| Copyright (c) 2010 Donald Cirillo | | | | need to be an experienced mechanic, but you will |
| A firefighter puts his or her life on the line every | | | | need to show some understanding of how |
| day to rescue people and save their property | | | | different devices work. You also need to be able |
| from being damaged. This usually requires an | | | | to read dials and gauges accurately, or a disaster |
| extreme level of dedication and bravery, without | | | | may result. |
| which a person cannot become a firefighter. You | | | | The firefighter exam also tests a candidate's |
| need to be completely committed because other | | | | ability to recognize current or future problems and |
| people may get hurt, not just you. This is why | | | | coming up with a way to deal with these |
| civil service agencies have implemented a | | | | problems. Essentially, this area of the exam tests |
| firefighter exam which covers a wide range of | | | | the problem-solving capabilities of the candidate |
| issues. | | | | but also their analytical thinking. The candidate's |
| The ultimate goal of the firefighter exam is to | | | | ability to comprehend written material on fires is |
| give seasoned firefighters the opportunity to | | | | also tested, as this can mean the difference |
| assess the potential of the candidates, as well as | | | | between life and death for the firefighter and his |
| their commitment and love of the job. There are | | | | or her colleagues. |
| too many lives at stake to risk allowing someone | | | | The written firefighting exam lasts approximately |
| who isn't fully dedicated to pass the firefighting | | | | 2 - 3 hours, which is plenty of time to complete |
| exam. The written test is designed to tests a | | | | the test. However, if you are taking the test, you |
| wide range of skills and abilities that do are not | | | | must not rush. You need to take your time and |
| necessarily connected to firefighting regulations or | | | | read each of the questions thoroughly, word for |
| procedures. | | | | word, because sometimes a little word which you |
| It is very rare for a direct question regarding | | | | didn't notice can change the whole meaning of the |
| firefighting protocols to appear on the firefighter | | | | question. |
| exam because the law states it is not a | | | | Even though knowledge of the subject matter is |
| requirement. However, they are still sometimes | | | | important, it is not essential. The firefighter exam |
| included as a basis to judge the candidate's level | | | | is not like testing in history or math, because with |
| of common sense and problem solving capacity. | | | | the latter you know exactly what you need to |
| One of the abilities the firefighter exam is | | | | study. |
| designed to test is the candidate's capacity to | | | | However, the firefighting exam is meant to test |
| analyze and understand information that is | | | | your abilities not your capacity to retain |
| presented as a chart, table, graph or diagram. It is | | | | information. So, if your dream is to become a |
| also an area where one's capacity to follow | | | | firefighter then pick up those practice tests so |
| written instructions is tested. | | | | you can perfect your test-taking abilities and pass |
| Another area the firefighting exam focuses on is | | | | the firefighting exam with flying colors. |
| mechanical inclination. This does not mean you | | | | |