Lance's Fire Department Interview

[jusbnme]

way to go, lance, yer my hero, bro!!

In '99 I went through the process for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's dept.  I'm pretty sure the fire dept physical stuff is more rigorous.  But the Sheriff's dept was pretty stinkin' tough.

I'm still disappointed in the outcome....I passed everything...physical...written, etc. 

But I made a personal vow that I wasn't going to lie when it came to the verbal...I figured that they would appreciate that.

Well, they didn't (BASTARDS).....

When they asked me if I'd ever done marijuana, cocaine and what not....I told them I did, but that it had been 10 years removed....when I was young and stupid....

They showed me the door real quick....(BASTARDS)....

The funny thing is...I had friends and relatives that made it on the force by LYING ABOUT THE SAME STUFF I WAS HONEST ABOUT (BASTARDS)...

ok...I feel better now...

Way to go brutha

I'd feel the same way brother.  Sorry to hear about all that. 

[jusbnme]

I feel a little embarrassed to mention this but oh well...I've been having some second thought about the whole firefighting job.  It's not that I just don't want anything at all to do with it anymore.  It's just that I've had a lot of time to think the whole thing through a little more with all the time I've had on my hands.  I've been thinking lately about how I would like to do something with computers.  Not really sure exactly what but something.  Maybe computer programming or something else.  Just don't know but I just have a sudden interest to make it happen.  Not real sudden...I mean I've always thought having a job with computers would be a great career and good job security but I just never thought I would be good enough to get through any classes or courses I would have to take.  But since I've been doing very well in the fireman hiring process it's sort of given me a boost of confidence I didn't have before.  Kind of like going sly.  I never really did good in high school.  Just barely made it by enough to graduate.  But like so many have been telling me lately, back then I really didn't give a crap about much but running around.  I didn't care about studying.  Now that I'm older I do care very much and think I would do fine if I had to take classes.  I just didn't know if it was too late to start.  I'm a real smart guy I just never really applied myself in school.  I know I could learn anything now if I really wanted to.  My wife is behind me.  Well, sort of.  She supported me 100% about not working and concentrating on the fire department and was jazzed up that I may be getting hired soon.  Which meant I would start making money again.  Now that I've come up with this new idea she is supportive but just a little upset that so much time has went by where I could have already been taking classes.  She is glad about one thing though...The safety factor of me not being a fireman.  Like I said though, nothing is in stone.  It all depends on a few different factors.  For one I may not even get picked up by any of the fire departments and that would make my decision very easy.  Another thing, like I mentioned before, is that I don't exactly know what I would like to do as far as a computer job goes.  I'm pretty good with computers though so I don't feel that I would have any problems learning anything I would need to.  Sorry to ramble but the wife has already heard all of this.  Just thought I'd see what my sly bros thought? 

[Paul]

Hey Lance, we've all had career decisions and indecisions and it can be tough to decide, especially with a family to consider.  With the fact that you would like some income coming in, being able to get on a job immediately would be a help. One thing to consider.   Many departments (this may not be the ones in your area) work a 24 hour on 48 hour off shift that allows men and women time to have alternative careers.  This could be the best of both worlds.  You could have income and the time to study and prepare for a field in computers.  Get the computer career on track, leave the dept.  Like the dept so much, still have computers as extra income.  Just a thought from the son of a retired fireman. And whatever you decide, ya know the gang here will support ya. 

[BALDANDRE]

Hey Lance, we've all had career decisions and indecisions and it can be tough to decide, especially with a family to consider.  With the fact that you would like some income coming in, being able to get on a job immediately would be a help. One thing to consider.   Many departments (this may not be the ones in your area) work a 24 hour on 48 hour off shift that allows men and women time to have alternative careers.  This could be the best of both worlds.  You could have income and the time to study and prepare for a field in computers.  Get the computer career on track, leave the dept.  Like the dept so much, still have computers as extra income.  Just a thought from the son of a retired fireman. And whatever you decide, ya know the gang here will support ya. 

Paul said it perfect and a good way to look at it...do the computer thing part time and get good at it...the fireschedule sounds flexible, do the two....see which one sticks! that way nothing lost, right?

Hey Lance....hang in there...it is tough...you want to make all the 'right" desicions and it can be overwhelming..... but things happen for a reason...maybe the extra time and change of heart is meant to be!

