What To Do While You're Waiting...to get hired.

[@trevorriordan8897]

Could we please get a station tour?

[@HSFDtaylor10]

Thanks again for everything that you are doing in these videos. I started my journey March of this year. Passed the Physical and written test. Had my Civil Service interview a couple weeks ago. Ranked #2 out of 12 applicants. I have a new hire committee interview next week! Getting so pumped. FINGERS CROSSED!!

[@nickjohnson8539]

How did it go?

[@galaxie6548]

By far my favorite channel for information, i have ben trying to get hired on a few places in Wyoming and denver and your vidoes have helped tremendously. Thank you

[@willzukauskas6872]

Thanks for all your info and test prep. Great videos. Just got hired in Virginia and starting the academy in a few weeks!!!

[@mrmo8174]

Wow this one came right on time. Took my polygraph for one department two weeks ago and haven’t heard anything yet. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@thenotrealcowboy9522]

I’m on the same boat

[@toddsmith1969]

They polygraph you?

[@mrmo8174]

@@toddsmith1969 yea still waiting on my results. I did call though and they said we should be hearing something back in the next couple of weeks.

[@shaun0621]

@@mrmo8174 Have you heard anything yet? I just finished my panel interview, I think it went pretty good. If my background checks out I'll have a polygraph next.

[@mrmo8174]

@@shaun0621 yea failed the polygraph so I’m out of the process. I have another test coming up soon for another department though. Gotta keep trying. Good luck to you bro!

[@burningspear90]

Thank you sir for your video. I’m in my 5th week of academy. Tomorrow makes end of week 5 of 20. Today we practiced the Denver drill. Yesterday was ladders 20,28,35 and 45. Solo carries and raises and team Carries and raises. It was the most challenging I’ve experienced since week 1 day 2 or 3. Today was also immensely challenging. My motto “it’s not easy but it’s not hard it’s challenging”. I use challenging bc hard is oft inferred giving up it’s too hard I can’t. To family friends I say the work is GRUELING. Our dept is iso class 1 and has the most fires per capita in the country. Our pt warmups are workouts. Our pt workouts well those reading should get it. By end of week 1 I was clear it’s grueling bc we have to have rapid response time and work in a geographic environment that has three seasons. Cold Hot and HOTTER. When it’s Hot and HOTTER I CANT IMAGINE BUT I PONDERED it probably feels better in a fire than outside on full gear with tools. This was confirmed by one of my instructors (the senior of the two) who said when you go into that burn building it’ll feel better than outside because of NO HUMIDITY. I digress slightly sir, I want to echo your points made regarding maps. I’m new to this city and today we discussed where we would be stationed when we graduate academy for probation. It’s already been made clear every engine truck and rescue that comes is observing us RIGHT NOW. So yes study maps of the city or region applying. Yes apply to other locations. I applied here on 3 occasions. A hiring freeze affected my first application. An injury the second. This was my final shot I said. I’m 48 yrs young and didn’t see myself going again at 49. I applied also in Virginia Beach as it is where my nieces live so I’d be closer to them. I was hired here which is my first choice and only for 3 yrs and got a post the week I moved here about Virginia Beach. So yes I echo you sir in applying in different locations if it’s a career move. Embrace the vision of not being hired so you have no or minimal diss appointment bc there are other options you’ve created. Lastly PHYSICAL FITNESS. I’m 212-215 6’8” and 48 yrs young. I was in pretty good shape for a former competitive athlete but I’ve NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THIS. This is professional athlete level training but even so much more. We’re saving Lives property and RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR LIVES AND OUR CREW. I recommend get flexible yoga something, be able to squat double your body weight and bench your body weight or at least do 50+ pushups and 20 chin-ups and 50-100 sit-ups with relative ease. If there are pre-existing injuries that cause pain or limited rom resolve them or work on them while applying and keep it up after hired. My academy is GRUELING. Other ff from other areas who I’m in academy with say the SAME. So it may be lighter work for some other academies but be prepared physically and mentally and emotionally. This is enjoyable work my body is in the best shape I’ve been in over 20 yrs and it’s getting even better. But it’s because this is GRUELING ARDUOUS WORK. Denver drill is no joke. Lifting a 300+lb person on one knee and moving forward toward a window to then have your partner push them up with your assistance and another group bring them out the window to carry down a ladder 2-3 stories. Several times and in 100lbs of gear sweating and loosing fluids and this is just academy. Which brings on the last point- LEARN TO HYDRATE. It starts when you’re not working. And get asleep early. It’s how your body recovers and learns how to move better stronger. 8+ hrs ideally. Cuz THIS WORK IS REAL. And can break or MAKE YOU. But we choose to save lives why should it be easy. I appreciate you sir. You’ve been the bright light throughout the latter of my application process to present bc there isn’t anyone I can really discuss this with. Or share insights. Thank you.

[@haileygreen2733]

This is where I'm at right now! Thanks for the advice, your videos are very helpful. I'm a Volunteer firefighter from Ontario, Canada, if you have any questions regarding the process for hiring in Ontario Canada, please feel free to connect with me!

[@vanmeter_]

In Florida we have to go through and pay our own way at the fire academy before we can even apply, so it adds a whole new layer of concern on if that department doesn’t call you.

[@ronthemogul]

That part and this shit ain’t cheap

[@adrianhernandez4497]

I’m in the background check process right now and yes it feels like it’s being dragged out, the process takes forever

[@xMACHOxMANx]

Stay fit boys and girls.

[@markscheifele8925]

Thank you so much, Mike!

[@josh_dsz6029]

This video couldn't have come at a better time. Thanks!! Keep up the great work!!

