Prince William County Virginia [Archive] - Firehouse Forums

Marshall7

03-18-2008, 01:28 PM

Anyone else in hiring process as we speak? I'm aiming for that July class. Seems to be a great department and booming area. Anyone want to comment on what they know about the department for better or for worse?

mpullen32

03-18-2008, 04:42 PM

I am currently in the process as well. Just passed the CPAT about week ago. Any idea when we will receive the cert?

evanbell

03-18-2008, 05:53 PM

I'm taking the test Saturday. Currently a volunteer in the county. If you have questions, send me a PM.

evanbell

03-23-2008, 04:46 PM

Sounds like they are going to be hiring around 50 people in July and from the sounds of it there are only about 300-350 testing this weekend and early week. Is that even possible?? I've never heard of such few people for so many jobs in a metro area! Anybody test within the past few months that is still eligible?

Marshall7

03-23-2008, 06:24 PM

evanbell

03-23-2008, 07:39 PM

yeah i volunteer there so i'm hoping that may help out a bit. the pay is really good actually. i was just really surprised at the low numbers of applicants considering how many test for arlington and fairfax counties.

Marshall7

03-23-2008, 08:06 PM

evanbell

03-23-2008, 08:27 PM

well good luck marshall! hopefully i'll see you at recruit school in july!!

Marshall7

03-23-2008, 08:34 PM

well good luck marshall! hopefully i'll see you at recruit school in july!!

Definetly man... I'll PM you so we can keep in touch throughout this thing. Good luck man.. I'm excited about the possibilities. Are you going to be at the CPAT practices? I havent been to one yet but plan on going to a few. I just have to find the right day when I dont have class.

evanbell

03-23-2008, 08:43 PM

Marshall 7 i can't send you a pm. your account won't allow it

Marshall7

03-23-2008, 08:57 PM

Marshall 7 i can't send you a pm. your account won't allow it

Hey its fixed now if you wanna re-send.

evanbell

03-23-2008, 09:02 PM

click on private messages up top right and then click on edit options and there's a box to click so you can receive private messages

ropeguru

03-24-2008, 12:53 PM

Looks like I missed out this round. Was given the March test date originally but had to decline due to wife having some surgery the Friday before. Sounds like now I will be in on the May 10th written test.

Is Prince William really hurting for firefighters??

evanbell

03-24-2008, 02:27 PM

Not really but it's growing a lot. High rises are starting to go up on the west end of the county. Three new stations are in the works too

mpullen32

03-24-2008, 02:31 PM

Does anyone have any idea when we will be notified for our oral board interview date after passing the CPAT?

ropeguru

03-24-2008, 03:19 PM

Not really but it's growing a lot. High rises are starting to go up on the west end of the county. Three new stations are in the works too

Thanks for the info. Was a professional FF in VA for 10 years ending in 2000. Been looking forward to trying to get back. Family issues in the past has kind of prevented that until now.

Marshall7

03-25-2008, 04:39 PM

Does anyone have any idea when we will be notified for our oral board interview date after passing the CPAT?

Well apparently the CPAT is May 17th. They want to start the academy in July. I'm going to guess maybe towards the very end of May or beginning of June for the interviews.

mpullen32

03-25-2008, 06:06 PM

Marshall7, I have already passed the March CPAT. I doubt they would wait that long to begin the interview process.

Marshall7

03-25-2008, 09:12 PM

Marshall7, I have already passed the March CPAT. I doubt they would wait that long to begin the interview process.

Oh ok.. there must be two classes eligible for the July class. I'm going to guess mid to late April for you then.

Marshall7

04-01-2008, 02:32 PM

bump...

Sending my background packet in today.

evanbell

04-01-2008, 02:54 PM

anybody get their test results back yet from the test on the 22nd?

saefirebird1856

04-01-2008, 09:27 PM

My test scores from Arlington County were carried over as a "Pass."

My background application will be delivered on Friday, and I am taking the ACFD CPAT on April 19th. Hopefully that will move things along slightly faster.

evanbell

04-04-2008, 12:37 PM

Has anybody gotten anything back from the county yet regarding test scores? It's been almost two weeks...it's not like they have 5000 letters to send out. I thought that I would have heard something by now

mpullen32

04-04-2008, 02:35 PM

Exactly it has only been two weeks. Give it time, you will get your results back. I took the test back in November and it took about three weeks.

evanbell

04-04-2008, 03:39 PM

cool, thanks.

mpullen32

04-07-2008, 04:36 PM

Does anyone know how long it will take to hear about interviews after passing the cpat?

Marshall7

04-10-2008, 10:25 PM

i have a polygraph next week... hopin it goes well. Never have taken one before.

mpullen32

04-10-2008, 11:00 PM

For Prince William? Have you already passed the CPAT?

