This guide tells you what you need to know in order to successfully join the fire service. It includes: the top ten insider tips and advice, help with completing the application form correctly, how to prepare for the written/academic tests, the fitness tests and how to prepare for the interview.

A revealing guide to a career as a firefighter written by acclaimed author Jeff Wilser and based on the real-life experiences of the heroes of the St. Louis fire department—required reading for anyone considering a path to this profession. Becoming a Firefighter takes you behind the scenes to find out what it’s really like, and what it really takes, to become a firefighter. Author Jeff Wilser imbeds with one of the oldest departments in the country, the St. Louis Fire Department, to show how this high-stakes profession becomes a reality. Discover what it’s like to fight a three-alarm blaze; attend fire academy; prepare for routine calls; and rigorously train for worst-case scenarios. Gain professional wisdom from the beloved fire chief as well as a decorated 25-year veteran field commander. Firefighting is a calling, and those who choose this path are devoted to their work—here is how this life-saving job is actually performed by the best in the field.

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"One summer, a couple buddies and I decided to hit the road. We were graduating from college and had no idea what we wanted to do with our lives. The solution to our 'what should I do with my life' dilemma was to travel around the country and interview people who had jobs they loved. We hoped their insight and advice would help us find our way" -- p.12.