Dear Capt. Bob

I have been testing for fire departments in my area fir approx. 12 years
now. Last year I was walking though the station house where I worked on
an ambulance with the local paid fire department, I overheard a couple
of guys talking about this Capt Bob guy. Not paying much attention, I
figured they were talking about one of the officers from the fire house,
Until I heard one of them say, "Capt Bob helped me excel to # 3 on my
oral boards", well this certainly intrigued me and I started listening a
little closer, until I asked "who is this Capt Bob guy" To my amazement,
one of the new recruits told me all about your program, and even offered
to let me use your tapes and video.

Capt Bob, I am here to say thank you, I listened to your tapes
faithfully for about a month and a half, even on vacation with a bunch
of buddies of mine, and I’d sit by the pool headphones on, learning the
golden nuggets of oral boards. Then next test I took for the Town of
North Haven Connecticut, I was fortunate to place number 1 on the oral
board, that combined with a decent written score has brought me to my
new career as a probationary firefighter with the Town of North Haven.

For all those recruits out there looking for an added bonus, and
encouragement in taking test, well I am here to tell I am a true success
story. I went from averaging 80's to acing my 1st oral after Capt Bob.

Again, Capt Bob, Thank you, you truly helped me go for a great job to a
wonderful career.

Fraternally,
Jason Cusack
Probationary Firefighter
North Haven, Connecticut

CAPTION BOB AND ROB,

YOUR WEBSITE PROVIDED ME WITH ALL THE TOOLS I NEEDED TO GET THE BADGE ,
ALONG WITH YOUR NUGGETS AND OTHER TIPS. YESTERDAY I RECEIVED A
CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT FROM THE LITTLE ROCK FIRE DEPARTMENT.
THIS WAS MY FIRST TIME TESTING AND I RANKED 20 OUT OF 400 PEOPLE
APPLYING, THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.
Korey

Captain Bob, After a lengthy process of written test, physical agility tests, interviews, more interviews, I was finally called in for my conditional job offer with the fire chief and two assistant chiefs. I walked in very calm and confident but not over confident to were they could tell. I introduced myself to the chief and then the assistant chiefs. I had made it a chore to stop by the LR training academy on several occasions so that the training chief would remember me. He did and passed that on to the Fire Chief before I ever walked into the Fire Chiefs office. Needless to say, the interview was AWESOME. I was offered the job pending me passing my physical. Later that week, I passed the physical, got a final call from the OPS Chief with the final job offer and I start on the 14th of April. The Oral Board Entry Level CD/DVD Program that I purchased was worth more than what I paid for it. I can't believe how well I interviewed and it was all about the NUGGETS. Thanks Captain Bob.  Jason

 I am scheduled to receive my second fd badge here in a few weeks. Thanks for all the help. Karl

Captain Bob: Just wanted to say I purchased your package a year ago and a lot of the information was very useful and gave me insight as to what to expect throughout the hire process. I'm currently in Fire Academy through a local community college and about to graduate in May. I tested 6 months ago for a local large department and made it all the way through the Chiefs oral because I was prepared for each step in the process due to the information I learned in your package. On last Friday I received a letter in the mail notifying me I was HIRED and start on April 2nd! I got my Badge the FIRST Try!

Thanks Capt. Bob, could not have it with out your assistance! McCoy

I was hired and started the academy 02/11/08.  This is my dream department, and after 9 years I made it! Capt. Rob was right, I could get hired anywhere, but I needed to control the added anxiety and stress of going for my dream.

I have been a career FF/PM. I know that you have valuable advice about "leaving stuff in my old locker". Please forward any advice, links, or product information on this topic (being a rookie in the academy I don't have a lot of time to sort through stuff). Thank you again for everything, especially making my dream come true! Brian

P.S. Thanks Capt. Bob for the e-book Eat Stress for Breakfast that you sent me. I really do enjoy your products and I find them motivating!

