According to a Harris poll, one of the top most prestigious careers viewed by the public is a firefighter. It is a helping profession where success is frequent and while it can be dangerous, it can also be very rewarding. It is one of the rare jobs where great responsibility can be assumed at a young age. To become a firefighter with the Warner Robins Fire Department, you must be at least 18 years old. We require that you have a high school diploma or have completed your GED. No formal training or prior experience is necessary to be considered for employment.

Once an open position is posted by Human Resources, an application packet can be obtained and submitted.

Being a firefighter is a physically demanding job therefore all applicants must be able to pass a run and physical agility test. A practice day is held prior to the actual test date. The candidate must choose to either run 1.5 miles within 13 minutes or walk 3 miles within 38 minutes. The physical agility test consists of six exercises to be performed consecutively within 7 minutes. While completing the exercises, you will wear part of the equipment and protective clothing worn by firefighters while performing their job. This will add approximately 35-40 pounds of weight. The exercises are as follows:

1. Stair Climb: A shoulder load of hose weighing approximately 40 lbs. should be picked up and carried up four flights of stairs.
2. Hoisting: A section of 3 inch hose will be hoisted to the fourth floor of the training tower using a hand over hand motion then brought in through the window and placed on the floor.
3. Forcible Entry and Ventilation: The candidate shall straddle a weight while standing on two platforms and using an 8 lb. dead blow sledge hammer, will strike the weight repetitively, driving it a distance of five feet.
4. The Victim Drag: A mannequin weighing approximately 175 lbs. is placed on the ground in a lying down position. The rescuer approaches the head, grasps the harness around the victim, lifts the victim off the ground and while keeping back straight and walking backwards, drags the victim 100 ft.
5. Hose Advance: The lead end of a charged 100 ft. 1 ¾ inch hoseline is placed over the shoulder. While walking at a rapid pace without stopping, the line should be stretched by pulling it from a pre-connected water source a total distance of 75 ft.
6. Carry Evolution: The candidate shall pick up an exhaust fan and carry it a distance of 150 feet continuously without it being dropped or set down.

If an applicant successfully completes the run and physical agility test, he/she will participate in a Firefighter Entry Level Assessment Center. The purpose of the Assessment Center is to select candidates who possess the minimum skills necessary to satisfactorily complete the training program and function as a firefighter. It will consist of the following exercises:

Exercise 1

- This is an ice breaker exercise. The candidates are divided into four groups with four to five people per group. Candidates will participate in three (3) groups and will move from group to group telling the other candidates about themselves. Each candidate will have three (3) minutes with each group to discuss anything about themselves they feel comfortable with.

Exercise 2

Part 1 is a 15-minute classroom lecture on a fire topic during which you will be able to take notes. Later in the day you will be given a short quiz covering the material. You may study your notes prior to the exam but will not be allowed to use your notes during the quiz.

Part 2 is a reading comprehension exercise. You will be given 25-minutes to read an article on a fire topic and then given a 10-minute quiz over the material.

Exercise 3

 This is an oral directions exercise. You will be asked to listen and respond in writing to 14 questions. Part of this exercise is concerned with reading a simple map.

Exercise 4

This is a tool identification exercise. You will be asked to look at several tools used in the fire service and match the tool to the definition of its use.

Exercise 5

This is a firehouse problem solving exercise. Candidates are divided into four groups of five or six candidates each and as a group will be asked to work together to solve four problems which might be encountered by a firefighter at the firehouse while on duty.

Exercise 6

This is a fire hydrant exercise. Each candidate will be tested individually. Each will be given pieces of fire hose equipment, which they must attempt to put together properly.

Throughout the exercises candidates will be observed by a group of assessors who are currently Warner Robins Fire Department personnel. They will observe, record, and evaluate your behavior throughout the exercises. The assessors have received many hours of training in the assessment process and in identifying and rating behavior dimensions. There are several dimensions, which pertain to performance as a firefighter. These are: 

1. Learning Ability
2. Ability to follow directions
3. Manipulative Ability
4. Mechanical Aptitude
5. Interpersonal Relations
6. Oral Communication Skills
7. Written Communication Skills

Each candidate will be given a rating on each of these dimensions. The rating will be on a 1 to 6 scale.

1. Totally Ineffective
2. Needs Improvement
3. Needs some improvement
4. Satisfactory
5. Effective
6. Outstanding

Finally, each candidate will be given an overall rating. The highest number of points, which a candidate may receive, is 36, the passing score of 24. The Assessment rating is good for one (1) year, after which time those candidates not hired would be requires to re-take the Assessment. Should you fail the Assessment by receiving less than 24 points, you will be eligible to re-take the Assessment a maximum of three (3) times.

The top candidates from the Assessment Center will be scheduled for interviews. If hired, the candidate must pass a drug screen and background test. A hire date will be given at which time the individual will begin a training class lasting approximately 12-14 weeks in order to become a certified firefighter.

Please submit name and telephone number if interested in being contacted when a firefighter position is opened with the Warner Robins Fire Department.