17 Fire Watch Interview Questions and Answers

Fire watches are an important part of fire safety. They are responsible for monitoring buildings and other structures for fire hazards and ensuring that all fire safety equipment is in working order. Fire watches also play a vital role in evacuating buildings in the event of a fire.

If you’re interested in becoming a fire watch, you’ll need to go through an interview process. During the interview, you’ll be asked a variety of fire watch interview questions about your experience, skills, and qualifications. You’ll also be asked questions about your ability to handle the physical demands of the job and your knowledge of fire safety procedures.

To help you prepare for your fire watch interview, we’ve compiled a list of the most common fire watch interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working alone for long periods of time?

Fire watch is a solitary job, so the interviewer wants to know if you’re comfortable working alone. This question also helps them determine whether or not you would be able to handle the long hours of this position. In your answer, explain that you enjoy being independent and can work well on your own.

Example: “I am very comfortable working alone for extended periods of time. I find it quite peaceful to have some quiet time while on duty. I’m used to spending my evenings at home by myself, so I don’t mind having no one else around during my shift.”

What are some of the fire prevention methods you’ve used in the past?

This question can help the interviewer get a better idea of your fire prevention knowledge and how you apply it to your work. Use examples from previous jobs that show your ability to prevent fires, such as installing smoke detectors or extinguishing small fires before they become larger ones.

Example: “In my last position, I was responsible for inspecting all areas of the building at least once per week to ensure there were no potential hazards. If I found any issues, I reported them to my supervisor so we could take care of them immediately. In addition to this, I also inspected all electrical equipment monthly to make sure everything was in working order.”

How would you react if you saw smoke coming from an area you were supposed to be watching?

This question is a good way to test your reaction time and problem-solving skills. It also allows the interviewer to see how you would react in an emergency situation. In your answer, be sure to highlight your ability to remain calm under pressure and perform well when faced with unexpected situations.

Example: “If I saw smoke coming from an area that I was supposed to be watching, I would immediately call for help and then proceed to evacuate everyone within my designated area. If there were no people left in my area, I would attempt to put out the fire myself using whatever resources I had on hand.”

What is your understanding of the fire triangle and how it relates to fire prevention?

The fire triangle is a concept that explains the three elements needed to start a fire. The interviewer may ask this question to assess your knowledge of basic fire safety concepts and how they relate to preventing fires in their facility. In your answer, try to clearly define what each element of the fire triangle is and explain how you would use them to prevent fires from starting.

Example: “The fire triangle consists of fuel, oxygen and heat. If any one of these elements is missing, then there can be no fire. I understand that it’s important for me to keep all three of these elements under control while on duty so that I can reduce the risk of a fire breaking out during my shift.”

Provide an example of a time you successfully resolved a conflict with a coworker.

When working in a team environment, it’s important to be able to resolve conflicts with your coworkers. Employers ask this question to make sure you have conflict resolution skills and can work well with others. In your answer, explain the situation, what you did and how it helped resolve the conflict.

Example: “In my last position as a fire watch, I had a coworker who was always late for our shift. This made me worried that he wasn’t paying attention to his job or following safety procedures. One day, I asked him about it, and he told me that he had been having trouble getting up in the morning. We worked out a plan where I would wake him up every morning at 5:30 AM so he could get ready before our shift started.”

If you saw someone violating a safety rule, what would you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine how you would handle a situation that could compromise safety. In your answer, explain what steps you would take to address the violation and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

Example: “If I saw someone violating a safety rule, I would first approach them calmly and ask if they knew about the rule. If they didn’t know, I would educate them on the rule and make sure they understood it. If they still violated the rule after this conversation, I would report the incident to my supervisor so they could handle it appropriately.”

What would you do if you saw someone smoking in a restricted area?

This question can help the interviewer assess your ability to make decisions and act quickly in potentially dangerous situations. Your answer should show that you are willing to take action when necessary, even if it means confronting a fellow employee or coworker.

Example: “If I saw someone smoking in a restricted area, I would politely ask them to stop immediately. If they refused, I would call my supervisor for further instructions. In most cases, this is an easy situation to resolve because people usually comply with requests rather than risk getting into trouble.”

How well can you see in the dark?

Fire watch duties often involve working in the dark. Employers ask this question to make sure you can see well enough to perform your job safely and effectively. Before your interview, try practicing fire watch tasks in a dark room or at night. This will help you show the employer that you are prepared for nighttime work.

Example: “I have excellent vision, so I don’t need glasses or contacts. In fact, my eyesight is 20/20. However, I do understand that some people may not be able to see as well as me. For this reason, I always carry a flashlight with me when I am on duty. This allows me to check things out more thoroughly if someone needs assistance seeing.”

Do you have any experience with fire extinguishers?

