How Do I Find Out Which Fire Departments
Are Accepting Applications. Phase 2 - Chapter 3
II. CHAPTER 3 - ACTION PLAN / TO-DO LIST
Don't think you're done now! Just because you have filled in the blanks doesn't mean you can stop! Consider this a work-in-progress! Now that you have obtained some valuable information to assist you in the process of becoming a firefighter, it is time to put that information to work. In the previous two articles, we discussed the first two chapters of your binder:
1. Fire Departments: County-by-County
2. Fire Departments: City-by-City
We will now discuss Chapter 3, which is probably the most important chapter of your binder! Why? Because this is where you are going to set yourself up for success by planning out a course of action to find out when those fire departments you spent time researching, are going to accept applications again!
Here is where I would put 12 blank pieces of paper - one for each month of the year. On the top of each page, I would write out each of the 12 months in order, starting with January. If you have a calendar program on your computer, or have enough computer skills to get you in trouble, feel free to make a calendar that way. Otherwise plain paper will work.
Here is where you will make any notes to you of importance. Items I would include here would be tentative or actual dates of any phases of the testing process I might be involved in (written exam, physical ability exam, oral interview, etc.) and any information that I think would be important to act on either within that month or on a specific date. You will find that when you call a personnel office to ask them when they will be testing next for firefighter, a lot of times they will tell you "not now, however, why don't you call us back in March." That would be something important to list on the March page, to insure you don't miss out on a valuable opportunity.
This section can also be used for tracking any goals or objectives you might have, whether it is recertifying your EMT, renewing your CPR, applying for paramedic school, completing your two-year degree, etc.
CONCLUSION:
If you think this is a waste of time, then so be it. This method worked for me, and I truly believe in being proactive in life, especially when it comes to controlling your own destiny and plotting out your course of action to get you through life. Nobody is going to lead you by the hand when it comes to getting that firefighter badge. It is a very competitive process, and many candidates get discouraged and never achieve that dream. Don't let yourself become one of those. A little research now will go along way in the future.
An important thing to remember is that researching fire departments is not just to let you know when they will be accepting applications. It is to better prepare yourself for oral interview questions such as how have you prepared yourself, why do you want to work for our fire department, what do you know about our fire department, etc. If you have done your homework, then you are going to have more ammunition to better answer the question.
I hope you found the concept of developing your firefighter candidate research binder to be of benefit. Until next month, keep plugging away. Remember that there is a badge out there just for you
