Interview Questions to Hire Firefighters

Firefighters are a key part of the emergency services department. They respond to emergency calls, put out fires, enter burning buildings and save people's lives. Firefighters undergo extensive and continuous training to do their job safely and effectively. They usually have a degree in a safety or public service field and complete formal training with their local fire department. 

They are also CPR and BSL certified and receive training on equipment operation. When selecting a firefighter to join your team, it is important to look for physical and mental strength. They need to move people who are sometimes unconscious and see many disturbing sights whilst undertaking their duties. They should have strong teamwork skills, be an effective communicator, and have strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Skill-based questions

It is good practice to ask various types of questions, including skill-based, role-specific, behavioral and situational questions, to identify strong candidates.

• How soon are you expected to respond to an emergency call?
• What training have you had on the use of fire trucks and hoses?
• Are you comfortable operating the hydraulic lift on a fire truck?
• What do you know about lifting equipment and its safe operation?
• How do you work as part of a team? Why is teamwork important in this role?
• How do you keep calm under pressure?

Situational & Behavioural questions

• You have an emergency to respond to. What's the first thing you do?
• There are suspected persons inside a house which is on fire. What's your priority?
• You need to operate the hose on the fire truck. Explain the steps on how you do this safely.
• You must operate the hydraulic lift on the fire truck. What is the most important thing to ensure before you rise up into the air?
• Have you ever seen something at work which was difficult to process? How did you deal with it?

General Questions

• What are some things you would like to achieve in your work career within the next five years?
• What have you done in your career so far to learn and develop yourself professionally?
• Why did you decide to enter the emergency services industry?
• What are the top three skills you have that you think you can transfer to this role?
• Why have you applied for this role? How do you think you will benefit from working in the role?

Conclusion

The questions above will help you to identify quality candidates who are going through your recruitment process. Remember to look for candidates who demonstrate strong communication skills along with the ability to work as part of a team. Strong both physically and mentally and can think critically.