During June 2011, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) opened recruitment for the positions of Firefighter Trainees and EMT/Paramedic.  PF&R accepted thousands of applications for the position of Firefighter Trainee and for the position of Firefighter EMT/Paramedic!

The Firefighter Trainee and EMT/Paramedic candidates whose applications where successfully accepted where invited to take a written test on August 1, 2011.  Thousands of candidates arrived ready to take the test at the Oregon Convention Center.  The test consisted of four components including mechanical aptitude, math, reading, and study material specific to PF&R.

The Firefighter Trainee candidates and Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates who score high enough will move on to take the Physical Agility Test (PAT) in October 2011.

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

FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE CANDIDATE UPDATES

PAT PRACTICE SESSIONS

There will be five consecutive weekend practice sessions available to all candidates who passed the written exam.  PF&R will offer Firefighter Trainee candidates the option of practicing the nine individual skill stations of the PAT Test before the actual test.  Candidates will be 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.

Physical Agility Test (PAT)

Firefighter Trainee candidates who successfully scored high enough on the written test will be 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.

FIRE CHIEF'S SELECTION PANEL INTERVIEW

Firefighter Trainee candidates who successfully pass the PAT Test will be invited to take part in the Chief’s Selection Panel Interviews.  The interviews are tentatively scheduled for December 2011 and January 2012.  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

In January or February 2012, PF&R will post a two-year eligible list for the position of Firefighter Trainee and move forward with hiring selected candidates.

FIREFIGHTER EMT/PARAMEDIC CANDIDATE UPDATES

PAT PRACTICE SESSIONS

There will be five consecutive weekend practice sessions available to all candidates who passed the written exam.  PF&R will offer Firefighter Trainee candidates the option of practicing the nine individual skill stations of the PAT Test before the actual test.  Candidates will be 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

Eligible Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates who successfully scored high enough on the written test will be 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.

FIRE CHIEF'S SELECTION PANEL INTERVIEW

Eligible Firefighter EMT/Paramedic candidates who successfully pass the PAT Test will be invited to take part in the Chief’s Selection Panel Interviews.  The interviews are tentatively scheduled for November 2011.  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 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 for more updates on the Firefighter candidates! Good luck to everyone!

   Portland Fire & Rescue

   We Respond: Always Ready, Always There

   August 19, 2011

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