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The Board Day Playbook

Ten chapters on everything around your answers, from the week before to after the board. Every recommendation is labeled: research-backed, fire-service norm, or from my own experience. You've put in the prep. This makes sure nothing on the day gets in the way of it.

Get the free Playbook

Free while in beta. Signing in with Google is the fastest way in.

The Board Day Playbook open in the First Call app

What's inside

Ten chapters, in the order you'll need them.

  1. Know your board's format

    Timed per question or one block of time, written copies of the questions, how many panels, and how to find out before you practice.

  2. The week before

    Confirm every detail in writing, drive the route, make if-then plans, and keep your prep light.

  3. What to wear and bring

    The suit, the watch, the folder, the facial hair rule, and why your phone goes off, not silent.

  4. The night before

    Protect your sleep and make the morning automatic.

  5. Board morning

    When to arrive, how to treat everyone you meet, and how to use your nerves instead of fighting them.

  6. The first minute

    Walking in, greeting the panel, and settling in, in person or on video.

  7. In the room

    Managing the clock, buying a moment, ignoring poker faces, and the closing question.

  8. Walking out

    What not to do on the way out, and why the drive-home replay isn't the whole story.

  9. After the board

    The same-day debrief, the thank-you note, the wait, and how to keep going.

  10. If you get a chief's interview

    How it differs from the board, and why conversational doesn't mean unscored.

  11. Board day checklist

    Every action item from every chapter, on one page you can check off as you go.

How to get it

Create a free account. It's on your dashboard.

  1. 1.Create a free First Call account. Google sign-in is the fastest.
  2. 2.Open your dashboard. The Playbook is there, ready to read.
  3. 3.While you're in, run a practice board and hear how you sound.

The Playbook covers the day. The practice is what gets you ready for it. See how First Call scores your answers.

Get the free Playbook

Still weeks out? Start with how to prepare for a firefighter oral board.