DUI & DWI
No department wants one of their firefighters cited with a DUI. If you have
already had a DUI, it's difficult but not impossible to get hired. Candidates
who have been cited with wet and reckless (less than a DUI) can also have
problems getting hired. Get a layer to assist you during this trying time.
Do not go it alone or cut corners. Try to get your record expunged!
Then never bring this situation up in an oral interview unless the panel
specifically asks. Many candidates feel they need to do repair work,
but it only makes things worse. The panel probably won't even ask
because this is something that is handled in the background investigation.
During the background investigation or psych analysis, the doctor could
DQ you because he may feel the pressures of the job may lead you to drinking.
Explain to the background investigator a reasonable explanation of
what happened. Although a DUI is a tough one, this formula can help you
overcome this hurdle. The simple solution is:
Did the situation happen before you started the path to being a firefighter
or since? Try to instill the situation was an isolated event. Then try
utilizing the below format to let them know your still a viable
Let the interview panel or background investigator know:
* This is who I was.
* This is what changed.
* This is who I am now.
* This is how I used it
Tell the background investigator and the psychologist who you were, your state of
mind and the time period it took place (this is who you were). Tell them you
know this was not the person you wanted to be (this is what changed). Explain what
steps you took to change such as attending a program to educate himself. Explain to
them that you discovered you didn't have a drinking problem, but a behavior issue.
Assure them you have changed and stopped drinking, continued your education to become
a Firefighter, EMT or Paramedic. That your a model citizen and these are the things
you have done and continue to do to be an upstanding person.
Courtesy of Capt. Bob @ www.eatstress.com Capt. Bob Smith, Speaker, Author, Publisher,
Information Products. 5565 Black Ave. Pleasanton 94566 Phone: (925) 846-3959
START YOUR CAREER SEARCH NOW AT FIRE CAREER ASSISTANCE |