Interested in a Career in the Fire Service? Protect your background!

[CALFFBOU]

I got this from CAFF.com-

A very good list from the Redding, CA Fire Department- Interested in a Career in the Fire Service? Protect your background!

Interested in a Career in the Fire Service? PROTECT YOUR BACKGROUND!

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS.
The Redding Fire Department, as well as many others, conducts very in-depth background investigations, similar to what Police
Departments do.

DON’T DO DRUGS (OR IF YOU DO) STOP NOW!
Fire Departments do not allow experimentation or any drug use, even before employment. Some, like the Redding Fire Department, do
not allow any felony drug use ever!

DON’T LET ALCOHOL USE CREEP UP ON YOU!
Alcohol is a drug which leads to a number of issues that may disqualify you, such as fighting, D.U.I’s and poor health.

PROTECT YOUR DRIVING PRIVILEGE!
Fire Departments look at the number of tickets you have received, vehicle accidents and license suspensions. You may also be disqualified
for failure to carry proper insurance. Do not lie about or attempt to cover up past violations.

MAKE FITNESS A WAY OF LIFE!
The Fire Service is a demanding and strenuous occupation. Your life and the lives of others can depend on your being physically fit.

PAY YOUR BILLS!
Fire Departments evaluate your level of maturity and responsibility by how you handle your finances. A very in-depth credit check will
be done during your background investigation.

HONESTY IS ITS OWN REWARD!
Sure it is an old fashion phrase, but many candidates are eliminated for stealing or lying. If a person is not honest, he or she has no business
being a Firefighter.

BE NICE!
Being able to get along with others is essential. Firefighters work long hours, live together in close quarters and are expected to deal with
members of the public in very stressful situations. Fire Departments look for individuals that are able to adapt and get along with people,
different personalities and in a variety of situations. You will be expected to respect others and to be nice.

RESPECT YOUR SUPERVISORS!
Fire Departments are considered Paramilitary organizations. You will be expected to obey and respect your supervisors and carry out direct
orders under emergency conditions and in stressful situations.

MAINTAIN A CLEAN WORK RECORD!
That demonstrates that you follow directions, are dependable and responsible.

PERSONAL APPEARANCE!
Fire Departments do not allow visible tattoos and/or body piercing.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING!
Competing for a career in the Fire Service is very challenging. You will be competing against very qualified, well educated individuals.
Fire Departments look for candidates that possess more than minimum education and training. Candidates with a wide variety of education
and training will be most successful.

ATTENDANCE AND TRUANCY RECORDS!
Fire Department background investigators will look at your attendance and truancy records. This will give Fire Department Officers a good
idea of what your work ethic will be like and how dependable you will be as a future employee

[CALFFBOU]

On top of all this, be careful with your pictures on Facebook and MySpace.

[bharer75]

On top of all this, be careful with your pictures on Facebook and MySpace.

even anything you say over it, its really easy to pull it up.

[FWDbuff]

I would like to add:

-Learn to speak clear and concise english. Say what you mean, and mean what you say.

-Learn proper sentece structure, grammar, punctuation, and english skills. No Junior, the comeback of "firefighters dont need to know all that crap and spelling is bull$hit" is not the right answer. Firefighters, even probationary-level black boots need to know proper english and must posess good writing skills. Many departments require watchmen to keep company journals. Drivers must be able to fill out maintenance requests. Firefighters must be able to fill out daily equipment reports. And the higher up in rank you go, the more writing you will do. Imagine if I, as a Fire Inspector, submitted a report to a property owner that looked like this:

"Over all i wood say that youre property lokked ok but you need to have youre fire extingwishers serviced by a lisensed vender."

How professional does that look? Think about that the next time you want to type text messaging jibber-jabber here in the forums. If you want to be treated as a professional, act as one.