When you hear sirens on campus, fire trucks filled with student fire fighters are on their way. Have you ever wondered what it takes to join the team? The first step to apply through www.uakjobs.com and look for assistant-A student fire fighter position. Next, you start preparing for the agility test, you do this by practicing the physical tasks that you will test two weeks later.

The test covers things that firefighters should be competent in. Newly certified firefighter Ben Schultz said he had to climb ladders, to prove you are not afraid of heights, use axes, lift practice dummies, and running. Fire Chief Edith Curry added students must use the Jaws of Life. They have to prove they can use and lift them in the test. The students must do all these tasks in an allowed time.

The next hurdle is a written aptitude test covering memory, retention, and mechanical knowledge. This includes familiarity of gears, pulley systems, and know-how of mechanics.

Next applicants receive an oral interview conducted by a board of staff, and students. Most of the questions are pretty basic, Shultz said, such as why do you want to be a firefighter? And what excites you about being a firefighter? Curry said that getting to know the person is key, and added that they also need to know how students deal with pressure.

After interviews, each applicant is given a background check. Felonies, multiple traffic violations, three or more recent arrests are automatic grounds for elimination.

Finally applicants are ranked in descending order. Curry said, "They strive for fairness and are non bias." The ranking system helps determine who is the most qualified. Curry stated that even with high marks in everything you could still be turned away because it depends on how many positions are open.

The campus force has about 30 student firefighters working under professional supervisors. Student firefighters must be enrolled in at least six credits while school is in session, and maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Chris DeCou a firefighter of six years describes a typical shift. It consists of 24 hours on and 48 hours off. You usually wake up at six in the morning, evaluate equipment, at any point there can be emergency calls, lunch, training, dinner, than free time, and still you have to be ready at any point for a call. He added saying some days you get lots of calls, and other days nothing. While on call, students live at the fire hall. Fire Chief Edith Curry said the most rewarding thing is "seeing the students succeed, mature and grow." If you are interested in being a UAF student firefighter Edith recommends, "coming by, take time to see what they are about." She said it's not all "glamorous" but it is "rewarding."