Washington D/C Fire exam 2006

[brianandgail]

Just wondering if there is any news w/ DC testing. I heard that they are giving the Physical agilities test in January.


Has anyone taken it before?? Any pointers??

[dooley]

I took the test in '03. It is similar to the CPAT, but you get a TON of time to complete it (I think it was 21 minutes or something like that). You do the test wearing a turnout coat, gloves, helmet, and 02 tank. Here is what I remember about the events:
1. You have to open and then close a hydrant. This was very easy.
2. Go to a fire engine and take a ladder off the side and bring it over to the side of a tower. Place it against the tower, then bring it right back. The thing that makes this tricky is that you have to put it back so that the rungs go exactly where they were. I had to reposition it several times, which was annoying.
3. Go to a prepositioned ladder and raise the fly section (just like the CPAT).
4. Drag an uncharged hose about 50 feet (that's a guess as to the distance).
5. Walk back to the tower and pick up a hose pack--it wasn't like a regular one that I had practiced with--this was about 50 lbs according to the proctor. Walk it to the top of the tower, drop it, then pick it up and bring it back down. This was the hardest part.
6. Go to this weird machine that simulates pulling down a ceiling. Similar to the CPAT/FDNY, but the machine was different. 6 up, 6 down, twice.
7. Go through the maze blindfolded. A lot smaller than the CPAT one, but with more obstacles if I'm not mistaken.
8. Dummy drag, but this dummy was pretty light.
Overall, I thought the test was really good, but the time allotted was a bit excessive. All the better for you!
I went all the way through the DCFD process but held up at the background check b/c I'm still active duty Navy. The nice thing is that they are still deferring me until I get out, and I don't have to retake the test even if they have already gotten rid of the list I'm on.
Best of luck!

[brianandgail]

I took the test in '03. It is similar to the CPAT, but you get a TON of time to complete it (I think it was 21 minutes or something like that). You do the test wearing a turnout coat, gloves, helmet, and 02 tank. Here is what I remember about the events:
1. You have to open and then close a hydrant. This was very easy.
2. Go to a fire engine and take a ladder off the side and bring it over to the side of a tower. Place it against the tower, then bring it right back. The thing that makes this tricky is that you have to put it back so that the rungs go exactly where they were. I had to reposition it several times, which was annoying.
3. Go to a prepositioned ladder and raise the fly section (just like the CPAT).
4. Drag an uncharged hose about 50 feet (that's a guess as to the distance).
5. Walk back to the tower and pick up a hose pack--it wasn't like a regular one that I had practiced with--this was about 50 lbs according to the proctor. Walk it to the top of the tower, drop it, then pick it up and bring it back down. This was the hardest part.
6. Go to this weird machine that simulates pulling down a ceiling. Similar to the CPAT/FDNY, but the machine was different. 6 up, 6 down, twice.
7. Go through the maze blindfolded. A lot smaller than the CPAT one, but with more obstacles if I'm not mistaken.
8. Dummy drag, but this dummy was pretty light.
Overall, I thought the test was really good, but the time allotted was a bit excessive. All the better for you!
I went all the way through the DCFD process but held up at the background check b/c I'm still active duty Navy. The nice thing is that they are still deferring me until I get out, and I don't have to retake the test even if they have already gotten rid of the list I'm on.
Best of luck!

Dooley,

Thank you very much for the info. How much longer until you get out of the Navy? Good luck to you.

[brianandgail]

Does anybody know if DCFD arranges affordable houseing for recruits while in the academy?

I have heard that Fairfax VA has some agreement w/ an apartment complex for their recruits.

Thanks.

[residents]

I found this article on the net and thought it may be helpful to this post. Its's kind of old (May 05) but paints a picture of whats going on. Enjoy...K.C.

May 08 2005

D.C. Paramedic Shortage Reaches Dangerous Proportions; One Third of Paramedic Positions Unfilled

WASHINGTON, DC: The District of Columbia is facing a shortage of paramedics that could hamper response times and patient care, especially if the number of vacancies keeps growing, according to a D.C. Council member and people on the force. Last week, five paramedics resigned to take jobs at other area agencies, which offer better pay and benefits, fire department and union officials said. The recent staffing problems have forced supervisors to make paramedics work overtime on a regular basis, the officials said.

