Hometown advantage?

[Xochimilcho]

Hey guys, I have a question about firedepartment hiring/recruiting/testing.

Do fire departments look more favorably at people who grew up in the area/community vs. out of towners? Is there a hometown advantage?

[fire49]

Not Normaly

Unless residency requirement

Or you know a lot of people in the fire dept or city government

[CaptBob]

Sometimes with Volleys. That can be a trap too.

I can't tell you how many times I've talked to volunteers from departments they've waited for years trying for that golden opportunity to get hired in that community as a full-paid fire fighter. Then they've blown it. Because they went in and saw Paul was on the board. He knows Paul, they bowl. Randy over there, why he's married to Randy's cousin. My gosh, he knows everything about me. They come out, and somebody else gets their badge! It devastates them. They failed because they didn't present the package. The other candidates did. It's show time, ta dah. You have to bring out the top hat, the cane, step it out, and give the board the complete show. It's you! It's the bright lights. It's Broadway! You gotta make it happen. You gotta make the magic.

One of the big errors candidates make in an oral board it touting they have lived in the city for a long time. Hey, so do thousands of other folks. You have to use more oral board horse power than that.

[paulLepore]

Yes, people from the area have a distinct advantage over people who have no connection to the area.

[DennisTheMenace]

Yes, people from the area have a distinct advantage over people who have no connection to the area.

As it should be, all other things being equal.