Marshall7

04-11-2008, 10:49 AM

For Prince William? Have you already passed the CPAT?

No, I havent. I take it May 17th. I'm not really sure why they scheduled my polygraph but I just know its next thurs.

mpullen32

04-11-2008, 02:39 PM

I will be contacting the department later today. I have already passed the written exam and the cpat last month, and have yet to hear anything new. From what I can tell, they seem to be re-organizing their hiring process. When I took the written exam, we had to hand in our background packets on the same date of the exam.

Update

I just contacted the department and was told that the majority of polygraphs will begin after the next round of cpats.

evanbell

04-11-2008, 07:44 PM

just got my letter today for those of you that took the test on the 22nd...

saefirebird1856

04-14-2008, 04:21 PM

I was just contacted to schedule my Polygraph (for the end of the month).

I assume that they are not waiting for the CPAT test date if you have already submitted your background / character packet.

mpullen32

04-15-2008, 12:21 PM

I just scheduled my polygraph today. Good Luck to everyone that is moving on.

Marshall7

04-17-2008, 12:52 PM

have my polygraph in 3 hours. I'm nervous as hell. I've never had one before.

Marshall7

04-25-2008, 08:23 AM

update:

Had the polygraph. It really wasnt bad at all. The guy who does it is good at making you feel comfortable. He says the way he sees it, this is our career so if we lie its on us, he doesnt have to be nasty or pushy. Dont sugarcoat anything for him... just tell him the truth like you were talking to an old friend.

mpullen32

04-25-2008, 08:33 AM

Thanks for the tips. I have my polygraph early in May.

Marshall7

04-25-2008, 08:47 AM

just make sure you tell him things the first time through. He got a little aggravated when I had to go back and add something. It's nerve racking in there but just relax and think things through. If you have to take a second to explain things to him, then do it.

Marshall7

05-17-2008, 07:19 PM

took the cpat today... got my interview may 28th followed by the medical the 29th. I'm ready to get rollin, I hear its going to be a big class.

evanbell

05-18-2008, 03:04 AM

wait marshall...how'd you take the polygraph before you took the cpat??? the guys i know told me that that the poly and medical are the last things you take before you get a job.

Marshall7

05-18-2008, 12:31 PM

wait marshall...how'd you take the polygraph before you took the cpat??? the guys i know told me that that the poly and medical are the last things you take before you get a job.

I dont know to tell you the truth. Ever since Lt. Orefice came to the career fair at Nova and we talked he kinda got the ball moving. Theyve called and scheduled everything back to back. Alot of it probably has to do medic school to be honest.

evanbell

05-20-2008, 01:19 PM

Got the call today and scheduled my polygraph for this thursday at 3:30pm. I'm nervous as crap!!

4bugsdad

05-22-2008, 04:21 AM

Has anyone heard who tested on May 10th yet? They were supposed to be using my ACFD test, but I still would not know until they set the bar for the test.

Marshall7

05-22-2008, 10:43 AM

Got the call today and scheduled my polygraph for this thursday at 3:30pm. I'm nervous as crap!!

Let us know how it goes man... Youll be fine though. Just relax and tell him what you know... if you dont know something say you dont know.

evanbell

05-22-2008, 07:02 PM

i passed with flying colors. now i just have to wait and hope for a phone call

Marshall7

05-22-2008, 07:42 PM

i passed with flying colors. now i just have to wait and hope for a phone call

Good to hear man... so what all is left for you now?

Marshall7

05-22-2008, 07:46 PM

your chances are good man. I think it was a pool of 300 for 50 spots. Once you start sifting through the poly and CPAT it probably gets knocked down alot more. Hopefully we both make it in man! I got my fingers crossed big time.

mpullen32

05-22-2008, 11:09 PM

saefirebird1856

05-22-2008, 11:26 PM

I received a call to schedule my interview for the 31st....unfortunately I am out of town on that date. They said they would follow up with a new date and time in the near future.

For those that have passed their poly.....be prepared for a phone call in the near future.

Congrats to all that have made it this far.

Marshall7

05-23-2008, 08:04 PM

I was told that I also passed my polygraph as well, so it seems we are all in the same boat right now. The only steps left are the interviews and medicals. Has anyone received dates besides you Marshall?

I dont know man but I imagine everyone gets the same calls here in the next few weeks. Its starting to be crunch time and if you passed the poly I imagine your chances are pretty good considering they want a massive recruit class.

mpullen32

05-27-2008, 10:55 PM

Received my interview date today, does anyone remember how many the department is looking to hire off the list?

evanbell

05-28-2008, 12:14 PM

mpullen when did you take the poly?

evanbell

05-28-2008, 05:34 PM

mpullen i tried replying to your pm but you have them disabled. how long did it take them to call you then? did they just call you late last week to schedule the interview? just wondering when i should be expecting a call

mpullen32

05-28-2008, 09:42 PM

I received a phone call yesterday. Approx 2 1/2 weeks. You can also contact Technician Brock as well.

