they asked.

Engineman,
I'm with you on the Truck work thing.....It just leaves room for improvement.
I too worked in the county.

However, "people in glass houses should not throw stones"
Which Dept. do you work for? I have been to fires ALL over the Allen County area..... working or taking pictures....And have seen many things
that I didn't need to see! (and I still have a LOT of those pictures!)

If you can figure out which Dept. I worked for, you could find something to talk about....Remember, I have ammo too!

FHandz17,
The FWFD hockey team just got a new "ringer" (former IHL or UHL player)

Troy, one more thing:
If you go to the stations....Skip Coney Island (yuk!), Take some pies....everyone likes pie!
Again, Good luck Brother and keep us posted!

[FutureFWFD]

gfdtrk4:
Thanks for the suggestions. Tomorrow is the big day. I feel confident with the material I am going to present for myself. I hope that my third time is the charm. I know of the former ihl hockey player you are talking about. I have meet him a couple of times, he is really good. So, what part of the "ghetto" are you from? The "G" in your names gives me a couple of clues but I don't like making assumptions. Thanks for the advice. Troy

[Engineman]

gfdtrk4,
I know you and you are the man. I have much respect for you. You are a man of much knowledge and respect in the fire service. Wish you where still home in Allen County. I will admit the the county is just as bad in areas, but everyone likes to think they are the best. Guess I'm stuck in that mentality. By the way, bald is a good look for you. Oh and say hi to Nunnly for me.