The departures pushed the number of vacancies to 57 out of 166 positions for paramedics. As many as 30 more emergency medical workers, including paramedics and less-trained technicians, could leave by July, according to a draft report prepared by the council's Judiciary Committee.

"We have to ensure we have adequate medical attention on these calls," said D.C. Council member Phil Mendelson (D-At Large), chairman of the committee. "I do have a sense that the public is now safe, but that doesn't mean there isn't a problem lurking."

Adrian H. Thompson, chief of the D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department, said he is concerned about the shortage, adding that the city is taking steps to retain and recruit paramedics.

Salaries for D.C. paramedics range from about $40,000 to $54,000. Fire officials and paramedics said they believe that medical workers were leaving mostly because they could get far better retirement benefits elsewhere. D.C. officials are planning to study ways to boost retirement benefits for paramedics, officials said.

Thompson and other top fire officials said the staffing shortage is not as dire as it appears because response times are improving and the department is evolving in the way it approaches emergencies. The department handles about 110,000 medical calls a year. -- Source: Michael Lutzky, The Washington Post. can be found at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...050601374.html

[ERRI analysis: As with many cities, the EMS (Paramedic/EMT) units are probably running 70% or more of any given department's emergency responses. And, they often are also doing this with 10-20% of department personnel. Fire based systems, with Chiefs who are not EMT/Paramedic qualified, and have not served time on an ambulance...often do not have an understanding, nor are they sympathetic to the plight of these overworked EMS personnel.
Finally, as we have pointed out in other recent articles...fire-based EMS division's and paramedic/EMT personnel are too often paid less than their firefighter counterparts. ERRI was an early and vocal advocate of fire-based EMS systems, but we find that we will not be able to sustain our support for this model unless funding for equipment, training, security, pay, promotion, and benefits for EMS personnel is immediately improved. This is a issue that is not going to go away...and it must be addressed A.S.A.P. by the real fire service leaders of this country.]

[53fireman]

DC doesn't provide housing for recruits... although there's not a residency requirement anymore, it can make for a long drive to the academy everyday for 3 months... There are plenty of county firehouses in MD and VA that will probably allow you to live-in with some provisions...

[brianandgail]

Hi,

Has anybody taken the physical agility test recently?

Any word on academy start date, or size??

Thanks

[Whaler]

I have a question about the application process. The last time they gave a test I got an application ahead of time from the HR. The job announcement opened on a Saturday, so HR told me to have my application in by the Friday prior to the Saturday job opening.
I sent my application delivery confirmation so I know they got it. When I got a letter from HR they said that my mailed application couldn't be considered because they had hit the maximum amount of applicants by accepting those who applied in person that Saturday (they had camped out for days I was told) ahead of mailed applicants. So even though they got my application before the announcement opened they didn't consider it until all the "in person" apps were accepted that Saturday.

Any idea if this would happen again????

[brianandgail]

WHALER,

Did you apply for paramedic firefighter or EMT firefighter?

[Whaler]

WHALER,

Did you apply for paramedic firefighter or EMT firefighter?

The Firefighter/EMT Job

[dooley]

I didn't camp out for days ahead of time (got there about half an hour early), but I think I was one of the last apps that they took that Saturday morning. I went to a firehouse that was kind of in the "hood," so there weren't as many people there as if I had gone to the one in Georgetown or somewhere like that. I would show up a few hours early--if the process is the same as last time, you need to do it in person.
Brianandgail--I get out of the Navy in March.
Best of luck.

[brianandgail]

Just took the physical ability test.

1st event- aerial ladder climb. 60* 50ft.
2nd event- open and close a hydrant (17 turns each.)
3rd event- grab 12ft roof ladder off of Engine, carry it to the drill tower, and return it to the engine.

4th Event- raise fly of 30ft ext ladder that is mounted to the drill tower. (Like CPAT)

5th event- advance 100ft of 1.5" hose.


