Psychologist on FireTEAM Test Prep
Firefighter psychologist Dr. Mark Lytle, speaking on the “Firefighter Success Network” podcast, emphasizes that candidates who recreate the testing environment at home consistently outperform those who only review practice questions. He advises using timed sections, eliminating distractions, and using realistic video scenarios to prepare for cognitive exams like the FireTEAM test.
- The FireTEAM test consists of four sections: Human Relations, Mathematics, Mechanical Reasoning, and Reading Ability. The entire test takes approximately two hours and is video-based, requiring candidates to answer questions on a computer without the use of a pen, paper, or calculator. - For the Seattle Fire Department (SFD), your final score is heavily weighted on the exam components. The Human Relations section of the FireTEAM test accounts for 50%, the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA1) counts for 25%, and the Oral Board exam makes up the final 25%. - The SFD's next application period is scheduled to open in the fall of 2025. This process will establish a hiring register by March 2026 to fill two recruit classes, one starting in August 2026 and another in February 2027. - While many departments require only a passing score, often around 70-80%, to be considered, the SFD invites only the top 1,500 scoring candidates from the FireTEAM and PSSA1 to the Oral Board exam. - The Human Relations portion, the most heavily weighted part of the SFD's process, is a video-based test assessing teamwork and interpersonal skills. It presents 28 scenarios with a total of 76 questions that must be answered in 57 minutes. - The physical exam required by the SFD is the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT), a pass/fail test consisting of eight events that must be completed in under 10 minutes and 20 seconds. The department requires all candidates to complete a CPAT through their process, even if they have a current valid certification from another agency. - While EMT certification is required before the start of the recruit school, it is not a prerequisite for applying or testing. The SFD even offers an EMT course for a limited number of selected candidates who have not yet met the requirement.
