Mastering the Fire Service Assessment Center

This book identifies the key knowledge, skills and abilities required for success in the assessment center promotional process. Assessment centers are widely used by fire departments throughout the country. Unfortunately, many candidates fail to prepare for the test by failing to prepare for the position they seek. Whether aspiring to be a Lieutenant, Captain, Battalion Chief or above, this book gives the reader the tools to establish a personal plan for success in the test and in the position.

This book is written in a humorous, matter-of-fact style that makes it easy to understand and retain. The reader is taught to truly prepare for the position and make the mental paradigm shift from test candidate to incumbent officer, which is a very unique and effective method.

The book provides the reader with the tools needed to create his/her own plan for success. A personal self-assessment helps the aspiring officer evaluate his/her current status and leadership style. This baselineprovides the foundation to get the reader asking questions about real-world scenarios that are mimicked in the testing arena.

Features & benefits:

* Gain a better understanding of what an assessment center is

* Contains test exercises, sample problems, rating criteria, scoring sheets, assessor selection and common pitfalls

*Learn the 27 knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) spanning the 3 dimensions of leadership, management and emergency scene operations

*Gain an in-depth understanding of how to develop their KSAs to succeed in the test and the position

As if saving lives in impossible situations were not enough, many firefighters who aspire to rise to the tanks of lieutenant, captain, battalion chief or above must also undergo the rigors of an assessment center, where they have interviews and take exams. Kastros, a battalion chief and 19-year veteran of the Sacramento Fire District, is also a trainer of firefighters facing assessments. He describes how to eliminate barriers to success, such as fear and nerves, and gives an orientation tour of assessment center operations and procedures. He advises readers to go to the testing site plenty of time before the test takes place, become the position, and find their special inspiration. He describes positive and negative performance, the means of becoming a better officer by thoroughly understanding the leadership, management and emergency operations necessary. He includes mock exercises and common pitfalls as well as great hints on interview techniques. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Anthony (Andoni) Kastros is a 19-year veteran of the fire service. He is a Battalion Chief with Sacramento Metro Fire District, and founder of Firefighter Inspiration Readiness and Education (FIRE). Through FIRE, he has coached hundreds of firefighters on assessment centers, interviews, and promotional techniques. He teaches leadership/team building for fire departments throughout California, and Fire Management at the community college level. He is a California State Certified instructor for Incident Command, Rapid Intervention Tactics, Driver/Operator, and Confined Space Rescue. He is a USAR Logistics Team Manager with Sacramento Task Force 7, deploying to New York on 9/11. He has spent 4 years with a Type 1 Incident Management Team, and developed Metro Fire's Rescue Company program. Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Human Resource Management, an Associate of Science degree in Fire Technology, and is a certified Fire Officer for California.

Anthony makes his home in El Dorado Hills, California with his wife, Cynthia and their daughter, Sophia.

Forward by Chief Alan V. Brunacini, Phoenix Fire Department

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Elimination of Barriers

Assessment Center Orientation

The Mentality

The KSAs to be an Excellent Officer

Assessment Center Exercises and Key Points

Mock Exercises

Additional Key Points and Common Pitfalls

Developing Your Plan

Interviews