Frequently Asked Questions
What Does Clackamas Fire District #1 Do About Hiring?
Once a year Clackamas Fire District #1 solicits applications from individuals who meet the minimum qualifications listed below.
Advertisements are placed in the Oregonian newspaper, with the Oregon Department of Employment and now at Community Colleges throughout the state. Resumes are collected and a written test, along with acrophobia and physical agility tests are conducted. Interviews, criminal background checks and psychological evaluations are conducted on the top candidates. Prior to actually beginning work, the candidates undergoes a fit for duty medical examination. The whole process takes between 3 and 6 months. Clackamas Fire District #1 hires between 5 and 10 firefighters per year.
Fire departments have established minimum requirements for an entry-level position. Fire fighters usually must be 18 years old. An Associate Degree is generally preferred and a paramedic certificate is thought to be the minimum accepted education level. Successful passing of written and physical exams are essential. These standards are published in NFPA Standard 1582. (This document is available upon request). Other areas of employment within the district are available from time to time. Many states are developing or have developed standards of training for firefighters. In Oregon the DPSST is the standard making agency and has adopted NFPA Standard. Many of the skills relating to these standards are acquired after acceptance as a firefighter, resulting in certification.
How Do I Get Started On A Fire Service Career?
The starting point for a career in the fire service is preparing yourself in school emphasizing the following areas; A sound foundation in the written and spoken use of the English language, is a basic necessity. Courses that are recommended would include chemistry, physics and mathematics. Other suggested courses would be psychology, sociology, government and politics. Since you must first become a paramedic or an emergency medical technician, health related courses are also encouraged.
Can I Get Practical Experience?
Because the number of applicants for full-time firefighter jobs often outnumbers the openings, it is best to gain as much practical experience as possible. In many communities, opportunities are available for you to obtain on-the-job experience through summer intern programs or special employment programs that are held throughout the year. Volunteer Firefighter and Explorer programs are available at Clackamas Fire District #1. Any of these activities will start you on a rewarding career.
How About Special Schooling?
Recognizing the need for acquiring special education and skills has resulted in the introduction of fire-related courses in two-year colleges. Several local institutions offer associate degree (2 years) programs relating to the fire service. There are many well established program that would also serve as a good foundation to begin a career in the fire service. Not only would this better prepare you for a position as a good firefighter, but also other jobs will be available to you in related fields such as fire prevention.
Many colleges and universities offer four-year fire-related degrees and additional instruction. Other fire service career opportunities are available in inspection services, technical evaluation, and advanced positions such as a fire safety engineer.
What Does Clackamas Fire District #1 Do About Hiring Non-Fire Fighting Personnel?
As organizational staffing needs arise at Clackamas Fire District #1, department managers review existing personnel capabilities and may re-assign and/or reclassify current workers. If a job need is significantly different from an existing position description a new one will be drafted. The personnel officer's responsibility is to survey the labor market to determine an appropriate wage range for any newly created position(s).
If the need is thought to be short term, temporary employment services are used. Clerical and other administrative support positions are the responsibility of the office manager. Typically the office manager will solicit applications from individuals who meet the minimum qualifications established for those needs. Advertisements are placed in the OREGONIAN newspaper, with the Oregon Department of Employment and at community colleges throughout the state. Resumes are collected and written tests (office skills, Wonderlic Personnel Test) are conducted. Interviews and criminal background checks are conducted on top candidates. Prior to actually beginning work, the candidate may undergo a fit for duty medical examination based on job requirements.