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Firefighters have a challenging job that takes strength, commitment and motivation. In a firefighter's job interview, hiring managers try to assess the individual's mental, emotional and physical preparedness for this position. Reviewing common fire department interview questions can help you prepare for this evaluation. In this article, we provide several fire service interview questions with example answers for you to review.
General firefighter interview questions
General questions are typically presented at the beginning of an interview to help the hiring manager get acquainted with you. The following are common generalized questions you may hear:
• Why do you want to work in this industry?
• What are your greatest strengths and weaknesses as a firefighter?
• Why are you interested in leaving your current position?
What salary range are you looking for?
• What gives you the greatest sense of satisfaction in your job?
• What is a conflict you've faced with a coworker, and how did you resolve it?
• How do your friends describe you?
• What motivates you to do better in your career?
• Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years?
• What have you done to prepare for this interview?
Firefighter interview questions about experience and background
Understanding your experience and history will help a hiring manager gain insight into the training you will need if chosen for the job. The following questions explore your preparedness for a career as a firefighter:
What is your professional history in public service?
Are you familiar with the training process for becoming a firefighter?
Have you served as a volunteer firefighter? If so, what were your experiences like?
What is your greatest failure, and what did you learn from it?
What personality traits do you have that would make you a good firefighter?
What is the most appealing part of being a firefighter?
What is the least appealing aspect of becoming a firefighter?
How would you help the team maintain positive relationships around the firehouse?
What is the daily routine for a firefighter as you understand it?
How does your experience make you preferable to other candidates?
In-depth firefighter interview questions
In-depth interview questions help the hiring manager understand your approach to a firefighter's lifestyle. These questions will help the hiring manager understand your motivations and what you will bring to the team:
How do you prioritize your career, family and friends?
What is a difficult decision you've had to make in life, and how did you handle it?
How do you handle stress?
How do you manage your time?
What is your regimen for keeping up with your physical fitness and ongoing education?
How do you spend your time when you're not on duty?
What would you do if you knew that a coworker was involved in sexual harassment?
Define pride and loyalty and explain why these are important to a firefighter.
We will do an in-depth background check as part of the hiring process. Is there anything you would like to disclose at this time?
Are you on the hiring lists for any other fire departments, and would you leave for another city if called with a job offer?
The following questions are common in firefighter interviews:
What inspired you to become a firefighter?
How have you prepared for the job of a firefighter?
What do you believe the daily responsibilities are for a firefighter?
How would you and your family manage the schedule of a firefighter?
What is the most important quality for a firefighter?
What is the fire department's primary role?
How would you help improve the fire department's public education programs?
How do you think the career of a firefighter will change in the next five years?
How would you contribute to our fire department?
Why do you want to work for this fire department?
Would you ever disobey a direct order? When and why?
How do you respond if you don't know the answer?
How would you respond if you saw another firefighter stealing?
How would you deal with an angry citizen?
At the end of your career, what accomplishment would you be most proud of?
What inspired you to become a firefighter?
Your inspiration for becoming a firefighter reflects your interests and priorities. This is a demanding career, but it's also rewarding for those with the right motivation. Interviewers are looking for people inspired by teamwork and service.
Example: "I've always been inspired by the vital impact that first responders have in emergency situations. My goal is to serve my community by being one of the first people on the scene."
How have you prepared for the job of a firefighter?
Your training and education let prospective employers know how prepared you are. Interviewers are interested in relevant experience and activities.
Example: "I've received CPR and first aid certification. I have three years of experience as a volunteer firefighter and keep up with a strict fitness routine to stay in shape for the role."
What do you believe the daily responsibilities are for a firefighter?
Firefighters perform many duties in the community. Interviewers evaluate how familiar you are with the scope of this role. They're typically looking for candidates who see beyond the more obvious job duties of responding to emergencies.
Example: "I believe daily duties include training, maintenance and public service when firefighters are not called to an emergency."
How would you and your family manage the schedule of a firefighter?
Firefighters often work four days on and four days off, which makes them unavailable to their families for several days and nights at a time. It's important to let your employer know that you have a plan in place to make this schedule work with your personal life.
Example: "My husband works from home, so he's able to adjust his schedule to accommodate mine. When I'm on duty, he can readily pick our children up from school or take them to soccer practice, and I'm able to reciprocate when I have my days off."