[fireman]

Lance - keep with it bro. I remember when I went though the process with St. Paul 12 yrs ago and it took 1 year for them to go through the list (and I scored high). I passed it up when it came to me and stuck with my regular job and my paid on call department. 7 years to go and I can retire from the department with my 20.

Maybe look into that as an option or I know you could do both with the rotating schedule as several of my fellow bros do this already.

[jusbnme]

Lance - keep with it bro. I remember when I went though the process with St. Paul 12 yrs ago and it took 1 year for them to go through the list (and I scored high). I passed it up when it came to me and stuck with my regular job and my paid on call department. 7 years to go and I can retire from the department with my 20.

Maybe look into that as an option or I know you could do both with the rotating schedule as several of my fellow bros do this already.

Welcome fireman and thanks for the advice and positive feedback.  And of course, thanks to all my other fellow sly bros for the support. 

I like the idea you threw my may Paul.  That sounds like a good way to have both and make a decision.  Thanks.   

[jusbnme]

What's up sly bros and gals?  Just thought I'd throw an update out there.  Got some good news today on one of the other cities I have been trying for.  The city Newport News called me today and said that I did well enough on their agility test to move on to their interview which will be on June 12th.  I'm still waiting to hear from Hampton city which would be the chief's interview but at least I'm still in with both.  Hopefully one will pick me up. 

[Tyler]

What's up sly bros and gals?  Just thought I'd throw an update out there.  Got some good news today on one of the other cities I have been trying for.  The city Newport News called me today and said that I did well enough on their agility test to move on to their interview which will be on June 12th.  I'm still waiting to hear from Hampton city which would be the chief's interview but at least I'm still in with both.  Hopefully one will pick me up. 

That's great news bro!  Good luck!

[Paul]

Glad to hear there is some good news coming in Lance.  Keep us updated

[PigPen]

Glad to hear it Lance, good luck!

[jusbnme]

Lance - keep with it bro. I remember when I went though the process with St. Paul 12 yrs ago and it took 1 year for them to go through the list (and I scored high). I passed it up when it came to me and stuck with my regular job and my paid on call department. 7 years to go and I can retire from the department with my 20.

Maybe look into that as an option or I know you could do both with the rotating schedule as several of my fellow bros do this already.

Thanks for the encouraging words fireman and the rest of my sly bros.  I'm definitely going to stick with it and become a firefighter no matter what it takes.  I had a good heart to heart with my wife a little after I posted that last comment about maybe having second thoughts.  She told me like it is and I needed to hear it.  That's why I love her so much.  She knows me better than myself most of the time.  I'm just getting impatient waiting for things to happen with the fire department and it's been getting me worried.  So I've been coming up with all these other options but there are no other options.  Being a fireman is what I've seen myself doing for years now and it is what I see myself doing for years to come.  So one way or the other I'm getting into one of these fire departments.  My wife has told me she will back me up even if they don't except me this time.  She said she will be behind me if I want to pay for some courses that will give me a little more experience for another try in the hiring process if they don't pick me up.  She said as long as we have our basic bills paid and food on the table for our son then she'll support me until I can get in.  Gotta love her. 

[YOSP]

Hang in there brother, everything happens for a reason I believe...I a have a close friend of mine that has been a paramedic with the fire dept for about 8yrs and decided he wanted to switch over to fighting fires, anyway, with that background, I'd assume he would have first dibs, but it still took him a couple yrs(not meant to discourage)

things will work themselves out and your a lucky dude to have such a great, supporting wifey! 

[fireman]

Lance,
Glad to see that you are sticking with it and it is going well. It is great to have the support of your wife as this will be important when you make it. Remember, keep with your dream and it will happen.

Keep with it and keep us posted. Good things happen to those who wait.

[Scott]

Hang in there Lance, be patient.  Also, maybe talk to some firefighters you know about the actual interview just to see what types of questions/role plays they might give you.  I've found that talking to people that are already in a position may give you valuable insight into the interview.  Practice your answers to some of the potential questions and most importantly, be confident and don't lose your cool (sorry, that's a bad j/k I know).  GOOD LUCK!

[BALDANDRE]

You wife sounds like an awesome lady!

Hang in there bro...it's easy for all of us to just say it...but for now I hope just knowing dudes are hopein' the best for you will mentally help when things seem to be going no where..

You'll be a fireman soon.... sportin' a cool, gleamin' dome...very SLY