AboutCaptain Mike Grove Expertise Questions relating to but not limited to:
**Firefighter Entry Exams **Education Requirements **Physical Agility Testing **Interview Process **Scenario Testing
**Todays Emergency Medical Services **Incident Response
**Apparatus Function
**Station Life
**Scene Management
**National Incident Management System.
I possess the ability and willingness to assist those who may be or have family members seeking a future in the fire service or anyone seeking general information relating to promotional opportunities, general fire safety or any other similiar topics.
I have 30 years of full time experience with the city of Overland Park, KS fire department.
Experience 30 year veteran with the City of Overland Park Kansas Fire Department.
Overland Park,a large suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, is the second most populous city in Kansas with a population of 166,000
Overland Park ranks as one of the most progressive departments, as well as cities, in the United States. In 2006 CNN/Money Magazine ranked it 6th on it's "100 Best Cities to live in the United States". A recent 2007 article by National Geographic Magazine lists Overland Park as one of the top 50 US destinations.
Our department seems to grow daily and currently staffs approximately 160 paid fire and EMS personnel covering 69 square miles of territory with five stations. Our training facility is nothing less than state of the art with live computer controlled burn props on several floors of it's five story tower. A recently added Command and Control Center has added a new dimension to our regional wide response to large incidents.
I currently carry the rank of Captain/EMT. To this day I totally love my job and department as well as those individuals I work with. My family members include three brothers in the fire service as well as three in law enforcement. My father was a fire chief with a midwest fire department before he retired after 32 years of service. I am willing and able to answer questions on any fire/EMS related subject you may have. I can help with questions related to entry level testing as well as the physical agility and the interview process. I will do my best to answer any and all questions to your satisfaction in a timely manner.
Education/Credentials Associates of Applied Science in Fire Science Firefighter I/II/III Certification / Kansas University Fire Instructor I / Kansas University Emergency Medical Techician Certification Fire Officer I Certification / Kansas University HazardousMaterials Recognition and Identification Scene Safety Officer Certification / National Fire Academy Incident Command System / National Fire Academy Incident Management System / University of Missouri, Columbia National Incident Management System Certification / National Fire Academy Command and Control of Target Hazards / National Fire Academy
Expert: Captain Mike Grove Date: 4/1/2008 Subject: interview and physical agility test
Question What kind of questions do they ask you in the interview? Whats the physical agility test like is it hard?
Answer Michael:
The interview questions consist of basic questions. Some departments today are doing video based testing as well. This consists of you watching a short video then answering question related to it. An example of this is you are driving by and see a car wreck what would you do. Of course the answer is to call 911 and then see if you can be of any assistance. Some of the interview questions that they may ask are below. In an interview they could ask you anything but most departments stick to certain questions.
**What have you done to prepare for the position?
**Tells us a bit about yourself, accomplishments etc;
**Would you be disappointed if you weren't hired?
All of the questions are just used to get a fell for how you respond. They are looking more to see if you are comfortable and confident. I have been on several interview panels and I typically am looking for unique answers. Most all applicants will answer basically the same way. If you're sitting across the table rating these answers it's really hard to distinguish one from the other. Unique answers are remembered. I can put a face to the answer and that may be what it takes to get the position.
The physical agility testing can be quite a challenge as well. The testing deals with mostly endurance related things. Where strength is important endurance is what you need. If you are reasonably fit you will be fine. Just work on that endurance. Please let me know if you need anything at all.