My quest to become a fire fighter

Hi, I am 49 and will be 50 in June.  Last summer while working on the house of a fire fighter, I was intrigued to hear about his life as a fire fighter and asked him how I would go about taking the Physical Agility Test.  He asked me why I would stop at the agility test and not go all the way to becoming a fire fighter.  I gave it some thought, and decided to give it a shot.  I took a test through the local vocational school and then started taking tests for specific departments.  The first department that I tested for was the Tacoma fire department in Tacoma WA.  I then tested for four other departments I moved up in the process for all of the departments to the oral boards.  One of the departments that I tested for was a small, two-station department.  I went before the board, but that was as far as I went.  Fortunately, not getting the position proved to be in my best interest.  While doing a ride along with The Kent WA fire department, I received a call for an oral board with the Tacoma fire Department.  I thought that I had missed my chance to interview with this department, but apparently they didn't find the right people in their first set of interviews.  To make a long story short, thanks to the information that I received from you, I did excellent on my oral boards and am now in my 7th day of the academy.  There were 1400 applicants for 13 positions and I was the 5th one filled.  It had to be the oral boards, because my test score for that test was only 85, so thanks again. Craig

I did it!

Captain Bob,

this was the first position I applied for. . .

A little background about myself. . .

I am 39 years old, married to my wife for 13 years and have two elementary school aged boys.  Three years ago I was sitting behind a desk at a very comfortable career job of 10 years. . . and unhappy.  After many late night discussions with my wife, we decided to move to a rural community with a lower cost of living in order for me to pursue a more fulfilling career.  At the time I didn’t know it would be firefighting.   A few months after moving I went to my local fire department and signed up to be a volunteer.  Volunteering did for me what 7 years of school (BS & MBA) and 12 years of working in private industry couldn’t do. . . it showed me the opportunity for a career that is the most personally fulfilling thing I have ever been a part of.

About a year ago I decided I was going to pursue a career position in the fire service.  I got EMT-B certified through my local department, put myself through a community college fire academy (where I graduated top of my class) and began picking up as many per-diem shifts as I could for experience.  Of course, I purchased your book and CD and followed it religiously.

About three weeks ago I passed the written for a local, rural department and was then invited to the oral board.  After the oral board last week I was invited to the Chief’s interview which was yesterday morning.  Yesterday afternoon the chief called and offered me the badge and I start next Wednesday!

 By the way, this was the first position I applied for. . .

 While we have never met and only spoke very briefly on the phone, I want to thank you for your help.  While I believe I am a qualified candidate, I truly would not have been able to perform in the oral as well as I did without your help. Sincerely, Lance 

Oh yeah, I still get choked up about every 5 minutes thinking about it. . .

I Made it!

Capt.  Bob,  I finally secured my conditional offer of employment yesterday at 4pm.  I could have never made it without your help.  I'm a 36 year old energizer bunny with all the pressure in the world on my shoulders.  Your program is the real deal.  I tested for 15 years before I received the gold package. Thank you very, very , very, much from the bottom of my heart.  I can't put my feelings into words right now and I hope you understand.  Make sure you write me back to tell me what my badge number will be. Training starts March 5th.  Tony Grazziano 

Tony’s badge is 2,535 in our program.

Capt Bob,Just wanted to let you know the good news.  I came out number three on the engineers exam and have been given a badge.  There was three immediate openings and there will be two more this year.  I was in the first round!  Who would of thought after four short years three different departments I would get promoted to engineer.  I also have gotten married and now have a daughter.  For anyone that doesn't believe your program works is out of there mind.  I am living proof that it works and has worked multiple times.  I can't thank you enough for all the help and countless phone conversations you have given me.  With a little hard work and motivation you can achieve anything.  The next step is Captain  and even though I'm not ready yet I will be when the time comes.  To everyone out there that wants this job don't stop Trying and don't give up it is the best job in the world and is worth doing what it takes to get a badge. Thank you and you will be hearing from me.  Please pass this on to your son Captain Rob who did my entry level coaching, and thank him as well I know you have helped many candidates and will surly help many more to achieve there dream.  Chris

I got the badge!

