During January 2010, Portland Fire & Rescue opened recruitment for the positions of Firefighter Trainees and EMT/Paramedic.  PF&R accepted 2,500 applications for the position of Firefighter Trainee and 1,500 for the position of Firefighter EMT/Paramedic in little under one week’s time!

The Firefighter Trainee and EMT/Paramedic candidates whose applications where successfully accepted where invited to take a written, multiple-choice, video-based test on February 18, 2010.  Over 3,000 candidates arrived ready to take the 2 ½ hour test at the Convention Center.  The test consisted of four components including human interaction, mechanical aptitude, math, and reading.

The Firefighter Trainee candidates are currently preparing to take the Physical Agility Test (PAT) on April 16 – 18, 2010.

The Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates are taking a slightly different path – these candidates will be participating in the Fire Chief’s Selection Panel Interviews on April 14 -15, 2010 and shortly following will take the PAT Test on April 16, 2010. 

For further explanation into the process for both the Firefighter Trainee and Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates, read on!

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE CANDIDATE UPDATES

Physical Agility Test (PAT)

Firefighter Trainee candidates who successfully scored high enough on the written, multiple-choice, video-based test have been invited to move onto the next portion of the exam – the Physical Agility Test (PAT).

The PAT Test requires candidates to perform several tasks similar to those performed by firefighters on the job.  These tasks are designed to test strength, stamina, endurance, agility and ability to work at heights. Firefighter Trainee candidates must complete the PAT Test’s nine individual skill stations within PF&R’s time standard of 8 minutes and 2 seconds.

The events in the PAT test include the simulated ladder rack, hose carry, electric fan, fan placement, ladder raise, ladder halyard, body drag, foam bucket carry, simulated hose pull, and truck ladder climb. Click here to watch video footage of the PAT Test, find tips to enhance your physical agility preparedness, and read about the PAT Test exercise stations.

PAT PRACTICE SESSIONS

PF&R has offered to Firefighter Trainee candidates the option of practicing the nine individual skill stations of the PAT Test.  For the five consecutive weekends of March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 and 9, the candidates have been invited to attend as many practice sessions as they like to work on the individual skill stations with direction, support, and coaching from PF&R firefighters.

PAT TEST & EQUALLY RANKED ELIGIBLE LIST

Firefighter Trainee candidates will take the PAT Test on April 16, 17, or 18, 2010.  In late April 2010, Firefighter Trainee candidates that successfully complete the PAT Test within PF&R’s time standard of 8 minutes and 2 seconds will have their names placed on an Equally Ranked Eligible List for further consideration.  The Equally Ranked Eligible List will be posted; the previous Equally Ranked Eligible List will be discarded.

FIRE CHIEF'S SELECTION PANEL INTERVIEW

Between May 10^th and the 28^th, Firefighter Trainee candidates who successfully pass the PAT Test will be invited to take part in the Chief’s Selection Panel Interviews.  The Chief’s Interviews are a critical phase in the applicant process as it will provide PF&R with an opportunity to meet the candidates and make an evaluation of the candidates’ knowledge, skill, and abilities.  The Chief’s Interview is a structured oral interview conducted by a panel of PF&R chief officers and staff. Each candidate is asked the same set of questions and is designed to be challenging and provoke critical thinking.

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE ELIGIBLE LIST & HIRING

On June 1, 2010, PF&R will post a one-year eligible list for the position of Firefighter Trainee and move forward with hiring selected candidates.

FIREFIGHTER EMT/PARAMEDIC CANDIDATE UPDATES

ELIGIBLE LIST FOR FIREFIGHTER EMT/PARAMEDIC

On March 10, 2010, PF&R prepared and posted a eligible list for the position of Firefighter EMT/Paramedic. 

PAT PRACTICE SESSIONS

PF&R has offered to Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates the option of practicing the nine individual skill stations of the PAT Test.  For the five consecutive weekends of March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 and 9, the candidates are invited to attend as many practice sessions as they like to work on the individual skill stations with direction, support, and coaching from  PF&R firefighters.

FIRE CHIEF'S SELECTION PANEL INTERVIEW

On April 14^th and 15^th, eligible Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates will take part in the Chief’s Selection Panel Interviews.  The Chief’s Interview is a critical phase in the applicant process as it will provide PF&R with an opportunity to meet the candidates and make an evaluation of the candidates’ knowledge, skill, and abilities.  The Chief’s Interview is a structured oral interview conducted by a panel of PF&R chief officers and staff. Each candidate is asked the same set of questions and is designed to be challenging and provoke critical thinking.

Note that as vacancies arise, Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates will be continue to be interviewed according to the ranked eligible list that was posted on March 10, 2010.

PAT TEST

Eligible Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates who successfully pass the Chief’s Interviews will be invited to take the Physical Agility Test (PAT) on April 16, 2010. The PAT Test requires candidates to perform several tasks similar to those performed by firefighters on the job.  These tasks are designed to test strength, stamina, endurance, agility and ability to work at heights. Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates must complete the PAT Test within PF&R’s time standard of 8 minutes and 2 seconds. 

FIREFIGHTER EMT/PARAMEDIC HIRING

Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates who successfully pass the PAT Test will move forward into the hiring portion of the process.

Check back here on PF&R's Fire Blog next week for more updates on the Firefighter candidates!  

March 31, 2010