NRD Profile Assessment

National Recruit Database Assessment Profile Overview

There are specific aspects of your personal assessment profile that can either add or detract from your ability of becoming a highly desired recruit within the fire service.

The items listed below, along with their related assessment value and explanatory notes, represent some of the key elements that will determine your success.

These are meant for use as guidelines only so that you can obtain a better idea of areas that could increase your prospects for success.

Keep in mind that actual qualifications vary among individual fire departments.

Note: All items are not assigned an assessment value. Only those listed below are assigned a point value.

Step #1

No assessment values are associated with questions in Step #1.

Step #2

Valid License = 5 Points

Generally, most departments require a valid license to apply for entry level firefighter.

Any negative driving related issues can be cause to deny you a position in the fire service.

DUI = < 15 Points

Speeding = < 10 Points

Moving Violation = < 10 Points

Accident = < 10 Points

Step #3

No assessment values are associated with “Still in High School”.

HS Grad/GED = 5 Points

Generally, minimum age and education requirements are 18 with a HS diploma or GED.

AA/AS = 10 Points

Helpful but is usually not a requirement for entry-level firefighter.

AA/AS Fire = 20 Points

Although not required by most fire departments, an AA/AS in Fire shows a dedication to the profession. It also shows you have the ability to master most of the subject matter that will be required of you.

BA/BS = 20 Points

Although not required by most fire departments, demonstrates higher learning ability but is usually not a requirement for entry-level firefighter.

Note: Although having a BA/BS shows a higher learning degree than an AA/AS in Fire for the purpose of entry-level firefighter having an AA/AS in Fire may be more valuable to a fire department.

Masters = 30 Points

Although not required by most fire departments, demonstrates the ability to learn at a very high level but is not usually a requirement for entry-level firefighter.

Note: Having a master degree truly shows a commitment to higher learning and may be very useful as a person promotes to positions within upper management.

PhD = 35 Points

Although not required by most fire departments, demonstrates the ability to master subjects at the highest level but is usually not a requirement for entry-level firefighter.

Note: Having a PhD will set you apart when testing for any upper management position.

Military Service = 10 Points

Point were awarded for military service base on the ability for a person at one time to have had the ability to pass a basic physical, and process themselves through a background process.

Note: Keeping in mind there have been no major changes since discharge.

Speak a second language = 10 Points

Depending upon where you live, speaking a second language fluently other than English is highly desirable.

Note: Some of the more common second languages desired are, Cambodian, Cantonese, Japanese, Mandarin, Spanish, Tagalog and Vietnamese and sign.

Step #4

Firefighter Paid Call = 15 Points
Shows that you have demonstrated initiative on your way to a career in the fire service.

It also shows that you have the ability to pass some the requirements for this position. This is very helpful but not required by most fire departments for entry-level positions.

Currently a full-time firefighter = Value depends on current rank or equivalent position.

	1.	Firefighter		5 Points
	2.	Firefighter EMT		10 Points
	3.	Firefighter Paramedic		30 Points	(Med. Lic. Entry Level Req. for many depts)
	4.	Fire Engineer		20 Points
	5.	Driver		20 Points
	6.	Lieutenant		25 Points
	7.	Inspector		30 Points
	8.	Captain		35 Points
	9.	Battalion Chief		40 Points
	10.	Fire Marshal		45 Points
	11.	Deputy Chief		50 Points
	12.	Chief Deputy		50 Points
	13.	Assistant Chief		50 Points
	14.	Chief		60 Points

 

Note: This is obviously one of the most desirable items to posses as a firefighter candidate within another department. It clearly shows you have meet most of the qualifications required to be in the fire service other than possibly EMT and Paramedic certifications. Pre-employment as a firefighter is not required for most entry-level positions. We have included most ranks as the National Recruit Database may also be used for those seeking positions outside their respective departments.

Firefighter I = 10 Points

This shows your ability to acquire much of the knowledge that will be required of you as a firefighter. Helpful but not required by most fire departments for entry-level positions.

Firefighter II = 15 Points

Shows your ability to master most of the subject matter that will be required of you as a firefighter.

Note: A FF I certification is required to apply for FF II courses. Helpful but not required by most fire departments for entry-level positions.

Emergency Medical Technician EMT = 30 Points

Note: Increasingly, many departments require an Emergency Medical Tech certificate to apply.

Firefighter Volunteer = 15 Points

Shows that you have demonstrated initiative on your way to a career in the fire service.

Note: It also shows that you have the ability to pass the requirements for this position. This is very helpful but not required by most fire departments for entry-level positions.

Paramedic = 40 Points

Increasingly, many departments require a Paramedic License to apply.

Physical Ability Test Certification = 15 Points

Many departments require a Candidate Physical Ability Test certification (CPAT) or other physical ability test certification as part of the application process.

Re- locate within state 5 Points

Note: Stating that you are not willing to re-locate outside of your local area shows that you are not overly motivated in your pursuit of a career in the fire service.

Re-locate out of state = 15 Points

Stating that you are willing to move out of state shows a real commitment to gaining entry into the fire service.

Terminated from employment within the last three years = Negative -15 Points

Note: Although there may be a sound reason for your termination keep in mind these types of issues will need to be explained during your background process.

Step #5

Terminated from a fire department = Negative -30 Points

Note: Although you may have a sound reason for your termination keep in mind this type of issue will be very hard to explain during your background process.

Simply put, it is never in your best interest having to explain why you were terminated for any reason. It is even harder to explain why you were terminated from a fire department.

Possess a written test certification valid within the last twelve months = 20 Points

Felony convictions = Negative -30 Points

Note: Most departments will not look favorably on anyone having a felony conviction and might not allow a felon to apply for any position depending on your given situation.

Assessment:

Your database assessment will not be shared with any fire department, agency, organization or person.

Your assessment is simply a tool for your use to better understand your current state of preparedness for a career in the fire service and to identify ways in which you can increase your prospects for success.

Remember to update your assessment profile whenever your assessment profile changes. These are only guidelines and are not the requirements for any specific fire department.

Note: Selecting “decline to state” could alter you score and result in a negative value for a given question. We value your right to select “decline to state” however we are unable to provide you with an honest assessment when you select “decline to state”.