Sample Firefighter Interview Questions and Answers

Getting a firefighter job is very competitive, with many people vying for just a few jobs. Preparing strong answers to firefighter interview questions in advance is vital if you want one of these limited spots. During the interview process, one or more oral boards, consisting of a succession of two or more captains, chiefs, paramedics, or other fire station staff, ask a prospective firefighter interview questions about their dedication, skills and qualities. You may get a few minutes to look over the questions before heading into the timed interview, where you'll have less than five minutes to answer each one.

To help you prepare for this rigorous process, Monster has come up with the most common firefighter interview questions posed to applicants, along with suggested answers and other firefighter interview tips.

Firefighter Interview Questions

1. Why Do You Want to Be a Firefighter?
2. What Have You Done to Prepare to Be a Firefighter?
3. What Is a Fire Department's Primary Role?
4. What Is the Most Important Quality in a Firefighter?
5. How Are You and Your Family Going to Deal With Your Odd Shifts?
6. Would You Disobey a Direct Order? How About One That Puts You in Danger?
7. How Would You Deal With Conflicting Orders on a Scene?
8. Why Do You Want to Work for This Department, and How Can You Contribute?
9. How Would You Deal With an Angry Citizen?
10. What Is the Purpose of a Secondary Search?

Question #1: Why Do You Want to Be a Firefighter?

TV glamorizes firefighting, but in reality, it is emotionally and physically draining, so firefighter interview questions will explore whether you're in it for the long haul. "I want to help people" is cliché, so avoid that. Instead, you can:

• Tell a story about how you became interested in firefighting.
• Talk about loyalty, teamwork, and service.
• List your community involvement.

How You Could Answer

"I first became interested in firefighters when I watched rescue and recovery on September 11. But I realized you don't have to be working on a national disaster to make a difference. I've lived in this town since I was in my teens and would like to keep the community safe and make it a better place."

Question #2: What Have You Done to Prepare to Be a Firefighter?

Most applicants for firefighter positions have volunteer firefighting experience and CPR, first aid, and EMT certifications. Think about the preparation and commitment you bring to the table:

• Mention any CPR, EMT, or other certifications.
• Talk about relevant paid or volunteer work.
• List your physical fitness programs or activities.

How You Could Answer

"I've kept my CPR certification current since I began working as a lifeguard in high school, and I'm currently taking emergency management classes at Pine Grove Community College. I play in a local basketball league and weight-train at the gym four times a week."

Question #3: What Is a Fire Department's Primary Role?

The simple answer is "to protect life and property." But this is one of those firefighter interview questions that gauges if you understand the scope and priorities of a firefighter's job:

• Assert the objective is to protect life and property.
• List a fire station's community activities.

How You Could Answer

"The fire department's mission is to protect life and property, but it also has many other community functions, including education, training, fire prevention, public service, and outreach."

Question #4: What Is the Most Important Quality in a Firefighter?

Firefighters need to be dedicated, flexible, physically fit, have integrity, and good problem-solving skills. All of these are good answers to these types of firefighter interview questions, but you need to pick one to explain:

• Mention as many qualities as you can, but pick one to talk about.
• Explain why that trait is important.
• Tell a story about how you possess that trait.

How You Could Answer

"A firefighter needs to be well rounded with physical strength, problem-solving skills, courage, integrity, and the desire to serve. But commitment is what speaks to me. You're on the job for 24 hours at a time handling emergency and daily tasks with a close team of co-workers. When I sign up for something, I give it 100%. I have been on my church board for seven years, volunteered as a girl scout leader for 10, and run a Toys for Tots drive since high school."

Question #5: How Are You and Your Family Going to Deal With Your Odd Shifts?

Firefighter schedules are often four 24-hour days on and then four days off. You need to show you've thought this through and are prepared to work when needed.

• Explain how you've thought about this or discussed it with your family.
• Mention the support you have from home.
• Assert that you can handle the schedule.

How You Could Answer

"Before I applied to be a firefighter, we had a family discussion about the work schedule. My husband works from home, so he can easily take care of the kids' needs while I'm at the firehouse. The schedule appeals to me because, with long stretches of time on and off, I can make the most of my time here and with my family."

Question #6: Would You Disobey a Direct Order? How About One That Puts You in Danger?

The chain of authority and following orders is absolute in firefighting. You must respect authority and be prepared to take direction without question, even if the reason is not clear to you. Disobeying an order that would put you or someone else in danger or supporting an illegal activity are the only exceptions.

• Acknowledge that following orders is essential.
• Talk about how firefighters need to trust their superiors' judgment.
• Emphasize that you will do the right thing if an order puts you or someone else in danger or violates a law.

How You Could Answer

"Superiors issue orders based on their knowledge and experience, and we should respect that and obey them. Sometimes I might not fully understand the reason for an order, but the middle of an emergency is not the time to raise questions. If a superior told me to do something that would clearly harm myself or another, or that would break the law, I would refuse and explain why."

Question #7: How Would You Deal With Conflicting Orders on a Scene?

This is one of the situational firefighter interview questions that is often part of a firefighter interview. You need to demonstrate that you understand the chain of command and how to communicate with your team.

• Say you know it's customary to follow the higher-ranking officer's orders.
• Talk about how to communicate effectively.

How You Could Answer

"In a chaotic or large-scale situation, an officer might not realize what else is going on. I would normally follow the higher-ranking officer's orders. But communication keeps everything on track. I would tell the second officer I was already assigned a task and ask what to do. If the second officer said to change direction, I would let the first officer know."

Question #8: Why Do You Want to Work for This Department, and How Can You Contribute?

You must know about the community you're serving, do your homework, and let the board know it. But the job isn't just being on scene fighting fires. The board wants to see how you'll contribute to the team:

• Look up stats like population, city size, landmarks, and significant events throughout the year, and the number and type of incidents in the last year.
• Describe any specific skills you have.

How You Could Answer

"I've lived here all my life, and I've seen how this part of the city is increasing its need for services. You had a 12% increase in runs last year. I can help manage those stressful situations—I think on my feet and am a natural problem-solver. I've also been a substitute teacher, so I would be comfortable conducting fire safety classes at the elementary school."

Question #9: How Would You Deal With an Angry Citizen?

Hiring managers look for firefighters who can stay calm and diffuse tense situations:

• Say it's important to be respectful and listen to all citizens.
• Safety is always the priority, so get that person or yourself to safety.
• Know when to call in others for help.

How You Could Answer

"As public servants, we don't always see people at their best. First, I'd make sure everyone was safe, and if not, I'd get them to safety. It's important to show respect and listen, whether a complaint is valid or ridiculous. So, I would let the person talk, and I'd ask questions to understand the problem. I would validate how they felt, such as, "Yes, Mr. Miller, I see that you are very upset." If the situation escalated and I couldn't find a resolution, I would call in a superior with more experience in handling these situations."

Question #10: What Is the Purpose of a Secondary Search?

Some firefighter interview questions are asked to make sure you know firefighting protocols. If you don't have experience as a firefighter, do some studying:

• Confirm that a secondary search is to identify hidden risks.
• Discuss the importance of listening to witnesses to gain information that might not be visible.
• Commit to the protocol.

How You Could Answer

"A situation may seem to be resolved when there is something else you can't see. Doing a secondary search, especially if witnesses have told you about something you didn't notice, is good practice."

Stay Safe From Firefighter Interview Danger

We hope these tips will help you prepare for your firefighter interview questions. Add more fuel to the fire by creating a Monster profile. It's the best way to attract the attention of recruiters and sets you up to receive more job search tips.