Captain Bob, and Captain Rob,I am still overwhelmed and at a loss for words.  One thing I can say is thank you!  I am now coming back home where I started as a Reserve Firefighter.  The service that you two provide is so valuable. After purchasing your gold package and driving out to Captain Rob's house in Gurneyville for a private coaching session my scores sky rocketed.  I noticed that I had an edge over the competition.  By using your service as well as the service wwwFireCareers.com I was able to stay on top of the game.  I continue to send prospective candidates your way and will continue to do so in the future.

Thanks again!  I have to go and begin packing!!  Jared

I got "the call" two weeks ago from a major department in Arizona. I'm extremely excited, and the ability to "really" enjoy the holidays was amazing. I owe a thank you to CaptBob - a great investment for me.

I just wanted to say thank you to Capt. Bob for all the advice. I just received my first conditional job offer for the Newport News Fire Department. I will start the academy in mid January. Once again thanks to everyone who has given me advice over the years. I wont forget where I came from. Been a vol for just about six years now and the thought and finally making this my profession is extremely exciting. Once again thanks to all and stay safe.

Age 39 and just got hired. Life experience counts for something. Do your self a favor and read everything that Capt Bob is willing to share at www.eatstress.com

Bob, I don't know if you will remember me, but you and I exchanged numerous e-mails after I purchased your program.  I wanted to thank you for your insight and thank you for the personal e-mails you exchanged with me.., the great advice you gave me proved very helpful.

I was not able to get time to schedule any one on one with you, but the assessment center lesson(s) improved my score and were invaluable (particularly the peer counseling).  I just had my interview with the City Manager and Chief this afternoon.  Thirty minutes later I was offered the job.  Which I accepted.  Twenty five years in the making, but several hours of direction from your program set me on the right track for the interviews.

 Thank you very much.  Marty

Hi Capt. Bob,
I just got the call Monday with the final offer of
employment. All I can say is it would not have happened without your
program. My dream job has finally come and I can't thank you enough. I
also wanted to thank you for the tip on the polygraph info. I actually
found a better site if anyone else asks you. It is
www.passapolygraph.com . It is a little cheaper and way better
understanding of the process. Again, thanks for everything. Jeff

I got the call!! Wow! What an awesome feeling.

I am very proud to say that I will be starting the Tower with Tacoma
Fire Department on March 14. My home town!! I could not be more
excited!!

I sincerely appreciate this forum and the members who care enough to
post their thoughts, advice and experiences. I am fairly new to the
"fire service career search, "about 2 years, and I feel very fortunate
that I was hired so early in my journey. I understand that many people
spend many years trying to achieve this goal, and I sincerely admire
them for not giving up. Well the journey is not over. I still have a
lot of hard work ahead of me.

Capt. Bob and Rob. I would not have gotten to this point without the
info you provide...Most of it free I might add... A very simple approach
that truly shortened my path to getting hired. Thank you! Brink

Captain Bob,

After 3 years of testing I was starting to think that I may never get
"the call." However last spring I had an oral board to prepare for and
whenever I sat in my car I was talking into the tape recorder using your
techniques. When I received the results I called HR because I did not
believe my score, 100%. Drill school starts February 18!
Thank you for all the advice!-JL

Here’s three more!

Captain Bob and Rob,

I wanted to say thank you for your services over the last year and
a half. I had a coaching session with Rob in November of 2003. In
January of 2004 I was offered a job. I was merely taking this interview
as practice, to be more experienced and more prepared for the next one.
I really didn't want to move myself or my family, but it was a job I
had worked at getting for years, a chance of a lifetime. I declined the
job knowing that with the skills I had gotten from Rob that I could get
my dream job. I was offered my dream job in January 2005. I start the
academy next week. Not only did I get the job, I recommended two of my
fellow candidates, my competition, to Rob and they are both going
through the academy with me. Thank you for your help, it is
appreciated, I never would of had the confidence to be where I am today
without your help.

