1. Suppose my smoke detector is chirping, what does that mean?
Most modern smoke detectors will chirp to alert you the batteries are low, you should replace the batteries and test your smoke detector. Smoke detectors can be purchased at any hardware or large commercial department store.
2. Tell me how often should I change the batteries in my smoke detectors?
We recommend you change the batteries in your smoke detectors every 6 months, an easy way to remember is to change batteries when you reset your clock for daylight savings time.
3. Tell me how do I know my fire sprinkler system will work?
The laws set forth by your local fire department and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) protect you by making sure that all fire related systems are tested at regular intervals to insure proper operation of that system.
4. Tell me how much does a Fire Truck cost responding to a fire?
Fire Engines and Ladder Trucks are supported by taxpayer revenues and there is no charge for these pieces of equipment.
5. Tell me what is a WET fire sprinkler system?
The fire sprinkler system is constantly charged with water under pressure, which holds the fire sprinkler valve in the closed position. When a fire sprinkler head is activated water instantly flows on to the fire.
A wet fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in areas where the ambient temperature is above 32 degrees F.
6. Tell me how do I schedule a Fire Drill?
Training is provided by Davenport Fire Department. We can assist you in organizing and conducting an orderly evacuation, and evaluating results with management of the facility. To schedule a Fire Drill contact DFD Fire Prevention Bureau.
7. Tell me why do you think you will fit this position?
Simply list your skills and work competencies that you think will best fit the position. You can talk about your strengths in relation to the job opening and can also talk a little about your career goals.
8. Do you know what is a DRY fire sprinkler system?
Used where a frost risk may arise, the dry fire sprinkler system is constantly charged with compressed air, which holds the fire sprinkler valve in closed position. When a fire sprinkler head is activated, the air pressure is lost, the valve opens and water flows into the system and on to the fire.
A dry fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in areas where the ambient temperature is at or below 32 degrees F.
9. Tell me what if I smell Gas in my home?
You will need to get out of the house and then call 9-1-1 for the Fire Department from outside of the house or from a neighbor's house. The use of a phone could cause the gas to ignite if you called from inside the house.
10. Tell me can I ride along with the Fire Department?
Yes, citizens can request to ride along on a fire engine. For more information contact the Training and Education Division at 444-2185. Contact Human Resources for further information regarding the entry process for DFD.
11. Tell me can I burn leaves in my yard?
No, city ordinance prohibits outside burning leaves within the city limits.
12. Tell me why am I not supposed to drive over a firehose?
Firefighters are very concerned about running over firehoses because the hose can be damaged and any firefighter at the end of a nozzle will have the water interrupted and possibly cause injuries or death. Any hose that is driven over without protection has to be taken out of service and tested.
13. Tell me can I have recreational fire in my backyard?
If you follow our "Burn / No Burn" policy, you can have a recreational fire in your backyard.
14. Explain me why do we see fire department crews at the store?
Because the crews work a 24-hour shift, they must eat their lunch and dinner at the station. At times firefighters all eat the same meal, as a group. The crews pay for their food out of their own pockets. So, after the equipment is checked and the housework completed, one of the fire trucks will then make a quick trip to the grocery store to purchase the food for the shift. All crews remain in service to respond to calls during this time.
15. Do you know what is a PRE-ACTION fire sprinkler system?
A combination of an electrical/mechanical detection system, charged with compressed air, sprinkler pipes are only filled with water upon electrical detection to avoid accidental water damage.
A pre-action fire sprinkler system is commonly installed in high-risk areas such as data processing facilities or cold storage warehouses.
16. Tell me why Do You Want to be a Firefighter?
Firefighting is a dangerous job that doesn't automatically ensure great pay, so it's only natural that the panel will question your motivations. For best results, John suggests writing down the factors that prompted your interest in firefighting. Well-prepared candidates can demonstrate enthusiasm for the job without lapsing into cliches. For example, John mentions his desire to be part of a team dedicated to solving problems in the community. It's important to show the panel how you fit its profile of a firefighter.
17. Tell me why do firefighters work 24-hour shifts?
Firefighters work 24-hour shifts, because unlike police, firefighters cannot go out and perform training, inspections etc. during the nighttime. It would take more firefighters to cover 8 hour shifts. Firefighters at Davenport work a 56 hour work week and the 24 hour shift allows this. This type of schedule is the most cost-effective work schedule to provide fire protection and is the most common.
