Two firefighters

7 Ways to Succeed as A Firefighter

Just like a puzzle that needs all pieces of different shapes and sizes to complete, a well-functioning society also needs various things to come together and work towards the progress for people. For a city like New York which is one of the busiest and most populous cities in the world, having an efficient firefighting department is of the utmost importance.

A minor gas leak  or an electrical malfunction can lead to fire-related incidents that need urgent attention. Fire departments in the US already see a fire-related incident every 24 seconds. This makes it even more important to have a department that is quick and effective with its responses.

And for the NYC firefighter department to be efficient, it needs to have highly-trained firefighters in its ranks.

It’s a highly rewarding job that many people dream to acquire. It was reported that around 46,305 people gave the FDNY exam the last time that it was held back in 2017. The screening processes are rigid, the physical tests are demanding, and the written tests need a lot of preparation, all for good reason.

Fire being extinguished by firefightersFor the people who luckily clear the selection process and are hired by the FDNY, there are several things they can adopt to make sure that their career as a firefighter is successful. Let’s take a look at what those things are.

Understanding the Nature of the Job

When you apply for a job that you really want, there’s a reason for you to want to secure the job so badly. Not only is the job of a firefighter highly attractive due to the benefits that you get, it’s also very morally rewarding in the sense that you know you’re playing your part in helping people and communities around you.

As a kid, you might have found the job of a firefighter to be quite enticing. Retaining that enthusiasm when you’re finally eligible to apply for it will help you do your job with a great deal of motivation.

There are various other things you only get to experience during your time on the job, so making full use of them and recognizing their importance towards determining how successful you are at your job is extremely vital.

1. Wanting to Serve the People

The most important requirement of any civil service job is to realize that you have an oath to work for the betterment of people. Whether that’s an NYC sanitation worker or NYS court officer, all hold equal importance in their own rights in playing a role in helping the society.

If you’ve got this covered, you can be certain of the fact that you’ll love doing the job and automatically be good at it since you know you’re serving a greater purpose.

2. Understanding the Importance of Teamwork

Fire-related incidents are matters of extreme urgency. It’s not down to one firefighter saving the day, but it’s all a team effort. From arriving at the scene to properly getting the equipment ready to use, it’s all a combined effort by a team of firefighters.

If you understand that teamwork is one of the pillars of such a job, you are likely to do well as a firefighter yourself.

3. Ability to Adapt and be Flexible

Unlike a typical 9-to-5 office job where people know what tasks they’re assigned and the work they need to do for the day, a firefighting job has a lot of uncertainty because unfortunate fire incidents can occur any time.

Always being ready to deal with any kind of unforeseen circumstances will ultimately determine how effective you are as a firefighter.

4. Commitment

The willingness and commitment a firefighting job requires is unmatched. Many lives and valuable properties are at stake, and at such a time you need to show that you are fully committed to face the challenges.

5. Physical Strength

You also require a lot of physical strength to do good at the job. A firefighter’s suit and other gear might weigh up to 75 pounds. So, gathering the strength to work around with heavy equipment attached to you at all times will definitely demand a lot of physical exertion that you’ll need to be ready for.

A house on fire6. Communication

The essence of teamwork is such that everyone needs to understand their respective roles and be ready to take responsibility wherever required. Good communication isn’t just a person yelling orders to their team members. Instead, it’s where everyone is heard and understood. This is a very important aspect of the job that you’ll need to learn in order to be successful.

Sometimes, the situation might call for you to take charge. In such a scenario, you should be prepared to have the upper hand in communication. With the dangers and risks involved in such a job, there’s no time for long chains of communication. Thus, keeping an eye out for such situations is imperative.

7. Emotional Intelligence

The danger and risks involved in such a job may have an effect on your emotional wellbeing. Fire emergencies can be a traumatic experience, which is why it’s essential to be aware of your mental health and take care of it as well.

Firefighters at workIf you’ve always dreamed about joining the NYC fire department, keeping all these things in mind is important. However, clearing the written test for it is the first hurdle in the journey. What better way to equip yourself with all the relevant exam knowledge and techniques than by taking exam preparatory classes at Civil Service Success?

We have a team of experienced instructors who offer in-depth classes that include complete exam guidance and other practical knowledge you need to ace your firefighter exam. Conquer the first obstacle in your way and become a successful firefighter like you’ve always wanted.

Get in touch with us for more information on our classes.

 

 

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