Hey Captain Bob,

Thank you for all your help. I purchased and studied your audio and
video materials religiously prior to my interview with the Edgewood Fire Department in the Seattle area. I ingrained my experiences and my
abilities into all of my answers. Because I learned to personalize my responses in the oral board I went from #5 to #1 on the list and I got my badge.

I can't thank you enough for helping me in this process of nailing my
dream job.

Adam Lathrop
Pierce County Fire District #8, Edgewood Washington
 

Hello Captains Bob and Rob, because the info that you both provide was so instrumental in my success, I wanted to tell you both my story.

I finally figured out what I wanted to do with my life in November of 2002.  I was 29 and tired of not knowing, but It finally hit me that firefighting was what I wanted to do.  I had no experience as a firefighter except for what I did in the Navy.  I started researching as much as I could, took my first written for the city of Renton, WA in June of 03.  I bombed it. 

I then found your website and read every word.  My next test was Tacoma, WA.  I studied my butt off.  Wrote my own tests, used a tape recorder to ask my self questions so I could listen to them while I drove for my work.  I must have written out 600 questions.  Just the process of writing them down helped me remember facts.  I took the Tacoma test in August of '03, got a 100% and came out in band 7.  Not bad for my 2nd test. 

Then, I purchased your video/cd package and practiced. 

Tacoma had practice sessions for the physical agility, so I went to all of them.  I used the philosophy that every time I was around Tacoma firefighters, was part of the interview process.  I was invited to an oral board in November of '03.  I went to Men's Warehouse and bought a $400 suit.  I wasn't screwing around! ha ha!  I did very well, but due to their budget and my lack of experience, I got passed over.

I then got on with a local volunteer fire dept. near Tacoma and went through EMT school, then a volunteer fire academy.  Then began to pull shifts with the dept.  This Jan 1st, I was promoted to Resident.  Doing all of this while working a new full time job with Pepsi as a service tech.

Tacoma FD called and invited me back to an oral board on Jan 10th of '05.  I was able to go in and tell them everything that I had done in the last year to prepare, plus all the things that I did in life that prepared me... before I decided that I wanted to be a firefighter.  I actually talked more about non firefighting stuff.. i.e. family.

 Well, Friday there was a message on my voice mail from Tacoma Fire....I almost fainted.  I called them back and they offered me a position contingent on a medical exam.  My academy will start on March 7, 05.  I got off the phone and jumped and screamed like a little girl.  It was an amazing feeling. I am now 31....and I got it!! I needed to tell my wife, so I typed "TACOMA FIREFIGHTER!"  on a piece of paper and drove to her work.  She has a desk next to a window.  I went to the window, tapped on it and stuck that piece of paper to the window.  I wish I would have had my video camera. It was a priceless moment. 

All of my family lives in Florida.  My wife and I live here in Tacoma, and we are all on cloud 9.  I have made many calls back to Florida, and I have some proud parents.  This was "THE" department that I wanted to work for and I got it!  I couldn't have done it without my wife.  I spent a lot of time away from home, and studying.  She was completely supportive and understanding of what I had to do.  It will be so nice to be able to focus on one thing now....and get paid to do it!!!!

I understand that it takes some people many years to get hired.  I am grateful that I was able to do it in 2.  I have a lot of respect for those who don't quit after years and years of trying.  It is one hell of a process to put yourself through.  I was pulling 120 hours of shift work a month, plus my full time job.

 So, I hope this wasn't to long and boring, but I wanted to let you both know that you can ad me to your "New Badge list".  Feel free to post clips of this letter if you want.  I never bought coaching.  I tried once, but Rob was booked up.  So I just used the tape recorder and my common sense.  The cd/video and your website gave me a ton of confidence.  I would not have made it without knowing what you taught.

Thank you both for the info you provide.  I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but it is going to be a great year!!!

 Sincerely,Jason

Before I met you in Oakland I was aimless.  Your program allowed me to take aim, learn about the culture of the fire service and get my badge.  I start the academy Jan 30, 2004. Pete

Capt. Bob: Well, after a year and a half of busting my butt to make this a reality, it finally came true today with an unbelievable department in the coeur d'alene fd.  It really is hard to describe the feeling that you get when you get that call.  I just felt compelled to put a post here, not with the intention of bringing attention to me but to thank the distinguished people that are compelled to help young men and women like me achieve this unbelievable career.  Capt. Bob, your Gold Package Program gave me a huge amount of insight into what I needed to succeed on my first oral board.  I am the happiest I have ever been in my life.