6th event- carry high rise kit up 6 flights of drill tower and back down.

7th event- simulate ceiling pull. (similar to CPAT)

8th event- put on blacked out mask, manuever through maze.

9th event- drag dummy 50 ft.

DC office of personnel said that the next written exam will be May 20th. They said to keep an eye on their web site. It will be updated in February.
They said that they will only accept the first 1500 applications.


Does anyone have any info as to when the academy will start?
I was told that one class may start today. 1/23/06.

[dmfireschool]

DC office of personnel said that the next written exam will be May 20th. They said to keep an eye on their web site. It will be updated in February.
They said that they will only accept the first 1500 applications.


If this is true I would plan on staying overnight the day before applications are taken.


www.fireprep.com

[capcityffyter]

Good luck to all of you. Yes our cost of living is high but our salary is excellent for the area and with 24-72 shifts you can live far enough away, we are a old school traditional department with extremely agressive interior operations. While our fires are not what they were there is still plenty of fire duty, also we have recently taken over the ambulances so be prepared to ride them, and they are all busy, however it is a great place to work our morale is a bit low which is due to the ever changing ems plan however it will be corrected eventually and become part of the job.

[dmfireschool]

We just got off the phone with recruitment(202-673-3330) and they informed us that applications will be given out the first weekend in February and continue through the month. Applications will accepted on one day only sometime in March.

This is NOT in stone but appears to be close to how it will be done. They expect 4,000 people to take out applications with only 1500 accepted.

Keep checking the website below for the most updated exam info.

http://fems.dc.gov/fems/cwp/view,a,3,q,525752,femsNav,|315 07|.asp



Don McNea Fire School will be conducting preparatory classes or developing an exam prep package for the 2006 Washington D/C fire exam. Go to www.fireprep.com and enter your e-mail address for our newsletter to keep you updated. Good luck !!

[brianandgail]

I was told that a recruit class has started on January 23rd. Anybody have any info about it?

[DCFDCAR5]

Oh boy, I just found this thread. Sorry I couldn't help out sooner. For those of you applying for the Firefighter/Paramedic position, don't give up hope. Call 202-673-3330 every once in a while if you haven't heard anything. If you get hired as a FF/P, you will go thru the fire academy the same as a FF/EMT, but will at some point go thru field evaluations on a medic unit. Once cleared to practice, you will be likely assigned to a Paramedic Engine Company. If there are no PEC vacancies when you get out of the academy, you will be assigned to a regular engine or truck, then detailed out or transferred when a vacancy arises. You will also be required to complete the same 1 year probation requirements as any other firefighter. FF/Ps are not assigned to transport units at this time. The only time they are on transport units is when they go to the hospital with a BLS unit, get evaluated, or work overtime,etc.

For those of you that want to apply for the Firefighter/EMT position, the next test is scheduled for 5/20/06. You must first get an application (DC form 2000) starting 2/6/06. Then, with your completed application, report to one of nine locations in DC AS EARLY AS PHYSICALLY POSSIBLE on 3/25/06 but no later than 10:00 so you can stand in line and turn it in. Do not joke around with this part. They will only accept 1500 applications. If you want the J-O-B, work harder then the guy next to you the whole way thru the process. The official info should be on www.fems.dc.gov soon.

I do not work for the personnel office, they have the final say. Info subject to change when the wind blows.
Also, the class that started 1/23/06 was for about 6 or so FF/Ps.

[fdnyrules71]

Thanks for the info, where do you go to get the initial applications can I download it. Also, can you elaborate on the part of physically possible. Should I arrive at like 5o'clock in the morning and stand in line? If you can show up at nine locations how will they know when they have 1500 applications.

[DCFDCAR5]

You should arrive as early as circumstances allow. Pretend its the new Harry Potter movie and sleep outside in a tent if you have to. They will only accept 223 applications at each location, so if you find yourself #224 in line, go somewhere else. You should be able to download an application and announcement from www.dcop.dc.gov

[DCFDCAR5]

http://fems.dc.gov/fems/cwp/view,a,3,q,634833.asp