Interview Script Analysis: Junior Firefighter Role, NZ Fire Service

This assignment presents an interview script conducted for a Junior Firefighter position within the New Zealand Fire Service. The script details the exchange between the interviewer and the candidate, Mr. Jack Nicolson, covering various aspects of the role, including the candidate's background, motivations, knowledge of the fire service, and responses to hypothetical scenarios. The interview explores the candidate's understanding of fire safety, teamwork, and the challenges associated with the profession. Key questions address the candidate's personal qualities, views on the most important duties of a firefighter, and how they would handle difficult situations, such as a colleague's alcohol consumption or an unsafe job assignment. The script provides a comprehensive overview of the interview process and the qualities sought in a prospective firefighter.

Running head: INTERVIEW SCRIPT
Sumit Kumar
Student ID: 4310875
Assignment 4

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INTERVIEW SCRIPT
The concerned interview was conducted for the post of ‘Junior Fire fighter’ in the
New Zealand Fire Service, which is the primary fire service body of New Zealand. The most
important goal of this organisation, is to ensure the safety of the citizens and properties of
New Zealand from fire accidents. The interview took place in the regional headquarters of
New Zealand Fire Service and the reporting time was 10’ o clock sharp. All the necessary
arrangements for ensuring the overall well-being of the candidates. The interview was
conducted by the interview panel of New Zealand Fire Service and the interviewee’s name is
Mr Jack Nicolson. The excerpts from the interview has been provided below”
The applicant enters the interview room and as the HR Manager, I show him his seat,
he takes out his folder containing his resume and application and submits it to the panel
present.
Q1.) So, Jack, did you face any problem in reaching the venue today?
No Sir, reaching the venue was not a problem for me. I had started early and
as I am a native of Wellington, I faced no issues in recognising and reaching the venue.
Q2.)Tell me something about yourself?
Good Morning to one and all present here. My name is Jack Nicolson and I am a
resident of Wellington. I recently graduated from Victoria University of Wellington. I have a
genuine passion for public safety. I genuinely enjoy being an active part of my community
activities. I have spent the last three years earning a degree on health and I have done an
internship in the Department of Health of Wellington. During my internship, I have
successfully participated and completed in various field works, where practical demonstration
was performed. It had helped me to know and understand the various intricacies of health and
emergency situations.
Q3.) Tell us something about your likes, dislikes and preferences?

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INTERVIEW SCRIPT
I am an avid reader and love to learn new languages. Since my early
childhood, my parents had inculcated in my habit of reading and as a result of which my
school and college academics had always been consistent. I read various genres of books and
there is no particular genre which I prefer. The last book, which I had read is ‘To kill a
mockingbird’ by Harper lee. Sir, I believe, that book is a man’s best friend as it helps human
beings to gather various experiences by being in the author’s shoes, just by sitting in a simple
place. Along with this, I love to cook and serve people. These are some of my preferences
and whenever I get any free time, I engage myself in these activities.
Q4.) Why do you want to become a fire-fighter?
Sir, every personhas his or her own set of dreams and goals and mine is to
become a fire-fighter. The attacks of September, 11 had created a very profound impact on
me. I was just eleven back then. The coverage of the incident was repeatedly shown on the
TV for a really long period of time. I felt bad for all those victims, but I felt really happy and
proud, when I saw a group of fire fighters and rescue operators acting bravely and ushering
the trapped people to safety. I was touched by seeing their selfless acts of putting their lives
in danger to ensure the protection of all the victims, who were injured or stuck on fire. I still
remember, I had asked about these people to my father and he explained to me about the
selfless job of bravery, which these people perform on an everyday basis. There is another
reason which attracts me to this profession, because of the thrill this job gives. Moreover, Sir,
I personally believe that saving the lives of people is one of the most important and selfless
acts, which can be performed by any human being. Thereafter, I had decided that serving the
community by being a fire fighter is best way to go about in my life.

