Fire Captain

Captain: In Salt Lake City, Captains are firefighters who have worked for our fire department for at least 10 years. They take a special test to be eligible to be promoted from firefighter to captain. Captains are responsible for other firefighters around them. They are in charge of a fire station and they provide directions when the fire crew responds to an emergency.

Public Information Officer

PIO: The Public Information Officer helps to share information with the community about the fire department or about fire incidents. Sometime, the Public Information Officer will be interviewed on TV or in the newspaper. In Salt Lake City, the Public Information Officer is usually a firefighter but this person can be a civilian.

Inspectors

Inspectors: Salt Lake City uses Fire Inspectors to visit buildings within the city to check to see that they are safe and are operating safely. If they identify a problem, the inspector works with the building owners to fix the problem to make it safe for everyone. Fire Inspectors are sometimes firefighters or sometimes they are civilian.

Investigators

Investigators: Salt Lake City uses Fire Investigators to determine the cause of fires that happen within the city. In Salt Lake City, our Fire Investigators also help other cities to determine causes of fires that happen within their cities. Fire Investigators are a special type of firefighter who has also received some police training. One special investigator is an arson dog. Fire Investigators help firefighters to be safe in unsafe situations.

Engineer

Engineer: Engineers are firefighters who have training to drive fire trucks and fire engines. In addition to driving, the engineers are also responsible for providing water, raising ladders and setting up hoses and other equipment while responding to emergencies.

HazMat

Hazardous Materials Technicians are firefighters who have special training to respond in cases when any dangerous chemicals or other substances are suspected or released. HazMat technicians have special suits that protect them from the effects of any chemicals and they have special equipment that helps them to identify specific chemicals.

Heavy Rescue

Heavy Rescue Technicians are firefighters who are trained to rescue people in special situations. Heavy rescue technicians learn how to rappel from buildings so they can rescue people from heights, but they also learn how to maneuver in tight or confined spaces, so they can perform rescues there too.

Fire Marshal

The Fire Marshal is a special kind of chief who is in charge of the Fire Prevention Bureau. The Fire Marshal assists in identifying buildings or other types of situations that might be dangerous for firefighters or residents of our City. The Fire Marshal helps to fix these issues so that they are safe for everyone.

Deputy Fire Marshal

One kind of Deputy Fire Marshal helps the Fire Marshal prevent fires and other problems before they ever happen. The Deputy Fire Marshal has a team of inspectors that check out buildings before and after they are built. This helps to make sure that the buildings are as safe as possible for the people living or working in them and for firefighters when they respond there. Another kind of Deputy Fire Marshal has a team of fire investigators that go to fires after they are put out. This is to figure out how the fire started and what can be done to prevent them in the future. The SLC Airport even has their own Deputy Fire Marshal.

Airport Rescue Firefighting (ARFF)

Airport Rescue Firefighters (ARFF) help at the airport. They have special skills to assist when there is an emergency involving an airplane or that takes place within the airport. Fire trucks at the airport are specially equipped to respond in these types of emergencies.

Firefighter EMT

In Salt Lake City, all firefighters are certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. This is a basic certification that helps them respond to medical emergencies. EMTs provide basic care in non-critical cases or assist until a paramedic or another advanced-level person can take over.

Firefighter Paramedic

In Salt Lake City, some firefighters are also paramedics. Paramedics have advanced skills to help people experiencing medical emergencies. Usually paramedics are called for with more severe or traumatic cases.

Fire Chief

In Salt Lake City, Chiefs are firefighters who have already been captains and have been promoted. Chiefs are responsible for other firefighters around them. Some of them are in charge of several fire stations. Or, some chiefs are in charge of special divisions such as the Medical Division or the Training Division. The Salt Lake City Fire Chief is in charge of all firefighters in Salt Lake City.

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Candidates who are hired are placed on probation for twelve (12) months. New employees who voluntarily resign during their probationary period may be required to reimburse their employer for the full cost of issued uniforms and equipment.

