作为一名消防员，需要承担很多责任。这项工作所涉及的决定往往关乎生死——对他人和你自己。由于消防员要对其团队成员和公众的安全负责，因此消防部门通常会花费大量时间和精力通过消防员背景调查、体检、深度访谈等方式筛选新入职人员。
在物理测试方面，从一个消防部门到另一个消防部门有相当多的重叠。您将接受快速爬楼梯、携带防火背心和软管等重型设备以及打破墙壁和锁着的门的能力。在消防员背景搜索方面，各部门之间的一致性较低。部门需要不同的检查，有些部门对犯罪历史比其他部门更宽容。
通常，消防员背景调查将包括犯罪历史调查、就业验证检查和药物测试。一些部门只检查当地的犯罪记录，而另一些部门则从州或国家来源提取记录。通常会导致消防部门新兵被取消资格的犯罪包括纵火、任何类型的盗窃、任何类型的攻击或殴打以及暴力犯罪。DUI 也是一个危险信号，因为一些消防员将不得不驾驶消防车。
就业验证和背景调查是消防部门用来确定一个人的职业道德和经验的关键步骤。
药物测试是消防员背景筛查中最关键的部分之一。部门将取消任何有注射毒品使用史的候选人的资格。涉及销售或意图销售大多数药物（包括麻醉品、LSD 甚至大麻）的犯罪也可能导致取消资格。由于消防员需要立即上场，即使是小错误也可能导致生命或财产损失，因此消防部门不愿意对有毒品问题的新兵冒险。
诚实的重要性
并非每个消防员都有干净的记录。许多部门愿意在只有轻微犯罪的候选人身上冒险
信任对于部门内的消防员来说极其重要。当消防员一起冲进燃烧的建筑物时，他们这样做是知道他们互相支持。任何形式的不诚实行为都可能破坏这种信任，并使消防部门更难作为一个单位发挥作用。因此，在大多数消防部门中，简历或工作申请中的谎言会破坏交易。即使没有完全干净的记录，部门负责人也会始终尊重诚实和坦率的候选人。
When it comes to physical tests, there is a fair amount of overlap from one fire department to the next. You will be tested on your ability to climb stairs quickly, carry heavy equipment like fire vests and hoses, and break down walls and locked doors. There is less consistency across departments when it comes to firefighter background searches. Departments require different checks, and some are more lenient about criminal histories than others.
Typically, a firefighter background check will include a criminal history search, an employment verification check, and a drug test. Some departments only check local criminal records, while others pull records from state or national sources. Crimes that usually lead to disqualification for fire department recruits include arson, any kind of theft, any kind of assault or battery, and violent crimes. DUIs are also a red flag since some firefighters will have to drive the fire truck.
Employment verifications and reference checks are crucial steps fire departments use to determine a person’s work ethic and experience.
The drug test is one of the most critical parts of a firefighter background screening. Departments will disqualify any candidates that have a history of injectable drug use. Crimes involving the sale or intent to sell of most drugs—including narcotics, LSD, and even marijuana—can also lead to disqualification. Because firefighters need to be on their game at a moment’s notice, and even minor mistakes can lead to loss of life or property, fire departments are not willing to take risks on recruits with drug issues.
The Importance of Honesty
Not every firefighter has a squeaky-clean record. Many departments are willing to take chances on candidates with only minor criminal
Trust is extremely vital for firefighters within a department. When firefighters charge into a burning building together, they do so knowing they have each other’s backs. Any form of dishonesty can breach this trust and make it harder for a fire department to function as a unit. Lies on a resume or job application, therefore, are deal-breakers in most fire departments. A department chief will always respect a candidate for being honest and forthright even without a completely clean record.
