fairfax county

[localva]

Some answers and information for those interested.

1. Fairfax has been running up to six recruit classes a year, this will stop. Next year - 2008 - they will only have two recruit classes. So, for those who are interested in getting in...get your game face on. Also, each class will have a minimum of 30 recruits.

2. The academy is 22 weeks. The first 8 weeks is EMT/ALS certification. The remaining is suppression training. Even if you already have ALS certification you will go through the course again, sames goes for EMT.

3. Fairfax does lean towards ALS/minorities/and women. But, the rumor - and it is a rumor - that a white person without prior ALS will not get recruited is a lie. In the last several recruit classes a good 30% (low but at least it's not 0%) of recruits were white and had ZERO firefighter and EMS training. Anyone can get in, but just remember there are about 3000 applications a year.

Good luck to those trying to get in.

[somebody509]

i e-mailed them today about applying...i'm still 17 and in highschool(turn 18 in Feb, graduate end of may) and they told me to contact them again in Feb, and they'd schedule me.

Any idea when the class I'd be going for would start?

How many people usually apply per test?

I also heard it was a lot similar to montgomery county, MD's test. Any truth to that?

Also, for anybody who works there how do you like the work schedule?

[Kobersteen]

Let's see here...

i e-mailed them today about applying...i'm still 17 and in highschool(turn 18 in Feb, graduate end of may) and they told me to contact them again in Feb, and they'd schedule me.

Any idea when the class I'd be going for would start?

They have just stopped doing concurrent schools, so most peoples schedules are no longer good.

How many people usually apply per test?

I don't know for sure, but as with most fire department jobs, one rookie in school equals a couple hundred applicants.

I also heard it was a lot similar to montgomery county, MD's test. Any truth to that?

That I cannot answer.

Also, for anybody who works there how do you like the work schedule?

Sure. It is one of the more utilized schedules in the nation, from what I understand.

Good luck! The process may drag, but keep it up!

[DennisTheMenace]

I also heard it was a lot similar to montgomery county, MD's test. Any truth to that?

Pretty much the same written test. The process is just different. CPAT is step two for Fairfax, while it is the last in Montgomery. Good Luck!

[mpullen32]

Anyone else testing in December?

[jklm128]

yea im doing my poly, medicla, and psyche in the middle of december.

[rob1984]

I just passed my CPAT on saturday, they said it could be 3 to 4 months before I hear anything about my poly, psych, medical, etc...

[localva]

The next academy class starts in mid to late spring of 2008. Therefore, the department has no rush to hire more firefighters. But, the sooner you get the medical, poly, etc items done the better.

[wre722]

I'm taking the written on Dec. 15

[mpullen32]

I will also be taking the written next month. Where in Pa are you traveling from? I will be heading down friday from the state college area.

[wre722]

I'm right outside philly

[wre722]

I just passed my CPAT on saturday, they said it could be 3 to 4 months before I hear anything about my poly, psych, medical, etc...

How long after the written exam was the CPAT? I'm about 3 weeks away from my scheduled written exam, and I'm just wondering how long I have until the CPAT.

[localva]

How long after the written exam was the CPAT? I'm about 3 weeks away from my scheduled written exam, and I'm just wondering how long I have until the CPAT.

Because Fairfax Fire and Rescue will not start their next recruit class until mid to late spring the CPAT test may not be anytime soon. In the few prior years there has been several classes per year. Next year there will be only two so there is no "rush" in the department's eye to finalize recruits. Therefore, don't think about schedules too much. Focus on keeping in shape (running, stairs, upper body strength) and wait for your interviews.

[Ryan1326]

I'm also taking the test on Dec 15th as long as I can get off from work that day... I'll be traveling from Western New York. anybody know what traffic is like in that area on a Friday evening?? and Saturday morning??

[Kobersteen]

I'm also taking the test on Dec 15th as long as I can get off from work that day... I'll be traveling from Western New York. anybody know what traffic is like in that area on a Friday evening?? and Saturday morning??

Heavy. My advise would be to head down Friday as soon as you can and get a good nights sleep in a hotel before your test.

Check trafficland.com for traffic cams in the area.

Good luck!

[DennisTheMenace]

How long after the written exam was the CPAT? I'm about 3 weeks away from my scheduled written exam, and I'm just wondering how long I have until the CPAT.

Standard has been 90 days after the written. Recruiting does not want quality folks to lose interest.

[wre722]

Thanks for the info guys.

ryanb - FYI, I'm coming from Philadelphia and even I am going down the night before and getting a good nights sleep in a hotel. I do not want to risk missing an oppurtunity at the written due to stupid D.C. traffic.

[rob1984]

How long after the written exam was the CPAT? I'm about 3 weeks away from my scheduled written exam, and I'm just wondering how long I have until the CPAT.

It was about 3 months, it felt like forever though. Definatly go to at least one of the practice sessions, though. I didn't go to a single one because I work every saturday, and I don't get off work untill 5 on weekdays. But, I didnt really know what to expect. The stair master is a BITCH! I dont care how easy you might think it is lol. After 3 minutes, you will not want to ever see a set of stairs again! lol. Good luck though, you feel great after passing. I took a 5 hour nap afterwards.

[jklm128]

It was about 3 months, it felt like forever though. Definatly go to at least one of the practice sessions, though. I didn't go to a single one because I work every saturday, and I don't get off work untill 5 on weekdays. But, I didnt really know what to expect. The stair master is a BITCH! I dont care how easy you might think it is lol. After 3 minutes, you will not want to ever see a set of stairs again! lol. Good luck though, you feel great after passing. I took a 5 hour nap afterwards.

yea i practiced with the weightvest that i bought for 2 months before the test. Didn't take any of the practice sessions because I know two guys on the dept and they said don't worry about it. On the day of I was there early, around 8am, taking it. I saw guys who were all "buff and tuff" and thought that they wouldn't have any problems with it. I later learned by talking with them that they all failed the stairs, which is the first obstacle btw, and they were there for their 2nd/3rd tries. I passed the test initally, but if I would have taken the practice sessions it would have gone a lot smoother. So if you're training for the CPAT, the upper body stuff is easy, any avg joe can do that. The stairs are the ones that will make or break you, so if you haven't taken the CPAT, work out on stairs, run, and start dragging weights.

goodluck to you all.

[Ryan1326]

thanks for the traffic info.... I'll definately head down Friday and spend the night.... as long as i can get out of work on Saturday.