RECRUIT SCHOOL

Recruit school begins the first day on the job. School is scheduled 40 hours per week and is held Monday through Thursday and lasts approximately 15 weeks. Each recruit is monitored and evaluated closely during this period. Recruits should plan to study for an estimated three hours each night and must pass required written and skills based evaluations. Recruits are required to maintain a heavy physical fitness schedule, which includes daily physical training as well as drills. Recruits receive full pay and benefits while attending recruit school.

APPRENTICESHIP

After successfully completing recruit school, firefighters are required to participate in an apprenticeship program for approximately two (2) years.

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Your chances for becoming a firefighter depend upon the number of openings that occur and the number of people competing for the positions. It is difficult to determine exactly how many positions will be filled during the two year register. Such factors as budget, retirements, and other unforeseen circumstances make estimates difficult.

Hiring Procedure – Once the testing is complete, candidates will receive a final score, by which they will be rank‐ordered on the hiring register. The final score is comprised of a standard score, which combines your Written Exam score and Oral Board Assessment score then adjusted to include preference points for which you are eligible.

The hiring register developed as a result of this testing process will be good for a maximum of two (2) years.  Once the register expires, individuals still interested in the position of firefighter will be required to retake the examinations. It is your responsibility to keep the Fire Department informed of your current email address, mailing address and phone number during the entire time the list is active.

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Persons wishing to become firefighters should have the capability to work as part of a team. Teamwork is an essential part of the job because it reduces the potential for injuries and loss of life, as well as increasing the effectiveness of handling emergency situations.

Cooperation and the ability to get along with others are essential characteristics for firefighters at the fire scene and also at the fire station. Since firefighters work two 24‐hour consecutive shifts, it is important that they are able to get along with their peers.

Firefighting demands a high level of dedication. Firefighters also must study long hours and go through extensive periods of training to become effective and efficient professional firefighters. In return, they are offered a challenging and exciting job, which serves the community.

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The following attributes may be assessed in the Oral Board Assessments:

• Assertiveness – Assert oneself when necessary to exert control over others.
• Emotional Self-Control – Maintain one’s composure in stressful situations.
• Interest in People – Exhibit an active interest in understanding and working with people.
• Interpersonal Skills – Be sensitive to others; resolve problems without arousing antagonism; be courteous and respectful; resolve conflicts through persuasion and not force; influence people and inspire their confidence and respect.
• Oral Expression – Communicate various types of communication orally in a clear and understandable manner; project one’s voice clearly; communicate over radios and other electronic transmission equipment.
• Situational Reasoning – Make prompt and effective decisions quickly in both routine and non-routine (life and death) situations; evaluate alternative courses of action and select the most acceptable alternative.
• Teamwork – Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, supervisors, and other fire service officials.
• Writing – Express yourself clearly and concisely in writing; use acceptable grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
• Dependability – Be conscientious, reliable, thorough, punctual, and accurate and assume a fair share of the workload.
• Flexibility/Adaptability – Adapt to changes in working conditions.
• Initiative – Proceed on assignments without waiting to be told to do so.

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FireTEAM Test (Human Relations)

Part I: FireTEAM Video-Based Human Relations Test focuses on teamwork and human relations skills and was specifically designed for firefighters. Candidates watch a video segment, then choose the BEST course of action in a multiple-choice format. Once they have chosen the BEST possible course of action, they are asked to identify the WORST possible course of action. This test is presented on computer or video and the items play without stopping.

Part II: In addition to answering the Part I questions of FireTEAM Video-Based Human Relations Test, candidates are instructed to observe the behaviors of the individual firefighters portrayed. They have the opportunity to observe behavior on multiple occasions for many of the firefighters. Part II of FireTEAM Video-Based Human Relations Test consists of questions about these firefighters and their behaviors. Part II immediately follows Part I.

