Being Prepared

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us?

2022-03-02T20:23:53+00:00

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us? Being prepared for the firefighter hiring process before you show up will put you in a better position to get that badge. You do not want to be caught flat-footed and wondering what happened when the career you have been pursuing evaporates before your eyes. Are you hearing me? Let me tell you about SCOTT. The first time I had contact with him was 45 minutes after he got the call that he failed his poly. He was devastated. I asked him how he had prepared for his polygraph. He said he used the free [...]

Are Polygraphs Lying to Us?2022-03-02T20:23:53+00:00

New Rookie

2022-02-01T22:41:45+00:00

New Rookie A few years ago, I talked to a devastated candidate at a written test. This paramedic had been hired with four other medics by a good fire department. After four months he was fired. He said he thought things were going fine. Then, the captain started telling him that the other firefighters didn't like some things he was saying, starting counseling and documenting him for not taking down the flag, rolling up the hose, etc. He said he was busy doing other assignments. I could see the writing was on the wall. I asked him what the other new [...]

New Rookie2022-02-01T22:41:45+00:00

Know the Formula!

2022-02-16T20:59:02+00:00

Know the Formula! If I have said it once, I have said it a hundred times, after 40 years in Fire Service, we know a thing or two. Some things have changed in fire service, but not the basics. What I mean is that the written and physical ability tests are still pass/fail while the ORAL BOARD carries all the weight of getting you that badge.  After sitting on more than 100 Oral Boards, I have seen quite a few things. I have seen awesome candidates with great credentials. Yet, there is something missing. These candidates couldn’t present what I [...]

Know the Formula!2022-02-16T20:59:02+00:00

Having Trouble with the Written?

2021-11-29T22:13:31+00:00

Having Trouble with the Written? The firefighter hiring process is unlike any other job interview process you will ever experience. And, if you have read my other blogs, you know how I feel about being prepared. It is a MUST! Even still, no matter the preparation, you might get hung up as you move along. Let’s talk about the written. Is this where you are having trouble? Are you trying to raise your score to make the CPS cut? Do you want and need to improve your score on those few tests where the written is still weighted? We get [...]

Having Trouble with the Written?2021-11-29T22:13:31+00:00

Attitude is Everything

2022-02-16T21:12:19+00:00

Attitude is Everything. Attitude – ever since you were a kid, your parents have told you to mind your attitude. Behave yourself. Respect others. Be kind. And, so much more. In school, teachers may have praised you if you had a positive attitude in the classroom. Maybe you helped other kids or stood up to the bully. Your good attitude was noticed. Later in life, your first boss may have noticed you were a positive influence on others because you were a natural leader with a good attitude. What’s my point? My point is this - Although it seems like [...]

Attitude is Everything2022-02-16T21:12:19+00:00

When You Think the Process is Easy – YOU ARE WRONG!

2022-02-16T21:14:56+00:00

When You Think the Process is Easy – YOU ARE WRONG! Here is the situation. Let's say that someone you know is a NAVY SEAL. Imagine the process that this SEAL went through to earn his status in the military – and it is quite prestigious to be a SEAL. Now – imagine that this SEAL has always wanted to be a firefighter. One would think that this person would easily be fit for duty and earn the firefighter's badge. Right? Wrong! Yep, that's right. This super qualified candidate couldn't get hired.  Why?  He couldn't score high enough on the [...]

When You Think the Process is Easy – YOU ARE WRONG!2022-02-16T21:14:56+00:00

Crossing the Bridges

2022-02-16T21:20:34+00:00

Crossing the Bridges Part of the work we do in preparing recruits for the firefighter testing process involves fielding phone calls. We get many, many phone calls. Some of these calls are from folks who want help with the Oral portion of a test. First, I ask the date of the Oral. The usual response is that the Oral has not been scheduled yet. They have just put in the application. For those of us training others, having more time to help our trainees is a good thing. We’ve been trying to get people to reach out to eatstress.com while [...]

Crossing the Bridges2022-02-16T21:20:34+00:00

Getting that Phone Call

2022-02-16T21:21:56+00:00

Getting that Phone Call Here is what Josh wrote: “Today, I'm writing with a sigh of relief. I have been offered a position with a department in Oregon. I start on January 3rd. I want to thank everyone for the help and encouragement down the long path. I want to say a special thank you to Fire Captain Bob. Without his words of wisdom, I don't think I would be writing this letter. He took me under his wing and guided me through the dark waters of the testing process. To give you an example of Captain Bob’s dedication, he [...]

Getting that Phone Call2022-02-16T21:21:56+00:00

Getting Down to the Short Strokes

2021-07-28T15:59:12+00:00

Getting Down to the Short Strokes I get a sinking feeling when someone tells me they have been eliminated from the process after getting accepted for a conditional job offer. He or she wants to know what can be done to further their dream of earning the badge. My question is why didn’t you call me before you went on to the next step? Often the answer is that the firefighter didn’t think help was needed. Things were going well. well things were going well. We now know he or she was dead wrong! Here is the deal. Just because [...]

Getting Down to the Short Strokes2021-07-28T15:59:12+00:00

Keep the Home Fires Burning!

2021-07-28T15:47:25+00:00

Keep the Home Fires Burning! The phone rings. You get the call. It is happening. You are moving forward. Well, first things first. Yes, your career is making the next move and you are headed to the academy. But, let’s not forget the ones who stood by and encouraged you along the way, were your sounding board, stayed awake at night to figure out how you could get a badge. Yup – you guessed it - your family. Rookies that are married test their relationship especially when they get into the academy and go through probation. To be more clear, [...]

Keep the Home Fires Burning!2021-07-28T15:47:25+00:00

Title

Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:44:54+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.  
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:47:33+00:00
“I tested for 10 years taking 73 tests. My next oral was in two weeks. I wanted to figure out what the heck I was doing wrong… with Captain Bob’s program and coaching, I was shocked to see I had ranked number one and got my badge.”  
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T16:51:46+00:00
“The only hinder that I found myself with was not passing the oral… For all of the candidates out there that don’t believe this, try passing and ranking #1 on orals with a stuttering problem…I did.” – Dave, FF/PM  
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:01:21+00:00
Using Capt Bob’s program I was called back for the chiefs oral. I ended up #2 on the list and now proudly wear the badge for Denver. I would not have been in this position if it wasn’t for “Captain Bob’s” program.
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out...
Becoming a Firefighter
5
2018-04-22T17:02:45+00:00
“Well, I never thought I would be writing this to you, Captain Bob, but it happened to me also… Out of a possible 120 pts, I scored 119.87 pts! I couldn’t believe it! … Just wanted to say THANK YOU!” – Armando  
5
5
Becoming a Firefighter

Contact Info

Go to Top