point form questions Flashcards
what physical demands do fire fighters face 24*
-working at heights and in confined spaces
-working on the pitch of a roof
-working off ladders
-raising ladders
-carrying heavy tools and objects
-moving heavy equipment
-walking long distances with equipment
-practicing lifts/ using lifts on people or fire
fighter sometime awkward lifts like the
Denver drill
-moving charged or uncharged hose lines
-pulling down ceilings with pike poles
-shoveling snow around the station or emergency scenes
-using power tool for extrication or extended time
-being able to lift tools above your head
-dehydration
-extreme temperature stress bot hot and cold
-long shifts
-being able to communicate effectively with exhausted
-remaining focused and alert while driving
-working on icy or uneven terrain
-carrying and working in scba and bunker gear
-preforming cpr for extended periods of time
-carrying patient down stairs or up ditches and inclines
-completing tasks in zero vis ability
-completing tasks while wearing gloves decreasing dexterity
why pursue a career with Ottawa 33*
Ottawa puts an emphasis on prevention and education with programs like
- open doors Ottawa
-fire smart
-fire extinguisher training
-school tours
-ofs attendance at community events
-wake up Ottawa 13,800 homes
station tours
fire safety presentations
-fire truck visits
-after fire program 500 homes
Ottawa is an elite fire service proven by
-CFAI accreditation
-rural tanker shuttle
-nfpa certified programs
-its own training division
-continues to buy and research new technology like, bail out kits, multi gas detectors, and clear comms
-one of only 3 level 3 hazmat teams in Ontario
-certifies many of its technical rescue with nfpa standards like water rescue, rope rescue, and hazmat
-employees its own trained fire investigators
-recruitment out reach to help hire a divers work force with programs like camp fit, and ventures program
-its the nations capital and other department look to Ottawa to set and example like the development of the fire dynamics program
-Ottawa fire service put a large emphasis on safety by
-sending a safety officer to every working fire
-automatically adding a rit pump to every working fire
-sending rehab pumps to working fires
-provides its employees with and excellent eap
-continues to support its fire fighters with a peer support program
-continues to learn and develop with PIAs like the critical incident at forward avenue -innovating new ideas like adding the a bailout kit into the msa packs
acts on new research involving health and safety
like procuring a second set of bunker gear and updating decontamination process
-they use social media as a great way to spread public safety information, like pairing media releases with fire education information
the Ottawa fire service continues to hold and encourage its employees to demonstrate the core values
responds to a large geographical are of 279km2 by way of its 45 stations
-contributes to charities such as
toy parade, Cheo, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and continue to give back to the community
Ottawa fire service has such core values as , communication, team work, integrity, discipline, honesty, honor, compassion, and innovation
-they encourage a health family life by encouraging spouses and kids to come and see the realities of the job on a dedicated day
-i had 7 years experience with the Ottawa fire Service and loved it
-I have been a career fire fighter but have also talked wit Ottawa fire fighter s about the realities of the job
-i have lived almost my entire life in Ottawa and am familiar with the area
-Ottawa ins my home , my family and my partners family live here and i want to raise my family here
how do you deal with stress 15*
-I stay active and go to the gym 5 times a week
-i employ good sleep habits
-i meditate to relieve stress
-i am effective problem solver and can use my self awareness to identify stressor and find solutions
-i prevent extra stress by using my time management skills
-my personality is a split between introvert/extrovert so sometimes i need to read a book to recharge, or sometimes i need to be with friends and family
-i decrease stress by spending time outdoors, hiking, rock climbing, running, or just going for a walk
-i volunteer in the community to fell good and charitable
-making lists of project around the house or tasks reduces stress as i cross them off
-i wouldn’t hesitate to use the eap program if i thought it would keep me productive
-I’ve surrounded my self with great supports at the fire hall we rely on each other for support
-spending time with my family and friends is one of my main supports
-i also lean on my wife for support
-i rely on my training in acute moment of stress
-thought the distress center of Ottawa i learned coping mechanisms that we teach to our callers
-also received mental heath training to help recognize the signs of decline mental health
how did you physically prepare 11*
-trained with the Ottawa fire service for 7 years as firefighter and acting lt
-got experience and training out side off Ottawa with the Hamilton fire department
-i am currently preforming the physical tasks
-train with a weighted vest on a stair climber or incline treadmill to simulate high rise fire fighting
-i like to use the weighted vest for other calisthenic exercises
-practice over hand presses to simulate lifting equipment over my head
-use rehab time on shift to do group work outs with my crew prioritizing functional fitness
-use the weighted sled to mimic dragging hose or pushing objects
-keep a focus on stretching to reduce injuries