18. What are your salary expectations as Fire Fighting Instructor?
Be a little tricky while answering this question because this question gives a clearer picture about you to the interviewer. When this question is asked, instead of giving direct answer, you can give a range, or it is much better to ask a few questions before giving answers.
Ask the employer about the range they would prefer to offer for this position. Some interview panels will let you know the salary figures they are going to offer whereas some others won't do it. Once they give you an idea about the remuneration offered, express your expectation in a wide range.
19. Difficult Instructor Fire Fighting interview questions:
☛ What gives you the most satisfaction during free/vacation time?
☛ Why is there a gap in your resume/CV?
☛ Who is your role model and why?
☛ What major challenges and problems did you face?
☛ What criteria are you using to evaluate the company for which you hope to work?
☛ What would your ideal career position be?
☛ What skills do you bring to us and how can you put them to work?
20. Panel based Instructor Fire Fighting interview questions:
☛ Do you prefer to work independently or on a team?
☛ How did you handle meeting a tight deadline?
☛ How do you let subordinates know what you expect of them?
☛ How do you see your job relating to the overall goals?
☛ How do you react if you find that someone you work with does not like you?
☛ How do you go about setting goals with subordinates?
☛ What do you think is the greatest challenge facing Instructor Fire Fighting today?
21. Behavioral Instructor Fire Fighting interview questions:
☛ How long have you been engaged in your job search?
☛ Who is your role model and why?
☛ Describe your ideal picture of success.
☛ What specific skills acquired or used in previous jobs related to this position?
☛ Why did you choose your university and what factors influenced your choice?
☛ What do you look for in a job?
☛ How would you define good customer service?
22. Phone based Instructor Fire Fighting interview questions:
☛ What contributions have you made to a group project?
☛ What suggestions do you have for our organization?
☛ Describe the best supervisor you've ever had.
☛ Describe the last time that you undertook a project that demanded a lot of initiative.
☛ What kinds of decisions are most difficult for you?
☛ Tell me about a time when you helped resolve a dispute between others.
☛ How would you evaluate me as an interviewer?
23. Group based Instructor Fire Fighting interview questions:
☛ What is the highest-level job one can hold in this career?
☛ What is the most recent skill you have learned that related to Instructor Fire Fighting?
☛ Describe a situation in which you had to collect information.
☛ What do you see yourself doing within the first days as Instructor Fire Fighting?
☛ What is your usual role in a team?
☛ What did you like least about your last job?
☛ What was your major disappointment?
24. General Instructor Fire Fighting interview questions:
☛ How will you judge yourself successful? How will you achieve success?
☛ On holiday, what do you miss most about your work?
☛ What do you do to help those unfamiliar with technology understand it better?
☛ How many promotions did you receive at your last or present company?
☛ How do you spend your day?
☛ What led you to choose your field of major study?
☛ What were your major responsibilities at your last job?
25. Where Do You See Yourself in Five Years as Fire Fighting Instructor?
An interview panel has two basic rationales for asking this question. First, it's important to determine whether an applicant has given much thought to his career progression. Second, an interviewer wants confirmation that you're a good long-term fit with the department. The ideal answer will focus on a specific career goal, and how you might achieve it. The How To Become A Firefighter In USA website recommends saying something like, "In the next five years I would like to see myself having developed an expertise in fire and rescue. I want to stand out from my peers and demonstrate my passion for my work. I also hope to be promoted so that I may serve as an example for others.” Failure to respond, or take the question seriously, will count against you.
26. Why are you leaving this position as Fire Fighting Instructor?
Talking negative things about your previous employer or the job position is a bad interview manner. So, make sure you list out the reasons that are fair enough and in no way related to the attitude of your employer. A few common reasons that are considered as valid can be:
☛ Work in an advanced environment
☛ Further education
☛ Bigger concern with desired career growth
☛ Getting a senior position
☛ Salary increment
☛ Contract expiry or termination
27. Explain your strongest Asset and Weakness?
When asked about strengths, discuss skills that you and firefighters have in common. Firefighters are analytical, work in teams and must know how to communicate effectively with the public or law enforcement officers regarding each incident. Tell the interviewer how you used analytical and teamwork skills on a past job or as a member of student council in high school. If an interviewer asks about weaknesses, choose one related to the job. For example, say, "I tend to be a bit controlling at times instead of delegating tasks, but I've learned how sharing responsibilities with co-workers helps me accomplish more." Show that you know your weakness and are working on overcoming it, Recruiter.com advises.