Dylan

Capt. Bob, Thanks so much for all your years of knowledge and expertise. I knew my personal stories by heart and I had NUGGET answers for all my questions. Your program is excellent. The info is worth every penny and more. I will start Feb.28, 2005 and I just went thru the Fire Academy and EMT class in 2004. I got hired on my first try at 30 years old and I have an old arrest on my record. It's truly knowing what your going to say when they as you the questions, and in the Chief oral sticking to your guns with what you said at the oral board.

YOU ROCK:) THANKYOU,  PETE V. FL   (Saint Lucie County Fire District)

Once I learned from your program how to tell my story everything change and I got my badge in Florida.  Josh

About 2 years ago you help me reach my dream of becoming a firefighter.  Unfortunately, as a rookie, I had to resign because of a DUI. After talking to you and following your plan, not only did I just receive a job offer, I just passed background for another fire department.Thank you from  the bottom of my heart for helping me reach my dream once again. Please everyone do not drink and drive.  It's just not worth it! Bob

I used your nuggets for success in my chiefs interview with the Fire Department I'm #1 on and scored a 29/30 points.  The Asst. Chief stated that it was the highest chiefs interview score they has ever had.  I truly owe it to your advice and the things I learned during a visit to your web site.  Thanks Eric

Today is a day that I will definitely remember for the rest of my life! Today at 0830am I got a call from the chief of a dept. that I am going to have the honor to work for. My friend told me that when you get the call it is overwhelming. Well, he was right. It has been hours and I still can't believe it has happened! I want to of course thank Capt. Bob, and Capt. Rob! I got hold of their program and did the one-on-one with Capt. Rob only 5 months ago! The motivation and direction that they gave me is unbelievable, and now they can add myself to their list of LUCKY individuals that get to be a part of this awesome career. I start my academy in about 4 weeks, and am excited about the hard work that awaits me! Thanks again

Captain Bob,

It's official! I am employed with Hilton Head Island Fire and Rescue! I start the academy tomorrow and I very much appreciate all of your help and support, which helped me in getting the job. My dreams have come true! Thank you.

Eric Schmitt

I want to thank you for your "Gold Package Program!”  I believe your information really helped me in getting the job I have now as a firefighter/paramedic at the Vancouver Fire Dept in Vancouver, WA.  I think my "golden nugget" sealed the deal!  Heidi

Cap,

I want to thank you for all your help.  Your advice got me hired in May of '03 for a small combination department and I just heard today that I start the 18th for an all career city department with 135 members.  This is the  type of department that I wanted!

The psych eval went very smoothly.  No issues, and the return interview with the shrink was not a problem........just didn't start down any road that we didn't need to go down.

 I'm living proof at 37 years old that it's not too late to start if you are prepared. Thanks again for the advice that got me the best job in the world!

Marc

Captain Bob: I purchased your system and went through it several times.  I practiced and rehearsed, and then I went and took another test.  I aced the test receiving one of the highest written scores in the group of several thousand candidates.  I then followed that with a great time in the physical ability test.  Then came the first round of interviews.  This is where most people I knew where cut.  I however went in and ACED IT.  I came out with a 92% on my interview and went on to the Chiefs interview.  I then had too waited and wait. I wasn't hired in the first group so I had to wait.  Well I waited for another year, but I just got the call.  I am now officially starting Feb. 28th.  I just wanted to thank you for your program and your email newsletters, and I just wanted to let you know you are right, Nothing matters until you get that BADGE!!! Thanks Rob

Capt Bob,

This was the 14th full time test I have taken over the last 2 years and up until now I haven't made it past the interview process.