Fire watch personnel need to be able to use fire extinguishers effectively. Employers ask this question to make sure you have experience with them and can use them in an emergency situation. If you don’t have any experience, consider taking a class on how to use one before your interview.

Example: “I’ve used fire extinguishers before at my previous job. I was working as a server when the kitchen caught on fire. The chef had already evacuated, so it was just me and another coworker left in the restaurant. We both grabbed fire extinguishers from behind the bar and put out the flames. It was scary, but we were able to get everyone out safely.”

When is it appropriate to call the fire department?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of fire safety and the proper procedures for reporting a fire. You can also use this as an opportunity to highlight any experience you have with calling emergency services.

Example: “It’s important to call the fire department when you see smoke or flames, if there are injuries or if you notice something that could cause a fire. If I saw smoke or flames, I would immediately call 9-1-1 and then my supervisor. In my last position, I was on duty when I noticed smoke coming from one of the buildings. I called 9-1-1 right away and alerted my supervisor. The fire department arrived within minutes and were able to put out the fire before it caused too much damage.”

We want to improve our response time. What strategies would you use to increase your speed when responding to a fire?

This question is an opportunity to show your knowledge of firefighting and how you can improve the department’s response time. You can use examples from previous experience or explain what you would do if you were in charge of improving the response time.

Example: “I would make sure that all firefighters are aware of their location at all times, so we don’t have any delays when responding to a call. I would also ensure that everyone knows exactly where they should be during each stage of the emergency. For example, I would assign specific tasks to each firefighter as soon as we arrive on scene.”

Describe your experience with first aid.

Employers may ask this question to learn about your experience with first aid and how you apply it in a fire watch role. First aid skills are important for fire watch professionals because they can help you respond to emergencies that occur on the job. When answering this question, think of an example of when you used first aid skills to help someone or solve a problem.

Example: “I have been certified in CPR and first aid since I was 16 years old. My parents enrolled me in a class at my local community center where I learned these skills. Throughout high school, I volunteered as a lifeguard at a local pool, which required me to be able to perform CPR and other first aid techniques. In college, I worked part-time as a security guard at a nightclub. One night, I noticed one of the bouncers had passed out. I quickly assessed the situation and realized he needed medical attention. I called 911 and stayed with him until paramedics arrived.”

What makes you a good fit for this position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications and how you can contribute to their team. Before your interview, make a list of reasons why you are the best candidate for this role. Consider highlighting any relevant experience or skills that match what they’re looking for in an employee.

Example: “I am passionate about keeping people safe, which is why I became a firefighter in the first place. I have been working toward my certification as a fire watch for several years now, so I know all the necessary safety protocols. I also understand the importance of following procedures when it comes to security measures. In fact, I was responsible for developing our department’s emergency evacuation plan.”

Which fire watch duties do you enjoy the most?

This question helps the interviewer determine if your interests and skills align with those of the position. It also allows you to show enthusiasm for the job by describing which tasks you enjoy most. When answering this question, consider what the job description says about fire watch duties. If there are specific tasks that seem more interesting than others, highlight them in your answer.

Example: “I really enjoy patrolling the building at night because I get a chance to see how different departments work together. For example, I once saw an IT employee helping a janitor fix a printer. This made me realize how important it is to have all these people working together so we can provide services to our clients. I also like being able to help people who may be lost or confused when they’re trying to find their way around the building.”

What do you think are the most important qualities for a firefighter?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the qualities they look for in a firefighter. It also helps them understand what your priorities are as a firefighter and how you would fit into their department. When answering this question, it can be helpful to mention specific qualities that match those of the department you’re interviewing with.

Example: “I think one of the most important qualities is physical fitness. Firefighting requires a lot of stamina and strength, so I make sure to stay active and work out regularly. Another quality I think is essential is teamwork. Working as part of a team is crucial when responding to emergencies, so I always try to foster a positive working relationship with my coworkers.”

How often do you think a fire watch should inspect their area for potential hazards?

The interviewer may ask you this question to assess your knowledge of fire watch procedures. Your answer should include a specific time frame and the reasoning behind it.

Example: “I think that every 30 minutes is sufficient for inspecting an area, as long as there are no other factors that would require more frequent inspections. For example, if I was in charge of a high-rise building with many floors, I might increase my inspection frequency to 15 minutes or even 10 minutes depending on the situation. This is because there are so many floors to check and each one could have its own unique hazards.”

There is a fire in an area you’re supposed to be watching. What is your first reaction?

This question is a way for the interviewer to assess your reaction time and how you prioritize tasks. Your answer should show that you are able to make quick decisions in emergency situations.

Example: “My first reaction would be to call the fire department immediately, then I’d try to evacuate everyone from the building as quickly as possible. If there was no one else left in the building, I would stay until help arrived.”