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INTERVIEW SCRIPT
Q5.) What do you know about the fire services in New Zealand?
Sir, I think New Zealand has one of the most efficient fire services nations
across the world. The response of the fire teams are really good and it has set a bench mark
for others to follow. As far as I know Sir, New Zealand Fire Service is the leader in the fire
safety operations in our island country. They have the most advanced and highly trained
group of professionals, who put their lives into unfathomable risks in order to protect the
communities. They have a robust network of fire fighters, all of them are equally distributed
in the entire country, with various regional headquarters. These regional headquarters help in
decentralisation of authority, which help in speeding up the fire operations across the country.
Q6.) What are the most common causes of fire, which leads to widespread
damage?
Sir, as far as I know,forest fires are one of the most important causes of fires, which
are prevalent in the country of New Zealand. It always starts by one of two ways either by
naturally or due to human causes. Natural fires, mostly start by lightning, with a very
minorpercentage which starts by naturalburning of dry fuel such as sawdust and leaves. On
the other hand, human led fires can be caused due to a variety of reasons such as, smoking,
recreation and various other miscellaneous reasons. I think the fire departments should launch
various campaigns in order to make the commoners aware of the dangers of fires and make
them more careful while handling fire.
Q7.) What the candidate would do when he notices fellow engineer’s alcohol
consumption in fire office premises?
Sir, consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in the office premises and if I see my
colleague consuming alcohol, then I would personally talk to him about the matter. If needed,
I would again confront the colleague and would remind him of the ideals of an elite fire

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INTERVIEW SCRIPT
fighter which had been preached and taught to us when we were under the training period. I
would also recap him or her about how consumption of alcohol could damage the safety of
our fellow firefighters and various community members. After this, if it feels necessary to
me, I would then provide the colleague with an opportunity to tell the fire chief about the
incident, warning him or her that if they do not consult the chief, I would be obliged to do so
myself in order to prevent any untoward incident and ensuring the safety of all the fellow fire
fighters present.
Q6.) What would the candidate do when the chief assigns him a job, which he
feels is strongly unsafe about?
Sir, if my chief assigns me any job, which I personally feel is unsafe, then initially, Sir
I would assess the job to properly gauge the safety issues of the job. Thereafter, I would
consult my chief about the hazards of undertaking this job. After consultation with him or
her, I would request him to grant the permission to have more men on board, who would help
me out in performing this assigned task. Moreover Sir, when I had initially applied for the
job, I exactly knew, the job is filled with its own set of challenges and safety issues.
Q7.) What is the most important duty which is performed by a fire-fighter?
Sir, according to me the most important duty of each and every fire fighter is
the saving of people. A fire fighter’s most important activity is to risk their lives and protect
the citizens of the country from the vagaries of fire. A person’s life is one of the most
precious things which has been given by god. Sir, I strongly believe that saving people from
the atrocious exploits of fire is a noble task. All the fire fighters selflessly sacrifice their lives
while protecting the lives of the people. Due to human negligence and in some natural causes,
fire accidents takes place, but it is the duty of fellow human beings in helping out these
victims in order to remind them that someone is there with them in their hour of need.

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INTERVIEW SCRIPT
Therefore, Sir, I want to reiterate my stance towards the fact that saving the lives of innocent
people from the clutches of fire is the most important job any fire fighter.
Q8.) What is the most important quality which is possessed by a fire fighter?
Sir, fire is such a substance that can cause panic in almost any person, who comes in
close contact with it. In cases of fire accidents, the victims as well as the near ones feel
reluctant or hesitant in saving the lives of others by putting their own ones into risk. Fire
causes such a trepidation in the lives of people that they are not able to calm their senses and
think rationally to fight it out. In such cases, the fire fighter’s valour and calmness comers
into existence. They risk their lives to save the lives of others. While performing this task,
they show a very high level of calmness which is required to perform these operations. They
calm their senses and display rational behaviour while performing their operations. This
calmness, I think Sir is the most important quality which is possessed by any fire fighter.
Q9.) What is the importance of teamwork in the job of fire fighting? Are you
comfortable in working in a team?
Fire fighting requires a collective effort from different levels and without
adequate teamwork, no kind of fire accidents can be controlled or prevented. Right from the
receiving the calls of distress about any fire accidents, consequently forwarding the calls to
the fellow fire fighters, team work is inherent in every single part of this job. The engineer,
the fire service men, the crew leader, each of these people have a defined role and each and
every team member must know the roles of each of their team members. This helps each of
them to perform their operations in an efficient and smooth manner.
Q10.) What is the least appealing part of being a fire fighter?
Fire fighter is a highly honourable job which requires considerable of valour to
perform the job. Nevertheless, the least appealing part of being a fire fighter is that he or she

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INTERVIEW SCRIPT
may not be able to go home regularly because of the huge demands of work. We cannot go
home regularly and spend time with our families in their hour of need. Moreover Sir, I would
like to point out that, when you have done your best to save any person, but still they breathe
their last in your lap and you are not able to do anything about it. This I think is one of the
worst part of the job.