Introduction

Welcome to this AudioLearn course on preparing to become a career firefighter! I will guide you through the course material. If you are listening to this course and have made the decision to become a firefighter, you are likely preparing for the written exam and all other hiring requirements. Maybe you are just contemplating becoming a firefighter and want to get some information about the hiring process as well as specifics about the job. Whatever the case, I want to thank you for your interest in serving the public. After listening to this course, you will be prepared for the written firefighter exam; additionally, you will have a solid understanding of the steps you need to take as you search for and secure a firefighter position.

The role of a firefighter has changed over the years. Gone are the days of putting out fires or rescuing cats from trees. Now in no way am I taking any importance away from the firefighter’s chief job of fire prevention and protection. In earlier days, though, the duties of firefighters were fairly limited albeit very hazardous.

Today’s firefighter plays multiple roles within the community. To successfully fulfill all required duties, a firefighter must possess both physical and mental attributes that enable him to conduct himself at peak levels with no lapses in judgment, physical activity, or communication. Poor decisions and deviating from accepted practices can mean the difference between life and death for firefighters and any safety personnel for that matter.

All the various steps involved in becoming a firefighter are demanding, as well they should be. There are written components as well as physical components to the hiring process. There are physical examinations as well as psychological tests. Only the best of the best will satisfy all requirements, as it should be; lesser qualified candidates would endanger not only themselves, but also fellow firefighters and the public. Consequently, the tests for which you are preparing are measures to see if you have what

it takes to enter a firefighting academy. When you pass the written exam and fitness test, you are not yet a firefighter. You have simply been deemed qualified to be placed on a Civil Service list of eligible candidates. On top of that, there are many more steps and exams you will face as you pass along the entire hiring process.

In a little bit, I will give you a brief overview of this course. Before I do, though, I want to tell you a about what you can expect as we go through the material together. Thank you, again, for your interest in this course and in maintaining the public safety. If you are ready, let’s begin.