Tulsa July '05

[hickman1698]

I wanted to start a new Tulsa thread for those of us just starting the testing process for the upcoming academy in July of 2005. The last thread was a great place for information and I encourage those that have already completed the process to post and tips you feel would be beneficial. Good luck to all throughout the upcoming year and good luck on the August exam, it is just around the corner. Share any information that you feel would be of service and post any questions that you are needing answered.

[OSUfirepro]

Well good luck to you Hickman. If you have not already you might want to sign up for the October orientation class. This would be helpful and it's prety cool. When I did one they had a Captain with 30 years on the job talk some; it was sort of like a pep talk about the job. A lot of people are applying but TFD is going to be hiring quite a few also. I finished my background interview last week and now I am just waiting to hear some word. TFD has been doing recruiting ads on the radio and on the news. It's a long process but it's well worth the wait. Hope to see you on the job. Did you apply for OKCFD this past January?

[tulsahopeful]

i also wish you the best of luck. like i've said before it is a very rewarding process.

[AshFireBuff]

Well - Wednesday is the big test day for those of us who are testing this month. I am really excited.

Ash

[tulsahopeful]

good luck man.

[tulsahopeful]

so how do you guys feel you did on the test?

[AshFireBuff]

I think I did pretty well on the written. The behavior section was a little "tricky" is places. I only had to guess on only like 4 or so questions on the first section.

I have been told that the Chief is fixing to decide on the January class. The list is on his desk.

[OSUfirepro]

How do you know that Ash?

[AshFireBuff]

I have a few contacts who work for TFD. My source says that he has been told the Chief LaCroix has the list on his desk and he would be deciding soon. That is info that I have been told.

I was told that yesterday....Wednesday.

Keep in mind that it is only "hear say".

[hickman1698]

I feel that I did fine on the test, now it is just a matter of waiting for the next step. I am interested to know how many people are competing for the July academy. Anybody have any idea? Thanks.

[AshFireBuff]

Where did you sit at during the test?

I was sitting at the first table when you walked it. (Shorter guy w/glasses)

Lets keep our fingers crossed that we passed and get interviews.

[tulsahopeful]

how many people tested today?

[hickman1698]

Ash,

I sat at the table that was behind the TFD emblem on the floor. I was in a tan polo and jeans. I am about 6' 1", 225 lbs. (losing weight). I think that there were close to 100 people there, not sure but I know that the room was full and Mr. Factor said that he was not going to allow but a couple more to test if they showed up. Good luck ash and I hope that we continue.

[OSUfirepro]

I think they average 80-100 per month. When I took my test in October of last year there was about 100; but at that time they had a 2 week span where they had 2 or 3 test days a week. I think they did that just to get a lot of applicants at once because of the hiring freeze. Quite a few were failing the written test becaus eof the psych part of the exam. Not sure what the pass rate is now. It's strictly pass or fail, so a 74 is just as good as 100.

[tulsahopeful]

when i took the test last year it was right after the freeze was lifted. they did 4 days of testing. from sept. 7-10th i think. i took mine on the 10th. there were about 200 people there that day. from what i heard there were around 1000 people who tested. only half of those moved on to the structured interview. by the time the PAT came around there were 100 people testing. then got done to 52 left for 40 spots. like osufirepro said everyone and thier brother tested. alot failed cause of the psych portion. waiting to get the postcard with the results is a killer. good luck guys.

[AshFireBuff]

Does anyone know how long it normally takes to get the rest results back?

Thanks,
Ash

[tulsahopeful]

it takes around 2 weeks i think. at least when i took the test it did. if you have mr. factors email use it if you haven't gotten the results in 3 weeks. i had to email him cause i didn't get mine when they said it would arrive. it seems one batch almost didn't get sent out. so make sure to "remind" them if you have to.

still waiting for results about the job offer. osufirepro has gone missing it seems. i've emailed him but my emails are strange at times. i've had friends not able to get through. so if you are out there any word yet? well guys best of luck to you. i'll be in from time to time and if you need advice i'll be more than happy to help.
even if i don't get the job i'm so happy i tried. it's been awesome so far. nervewraking waiting, but pateince is something we all need to work on i think. later.

[OSUfirepro]

I am still here, patiently waiting for my notice from TFD. Well kind of patiently. It's going on 4 weeks now. Last time I got an e-mail from you Hopeful was when I got back from San Francisco. If you have sent me any after that and I did not reply, I didn't receive them. I am going to the fire academy this evening to work out; Maybe I will hear some kind of news.

[tulsahopeful]

yeah osu i emailed you twice. like i said my email has been acting very funny. i thought for sure you had been called already. i emailed mr. factor today and have yet to get a reply. once again not sure if he got it though. anyway, a month goes pretty slow when you are watching the calender and phone, or letter. hope we both get the call.

[Scorch21]

Wondering if anyone has received their test results form the 04AUG written?

[hickman1698]

I have not received my results. I expect that they should arrive soon. Hopefully...

[AshFireBuff]

I sent an email to FF Smallwood the middle of last week, and he told it should be very soon.

I am still waiting very patiently.

Ash

[Scorch21]

Yeah a couple weeks have never felt so long! Does anyone know the difference between Tulsa's oral board compared to the traditional board? All I heard is it is 'different' and is timed?

[tulsahopeful]

the structured interview is a series of 5 questions that follow along the lines of "what would you do if....." i can't go into more detail cause it is not allowed. you are given 5 minutes on each question. 3 interviewers sit and rate you. it was more nerve wracking than the background interview for me. the faluire rate i think is about 50%. just keep a clear head and think through every question. be calm and you should do fine.

an update for everyone. they still not have made calls to anyone. not till the end of the month i was told. this by the testing coord. so looks like we are all in the same boat. good luck guys.

