Brian H Wilbur, Fire Chief

J Thomas Dorman, Deputy Fire Chief

Career Opportunities

HOW TO BECOME A CAREER FIRE FIGHTER IN ITHACA

(This information is provided by the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service Department. If you have questions regarding the content of this page, please contact them at (607) 274-6539)

The content of this page was last updated: March 17, 2008.

THE TEST

All career fire fighters are hired from a civil service list that is established from a written test. Applications for the test are accepted only in the years that the test is actually held. The application period is generally in March and April. The test is typically held on a Saturday in June. To find out if the City of Ithaca is offering the Fire Fighter test this year and/or the dates of the application period, contact the City Human Resources/Civil Service Department at (607) 274-6539.

If we know about an upcoming fire fighter civil service exam, we will post it HERE.

TO TAKE THE TEST

To take the Firefighter test, you must be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency diploma (GED). If you expect to obtain your high school diploma or GED within six months of the date of the Firefighter test, you can be admitted to the test pending your completion of this requirement. You must be at least 18 to take the test, and you must be at least 19 to be hired.

WHAT IS THE TEST?

The Firefighter test is a written, multiple choice test. The current examination will include questions on the following subjects:

1. Advising and interacting with others These questions test for the ability to interact with other people, to gather and present information, and to provide assistance and advice in a courteous and professional manner.

2. Using logical reasoning to draw valid conclusions These questions test for the ability to examine true statements and logically evaluate conclusions based on the information in the statements.

3. Mechanical reasoning The questions in this subtest will be accompanied by sketches or descriptions of various mechanical devices, hand tools, dials or gauges. The candidate may be required to demonstrate an understanding of how the devices work or of the underlying mechanical principles involved in the devices' operation; or be required to recognize, or know the use for, various tools or devices; and also be required to make accurate readings of dials and gauges. The various devices, tools, gauges, etc., pictured or described in this subtest are commonly used and not limited to use in the fire service.

4. Understanding and interpreting written material pertaining to fire The questions in this subtest test how well the candidate comprehends written material. The candidate is provided with brief reading selections, followed by a set of alternative statements relating to each selection. The candidate is to indicate the most appropriate statement relating to the selection on the basis of whether it: a. accurately paraphrases portions of the selection; or b. adequately summarizes the selection; or c. presents an inference that can reasonably be drawn from the selection. The reading selections are drawn from a variety of sources related to the firefighting field. Knowledge of the subject matter of the reading selection is generally not related to successfully answering the questions.

STUDY GUIDE

A Guide to the Written Test for Firefighter Series is available in the Human Resources/Civil Service Office or at the New York State Department of Civil Service web site:

http://www.cs.state.ny.us/testing/localtestguides.cfm

http://www.cs.state.ny.us/msd/map.html

If you do not have internet access, you may call or write to the City of Ithaca Human Resources/Civil Service Department - 108 East Green Street - Ithaca, NY 14850 or call (607) 274-6539 to obtain a copy.

“THE LIST”

Once the exams are graded, the City Human Resources/Civil Service Department establishes a Fire Fighter list. Candidates are placed on the list in order of exam score, from highest to lowest. The people who hold the three highest places on the list (and anybody who has the same exam score as the third person on the list) can be hired as a fire fighter. As people are hired from the list, lower-scoring candidates move up the list.

THE INTERVIEW PROCESS

The top-ranked candidates on the Fire Fighter list are interviewed by a selection committee that includes the Fire Chief, Deputy Fire Chief, staff officers, fire fighters and Fire Commissioners. After the interviews are conducted and references are checked, jobs are offered to the selected candidates, contingent upon their successful completion of the medical examination and the physical performance assessment.

THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION

All prospective fire fighters are required to pass a job-related medical examination which verifies that the candidate is medically able to perform the essential duties of a fire fighter.

THE PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT

All prospective fire fighters are required to pass a Physical Performance Assessment to demonstrate their ability to perform physical tasks that are commonly performed by fire fighters.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD

All new fire fighters are required to complete a year-long probationary period during which they receive extensive training and evaluation, both in a classroom setting, field setting and on the job.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

New fire fighters are required to become certified as New York State Emergency Medical Technicians within two years of their date of hire and must maintain their EMT certification throughout their employment.

Candidates must possess a NYS Class D drivers license at the time of appointment and must maintain said license for the duration of employment.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Salary: the current (2008) starting salary for a Fire Fighter/EMT is $33,147. The salary increases in incremental steps over five years to a current (2008) maximum of $63,254.

Benefits include:

20 year retirement plan

Health insurance, dental insurance and optical insurance

Paid time off

For more information, contact the City Human Resources/Civil Service Department at (607) 274-6539.