Fresh Strategies for FireTEAM Test
A new prep session from Fire Connect offers a refresher on cognitive and situational judgment tests like the FireTEAM. The session emphasizes practicing under timed, simulated conditions and focusing on scenario-based questions by choosing responses that maximize crew safety and clear communication.
The FireTEAM exam, administered by the National Testing Network (NTN), is the first major hurdle in the Seattle Fire Department's hiring process. It's a video-based test lasting approximately 2.5 hours, designed to evaluate cognitive abilities and behavioral traits through four distinct sections: Human Relations, Mechanical Reasoning, Math, and Reading. The video format for the Human Relations and Mechanical sections aims to simulate real-world scenarios, testing judgment and problem-solving under pressure. Beyond the FireTEAM test, applicants must also complete the Public Safety Self-Assessment (PSSA), a two-part online questionnaire. Successful completion of both the FireTEAM and PSSA is required to be considered for the next stage. For the upcoming hiring cycle, applications will be accepted from October 7 to November 25, 2025, with the NTN testing deadline on December 9, 2025. Candidates with the highest scores on the initial exams, typically the top 1,500, are invited to the Oral Board Exam. This in-person interview is a critical step, after which successful candidates are placed on the Firefighter Register. The hiring register for the next cycle will be established around March 2026, with the first recruit class starting in August 2026. Those who rank in the top 25% of the register move on to pre-employment screening, which includes the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). SFD requires all candidates to complete their specific CPAT process, providing vouchers for top candidates to test at an NTN location. The pass/fail test consists of eight timed events, including a stair climb with a weighted vest, and must be completed in 10 minutes and 20 seconds. To prepare for the demanding career and rigorous testing process, SFD offers "Fire Prep," a seven-week program providing insight into the physical and technical skills required in the recruit school. Additionally, North Seattle College offers a Fire Science degree program, developed in collaboration with SFD, which can help prepare candidates for the pre-employment examination and screening processes. These programs offer a structured pathway to develop the foundational knowledge and physical conditioning necessary for success.