[Scorch21]

Good deal. Thanks for the info tulsahopeful and good luck to everyone.

Cole

[hickman1698]

Did any of you guys submit a resume during any part of the process? I have one that I would like to submit but Mr. Factor did not really act like he wanted one to be submitted.

[tulsahopeful]

i don't think they want them cause all that stuff is located on the BIQ you will be filling out once you get past the structured interview. to him it would just be an extra paper he would have to deal with. he's a busy man from what i hear and he seems to have this down to a science. that is only my impression though. you couls always attach it to your BIQ, but in the long run it seems pointless. everything on it will be covered as i said. good luck, still no word on test results guys?

[AshFireBuff]

Still no postcard in the mail as of Tuesday. I have a call into FF Smallwood to check the status of the release date for the August written exam results.

In regards to the resume, I would *NOT* submit one. All they need is the application and when the time comes, the BIQ information. The BIQ is *several* pages long and ask tons of information. It is certainly a good form for us to fill out when the time comes. You may submit certifications with the BIQ.

[tulsahopeful]

man you guys still have not got the postcards yet? i bet the are going to mail them the same time they mail all the rejection letters for the jan. class. that way do a mass mailing at once. anyway hope everything goes well for you guys. post when you get the results.

[AshFireBuff]

Nothing yet. I keep being told it will be any day.

I have been told that the Chief still has the list on his desk for the Jan class. So, no decision there. But hopefully soon for you possible Jan guys.

Patience....patience...patienc e. =)

[hickman1698]

I received an email from Mr. Factor today. He said that he has been out of town for 2 weeks and when he returned this week he found out that all of the test results had been mailed out without any postage. As a result not a single one has been received yet. He said that he himself mailed them out yesterday, so keep your eyes open for a notice. Just a little update.

[AshFireBuff]

The results from the August 2004 written exam for the position of firefighter for the Tulsa Fire Department is.........

PASSED

(certainly a big sigh of relief)

[hickman1698]

Anybody know how long before they will start to schedule for the structured interview? The CPAT is in December so I assume that it would be pretty soon.

[tulsahopeful]

hey guys sorry it's taken so long to say this but.......... congrats on passing the test. has anyone heard when the structured interview yet?

as of those waiting for the news of the jan. academy...............well we are still waiting!!!!!! we are coming up on 2 months and 3 weeks!! it seems they have alot of high quality canidates and now it just who the lucky ones are.

i'm at the point were i just want to know either way, but still holding out hope.

anyway good luck to all you guys still going strong. hope all you all get what you are praying for. later.

[OSUfirepro]

I RECEIVED MY CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT YESTERDAY!!!!!
Man what a releief after 4 1/2 years of trying. Has anyone else heard any word? I think 41 are getting an offer. I have no idea what the psych interview will be like. Does any one? We still have to climb the ladder (100ft????) and pass the medical physical and psych interview.

[CaptBob]

An area of great concern is the psychological test. More agencies are using this test as part of the process. Unfortunately, Forty percent of candidates are not passing the psyche test! Imagine after all the education, experience and time preparing to get this job . . . and you're eliminated. Then no one will talk to you to find out what happened.

I've talked to too many candidates who were devastated and didn't know what to do next. This is a critical part of the testing process you need to prepare for and pass the first time out.

You have been testing for three, five, or seven years to get a firefighter job. You are finally in the hiring process. You’ve made it through the background check. Then, you’re conditionally offered the job pending the medical which includes a psychological test. You take the test, no big deal right? Then the phone stops ringing. You are out of the process. You are told that you didn’t meet the profile. What profile?

What do you mean I didn’t meet the profile? I’ve got training, experience, education, every degree, certificate, merit badge, and a paramedic certification. I’ve been a volunteer, paid member of another department for 10 years, and lived and breathed this job. And, I don’t meet the profile?

More agencies are using this test as part of the process. Unfortunately, Forty percent of candidates are not passing the psyche test! Imagine after all the education, experience and time preparing to get this job . . . and you're eliminated. Then no one will talk to you to find out what happened. I've talked to too many candidates who were devastated and didn't know what to do next. This is a critical part of the testing process you need to prepare for and pass the first time out.

More on the pscyh here: http://eatstress.com/psych.htm

"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!" that includes the all important psych!

Fire "Captain Bob" Author, Becoming A Firefighter
http://eatstress.com/firefighterbook.htm

www.eatstress.com

888-238-3959

[OSUfirepro]

Capt. Bob thanks for your help. I think the psych part your talking about was included in our written test. That did fail a lot of people. I think the dept. is calling this a "psych. interview". Out of the 40 that got this far out of the last TFD class all of them passed this portion of the hiring process.

[hickman1698]

Congrats OSU Pro. That is big time. Has anyone heard from TFD regarding July 05 interviews? Have not posted in awhile and neither has anyone else. Just checking in.

[CaptBob]

I think the psych part your talking about was included in our written test.

No, I wasn't referring to the written. I was referring to the psych interview where up to 40% fail.

More on the pscyh here: http://eatstress.com/psych.htm

"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!" that includes the all important psych!

Fire "Captain Bob" Author, Becoming A Firefighter

www.eatstress.com

888-238-3959

[Scorch21]

No word here Hickman. I am out of state and checking the mail everyday hoping the notice comes!! Anyone else heard anything??