-keep a balance of strength and cardio vascular training
-career recruit class helped me prepare for the realties of the job
how did you mentally prepare 11*
- before i became a career fire fighter i asked Ottawa fire fighters about their experiences and about the 24hr shifts
-continue to lean on friends and family for support
-draw from my past experience to stay motivated
-manage stress while in the hiring process
-communicate with my partner about the the interview and the position of fire fighter
-use meditation to manage my stress
-staying active help me mentally prepare and physically prepare for the position
-going though mental reptations of questions
-prepare for the positions by taking NFPA courses like 1001, 1002, 1021, 1041, 1072
-rely on my experience as an Ottawa volunteer
-rely on my experience as a career fire fighter with the city of Hamilton
how did you prepare for the interview 15*
-found material to learn how to interview
-i studied and set a schedule to keep studying
-did mock interviews with friends , family, and coaches
-consulted a professional interview coach
-researched the hiring process
-video and audio recorded my self answering question’s
-bought a suit and shoes
-had a clam relaxing day before the interview
-shaved, showered, and made sure i was presentable
-got a good night sleep before the interview
-brought an updated resume
-got information of the website
-continued to build a strong resume
-talked with people who got hired about the process
-draw on my past experience in interviews
how will you deal with shift work 13*
-I currently work the same 24hr shift schedule
-i have past experience doing 14-18 hour shifts
-i was a volunteer fire fighter with Ottawa fire service and on call 24/7
-talked with current fire fighters about the 24hr shift experience
-set aside time to decompress and relax after shift especially the Friday Sunday shifts
-eat healthy and continue to eat healthy
-avoid caffeine 8 hours before sleep
-communicate with family and friends i will be working holidays and we can celebrate the week end before or after
-use comping strategies to handle stress , that helps bring a positive attitude in work
-maintain abilities while off shift
-have my stuff ready if i need to fill out
-have my own sleep bedding so i don’t have to use the station bedding
-have spare clothing to use that the station to be ready for different weather conditions
what issue will you deal with when working with the public 18*
-finding ways to get the community engaged, and reach community events
-working with members of the public who have different core values, for example treating criminals with respect
-co-operating with different cultures
-being empathetic with frequent callers who need assistance often
-finding ways to spread public education information
for example attaching fire education information onto media releases
-identifying high risk areas or buildings in the community
-keeping appearance clean and professional at all times and being image conscious
-dealing with chaotic drivers on the road
-being honest with patients on medical calls
-responding to false alarms or prank calls in the community
-responding to neighbors complaining about other neighbors and deescalating
-driving appropriately every one notices when a fire truck does something wrong
-conflict resolution in the community and helping deescalate the problem
-maintaining integrity with the public even when off shift
-gaining the trust and respect of the community we serve
-active listening to members of the public
-being accessible to everyone mentally and physically
-helping communicate to people with mental health injuries
why do you want to be a fire fighter 21*
-i get to be involved in the community
-i love being able to help people
-i have carefully considered to pros and cons
-i have talked with my family and friends about a career in the fire service
-the job comes with a variety of tasks, calls or duties
-i love training/learning there are different specialties to continue learning and advancing knowledge in
-i get to work with my hands and tools and get dirty when i work
-i like the physical challenge of structure fires, and wild land fires
-it gives me a reason and purpose to stay physically active in my spare time and to continue going to the gym
-i like being able to switch into an emergency response mind set at a moments notice
-there is honor in being a fire fighter
-i thrive under pressure in high stress environments
-i get to work in a close knit team
-i get to work with like minded people
-fosters my core values like responsibility, dedication, integrity,
-i enjoy the satisfaction of completing a call successfully
-its cheesy but it was my child hood dream
-i have 7 years experience with the rural Ottawa fire service and loved it
-3 and a half years of career experience with the Hamilton fire department for a total of over a decade of experience
-it gives me a sense of belonging in the fire service community
-my father and grandfather were both fire fighters
what are the duties of a fire fighter 45*
- must arrive on time for shift
-dispatch takes call and communicates information to crews responding
-fire fighters take that information and absorb it
-drive apparatus safely priority 1 and priority 2 to calls
-lead or be a member of a crew
-command has to do a size up and develop an incident action plan
-fire fighters need to do the tasks to make the plan work sometimes unsupervised - rescue patients, remove the patients from the danger or remove the danger
-need to protect exposures
-raise ladders for egress
