17 Fire Technician Interview Questions and Answers

Firefighters and fire technicians are the first responders to fires and other emergencies. They work to extinguish fires, rescue people and animals, and provide medical assistance. They also work to prevent fires from happening in the first place by inspecting buildings and teaching people about fire safety.

If you want to become a firefighter or fire technician, you’ll need to go through a firefighter interview. This guide will help you answer some of the most common questions asked in a firefighter interview.

Are you comfortable working in a high-pressure environment?

Firefighting is a high-pressure job, and the interviewer wants to know if you can handle that. High-pressure situations are common in firefighting, so it’s important for an applicant to be able to perform well under pressure. Your answer should show that you’re capable of handling stressful situations.

Example: “I am comfortable working in a high-pressure environment because I have experience with it. In my last position, we had to respond to multiple emergencies at once, which meant we were always on our toes. We also had to work long shifts, which made things even more challenging. However, I was able to adapt to these conditions and learned how to manage them.”

What are some of the most important skills for a fire technician?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to fire technician duties.

Example: “The most important skill for a fire technician is communication. Firefighters need to communicate with each other while on duty so that we can ensure everyone stays safe. Another important skill is problem-solving because technicians often encounter unique situations where we need to find solutions quickly. Finally, I think critical thinking is an important skill because it allows us to make quick decisions when needed.”

How would you react if you were working on a fire and your team leader gave you an order that you disagreed with?

As a fire technician, you may be required to follow the orders of your team leader. However, if you disagree with an order, it’s important to voice your concerns and ask questions about why the order was given. Your interviewer wants to make sure that you can work well as part of a team and understand when it’s appropriate to challenge authority.

Example: “If I disagreed with my team leader, I would first try to get clarification on why they gave me the order. If I still didn’t agree with their reasoning, I would respectfully tell them that I don’t feel comfortable following the order. I would then explain why I felt this way and offer alternative solutions.”

What is your experience with using firefighting equipment?

This question can help the interviewer determine your experience with using firefighting equipment and how you might fit into their department. Use examples from your previous job to highlight your skills, knowledge and abilities when working with this type of equipment.

Example: “In my last position as a firefighter, I was responsible for operating all types of firefighting equipment, including ladders, hoses, extinguishers and other tools that we needed to complete our tasks. I also had some training in operating specialized equipment like water pumps and aerial devices. This helped me learn more about different pieces of equipment and how they work together.”

Provide an example of a time when you had to use your communication skills to resolve a conflict.

As a fire technician, you may need to communicate with other emergency responders and civilians. Employers ask this question to make sure your communication skills are strong enough for the job. Use your answer to show that you can be an effective communicator. Explain how you used your communication skills to resolve the conflict.

Example: “When I was working as a firefighter, I responded to a call where a man had locked himself in his apartment. He refused to speak to us or open the door. We tried calling him on the phone, but he wouldn’t respond. Eventually, we decided to break down the door. When we got inside, we found the man lying on the floor. He wasn’t hurt, but he was having a panic attack.

I knew that if I wanted to calm him down, I would have to talk to him. So, I went into the room alone and talked to him calmly. I told him who I was and why I was there. Then, I asked him what was wrong. After talking to him for a few minutes, I learned that he was feeling overwhelmed by work. Once I understood the situation, I was able to help him feel better.”

If you saw a fellow firefighter doing something that you believed was unsafe, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle conflict with your coworkers. Your answer should show that you are willing to speak up and take action when necessary, even if it means disagreeing with a coworker.

Example: “If I saw a fellow firefighter doing something unsafe, I would first make sure they were aware of what they were doing wrong. If they didn’t change their behavior after my initial warning, I would report them to my supervisor so they could address the issue. As a fire technician, we all have to work together to keep each other safe while on duty.”

What would you do if you were working on a fire and you started to feel lightheaded and nauseous?

This question is designed to assess your ability to recognize and respond to symptoms of a medical emergency. It’s important for fire technicians to be able to recognize when they’re experiencing symptoms that could indicate a more serious condition, such as a heart attack or stroke. In your answer, explain how you would seek help from a supervisor or other team member if you were unable to leave the scene.

Example: “If I started to feel lightheaded or nauseous while on duty, I would immediately tell my partner what was happening and ask them to take over until I felt better. Then, I would find a supervisor and let them know about my symptoms so we could get me checked out by paramedics.”

How well can you see in the dark?

Firefighters often work in low-light conditions, so the interviewer wants to know if you have any vision problems that might affect your ability to perform this job. If you have a visual impairment, explain how you overcame it and what steps you took to ensure you can see well enough to do your job safely.

Example: “I have 20/20 vision, but I understand that working at night is part of this position. To prepare for this, I bought myself a pair of night vision goggles. I’ve practiced using them with my firefighting gear on, and I feel confident that I can use these goggles effectively when needed.”

