At any point of failure, employment will be denied and process discontinued. Applicant Rejection - An applicant may be rejected temporarily or permanently on the basis of certain conduct or verification of certain disqualifying factors including, but not limited to:
Failure to appear or provide complete information
Providing false information
Misdemeanor or felony arrests, charges, or convictions
Outstanding warrants
Dishonorable discharge or court martial convictions
The Deadline has passed to apply for the May 28, 2008 exam. On-line applications must have been submitted by 4:30 p.m., Friday, May 2, 2008.
The examination will be given at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at the George R. Brown Convention Center located at 1001 Avenida de las Americas , Ballroom A-C. Bring your driver's license or other photo ID and a copy of your DD214 (Member-4) if applicable.
Prescreening Information for Non-Certified Firefighter Applicants
Criteria
Requirement(s)
Age
Between 19 and 36 years of age before taking the Oath of Office.
Driving Qualifications
Ability to drive
Driving Record
Good standing; 2 or less moving violations w/in last 36 months; outstanding driving issue(s) must be resolved prior to the applicant being hired.
Primary Education
Satisfactorily completed high school
Post-Secondary Education
OR
Military Service
60 hours completed with a "C" grade or better on each course/class completed from an accredited school or university or received an associates degree.
At least 2 year of full-time active military service with honorable discharge.
Residency
None
Citizenship
US citizen or permanent resident alien
Good work skills
Good employment record and history without unexplained gaps
Ability to speak and understand English
Reasonable fluency and comprehension
Polygraph
Ability to pass a professional background investigation
Identification
Personal data confirmed
Medical and Drug Screen
Ability to pass the NFPA 1582 standard medical exam & illegal drugs screen
Immunizations
All Houston Fire Department (HFD) applicants shall submit copies of the following immunization/test records to the HFD Infection Control Office.
Hepatitis B
• Non-certified applicants must show proof of 2 hepatitis B injections. (Schedule of each injection should follow CDC immunization requirements.)
• Certified applicants must show proof of a complete hepatitis B series. (Schedule of each injection should follow CDC immunization requirements.) If the applicant has received the complete hepatitis B series, but these records are not accessible, an accredited lab report confirming hepatitis B quantitative blood titer equal to or greater than 10 miu/ml will be acceptable.
• If the date of the final hepatitis B injection is greater than 2 months prior to submission of the applicant's immunization records, he/she shall also provide an accredited lab report confirming hepatitis B quantitative blood titer equal to or greater than 10 miu/ml. Persons having a titer less than 10 miu/ml will need to show proof of having received a 4 th hepatitis B injection (booster).
Tetanus/Diphtheria (Td) - Proof of having been immunized within the last 5 years.
TB skin test (TST) - Proof of TST having been performed with documented result within the last 6 months.
• Applicants having history of testing positive shall provide documentation of negative chest x-ray results within the last 6 months.
• Applicants with positive chest x-ray results within the last 6 months shall provide written documentation from his/her treating physician attesting to non-communicability.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) - Proof of 2 doses of the MMR vaccine is required.
• The first MMR is usually contained in childhood immunization records.
• Each dose must be a minimum of 28 days apart.
• An MMR titer from an accredited lab showing immunity to measles, mumps and rubella is acceptable.
Chickenpox, Herpes Zoster (Varicella-Shingles) - History of chickenpox disease or proof of up to 2 doses of the varicella vaccine is required.
• Applicants who have had chickenpox do not need varicella immunizations.
• Each dose must be a minimum of 4 weeks and should be no greater than 8 weeks apart. Applicants who have received the first dose before the age of 13 years only need one dose.
• A varicella titer from an accredited lab showing proof of immunity to chickenpox is acceptable.
Proof of having received these immunizations shall be required prior to the applicant receiving a conditional job offer. Conditional job offers are issued by HFD recruiters.
Finger Prints
Note: Finger Prints will be done by HFD-Arson investigators only.
Questionnaire Review
A questionnaire review shall be conducted with each applicant to review, amplify, and verify all information and data provided on the application and questionnaire. All documentation provided shall be reviewed for consistency, accuracy, and authenticity.
Physical Ability Test
The Houston Fire Department uses a job-related physical ability test designed to test determine if an applicant has the strength and endurance needed to perform the job duties of a Firefighter. These job duties require balance, coordination, strength, endurance, and cardio-vascular fitness. Applicants will be tested over seven (7) timed, pass/fail events while wearing gloves and an air pack because Firefighters are required to wear Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and other heavy protective clothing while functioning at emergency incidents. The events include:
Balance Beam Walk
Ladder Extension
Stair Climb
Equipment Hoist
Portable Equipment Carry
Rescue Attempt
1.5 Mile Run
Balance Beam Walk: Balance Beam Walk: Within 30 seconds, one must walk the entire length of the beam. One fall off the beam will be allowed. The applicant must return to the start of the walk and finish the entire walk with no extra time allotted. If the applicant’s feet touch the ground before they touch or cross the finish line, this constitutes a fall.
