Las Vegas Area fire departments launch 2014 recruitment drive

Five local governments have launched an interagency regional recruitment drive for citizens interested in becoming firefighters with their area fire departments.

The partners in this first-of-its kind regional recruitment drive include the Las Vegas Fire and Rescue Department, Clark County’s Fire Department, and the North Las Vegas, Henderson and Boulder City fire departments. Job seekers interested in a fire service career with one of the participating agencies can visit www.snvfirerecruitment.com to learn more about the recruitment effort and apply for jobs.

Applications will be accepted online only through thewww.snvfirerecruitment.com website beginning Monday, Oct. 27, through Wednesday, Nov. 26. The city of Las Vegas is hosting the website and will forward applications to partnering agencies. Candidates who successfully complete the application and testing process will be forwarded to fire departments for consideration as openings occur within their departments for the next year.

In addition, a series of outreach sessions will be held to help interested applicants learn about the different fire departments and address important dates for the recruitment effort, the application process, employment requirements, the testing process, test-taking tips and available positions.

The joint recruitment saves local governments the cost of doing independent recruitment efforts and is more efficient for candidates because they can apply with more than one agency from the same application.

Outreach sessions will include three regional sessions with staff from the participating fire department agencies and human resources departments. Additional local/neighborhood sessions also will be held by Clark County and the city of Las Vegas. The same information will generally be offered at each session. Candidates are encouraged to attend at least one session; however, should keep in mind that seats will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis. The schedule for outreach events is as follows:

Regional Outreach Events

•Monday, Aug. 25, 1-3 p.m., Clark County Government Center Commission Chambers at 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy. in downtown Las Vegas. The session will be recorded for playback and viewing on the www.snvfirerecruitment.com website. The session also can be viewed live as it occurs on the agenda page of Clark County’s website at www.ClarkCountyNV.gov.

•Wednesday, Sept. 17, 1-3 p.m., College of Southern Nevada Cheyenne campus auditorium at 3200 East Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas.

•Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6-8 p.m., North Las Vegas City Hall, 2250 N. Las Vegas Blvd.

Local/Neighborhood Outreach Sessions

•Thursday, Aug. 28, 1-3 p.m, Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers, 495 S. Main St.

•Friday, Sept. 5, 2-4 p.m., Desert Breeze Recreation Center, 8275 W Spring Road.

•Thursday, Sept. 18, 9-11 a.m., Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers, 495 S. Main St.

•Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2-4 p.m., Hollywood Recreation Center, 1650 S. Hollywood Blvd.

•Wednesday, Oct. 8, 6-8 p.m., Las Vegas City Hall Council Chambers, 495 S. Main St.

•Friday, Oct. 17, 2:30-4:30 p.m., West Flamingo Senior Center, 6255 W. Flamingo Road.

•Wednesday, Oct 29, 2-4 p.m., Sunset Park Office Conference Room, 2601 E Sunset Rd.

•Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2-4 p.m., Mountain Crest Park Center, 4701 N. Durango.

•Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2-4 p.m., Robert Bob Price Community Center, 2050 Bonnie Lane.

The City of Charleston, WV is giving a test for firefighter/paramedics.

The City of Charleston, WV is giving a test for firefighter/paramedics. 

Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)

Candidate Physical Ability Test(CPAT) 

Successful completion of the Candidate Physical Ability Test(CPAT) is MANDATORY to advance in almost every fire department's hiring process after application submission and written test. Do not pass go do not collect $200. CPAT certificates are valid for (1) year after issue date. We accept external agency's CPAT certificates pending validation. 

Here are a few good CPAT books:

• Mastering the CPAT: A Comprehensive Guide
• Secret to CPAT, How to Pass / Home Guide
• The Fire Athlete Fitness Program - The Revolutionary Firefighter Workout Program Designed to Transform You into a ''Fire Athlete''
• Get Firefighter Fit: The Complete Workout from the Former Director of the New York City Fire Department Physical Training Program

List of the CPAT Stations:

• Stair Climb (climbing stairs while carrying an additional 25 lb. simulated hose pack)
• Ladder Raise and Extension (placing a ground ladder at the fire scene and extending the ladder to the roof or a window)
• Hose Drag (stretching uncharged hoselines, advancing lines)
• Equipment Carry (removing and carrying equipment from fire apparatus to fireground)
• Forcible Entry (penetrating a locked door, breaching a wall) and
• Search (crawling through dark unpredictable areas to search for victims)
• Rescue Drag (removing victim or partner from a fire building)
• Ceiling Pull (locating fire and checking for fire extension)

What happens when a reporter takes the Candidate Physical Ability Test?  With very little training she made a strong go of the CPAT, but the endurance required quickly took its' toll!

Click here for CPAT License Information.