Do you have a fear of fire?

This question is asked to determine if you are able to work in a high-pressure environment. Firefighting requires quick thinking and problem solving, so it’s important that the person being interviewed can handle pressure well. Your answer should show that you have no fear of fire and will be able to perform your job duties effectively.

Example: “I don’t have any fears when it comes to fire. I know how to stay safe while fighting fires, and I am confident in my abilities as a firefighter. I’ve been working with fire for many years now, and I’m still excited about every new opportunity.”

When responding to a fire, how important is it to follow the chain of command?

The chain of command is a standard protocol in many organizations, including fire departments. The interviewer may ask this question to learn more about your ability to follow rules and procedures. In your answer, explain that you understand the importance of following the chain of command. Explain that you would always make sure to listen to the orders of your superiors.

Example: “In my experience as a firefighter, I have learned how important it is to follow the chain of command. When responding to an emergency call, I always make sure to pay attention to the instructions of my superior officers. This ensures that everyone knows what their role is and we can respond to the situation quickly.”

We want our firefighters to be adaptable to different situations. How would you handle a situation where the only access to a burning building was through a window?

This question is designed to test your problem-solving skills and ability to adapt. It also shows the interviewer how you would use your training to complete a task that may be outside of your comfort zone. Your answer should show that you are willing to do whatever it takes to save lives, even if it means going against your instincts or preferences.

Example: “I would first make sure I had all my tools before entering through the window. Once inside, I would assess the situation and determine whether there was any way to enter the building without having to go through the window. If not, I would proceed with caution as I made my way through the room. I would try to keep myself protected from falling debris by using furniture or other objects in the room.”

Describe your process for putting on your protective gear when responding to a fire.

This question is a great way to assess your attention to detail and organizational skills. It also shows the interviewer that you understand how important it is to follow safety protocols when responding to fires. In your answer, try to describe each step of the process in as much detail as possible.

Example: “I start by putting on my helmet first. I then put on my gloves and coat before attaching my SCBA tank to my back. Once all of this is done, I make sure my flashlight and radio are attached to my belt. Finally, I attach my fire extinguisher to my other side.”

What makes a fire grow and spread?

Fire technicians need to understand the science behind fire and how it grows. This question helps employers see if you have a basic understanding of fire behavior. In your answer, explain what makes a fire grow and spread. Explain that there are three main factors that affect this: fuel, oxygen and heat.

Example: “There are three main factors that affect fire growth and spread. The first is fuel, which is anything that can burn. The second factor is oxygen, which fuels the fire’s ability to burn. Finally, heat causes the fuel to ignite and burn.”

Which would you prefer to fight, a fire in a building or a fire in a forest?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your experience with different types of fires. Your answer should show that you have experience fighting both types of fires and can adapt to any situation.

Example: “I prefer to fight fires in buildings because they are easier to contain, but I am also comfortable fighting fires in forests. In my previous position, we had a fire in a forest where it was difficult to get water to the flames. We used helicopters to drop water on the fire from above, which helped us put out the blaze. It was an intense situation, but I feel confident in my ability to handle either type of fire.”

What do you think is the most important part of following safety procedures when fighting a fire?

Interviewers may ask this question to see if you understand the importance of following safety procedures and how they can affect your ability to do your job. When answering, consider what is most important about firefighting safety and why it’s important.

Example: “I think the most important part of following safety procedures when fighting a fire is that it helps me stay safe while doing my job. If I don’t follow proper safety protocols, like wearing all of my protective gear or keeping myself hydrated, then I could get injured during the course of my work. Following these rules also ensures that I’m not putting anyone else in danger by being careless.”

How often do you perform maintenance on your equipment?

Firefighting equipment requires regular maintenance to ensure it’s in good working order. Employers ask this question to make sure you have the necessary skills and experience to maintain your own tools. In your answer, explain how often you perform maintenance on your firefighting equipment. If you don’t have any experience doing so, mention that you’re willing to learn.

Example: “I perform routine maintenance checks on my equipment at least once a month. I also do more thorough inspections every three months. This ensures all of my equipment is in top condition. I’ve been performing these checks since I started as a firefighter five years ago. My previous employer had us check our equipment regularly, which helped me get used to the process.”

There is a fire in a building with people inside. What would you do?

This question is a behavioral one, which means the interviewer wants to know how you would respond in a specific situation. This can be an opportunity for you to show your problem-solving skills and ability to make quick decisions under pressure.

Example: “If there were people inside the building, I would immediately call for backup and then enter the building with my team. We would assess the situation and decide on our next steps based on what we see. If it’s safe enough, we would try to rescue anyone who may still be inside. Otherwise, we would put out the fire as quickly as possible so that no one else gets hurt.”