Rationale: Firefighters are required to walk near open excavations, or rafters, on roofs, and around other openings during firefighting and rescue operations. They must be able to maintain balance for their safety, safety of co-workers, and for the safety of the people they are rescuing.
Hint: Practice balance.
Ladder Extension: Ladder Extension: Within 1 minute, an applicant must fully extend and lower the fly section of a 24’ aluminum extension ladder by using the hand-over-hand method. The applicant must remain standing with both feet in the designated area. Their feet may touch the lines of the painted square, but they may not step outside the square while performing this task. At no time during the task will the applicant be allowed to let the rope slide through his/her hands.
Rationale: Emergency incidents may occur several stories above ground or in rough terrain. Firefighters must be able to raise ladders in order to perform their duties as Firefighters.
Hint: Strengthen back, arms, and abdominals.
Stair Climb: Stair Climb: Within 3 minutes 30 seconds, an applicant must pick up, shoulder hold, and carry two (2) 50’ sections of hose, tied in a "Brown Fold," then climb and descend six (6) flights of stairs. The applicant must carry the hose, not drag or roll the hose, through the entire course. No penalty is given for dropping the hose, but it must be picked up and carried from the point of the drop.
Rationale: Emergency incidents may occur several stories above ground. Firefighters must be able to gain access and transport equipment to emergencies occurring several stories above ground.
Hint: Condition shoulders, back, legs, and abdominals.
Equipment Hoist: Within 1 minute, an applicant standing on the 3rd floor of the drill tower, using the hand-over-hand method, must hoist one section of 2 ½" hose (44 lb.) from the ground up to the 3rd floor window, and then lower the hose back to the ground. The applicant must remain standing with both feet in the designated area. At no time during the task will the applicant be allowed to let the rope slide through his/her hands. Stepping outside the designated area to lengthen the pull, placing a foot on the windowsill or wall, and/or dropping the equipment is not allowed.
Rationale: Firefighters are required to hoist tools and equipment to upper floors and roofs during operations. They are also required to use ropes to rescue people by hoisting and/or lowering them.
Hint: Strengthen back, arms, and abdominals.
Portable Equipment Carry: Portable Equipment Carry: Within 1 minute, an applicant must pick up an equipment/accessory box (Hurst, or Amkus, extrication tools) (70 lb.) from a 2’ stand and carry it 50’ in one direction, turn around to carry it back 50’ and then place the box on a 3’ stand. No penalty is given for dropping the box, but it must be carried (not dragged or pulled) the entire distance.
Rationale: Firefighters are required to lift and transport heavy equipment at emergencies, which must be done in a timely manner and may require covering considerable distances.
Hint: Strengthen shoulders, arms, and abdominals.
Rescue Attempt: Within 30 seconds, an applicant must carry or drag a 150 lb. human dummy, 30 feet. The applicant must have both the dummy and him/her self completely across the finish line to successfully accomplish this task. No penalty will be assessed for dropping the dummy; however, no additional time will be allowed.
Rationale: Firefighters are required to carry/rescue incapacitated citizens or fellow firefighters from the scene of fires and/or other emergency situations. The 30 foot distance is approximately the width of two rooms in an average house.
Hint: Strengthen legs, back, arms, and abdominals.
1.5 Mile Run: Within 13 minutes 7 seconds, an applicant must run 1.5 miles.
Rationale: In 1992 Jeanneret & Associates developed and validated a pre-employment physical ability test which concluded that safe, effective performance of certain critical, physically demanding components of firefighting requires cardiovascular fitness.
Hint: Cardio-vascular training and running.
These tests are representative of tasks done on the job by a Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Paramedic. Chances for passing the physical ability test can be greatly increased with adequate preparatory physical training. Physical training should emphasize cardio-respiratory fitness, strength, and muscular endurance.
The "Hint" sections above offer recommendations from the Fire Department’s Physical Ability Testing Coordinator, degreed in physical education. These are recommendations only and do not guarantee the proper conditioning for passing the physical ability testing.
*Before beginning any exercise program, consult a physician.
Polygraph Examination
Each applicant shall satisfactorily pass without deception a polygraph examination with a maximum of three charts.
Background Investigation
A background investigation shall be completed on each applicant verifying the following reported and unreported information:
Military history
Employment history and references
Residence history and references
Information in the background investigation file folder
Acquisition of additional written or verbal data or information
Criminal background check with local, state, and national law enforcement agencies
Personal interviews with friends, neighbors, landlords, etc.
Educational confirmation and verification
Driving record and review
Follow-up with personal and character references
Conditional Job Offer
An applicant that is selected will receive a conditional job offer pending results from the medical exam and drug test.
Medical Exam/Drug Test
Once a conditional job offer is made, the applicant must pass the NFPA 1582 standard medical exam & illegal drugs screen before any appointment may be made to a position as a Firefighter Trainee.
