Norman Hall - Norman Halls Firefighter Exam Preparation Book

Norman Halls 2ND EDITION
FIREFIGHTER
EXAM
PREPARATION BOOK
REVISED AND UPDATED

Copyright 1992, 2003, Norman S. Hall.
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without the permission of the publisher. Exceptions are made for brief excerpts to be used in published reviews.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322

ISBN: 1-58062-932-6
eISBN: 978-1-4405-1916-1

Printed in Canada.

J I H G F E D C B A

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a qualified professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Adams Media was aware of a trademark claim, the designations have been printed with initial capital letters.

The names used in this book (of suspects and victims) are fictional. Any similarities with real people is unintentional.

Illustrations Shannon Hall

This book is available at quantity discounts for bulk purchases.
For information, call 1-800-872-5627.

Visit our home page atwww.adamsmedia.com

Contents

Preface

Congratulations on taking the most important step toward achieving a career in firefighting. Your purchase of this study guide demonstrates your determination to use the best preparation material available. Considering the intense competition for career firefighting jobs, it is imperative that you achieve a high score on the written exam. Thorough preparation is the key.

This book examines the various sections of the written exam and provides helpful insights and tips to guide you through the more difficult parts. Extensive research went into making this study guide. Firefighter exams given in various regions around the country were scrutinized and then compared and analyzed. One inescapable fact that became evident early on is that no two exams are exactly alike: Some city and county fire departments have their own test files, while others contract testing out to private firms that specialize in screening applicants. Despite the wide array of material encountered on various exams, this book offers an excellent overview of what will be expected of you on an actual exam. In fact, most questions in this book closely parallel those seen on past exams.

The second part of the screening process is the physical fitness test. Normally this is given to applicants who rank in the top 20 to 30 percent on the written exam. Similar to the written exam, the physical fitness exam has been conducted in a number of different forms. The final section of the book has been dedicated to this subject, and includes some suggestions that will help you pass. (Physical fitness exams are graded on a pass/fail basis only.)

After studying the material in this guide, you will be able to approach the written portion of the exam with a sense of confidence and ease. In addition, this study guide offers an assurance unmatched by any other publication: Guaranteed test results. If you do not score 80 percent or better on the written exam, the purchase price of this study guide will be refunded in full by the publisher. (See the last page of this book for further details.)

Before you begin your studies, I would like to wish you the best in your future job endeavors. Once you are hired in the fire department, the rewards and job satisfactions are great and the service you provide to the local community invaluable.

Norman S. Hall

Introduction

There are an estimated 300,000 career firefighter positions in the United States. Most of these are available within fire departments in the larger municipalities, which have a substantial tax base for funding fire-protection services. Smaller towns and rural communities must usually rely solely on volunteer firefighting services.

An annual personnel turnover rate of 10 to 15 percent is typical. This rate can be attributed to retirements, promotions, disabilities, transfers, and unspecified personal reasons. Often fire departments operating in areas of population growth are appropriated extra funds for expansion. Conversely, some cities may experience a contraction of population because of regional economics. In such cases, new positions will not be created. However, layoffs in this profession are relatively rare.

Because of normal attrition and potential community growth, it is important that fire departments maintain active registers of qualified applicants to fill vacancies as they arise. The frequency of exams can vary. Ordinarily, exams are given yearly. Public announcements are made several weeks in advance of the exam in the local media (usually newspapers and radio) specifying when and where individuals can apply for the test.

However, it is strongly recommended that you fill out a job application form now. Application forms can be obtained from your local fire department or civil service bureau. Then, when exam dates are determined, you will be notified by mail. By applying now, you will eliminate the possibility of missing an exam or exam announcement and have to wait another year for the next exam.

There are some basic minimum requirements outside the written exam that job applicants must meet for employment eligibility. You must

possess a high school diploma or G.E.D.

be at least eighteen years of age

have a valid state drivers license and a reasonable driving record

be free of any felony convictions and not have received a dishonorable discharge from the military

prove your residency (in some instances)

be able to pass a medical and physical exam

More recently, some of the larger departments are mandating that applicants have Emergency Medical Technician Certification. While it may not be a requirement to have prior to taking the written exam, it is a necessity to have at the time of a job appointment. Applicants that successfully pass their written exam will be given a list of options to satisfy this requirement.

Other desirable abilities that would better qualify an applicant for the job would include

good communication skills (oral and written)

strong mechanical aptitude

ability to work under pressure and maintain a collective sense of direction