[@jimbobcramden]

Can you make a video on how to study maps

[@STW10202]

What happens if you accept a job with an alternative department and the dream department calls you offering you the job? (Close to the same time of course)

[@toddsmith1969]

No idea what I'm talking about and could be totally wrong, but I'd say be honest. If they find out later it'll make your character look bad.

[@arturogotti3790]

Good question

[@spicyshizz2850]

Can you explain the process/journey you took to become a firefighter. I think It will be a very popular and useful video!

[@toddsmith1969]

I second this!

[@GraphicsFrosTy]

Hey Mike. Do you think you could make a short video describing probationary periods and their functions? As a recent fire academy graduate, I am wondering if I am hired as a career firefighter, will I still have a probie period and what it entails? Thanks for all the informational videos!

[@firstlookpro7282]

Just what I needed

[@svitlana5093]

Why this field is so competitive ?? The salary there is a joke compared with other fields

[@jessicaallen9006]

Depending on one stream of income had never made any millionaire and earning check don't put you on forbes.

[@rayom1024]

I took the risk of investing 5000USD with Mr. Harry Webar and he made me profits of 21,340USD. Now I'm more confident when investing.

[@JohnWilliams-vj7yk]

Believe me he's the best when it comes to Cryptocurrency trading, your profit is assured..

[@masoncompton5872]

Mike you should react to this firefighter video by Amazing Athiest 😂 the amount of knowledge he has about the fire service is hilarious 😂

[@kylefederico5879]

Love your channel and looking for help! I live in upstate NY and looking to become a career firefighter. Everything I read online says I need to start the application process before I am 29years old. I am 29 right now. Are there exceptions to this?

[@jacobcappuccilli5720]

Would it be possible for me to reach out to you somehow and talk about my future because I have some questions to ask and considering you are a firefighter paramedic I feel like you could really help ! Thank you

[@rajenbowman8385]

Thank you for this! So you had mentioned waiting approx. 3 weeks after an interview to reach out to a department. If I applied three weeks ago and the deadline for applications is still three months away (Jul 2nd); would it be ok to reach out for my application status? Or should I just wait until after the application deadline to reach out? I may just be overthinking things...

[@samjames8860]

Hi! I have a question and I'm not sure if you've covered this, but will it be harder for me to be a firefighter due to my height? I'm 4'11, and I'm a guy but I'm not growing anymore... I'm guessing the answer would probably be yes, as it would be harder for me to do bigger tasks but are sometimes smaller people needed for certain things??

[@WildfireX]

Out of curiosity how old are you & how has age affected your job or your thoughts on your job? I'm 32 in September going through somewhat of an existential crisis & searching for meaning, and meaningful careers, so I have my own things to figure out, but I'm curious what it's like to be in the fire service once you're in your 30s as opposed to being a 22 year old with the feeling of the endless time.

[@mike_pertz]

Wildfire, this is a GREAT question. To answer your question I'm 34 and I think your question touches on an 'unspoken' concern/thought a lot of people in public safety (and others who are told their career choice is meaningful just by the very nature of their job) have. Personally, my view on it has changed quite a bit over the last few years (view on firefighting, meaning, career choices etc) however, I haven't thought through the answer long enough to articulate it properly. I want to think through this more and address it more thoroughly.. I'm sorry that doesn't answer your question fully, but I will have a better answer for you soon.

[@WildfireX]

@@mike_pertz take your time, or if it helps, you could use it as a basis for a video? If it helps for context, the situation I'm at is somewhat of a crossroads, as j said currently 31, but 32 in September. I did my degree when I was 21-23 in accounting because I had no clue what else to do, and basically spent my 20s either unemployed, or playing video games, or working in jobs just to get a wage while living at home & wasting time & opportunities. I never tried more, to see what I'd like (other than working abroad in Canada for a few years, I'm from the UK), and now at the age in at, I have a real driving fear of living an unfulfilling life,and apart from not having kids currently & other things... One of those "pillars of life" let's say, is a meaningful career imo. But naturally I have doubts, about whether I'm capable, or whether joining the fire service in your 30s is realistic, OR & perhaps more annoyingly... If you join the for service in your 20s & do it for 3 years and ultimately decide it's not for you, I feel like you don't lose the same value in time, as you would if you did the same thing in your 30s, as there seems to be a bigger societal pressure on figuring out your life in your 30s, but maybe that's just my skewed perspective. Sorry for how long this was, I appreciate your reply though!

[@mike_pertz]

No worries man, trust me you're not alone, I think a lot of people are in the exact same boat you are in.

[@ronthemogul]

Just do it. I am in my thirties and starting the academy in a few months. Whatever happens happens at least I don’t have regrets

[@swagmaster360]

I have my first internal affairs interview May 25th!! , advice/tips??

[@shaun0621]

I know this question wasn't for me, but maybe my experience can help you some. I just finished my interview, I think it went pretty good. I fumbled on a few questions, but I think I did really well on a few other questions. If I could go back and changed how I prepared for this interview, I would not print out common interview questions and write responses to those questions. I don't think this helped me very much. I think the better approach would be to write down everything about yourself, do some self-reflection. Write down all your accomplishments, goals, failures, lessons, hobbies, what motivates you, personality traits, and leadership style. All of these things are what they are looking for in the interview. If you do this, you can answer any question without a problem. Another tip I got from another youtube channel is to answer every question with these steps: 1. Think of the theme of the questions. Why are they asking me this question? Teamwork? Ethics? Sacrifice? 2. First answer with one sentence. (Weber dictionary) 3. Tell your story. The sights, smells, what I felt. What it did for me 4. Relate it to the fire service Good luck! Let everyone know how your interview went and add any tips to help out others too.

[@cissi4521]

Does it matter how high you score on the written test or as long as you pass it ?

[@elpasoan4086]

Definitely you wanna get as high as possible