Background Investigations
If your fire department is hiring a new firefighter, paramedic, command staff member, or other fire department employee, consider partnering with FD Backgrounds to conduct the pre-employment background investigation.
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Our experienced staff of public safety background investigators conduct meticulous pre-employment investigations into each dimension of an applicant's life.
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Because we have dedicated investigators who are assigned to your applicant, most backgrounds are completed within three weeks, and at a cost savings to the department. Contracting your background investigations also affords your department the benefit to allocate your staff to other important assignments while also reducing potential liability associated with ADA, FCRA, and Title VII claims.
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FD Backgrounds will provide your department with all the necessary paperwork, forms, and resources to integrate our background investigation services into your hiring procedure. We will also provide a secure applicant portal so that you can direct those applicants identified as background candidates to obtain waivers, personal history statements and to make an appointment with their background investigator.
Moral Character
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We examine the applicant's past personal conduct and look at their honesty, impartiality, trustworthiness and if they abide by laws, regulations and procedures.
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Work Habits
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Investigations look into the applicant's past work performance and examine conscientiousness, work patterns, attendance, adherence to policy and the ability to work in a team environment
Interactions With Others
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We examine how the applicant interacts with others in both their personal and professional life, including if they are tactful, respectful and show sensitivity and tolerance
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Intellectually Based Abilities
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We examine the applicant's decision making and judgment characteristics, as well as their ability to adhere to policies and procedures. We also reflect on their communication skills, both oral and written, and reflect on their learning ability.
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Handling Stress And Adversity
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Our background investigations reflect on how well the candidate can handle stress, accept responsibility for mistakes, confront and overcome problems and as well as maintain a positive attitude and even temper.
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Final Report
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We will provide the hiring authority a detailed background investigation which will reflect all of these dimensions, so that a well informed hiring decision can be made that will ultimately reduce liability, attrition and strengthen public trust. ​
Fire Department Background Investigations
Applicant interview and review of PHS (Approx 1.5 hours)
Employment Investigation- 10 years or more if necessary
Interviews with previous employers / Co-workers
Lateral Applicants - Interview with HR and Professional Standards Unit
Military verification
Criminal History – NCIC / FBI/ DMV / Nationwide courts
Family members and associates investigation
Civil Courts - Nationwide search
Certification verification
Child Protective Services check
Public Records – Nationwide search
Property records
Marriage / Divorce
Licenses / Business / Liens /
Foreclosures / Evictions
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Insurance Claims – risk assessment databases
Credit and Financial Investigations
Social Media Investigations
Education- Review and verification of all education
Residence- Review and verification of all residences
a. Neighbor interviews
b. Utilities verification
c. Local police / sheriff records requests
CAD/Records
d. Utilities search
e. House check and neighbor interviews
f. Spouse interview
g. Interviews with roommates, others in home
Dark web and open-source investigation
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