WANTS YOU

CANDIDATE QUALIFICATIONS

The following requirements must be met in order to qualify for the position of Fire Fighter:

• Be a U.S. citizen and be willing to comply with the City of Waterloo's residency policy concerning emergency response time. (Comply with the City of Waterloo policy)
• Be able to read, write and understand the English language.
• Be a high school graduate or possess a G.E.D.
• Be at least 18 years of age by the application deadline.
• Not be dependent on drugs or alcohol.
• Be able to obtain a valid Iowa Class D chauffeurs license.
• Become certified as an Iowa Emergency Medical Technician-Basic within one year from hire.
• Pass a background investigation.
• Be of good moral character.
• Have uncorrected vision of not-less-than 20/100 in both eyes, correctable to 20/20 and normal color vision as determined by the American Optical Company Psuedo Isochromatic Plates Test.
• Have normal hearing in both ears.

A written test is given to all applicants who meet the above guidelines. Individuals with the 60 highest scores advance to the physical agility test which consists of:

• High rise carry - Carry a 40 lb. hose roll up four stories.
• Pull a coil of rolled 2 1/2 in. hose up four stories.
• Drive a 160 lb. sled 5 feet with a 12 lb. maul.
• Drag a charged 100 ft. length of 1 1/2 inch hose 75 feet.
• Drag a 135 lb. manikin backwards 100 feet.
• Crawl through a confined space.
• Aerial ladder climb.

Applicants wear fire suppression gear consisting of; SCBA, helmet and gloves. Applicants must perform the above skills continuosly for 15 minutes and go through the circuit at least one and one-half times. Those successfully completing the physical agility test will be scheduled for an oral interview. A list of the top 20 to 30 applicants will be certified by the Civil Service Commission. Once hired the recruit completes five to six weeks of Fire Fighter I training.