matthewkurt
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Just got an email for admittance to a written test for an Ambulance Operator for the City of Pasadena Fire Department. Anyone have any idea about this test? Heard anything? Taken it?
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To the Mods and the other posters sorry for the thread hijack but I think were over it and can now get back on track with the thread.
My original intent was to see what others might be able to contibute to help the first few posters and the others that might be lurking do well on this upcoming test. The AO position is highly desired position not only for the obvious experience it offers but there is also the benefit of having interaction with the fire crews assuming your leaning towards a fire career. Many departments will pull from their intra department resources when it comes time to hire full time sworn personnel. Already being on board and familiar with the department is a big plus,by no means a sure thing but better than some noob off the street
Of course you will want to score as high as you can for the obvious reasons but also if it is banded you may not make A band with scores out of the high 90 range. My strategy to prepare for this process if I was testing would be to pay a visit to one of the stations and speak directly to one of the AO's preferably the one who was last hired because they will be the one with the experience and process fresh in their mind. Word of warning if you are not familliar with station visits please ask the last thing you want is to look like a tool right from the start. Do not just show up and expect the crews to welcome you in with open arms,they may but your better off scheduling ahead. Station visits require planning and of course thet need to be done right,showing up at noon in shorts and flip flops will gaurantee you tool status. Once again if you need help just ask PM is okay if your shy.
You should already be looking ahead to the interview regardless of how well you think you will do on the test. Start thinking now what you need to do to let that panel know you are hands down the best applicant for the job. If you wait till the test scores are in it may be to late.
Thats about it boys and girls so study hard and be ready because your competition will be. Good luck!
Good advice, but be advised PFD does not have AO's. This is their initial hiring, they are getting rid of the RA's and going to BLS ambos with medic engines. Just didn't want anyone to walk in ask to speak to an AO and look like a tool or get sent to talk to the engineer.
Thanks for the clarification. Are they just now moving to designated ALS engine companies or have they always been ALS capable but as a back up for the RA's.
There are so many departments running so many different combinations of crews. My old department had ALS engines but were only in the sytem as ALS when we had a medic on board. Our RA's were a joint AMR and Fire set up,fire provided the rig and an EMT-IV Tech as AO and AMR supplied the medic. We always seemed to have at least one ALS engine company between the four stations. Medic units were also fully capable of backing up first in engine companies for fire support if needed. There were only a few times I can remember the medic crew ending up on a hose line but it was a great resource for a smaller department.