Help with promotion exam

[jack61sgfd]

I am scheduled for a battalion chief interview next month. Part of the process is a "in basket" exercise. Can any one give me a idea what to expect or where I can find some information so I can prepare.

thanks
"stay safe"
Jack

[dmfireschool]

Jack, go to the link below for in-basket strategies.

http://www.fireprep.com/in-basket_firefighter_exam_pro.ht ml

Good luck!!!


Since 1950, Don McNea fire school has prepared over 40,000 fire applicants with our entry level seminars and products. Go to our website at www.fireprep.com and register for our free fireprep e-mail newsletter.

[CaptBob]

In-and-Out Basket

During the in-and-out basket exercise you will be given tasks to make a decision and complete in a specified time. You probably won’t complete all the tasks. The “Nugget” here is to go through the in basket completely and separate the tasks in order of importance and amount of time they would require to complete. Do the simple tasks first. It will help you feel less overwhelmed with the pile. Try to handle the task the first time you pick it up. Make a decision and move on.

Some items just need your signature of approval. Leave the tasks that will require the most time until last. You may never get to some of them. That is O.K. If you can do a hard in-basket item the raters will know you can do the simple ones.

Many candidates get bogged down trying to complete every task. The secret “Nugget” here is to delegate, wherever possible. If you're lucky, just a quick note to delegate and calendar a follow up date in your day timer will get it to the out basket and onto the next task. Often though they will want you to write out what you would actually do.

The format is changing. Don't be surprised if you show up and they hand you a password for a computer. They want to see if you can log on, do response and training reports, line ups, schedule vacations, and answer e-mail. You could also answer voice mails from citizens and other complaints.

I bumped into Ray after his promotional test. He started talking about the guys with less seniority, the salesman type that jumped ahead of him on the list. When he told me it wasn't fair he had lost value points in the In-and-Out Basket because those newer medics had the advantage of doing all their reports. I said, “Don't tell me you were not helping your captain out with his reports?” He said he didn't know it would be part of the test. Ray ended up number six, when he should have had a badge.

At the end of this exercise they will want you to justify what you have done. This is another great opportunity to use your personal experience stories.

Check for items that could relate to each other. In one test a firefighter turned in a form for 24 hours overtime. Another form showed the same firefighter going off on sick leave after 14 hours on the same shift. Both should have been denied and returned to the firefighter for correction.

Another test gave the candidates the assignment to prepare a speech to be delivered to the mayor at 6:00 p.m. that same evening. Some candidates lost valuable time attempting to write the entire speech. A simple outline of an opening, three major points, a summary, question and answer time, and a conclusion would have covered this assignment. It’s time and presentation that’s being tested, not the subject.

During an in-and-out basket exercise with several candidates, a rater went around and handed each a notice that they would have a staff meeting in a half an hour. They were to discuss ways in cutting the fire department budget by 10%. All the candidates showed up with the notice in their hands except David. He had picked up the cue and used the outline formula from the previous paragraph, already knew the department budget and was prepared to start the meeting off with direction. As the other candidates floundered, he made the major point from his outline: Our budget is made up of 90% salaries. How can we cut the budget 10% without cutting salaries?

David not only demonstrated he was prepared, but also knew this would be a difficult task. As the other candidates were still trying to gear up, David had the solution to put off hiring a new recruit class until next year when attrition would balance the budget.

Check here for more on the promotional testing process:
http://www.eatstress.com/promo.htm

"Nothing counts 'til you have the badge . . . Nothing!"

Fire "Captain Bob" Author, Becoming A Firefighter or Officer and
Conquer Fire Department Oral Boards

www.eatstress.com

888-238-3959

[FDengine13]

Jack,
Shoot me an email and I would be happy to discuss it with you. I'm going fishing for a couple of weeks beginning 2/9 so make it soon. Make sure you send me your phone number so I can call you personally.
Paul.lepore@cox.net