Interview Prep Q&A

1. Personal Background & Joining the Service

Full name, age, years of service, and rank at retirement?
A short look into your background. Are you from Greensboro or the nearby area?
Are you related to any present or former fire department members? If so, did that play a factor in joining the service?
Where were you in life at the time of joining the fire department? What was the driving force that brought you to join?
What was the hiring process like? Before being hired, did you ever think you would be a firefighter?
What was your starting salary?

How was training? How many were in your class, and what were some of your highs and lows?
Do you remember anyone who was hired with you?
Were there any funny stories or memorable moments from your training days?
Did you feel as if you were doing the right thing? What was your overall feeling—did you feel like you were doing something special?

Once online, where were you stationed, and how did you fit in? What were your first station and apparatus assignments?
Who was your first Captain? Do you remember any of the other firefighters from that assignment?
Did you pick up any nicknames along the way? Any funny moments or good pranks that still make you laugh?
Was the union active during your time, and if so, did you take part?
What was your takeaway from firehouse living? Did your crew cook and eat together, and was that an essential part of the culture? What was your favorite dish to cook?
Today's firefighters have private cubicles versus the large dorm areas from the past. Do you see advantages or disadvantages to this?
In years past, firefighters spent downtime together conversing about families and emergency calls, or socialized together off-duty. How do you see that changing today?
When a retired firefighter visits a fire station, why is it essential for active-duty members to take time out to talk with them?

Do you remember your first call? Do you remember your first working fire?
Did the department run medical calls when you were on duty? Do you remember your first medical call?
What were some of the most significant incidents or major calls you responded to?
How did 9/11 affect you as a firefighter?
Can you think of any single emergency incident that significantly changed GFD’s training objectives?

Who did you look up to during your career (mentors)?
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your career, and how did your job at GFD change over time?
What was your proudest moment? What was your most heartbreaking moment?
Was there any call that made you question yourself or if this job was right for you?
How did you cope with the death of victims, or the loss of a department member?
Did working for the first time with a Black firefighter or a female firefighter impact you or your job? How was it working in a mostly male environment?
What do you consider the most significant overall change in the fire service over the years?
Were you active in other local, regional, or state professional organizations?
Did you serve in the armed forces (branch, duration, deployments)? How did military service prepare you for the fire service?

By what measures was a firefighter considered successful in your eyes?
What role did family and faith play in your life as a firefighter?
Who is one person (or persons) off the job that made a significant difference in your life?
Did being forced to learn new technology play a part in your decision to retire?
How has your health been, and do you think the job played a role in your health today?
Would you do it all over again knowing what you know now? What would you have done differently?
What would you like the GFD and your family to remember about you?
If you were given a chance to speak to every upcoming firefighter, what would you say to them?
Is there anyone you would like to leave a special message to?
What do you miss most about the Greensboro Fire Department?