What is the most important quality for a firefighter?
A good firefighter possesses many valuable traits, including dedication, cooperation, flexibility, physical fitness, integrity and problem-solving skills. Employers want to know that you prioritize these qualities.
Example: "I believe that a firefighter's most important quality is dedication. They should be dedicated to supporting their team, serving the community, taking care of their health and providing the best possible outcomes for every situation."
What is the fire department's primary role?
This question tells employers how much you know about the priorities and purpose of a fire station. Fire departments handle many tasks, and it's crucial that you understand the scope and importance of this department.
Example: "Though a fire station serves many roles in the community, the primary role of the department is to protect life and property above all else."
How would you help improve the fire department's public education programs?
Public education and fire prevention are important responsibilities for a fire department. This question gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your familiarity with this role. Interviewers are interested in thoughtful, well-educated candidates who will contribute to the continual growth and improvement of public education programs.
Example: "I've always been impressed by the fire safety programs presented at the elementary schools. I'd like to see these expanded to serve other groups as well, such as our local cub scouts. Many of the scouts in our community are homeschooled, so this could help educate some of the children who wouldn't get the chance to participate in these programs otherwise."
How do you think the career of a firefighter will change in the next five years?
Advanced technology, new methodologies and changes in the economy or political landscape can all impact the public service industry. A thoughtful answer to this question demonstrates your commitment to a long-term career as a firefighter.
Example: "I'm intrigued by the potential for robotics to assist in firefighting. New tools and technology could make it possible to send a robotic response team into facilities that are especially dangerous for a human firefighter."
How would you contribute to our fire department?
The individuals serving in a fire department work together as a close team where each individual serves an important role. Hiring managers are looking for new firefighters who can fill a need and become a valuable asset to the team.
Example: "I'm extremely organized and detail-oriented. I like to evaluate systems and strategies and develop more efficient methods. I would work hard to help streamline our department to make it one of the strongest."
Why do you want to work for this fire department?
Firefighters are deeply involved in the community and should know the population they're serving. Demonstrate that you've researched the department and its service area and provide an answer that's specific to the needs of the community.
Example: "I grew up on the east side of Indianapolis and am familiar with the underserved parts of the community. I look forward to giving back to the area where I was raised by providing public safety and education in the neighborhoods that need it most."
Would you ever disobey a direct order? When and why?
Communication is crucial in emergency situations, and firefighters are usually expected to listen carefully and follow orders promptly. However, there may be situations when it would be appropriate to disobey an order, and interviewers want to know that you can recognize these scenarios.
Example: "Yes, I would disobey a direct order if it became clear that the action would put someone's life at risk. It's possible that the person who gave the order couldn't see the situation clearly at that time. I believe critical thinking and careful assessment are always essential when determining your course of action in an emergency situation."
How do you respond to a situation if you don't know the answer?
While firefighters should be well-informed, there are always situations where you may not know what to do. The hiring manager is looking for candidates who know how to ask for help when necessary.
Example: "If I'm not sure how to handle a situation, I ask for assistance from a supervisor or coworker. It's important to know when to call on the experience and expertise of others, and this is the best way to expand your own knowledge base."
How would you respond if you saw another firefighter stealing?
Firefighters are held to high standards within the community. Interviewers want to know if you are a team member who will hold others accountable and help the department maintain these standards.
Example: "If I witnessed a theft, I would first approach the individual to make sure I understood what I saw. If there was no reasonable explanation or I couldn't trust that person's explanation, I would report the incident to my officer."
How would you deal with an angry citizen?
In stressful emergency situations, people often become emotionally charged. Hiring managers look for firefighters who know how to handle these instances calmly and safely.
Example: "My first priority is safety with any citizen. I would make sure the individual was out of harm's way. I would then listen respectfully, validate their feelings and offer a solution if possible."
At the end of your career, what accomplishment would you be most proud of?
This question examines your motivations. The role of a firefighter can seem glamorous, but it's important to approach it from a realistic perspective. Interviewers are looking for individuals who have solid priorities.
Example: "I would be most proud of having trained and mentored other firefighters, thus providing ongoing protection and support to my community that will continue even after I retire."
