The National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI)
Developed as an alternative to conventional fire service written entrance examinations, The National Firefighter Selection Inventory (NFSI) is unique in that it combines a traditional cognitive abilities component with a critical attitude/personality, or firefighter orientation, component. The combination of these components help to ensure that candidates are mentally fit to handle the rigors of the job, but also have a personality that will be conducive to becoming an excellent firefighter.
This examination is designed to provide you with a good idea of how well you will do on the requisite academic (i.e., reading, writing and math) component of the firefighting program.
The fee for the examination is $17.00, payable in cash, money order or by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) and is given on Wednesdays at 3:45 p.m. and Fridays at 8:15 a.m. You must contact Lake Tech at 352.589.2250 to pre-register and pay for the exam. Walk-ins are not permitted.
The NFSI is administered at Lake Tech’s main campus located at 2001 Kurt Street, Eustis, FL, 32726.
The test consists of 105 questions with a passing score of 70% required. The test can be taken twice in six months and consists of:
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Verbal Comprehension: The ability to understand language, either written or spoken.
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Verbal Expression: The ability to use language (either verbal or written) to communicate information or ideas to other people.
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Problem Sensitivity: The ability to recognize or identify the existence of problems.
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Deductive Reasoning: The ability to apply general rules or regulations to specific cases or to proceed from stated principles to logical conclusions.
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Inductive Reasoning: The ability to find a rule or concept that fits the situation.
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Information Ordering: The ability to apply rules to a situation for the purpose of putting the information in the best or most appropriate sequence.
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Mathematical Reasoning: The ability to reason abstractly using quantitative concepts and symbols.
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Numeric Facility: The ability to manipulate numbers in numerical operations.
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Firefighter Orientation: Attitudes and personality characteristics which are necessary to interact effectively with both coworkers and the public. This component of NFSI also includes questions measuring the following job-related personality characteristics:
- Stress Tolerance: The ability to deal with the on-the-job stressors of work as a firefighter.
- Team Orientation: The ability to function within the dynamic of the firefighter position; the ability to work effectively with others.
- Motivation/attitude: The ability and desire to carry out the duties of a firefighter to the best of one’s ability; to strive to maintain a positive attitude about the job.