-look out fire other fire fighters with RIT
-recognize the signs of arson and preserve the evidence
-secure a water source for fire ground operations
-overhaul-salvage
-provide first aid within our scope of practice
tirage patients with they out number the resources available
-stabilize and treat injuries
-obtain vitals of patients and continue to monitor vitals
-operate within your level of training for any specialty
-preform HARR and confined space rescues
-rescue patients in the water either by shore based water rescue or water rescue specialized training and equipment
–recognize and react to the presence of a hazardous material
-mitigate the spread of wild land fires
-elevator rescues
-trench rescue
-structural collapse rescue
-vehicle extrication
-urban search and rescue
-respond to no emergencies like burn complaints
-communicate effectively via, radio, verbally, body language, emails, and written records
-record and report incidents and call information
-participate in fire prevention initiative’s like inspections or home safety assessments
-participate in community events and engagement
-study, spread and teach public education material
-positively influence the community
-earn and keep the trust of the community
-pre incident plans/surveys
-post incident action reviews or reports
-complete in station tasks
-preform cleaning maintenance or equipment or vehicles that is required
-guide and mentor new recruits
-read and understand sops and go’s, watch and learn any revisions that come out
-stay up to date on certifications
-report and hazards found in or around the station
-report any defects found in protective equipment
-use or wear the equipment or protective devices the works employer requires
confined space, heights, power tools, small engines
heights 12*
confined spaces 9*
power tools 13*
small engines 8*
heights
- sky diving
-bungee jumping
-hiked Kilimanjaro many steep cliffs
-CN tower with glass floor
-work off towable zoom boom reaches 50 up and 30 feet out
-used 50’40’32’24’12’ ladder to work off of and for rescues on fire scenes
-work on 3 stories pitch rooves
-work on flat rooves
-worked off scaffolding and rolling scaffolding
-practices pass by on the Bangor ladder
-stationed at a ladder company and regularly go up the stick
-HARR trained and comfortable working out of a harness
confined space
-went in the Vietnam war tunnels
-sit in planes for over 14 hours
-deep cave exploring through narrow passaged
-work in tight foundation holes
-where full face piece scba and scuba
-done the confined space maze both in Ottawa and in Hamilton
-work in the port of Hamilton and confined spaces in container ships
-complete acrophobia testing as part of fire recruitment screening
-complete confined space training in recruit class
power tools
-industrial kitchen equipment, deep fryers, freezers, meat slicers k class extinguishers
-concrete tools ramset, power trawlers, gas nailers, reciprocating saw, generators
-carpentry tools, skill saw, table and mightier saw, sledge
-chain saws for framing and for falling trees, and ventilation at fire scene
-battery power tools including chain saws, rotary saws,
-oxy acetylene wielding and cutting torches
-heavy equipment like skid steers and excavators
-hydraulic and battery powered, ram cutter and spreader in training and at emergencies for vehicle extrication, and heavy machine rescues
-air bags for lifting and stabilizing vehicles and industrial rescues
-industrial vehicle hoists
-whey Jax and floating pump in wild land fires
-making sure to ventilate when using gas powered tools in confined spaces
-air cascade system to fill high pressure cylinders
small engines
-took a small engine repair class at Algonquin
-fix my own vehicles and motorcycle including the one i own while in Vietnam often having to fix or trouble shoot on the side of the road
-fix and trouble shoot electrical power tools
-can identify problems with engines in the field and find solutions
-fix and repair small engines while working at p.o. Sadler and sons
-mechanically incline and grew up in a mechanics shop
-vent engines in confined spaces
-generators, ladder lifts, chainsaws, motorcycles, snowmobiles, power trawlers, quick cuts
diagnose electrical problems on houses
how does social media factor into the fire service
why is ottawa an elite fire service
what qualities should a fire fighter have 15*
Communication
- fire fighters need to effectivly communicate to complete tasks in a coordinated manor
-I have been the initial incident command and communicated size ups
Team work
-fie fighters need to work together to complete tasks
- i often have to fill out to a crew i may be meeting for the first time, seamlessly fit into crew
Adaptability
-fire fighters to to be able to change strategies and tactics as conditions change
-when i do renovation on older home it common to find surprises and have to adapt
Problem solving
-fire fighters are often faced with complex problems that need to be solving under pressure and time constraints
-during construction projects i find economical solutions to problems i find
Leadership
-fire fighters work in a command structure where officers are the leaders
-I was an acting officer in a leader ship role at station 83 with the Ottawa fire service
Planning and organizing
-fire fighters need to plan and organize for special locations that require a special response with additional hazards
-i would plan and organized catering functions of 50-200 people
Integrity
-fire fighters are called into peoples homes often unsupervised and are trusted to do what is right for them and their loved ones