FireTEAM Animated Mechanical Aptitude Test

FireTEAM Animated Mechanical Aptitude Test is a multiple-choice mechanical aptitude test presented on video. Candidates see detailed introductions to an animated brick making factory, then are asked questions about the factory. Most of the questions are about basic mechanical objects such as valves and principles such as water pressure. They are also asked to answer trouble shooting type questions and observe system operations for problems. All of the questions can be answered based on common sense and observation of how everyday objects work.

FireTEAM Math Test

This math test is designed specifically for firefighters. The questions are presented on video. Candidates must complete the calculations in their heads. No written calculation is permitted. Questions are based on the type of math that firefighters must use on a regular basis as part of the job. Basic areas covered include: addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and proportions.

FireTEAM Reading Test

This test is designed specifically for firefighters, a job requiring ongoing study of difficult and technical materials. This test is based on training material, and candidates are required to choose a word that best fits in the blank.

FireTEAM Practice Tests

There is no study guide for the FireTEAM Test, however there are two sets of practice tests (basic & extended) currently available for purchase via www.fireteamtest.com. Both the Basic and Extended FireTEAM Practice Tests will help you become familiar with the FireTEAM Test format. The Extended version and the Basic version have the same test content, with the Extended version including more questions than the Basic version, to make it feel more like the actual test.

NOTE: After the written exam is administered, a cut-off score will be determined based on department needs, the potential for adverse impact, and other factors. We anticipate inviting the top 50-100 candidates to participate in the Oral Board Assessment. All candidates will receive their written exam results via email. Candidates who score above the cut-off will be notified to report for the Oral Board Assessment. All or only parts of the FireTEAM test may be used.

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Military/Veteran

Military/Veteran– Candidates are requested to provide a copy of their DD‐214 by the date of the Oral Board Assessment to receive preference points.

Paramedic

Paramedic– Candidates must have a Utah Paramedic Certification by the date of the Oral Board Assessment to receive preference points. Individuals may apply for reciprocity through the State Bureau of Emergency Medical Services at bemsp.utah.gov or (801) 273‐6666/(800) 284‐1331. It generally takes 90 days to complete the reciprocity process.

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• You have been convicted of a DUI within two (2) years of your application; or convicted of two (2) DUI’s, regardless of the time limit.

• You have been convicted of Domestic Violence or Domestic Assault.

• You have been dishonorably discharged from any Military Service.

• Taking or possessing without prescription or experimenting with any of the drugs in the following categories will be disqualifying within four (4) years of the date of application:

• • Hallucinogens (i.e., LSD, PCP, peyote, mescaline, etc.)

• • Narcotics (i.e., heroin, morphine, opium, codeine, methadone, etc.)

• Taking or possessing without prescription or experimenting with any of the drugs in the following categories will be disqualifying within one (1) year of the date of application:

• • Cannabis substances (i.e., marijuana, mushrooms, hashish, hash oil, etc.)

• Employment history; military history; driving history

• Criminal activity or involvement; truthfulness; character issues

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Height & Weight – There is no minimum or maximum height requirement. Weight should be proportionate to height (tested by measuring percent of body fat).

Eyesight – Visual acuity, without correction, worse than 20/40 in one eye and 20/100 in the other eye; or visual acuity, with correction, worse than 20/20 in one eye, and 20/40 in the other eye is cause for rejection.

Color Vision – Failure to identify red or green or both is cause for rejection.

Hearing – Hearing acuity loss by audiometric test of 20 decibels or more for the speech frequencies in either ear or loss of speech reception of phonetically balanced words at or below 90 percent normal reception for either ear is cause for rejection.

Blood Pressure – Hypertension evidenced by preponderant blood pressure readings of 150 mm or more systolic in an individual over 35 years of age or preponderant readings of 140 mm or more systolic in an individual 35 years of age or less is cause for rejection. Preponderant pressure over 90 mm diastolic is cause for rejection at any age.

Drug Screen – Candidates who are selected for hire must pass a physical examination, including a drug screen.

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