San Diego is a beautiful and special place, and home to a great deal of culture. And dedicating your professional life to protecting that culture and the millions of people who enjoy it is an honorable and admirable choice. Unfortunately, becoming a firefighter is increasingly difficult in today's job market. So many people apply that it becomes harder and harder to stand out and get hired. You need to make sure that you not only have the basics and minimum qualifications covered but go above and beyond the other candidates.
Instructions
1. Get your paperwork in order. According to the San Diego department's application, you'll need an up to date driver's license, an EMT Certificate with an ID card and CPR certification. You can receive your EMT certificate either through the State or an approved agency.
2. Learn about the physics of the job. Even though you'll undergo training, in order to increase your chances of not only being hired but of excelling you need to you go into the program with more knowledge than the other candidates. Look into taking classes or reading up on chemistry, biology, carpentry and other related fields. See Resources to several community colleges in the San Diego district where you can find affordable course offerings.
3. Get into great shape. Exercise five times a week in preparation for the grueling training you'll undergo. It's important that you improve both your strength and your endurance. This will make you not only stand out compared to your competition but because other people's lives are in you hands you have an ethical responsibility to get physically capable of rescuing them under trying circumstances. The San Diego fire department specifically requires that you be able to easily and quickly carry 100 lbs. of equipment (such as axes, hoses, chain saws and so on), not to mention grown men and women.
4. Demonstrate that you can be a team player. Being a firefighter requires that you get along with others, no matter how different your personalities or backgrounds. Join clubs or organizations, particularly ones that focus on community outreach. You want to prove that you can be part of a cohesive team. Being a firefighter in San Diego involves spending several consecutive days living in dorm-style quarters with other adults from different backgrounds, and with different personalities. You're expected to be able to get along with one another and contribute to a constructive work environment.
5. Volunteer for the community or, even better, for firefighter departments. This will not only look great on your application but it will allow you network and make connections with other firefighters of all ranks. Far too often, it's who you know that matters. The Department advertises itself as being not only a part of the community, but as leaders of that community. Show them that you not only can be, but are a part of that mentality and tradition.
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