Marshall7

05-29-2008, 12:12 PM

Received my interview date today, does anyone remember how many the department is looking to hire off the list?

50 for july.. and 50 for the next class. Gotta like those chances!

mpullen32

05-29-2008, 05:28 PM

Yes you do, Prince William will definitely have a smaller list then most departments. Any estimate as to how many are still in the running?

Marshall7

05-31-2008, 09:47 AM

well i did part 1 of my medical and now all I have is part 2 and im done with the process. The medical makes me nervous thouh because its the one thing I have no control over. I just really hope all goes well... it would suck to make it this far to have something disqualify you in the medical.

mpullen32

06-11-2008, 11:12 PM

Well I have finished everything for Prince William County. I passed my poly and medical and was fitted for all gear, uniforms, and received my supplies. Now all I can do is wait. Congratulations to everyone that is still in the process, the next two weeks will be nerve wrecking until we receive notification if we were selected or not.

PropheticPoet83

06-17-2008, 07:12 PM

saefirebird1856

06-17-2008, 07:30 PM

do you have to live in the county....if hired?

i'm thinking about applying...i never been there...i'm in NYC.....i have never sent a FF Resume before...any help on how to send a good FF resume...i have no experience as a FF.....

thanks.....

There are no residency requirements for PWC. They will put you through an academy to train you, FF experience is not required. Put together your resume with your real world experience, volunteer service / leadership, and education.

Feel free to PM me if you need any assistance.

PropheticPoet83

06-17-2008, 07:48 PM

There are no residency requirements for PWC. They will put you through an academy to train you, FF experience is not required. Put together your resume with your real world experience, volunteer service / leadership, and education.

Feel free to PM me if you need any assistance.

thanks man...i will PM you....

engine2kfd

06-19-2008, 04:42 PM

Does anyone know where the academy is located or where a good place to live would be.

mpullen32

06-20-2008, 04:57 PM

Has anyone received an offer at all?

Marshall7

06-30-2008, 10:23 PM

Got my offer today! I assume they are starting to make the rounds. For those who make it in... congratulations. Keep each other updated in this thread. Theres a family night orientation july 17th... see you guys there.

saefirebird1856

06-30-2008, 10:50 PM

Congrats all....

Make sure you bring the following to the academy:

Notebook
Pens
Voided check
Employment offer
Uniform checklist
2 forms of ID

Also make sure you schedule an interview/meeting with the Chief, and to be fit for a mask.

mpullen32

06-30-2008, 11:22 PM

Congrats guys, see you on the 21st! Anyone looking for roommates?

Marshall7

07-01-2008, 12:10 AM

Seabird... I got all the other things on the checklist but what uniform checklist? Im getting fitted here soon.. is that something I get there?

Also... anyone going to make it out to the family night orientation july 17th??

mpullen32

07-01-2008, 07:29 AM

Marshall, you will receive the uniform checklist once you are fitted by the department.

evanbell

07-01-2008, 10:29 AM

Congrats guy,
Once you get in the area, hit me up. I volunteer at Yorkshire in the county.

Marshall7

07-01-2008, 04:39 PM

ok got uniform and mask fitted today... scheduled all the other stuff and confirmed my place at the family night/orientation for the 17th.. I assume you guys are goin too??

evanbell

07-01-2008, 05:05 PM

the academy is located about 5 minutes from nokesville, va. out in the middle of nowhere really... places to live would be dependant on where you get placed after the academy i'd think. The east end and west end can take over an hour to get to one another with traffic. Personally I don't like the living areas in PWC. Fairfax Co. and Arlington Co. are worlds nicer but a bit more expensive. Just depends on what you are looking to spend monthly.

saefirebird1856

07-01-2008, 05:18 PM

Yes sir. See you there.

mpullen32

07-01-2008, 07:03 PM

Same here, I will see both of you there.

Marshall7

07-01-2008, 07:28 PM

I'm thinkin about lookin for a place where 66 meets 28 on the FFX/PWC border. You can hit 66 to the academy... you can hit 234 to the south end.. or you can take 495 to 395. Granted its a little ways to drive sometimes... well see though.

mpullen32

07-03-2008, 09:58 PM

If anyone is in need of a roommate for the upcoming class, pm me if interested.

PropheticPoet83

07-03-2008, 11:12 PM

i'm taking the test on the 12th.....i'm going to a hotel 7 miles from the site....coming from NYC...

engine2kfd

07-06-2008, 11:30 AM

Mpullen, i got your pm but for some reason it's saying that you have pm turned off and wont let me reply. Im in need of a roommate. Maybe you can pm me another way of contacting you.