Top 20 Interview Questions & Answers for Volunteer Firefighter Roles – 2025

Preparing for a volunteer firefighter job interview? This guide provides a list of essential questions and answers that will help you showcase your physical and mental readiness, communication skills, and experience in emergency response. From behavioral and situational questions to technical and cultural fit questions, this list covers all key areas of the job.

General Questions

• 1. Why do you want to become a volunteer firefighter?
  Answer: I have always had a passion for helping others and being a part of something bigger than myself. Becoming a volunteer firefighter allows me to serve my community and make a positive impact in people's lives.
• 2. What do you know about our fire department?
  Answer: I have done some research on your fire department and I am impressed by its commitment to community service and its state-of-the-art equipment. I am particularly drawn to your emphasis on continuous training and education for volunteers.
• 3. How do you handle working under pressure?
  Answer: I understand that being a volunteer firefighter requires remaining calm and focused in high-pressure situations. I believe my previous experiences in emergency response and my ability to think quickly on my feet make me well-equipped to handle pressure effectively.
• 4. What qualities do you think are important for a volunteer firefighter to possess?
  Answer: I believe a volunteer firefighter must possess physical and mental strength, excellent communication and teamwork skills, quick decision-making abilities, and a passion for community service.
• 5. How do you handle conflicts or disagreements with team members?
  Answer: I believe open and honest communication is crucial in resolving conflicts. If there is a disagreement, I would address it calmly and try to find a compromise that benefits the team's overall goal.

Behavioral Questions

• 6. Describe a time when you had to quickly adapt to a new and challenging situation.
  Answer: In my previous role as a lifeguard, I had to respond to a drowning incident and quickly adapt my CPR and first aid training to save the individual's life. It was a challenging and high-pressure situation, but I remained calm and focused, which ultimately led to a successful outcome.
• 7. Tell me about a time when you handled a stressful situation effectively.
  Answer: During a large-scale fire in my community last year, I was part of a team that had to quickly evacuate a burning building. My communication and leadership skills helped coordinate the evacuation process, and my training in fire safety allowed me to remain calm and effectively navigate the situation until the fire was brought under control.

Situational Questions

• 8. How would you handle a situation where you arrived at an emergency scene, and there was no emergency?
  Answer: I would first assess the situation and confirm with the dispatcher that the call was indeed a false alarm. Then, I would calmly communicate the situation to my team and ensure that all equipment is safely returned to its proper place. I would also inform my superiors of the incident and clarify any necessary protocols to prevent similar situations in the future.
• 9. If you were driving to an emergency scene and encountered heavy traffic, what would you do?
  Answer: I would calmly communicate with my team and the dispatcher about the situation, and if necessary, I would try to reroute to find an alternative route to reach the scene quickly. If I can safely do so, I would also use emergency lights and sirens to notify other drivers and get to the scene as soon as possible.

Technical Questions

• 10. What is the most common cause of residential fires?
  Answer: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking is the leading cause of residential fires, followed by heating equipment and electrical malfunctions.
• 11. Can you explain the difference between primary and secondary search techniques?
  Answer: Primary search involves quickly and systematically searching known primary areas, such as bedrooms and living spaces, for victims during an emergency. Secondary search is a more thorough and detailed search of the entire area, including hidden areas and spaces.

Cultural Fit Questions

• 12. How do you prioritize community service while also balancing other responsibilities in your life?
  Answer: Community service has always been a priority for me, and I make sure to schedule my responsibilities and commitments in a way that allows me to give back to my community. I see it as an essential part of my personal growth and development.
• 13. How would you handle a situation where a fellow volunteer was not following safety protocols?
  Answer: I believe safety should be the top priority in our line of work, and I would approach the individual privately and remind them of the safety protocols. If the issue persists, I would bring it to the attention of my superiors to ensure everyone's safety on the team.

Physical and Mental Readiness Questions

• 14. Can you describe your physical fitness routine and how it prepares you for the demands of the job?
  Answer: I make sure to maintain a regular exercise routine that includes cardiovascular and strength training to prepare me for the physical demands of being a firefighter. I also participate in regular drills and training sessions with the department.
• 15. How do you handle stressful or traumatic situations that you may encounter as a volunteer firefighter?
  Answer: I understand that traumatic situations are a part of the job, and I have a support system in place that includes my fellow volunteers and access to counseling services if needed. I also make sure to take care of my mental health through self-care and reflection after such events.

Emergency Response Questions

• 16. If you encountered a victim in a burning building, but you could not safely remove them, what would you do?
  Answer: I would first ensure the victim is in a safe location and communicate the situation to my team and the dispatcher. Then, I would continue to monitor the victim's condition until the fire is under control and we can safely remove them.
• 17. What is the most important thing to remember when using a fire extinguisher?
  Answer: The most important thing to remember is to follow the PASS method – Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.

Equipment and Gear Questions

• 18. What is the proper way to put on and take off a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)?
  Answer: The proper way to put on an SCBA is to put on the harness, position the facepiece over your mouth and nose, exhale to check for a tight seal, and strap the facepiece securely in place. To take off the SCBA, you should loosen the straps, remove the facepiece, and remove the harness.
• 19. How do you clean and maintain firefighting equipment?
  Answer: As per department protocols, I regularly inspect and clean equipment after each use, and perform more thorough cleaning and maintenance during scheduled equipment checks. This helps ensure our equipment is ready for use in emergency situations.

Department-Specific Questions

• 20. How do you handle learning new protocols and procedures at a new fire department?
  Answer: I am always eager to learn and adapt to new environments and procedures. I would make sure to communicate with the training officers and ask questions to fully understand and implement the new protocols in my work.