-I would do renovation in peoples homes for sometimes month unsupervised while they were on vacation
Discipline
-fire fighters need to be disciplined to work within the command structure and fallow orders
-I often complete construction jobs on my own and would have to hold my self accountable
Responsibility
-fire fighters are tasked with the safety of co-workers and citizens
-i was and acting officer and was responsible for my crews safety in high pressure situations
Compassion
-fire fighters are helping people on their worst days
-at the distress center i was able to communicate compassion and empathy to people experiencing mental health crisis
Image conscious
-fire fighters are always representing their department or the fire service as a whole
-I worked at an internationally televised event with 90 million viewers
Critical thinking
-Fire fighters need to evaluate their best practices as techniques and technology changes to stay effective
-At the distress center i would have to think critically in order to make plans with the caller to keep them safe for 24hrs
Innovation
-fire service in an always changing as technology and techniques change to provide the best service
-in construction i often innovate new creative ways to complete jobs like making a custom wood working jg for a specific purpose
Strong work ethic
-fire fighting is a very labor intensive job and requires hard work to produce positive results
- i was employed full time all the way through high school and was able to keep my grads up at the same time
Performance under stress
-tasks in fire fighting need to be complete in a high stress environment
-when i was an officer my crew expected and relied on me to keep them safe in a high stress environment
what can you tell me about the ottawa fire service
types of call Ottawa does
what your are best at and what will be a challenge 34*
-alarm activation
-smoke conditions
-structure fires with exposures
-structure fire without exposures
- high risk occupancy structure fires
-high rise structure fires
- vehicle fires
-encampments or rubbish fires
-detector activated
-sprinkler activated
-hazardous material calls
-rope rescue
-confined space rescue
-open water rescue
-swift water rescue
-ice rescue
-vehicle extrication + mvc
-industrial machine extrication
-search and rescue urban and rural
-wild land fires
-structural collapse
-trench rescue
-elevator rescue
-shorth of breath calls
-vsa
-mental health calls
-trauma calls
non emergencies
-investigate calls
-inspection
-code green/priority 2 calls
-fire truck visits
-school tours
-lift assists
-floor conditions
what agencies does Ottawa fire service work with 20*
-police
-paramedics
-hydro
-gas companies
-air transportation authorities
-city staff
-Ottawa facility staff
-equipment manufactures like hamlatro
-red cross
-NFPA
-drive test
-OFEM
-3M and other medical suppliers
-mutual aid fire department
-dispatch fire, Ems, and police
-industrial scientific
-building RPs
-mechanical division
-airport fire department
-hospitals
what are some negative of a job in the fire service 15*
Fire fighters do long shift work
-i know the ottawa fire service does 24hr shifts
-I have been on the 24hr shift schedule for the past 3 and a half years and have adjusted
Fire fighting in a 24/7 service meaning we work holidays
-Ottawa fire service works holidays and weekends
-I have talked with my friends and family about the fact i will not be able to be at holidays and we can celebrate the weekend before or after
Fire fighters work in a high stress environment
-OFS trains regularly to be prepared for high stress emergencies
-I have a decade of experience to rely on in high stress situations
Fire fighter face an increased risk of cancer
-Ottawa updates its best practices like buying a second set of bunker gear
-i prioritize keeping my bunker gear clean including my helmet liners
the fire service responds to false alarms and prank calls
-every fire service responds to false alarms
-i treat every call like it could be real and deescalate and new information is gathered
Dealing with chaotic drivers while responding to calls
-Ottawa prioritize safe driving and defensive driving techniques
-I prioritize getting to the scene safely and returning back to the station safely
It is an inherently dangerous job
Ottawa fire service prioritizes safety by minimizing risk like sending a safety officer to every working fire
-I make sure to never freelance and operate in the command structure
Must be ready to respond at all time
-OFS is and all hazards fire service and is ready to respond 24/7
-I make sure i am professional and ready to respond at any time
with a large variety of emergencies its not like any other job
-OFS is and all hazard fire service and responds to everything
-I train like its real often changing it up to be prepared for anything
all eyes are on you in station, on scene and even off duty
-Ottawa Has a PIO to handle interactions with the media
-I always remain cognizant of my public image
Becasue of the long shift i may be tired after shift
-explain to my family the i may need time after shift to rest and decompess
Fire fighters need to stay physically fit
-I go to the gym 5 days a week and use rehab time on shift to do group work puts with the crews
Fire fighting creates wear and tear on bodies physically and mentally
-I work on stretching and mobilization exercises, as well as have developed coping strategies to heal mentally
Over time, fire fighting can have negative effect of sleeping
-i prioritize health sleep, no caffeine 8 hours before bed, no blue lights be fore bed, no screen time before bed