I just wanted to say thank you for all the help you have giving me over the last couple months. I ordered your Gold Package Program back in November to prep for a Firefighter oral interview board in Maryland. I followed the directions in the DVD and took all the advice I could gather from the material. I studied night and day for about 2-3 weeks with a digital recorder and friends/co workers. Many of my friends and buddies at my part time fire department joked about the tape recorder deal and continuously talking to myself, but who's joking and laughing now?

Today Feb 15, I received an offer with the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Division in Maryland (DC Area). Ever since I was about 5 years old this is something I have dreamed about doing and I can't even come close to explaining how good it feels to have achieved this goal. It really does feel like I have just " Won The Lottery ". My first day of the Academy is May 16th and I can't wait.

The oral interview board is what put me above all the rest just like you stated over and over again. I used all of the golden nuggets I could think of and made sure my interview stood out from all of the others. If anyone doesn't think this program can work, think again. I did what you told me to do and followed your lead every step of the way and because of that I scored in the top 25 out of over 2,000 candidates. Just wanted to say thank you for making another firefighters dream come true. God Bless and Be Safe

Firefighter/EMT

Roger

This year when I sat down with our four y/o to write her Santa letter
she was kind enough to mention me in her letter along with all of her
other requests. She asked as we went though the letter if I thought that
Santa would bring me a job if she asked him to. I had to stop and think
for a moment before I answered, to say that I wasn’t just a little
overwhelmed by her asking would be an understatement. I found this to be
both profoundly moving and very funny at the same time.

Today just after lunch I received the call from the Chief of my dream
department who officially offered me a position as their new fire
fighter paramedic. I have had this little dream since coming here in
1985. I knew then that I wanted to return and work here as a fire
fighter paramedic and since leaving have worked as hard as I could to
achieve this. Today almost 20 years later and after taking many
different roads I have come home again and brought my family with me.
Today the real work begins for me and it leaves me both very humble and
believing in Santa Clause. None of this really sank in until she came to
me and gave me a big hug and told that Santa had really come through,
just a little late.

I don’t believe I can name everyone who has helped me to get here today.
It sounds funny but I feel just like the football player in “Jerry
McGuire” when he finds out he has made the team. Rest assured however
that both Captain Bob and Rob helped me to see the light and brought me
back on track when I had wondered away. I would like to thank “Andre” as
well, whether he knows it or not his example has helped to guide me many
times. My own family who has supported, comforted and kicked when needed
can stand witness for this great event. I owe as much of this to them as
anyone including myself.

Be safe and thank you and thank you Santa.

This from the same new firefighter a few months ago:

I had what I thought was a good chiefs interview. A week later I got
the call and I was passed up. I have been here before but not for a long
time and this time I was really shaken up. I couldn’t believe that this
had happened; I was everything that this department wanted and more. I
wrote to Rob and explained my situation and waited. He got back to me
and we set up a time that we could get together on the phone and go
through the basic questions. He asked me to prepare some answers but not
to over work them and so over the next week or so I worked through them
and by the time of our meeting felt pretty well prepared.

I called on the designated day with a tape recorder hooked into my phone
to make sure I didn’t miss anything. From the very first question it was
obvious to Rob that I was way off the mark and by the end of the session
it was there plan as day for me to see just how I was torpedoing myself.
I couldn’t believe I was so far off. I was embarrassed that what I
thought was the right thing was so much the wrong. The hardest thing for
me to get over was that I had really done some great stuff but this all
had to tempered down to a level that showed any panel that I was the one
person that they could: mould, depend on, trust and know that I was
going to be 100% accountable for my decisions. I was walking into these
interviews thinking that they already know all of that and man was I
wrong.

Dear Captain Rob:

In September 2003, I sat down to take a written exam for the VenturaCounty Fire Department. It was my first firefighter exam, and I passed it and advanced to the orals. With the help of your coaching and encouragement, I successfully completed that oral.

Several months later I entered paramedic school. I graduated as class valedictorian and now hold a National Registry certificate, with my state license currently in process.