28. Tell me what other responsibilities do firefighters have other than fighting fires?
Emergency calls represents only about fifteen percent of the work of a typical fire department in Davenport. The number of residential and commercial fires has steadily decreased over the years due to a variety of factors including improvements in construction, a greater public awareness of the risk factors leading to fires and a significant reduction in smoking nationwide. Fires, however, are only some of the emergencies to which the Fire Department responds. Nearly eighty percent of the Fire Department's emergency responses are, in fact, calls for medical aid, including illness/accidents at home and work, and injuries resulting from vehicle crashes. Other calls for emergency response involve hazardous materials releases, technical rescues, response to fire alarms and other calls for public assistance. Firefighters also spend much of their time maintaining equipment, doing routine public safety inspections for businesses and rental housing, training for all types of emergency responses and filling out the reports and paperwork associated with these activities.
29. Tell me can you get my cat out of a tree?
The Fire Department does not assist in rescuing animals. Citizens may contact Animal Control. The telephone number is (000) 388-6005 .
When it is safe to do so, you should pull over to the right and stop until all emergency vehicles have safely passed. If you cannot safely maneuver to the right, simply stop and stay stopped so the vehicles can go around you safely.
31. Explain me why does the Fire Department bring the fire engine just for a simple inspection?
Two reasons: First, these inspections are conducted by on-duty engine companies that must be ready to respond to an emergency call from the field. Second, an important part of the value of the public safety inspection is to familiarize your local firefighters with the buildings and business in Davenport. While they check for hazards and consult with business owners on how best to eliminate or minimize the likelihood of a fire, they also familiarize themselves with access points and the layout of the facility. Why do firefighters break out windows and cut holes in roof during a fire? Firefighters ventilate smoke, superheated, poisonous, or explosive gases for safety and visibility. This allows firefighters to get inside the building to find and extinguish the fire, thereby reducing property damage. This also reduces the chance of a possible dangerous explosion.
32. What have you done to improve your knowledge in the past year as Fire Fighting Instructor?
This is the most typical question asked in every EMT interview. Make sure you match the answer for this question with the information you have provided in the cover letter and your resume. You can mention a wide variety of skills you have learned in the past. If you have gone through a refresher course then it is very good to state the new set of skills you have learned.
Express your keen interest towards learning new things in the upcoming years. Eagerness and enthusiasm to learn new things will surely impress the panel.
33. Explain me are you a good team player?
This is a decisive question. Explain in a positive manner how you have worked well with your team in the past and let them know what you can do to your team, in order to produce the best results.
Here are a few more sample questions that you may face in your EMT job interview.
☛ Are you overqualified for an EMT basic job?
☛ Measure your past job performance.
☛ List out your top 3 skills as an EMT.
☛ What do you know about the current trends in the field of EMS?
☛ How do you scale growth once you are selected for this position?
☛ Describe about a typical work week for you.
☛ What do you do to prevent yourself from getting emotional or panicking at work?
☛ List out your strengths.
34. Tell me why do I need to keep weeds and bushes away from fire hydrants on my property?
Weeds and bushes should be kept three feet from fire hydrants for visibility and accessibility.
35. Tell me why does a fire truck come when you call for an ambulance?
Why does a fire truck respond when I wanted an ambulance? Because firefighters can and do get there first, and time is critical in a medical emergency. Every Davenport Fire fighter is cross-trained in Emergency Medical Services. What does that mean to you, a citizen phoning 911? Simply read on...
In the early days, fire stations were strategically located so the crews could quickly get to burning buildings. Obviously, time is an important aspect of firefighting, because flames can rapidly spread through a building. The ability to quickly respond to a fire provides more time to rescue people inside, and save property by suppressing the blaze in the early stages. It soon became apparent that the firefighter's ability to "get there fast" could be used for other types of emergency response, such as heart attacks, strokes and trauma.
Four minutes is a critical time frame for someone who has experienced a heart attack, injury, or other illness that makes them stop breathing. The heart and brain have a better chance of full recovery they receive oxygen in four minutes or less. After that, a person can suffer brain damage or worse. Our firefighters, many of them educated to the level of paramedic, can use life saving techniques including defibrillation and medications to help prevent death or permanent injury. These life saving techniques are much more effective if they can get to a patient within the first four minutes.
Each Davenport Fire Station is part of a much larger, intricate dispatch system. The system is designed to provide adequate emergency coverage for the citizens who live here, by carefully managing response resources. Fire stations are not isolated or randomly located. They are strategically positioned to provide the best coverage with the least expenditure of resources.
