What is the Process and how long does it take to become a Firefighter for Beverly Hills?

This can often vary from person to person. In order to be hired by Beverly Hills you must first you must attend a fire academy which is typically 12-16 weeks and you must be at least a high school graduate, however a college degree is highly valuable. Next you must obtain your Emergency Medical Technician certification to learn basic life saving techniques. This takes a semester and is a requirement since every firefighter also works as an EMT. An option that many candidates choose to make themselves more valuable is to attend paramedic school. This is another year of medical training in everything from cardiac monitoring, medication therapy, and airway management. After you have obtained all of this you may now take a physical agility test which is a strenuous test encompassing a number of obstacles that must be passed under a certain time limit. Finally when the city has a vacancy we will administer a written examination. From the written test only top qualified scores will be taken to a first round of interviews. Of them a select few will be referred to the Fire Chief for a final interview. Upon passing the final Chief’s interview a very strenuous and in depth background investigation will take place usually lasting approximately three months and includes a polygraph examination. After this we will be referred to a psychological exam and finally a medical exam to ensure we are fit to perform the duties of firefighter. In all, the process from the test takes about nine months, however it can take several years before a candidate is hired with a city since there are often thousands of applicants for only a few jobs. Yet becoming a firefighter opens up the door to a very rewarding, satisfying job that makes every day an adventure.