Today, I received the most important phone call of my life. The Ventura County Fire Department has offered me a spot in the February 2005 training academy. Needless to say I am leaving out many details of this long, hard process, but the point is, I am now offered a chance to wear the BADGE.

I will always be grateful for your help and the help of Captain Bob, who offered his time on the phone without any strings attached. As I continue to prepare for my dream career, I'll keep you posted. But inthe meantime, THANK YOU for helping me realize my goals.

Respectfully, MO

All that I can say is thank you so much.  This was my first year of testing, and it was only the 2nd fire interview that I had after finding your website and ordering your Gold Package , and it was only my 3rd fire interview ever.  I have only two fire science classes under my belt and I'm an EMT.  I'd only just decided that this was my path in life a year and a half ago, and spent the next 10 months just waiting for departments to start the hiring process.  Like you said, by working hard on the interview part of the process, even someone like me with virtually NO fire credentials can do it.  Basically by personalizing my interview by delivering 'nugget' answers, using the tape recorder, and maybe most importantly for me, your LIST OF 30 QUESTIONS helped so much.  Like you said, most questions are either exactly the same or a variation of them, and the ones on my boards were.  Just out of habit, I pretty much found myself constantly practicing answers in my head.  I'd accidentally wake up at 5 in the morning, even months ago, and couldn't go back to sleep because I was practicing answers.  Oh, and I also listened to your audio CD's quite a bit in my car, and it DID help to keep me motivated.

I know so many people who have spent years and years trying to get on - obviously people who have never found your website.  Some have even given up after spending years trying.  So many people have so many theories about how to get on a fire department - oddly enough most of them are not firefighters - when what they really need to be doing is doing the simple things that you suggest. Jeff

Captain Bob, I borrowed your tapes from a friend and followed your advice. The single most important tool was the voice recorder. What an awakening that was, but that’s all it took. After testing for the same
dept. for 8 years I came out number four on the list and will probablystart work on feb 1 . I used the same material I used on the last interview I had, prepared for a week seriously, and knocked them dead.
 

One piece of advice I have is that I used to be very specific about my work experience, which is pretty impressive to people who understand what I do, but most people on an oral board won't understand or relate
to it. It would just put them to sleep. You need to find a way to let the board now your accomplished without the specifics they won't relate to. Thank you for your help on starting my dream career. I got it from here on out.

Reply: I love that last line: I got it from
here on out.


Captain Bob,

Thank you for your psych report. I failed the one in
Stockton but passed the one with this after
reading your e-packet. I finally got a job after
exactly 3 years of hunting, paramedic school with 6
months of experience, a fire academy, BA in Economics,
AA in Fire Technology, History in the military at the
Air Force Academy and on and on. I probably applied
up and down the coast to about 30 fire departments,
finally got 3 conditional job offers, one I failed the
psych, 1 I passed up down south and I'm taking the one
in Northern Calif. I've always felt that I was more than
qualified and that eventually I would get a job with
enough resolve; however, I learned through people like
you that you have to know the system and structure of
which you are applying to. Just like a good company
not having a good stock price, are some candidates who
are well qualified but have trouble succeeding in the
hiring process. This was me in part, but thanks to
people like you, I was able to succeed. Sometimes we
don't send the correct projection of who we are when
we communicate whether it be orally or on a background
investigation. Thanks for helping. David

 

Capt. Bob,
I wanted to write to you and let you know that I was hired and I start their paramedic program Jan 10.  I just wanted to thank you for all your help, from the books, to the cd's, to the phone advice that helped keep me calm.  I couldn't have done it without the help of you and Rob. Thanks for helping make my dream a reality! Happy Holidays James

Capt. Bob: I thought I knew everything, just finishing a college degree. Went in and took the test without studying. Told everyone I was going to be a firefighter. I got a letter the day after Sept 11th telling me I didn't pass the test and wasn't going to be a firefighter! Talk about feeling dumb.

I spent the whole next year studying the book the department has available for all candidates and waiting. I read all I could about the fire service and then I got Capt. Bob's material. I managed to get on during the next process and have been loving it ever since.  Jim

This one warms my heart: