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The maximum allowable time to complete this examination is five minutes and thirty seconds.

Station 1

Ambulance Exit: Candidates begin while sitting in an ambulance drivers’ seat with their seatbelts fastened and the door closed. When the signal is given to begin, the candidate releases the seatbelt, exits the ambulance, and walks to the stretcher behind the ambulance to pick up the first in bag and monitor.

Station 2

Stair Climb/Carry: The candidate will complete two rounds of walking 35 feet carrying the monitor and the first-in bag climbing the stairs to the second floor and back down.

Station 3

Mannequin Drag: Candidate will drag a 165-pound manikin on a transfer tarp for 25 feet.

Station 4

CPR: The applicant will kneel on the ground next to a CPR manikin, place hands in the appropriate position on a rate and depth feedback device, and will perform CPR for two (2) minutes at a rate of 100 compressions per minute and a depth of two (2) inches. Failure to perform a rate of 100 compressions to a depth of 2 inches for more than a total of 20 seconds will constitute a failure.

Station 5

Patient Stair Chair Carry: The applicant will pick up and carry two 35 pound kettlebells up one flight of stairs. At the midpoint, the candidate turns around and walks backwards up the remaining stairs.

End

Candidate will return to the ambulance, climb into the driver’s seat and close the door. Time stops when the door is closed.

We run a consolidated interview and skills exam so you participate in both your interviews and the EMS skills examination in one day!

When you arrive, you will be provided with the interview questions and be given time to review and make notes. You may bring your notes with you and reference them during the interviews. You will then participate in the entry level interview, the Chief's interview, and the EMS skills examination. You will progress to the next step in the process if you pass the prior step (e.g. - to progress to Interview #2 you must pass Interview #1, to progress to the EMS skills, you must pass Interview #2.).

Interviews

The purpose of the interviews is for us to get to know you and the experiences that have prepared you for a career with the City of Berkeley Fire Department. We are NOT looking for candidates to explain how many fire stations there are, how diverse the community is, or other basic information that can be found online.

EMS Skills Examination

For the EMS skills exam, you are not required to be knowledgeable of Alameda County EMS protocols. Please use your county’s EMS protocols in your decision making process. Be prepared to run two emergency scenarios and answer questions from the raters.

Candidates must complete a questionnaire and provide signed authorization to allow Berkeley to conduct a background check. The information obtained will be used to determine eligibility for employment.

The most important factor in this process is that you are honest and address any potentially problematic life experiences with a clear explanation of how you have grown and demonstrated a change in behavior.

Selected candidates must complete a comprehensive medical history questionnaire and medical examination. In order to be eligible for employment, all candidates must successfully pass the medical exam which includes a drug screen.