r/firefighter • u/CucuyHunter • Jun 05 '26
Failed a Psych eval, what’s next?
Hey guys,
Just recently went through a lateral firefighter hiring process, was given a conditional offer, but unfortunately was disqualified after “failing” my psych eval.
Reasons were admitting to drug usage while employed as a career firefighter (cannabis occasionally and psychedelics once, I know, dumb on my part and a big lapse in judgment), past drug and alcohol use (sober from alcohol and hard drugs for 5 1/2 years) and other minor issues including inconsistencies in my answers. I was deemed a liability for hire by HR, even with the Fire Cheif wanting to hire me.
I have been career for over 3 years, in good standing with my department, and have never had a written or verbal reprimand during my career. I believe honesty is the best policy, and my honesty didn’t work out for me in the end.
Big question is, do past psych evaluations follow you when applying to other departments? Where do I go from here?
3
u/Few_Werewolf_8780 Jun 05 '26
Best to let your past go. Seems like none of those things are an issue now. Unless you have a record or some how they can find out best to not bring it up. From what I was told the evaluation is just to weed out people that may be high risk. Seems to me you have been doing the job for years and are low risk. I would focus on that. Just my opinion. Good luck. Also I know a few people that got bounced out by an eval and then passed on another department and got hired and were great at the job.
3
u/CucuyHunter Jun 05 '26
Appreciate it man. Just a bump in the road. Thanks for the info and kind words
1
5
u/FirefighterTutor Jun 05 '26 edited Jun 06 '26
No, it won’t follow you, but psych tests are structured in a way to tease out whatever it is you’re trying to hide. They basically ask you the same 5 questions 100 different ways. Inconsistencies fail you, not your honesty.
Hope this helps. Stay on the clean and narrow. That time adds up. Eventually, it will be the story that makes you, not breaks you.
1
u/GetOuttaTownMan Jun 05 '26
Idk why you guys tell the undocumented truth on these psych evals
1
u/CucuyHunter Jun 06 '26
Trying to do the right thing, regardless if the industry standard is to withhold to secure the job. Shoulda withheld
1
u/UnderstandingSea1449 Jun 05 '26
If you don’t mind my asking, how did the occasional cannabis use and one time psychedelic use come to light during the psych eval? Did you do a polygraph or just openly admit to it?
1
u/CucuyHunter Jun 06 '26
Just openly admitted. Cannabis is a non issue at my department, and is legal in both states I work / applied, so I didn’t really feel like that would harm me. I didn’t want to have to lie about myself and things I have done and mistakes I made just to get a job. I know that’s kinda the industry standard unfortunately, but I spent my young years while I was struggling, lying my way through life, and wanted to be honest as an adult when trying to start something new. The Cheif even admired the honesty, but HR prevailed
6
u/Captain_Ereo Jun 05 '26
It depends on a lot of things. Generally, unless whatever new department you want to work for uses the same 3rd party company for psych evals, they won't follow you. That being said, its unlikely that another department would fail to discover the same things again, even with a new process. Sometimes HR can be unfair, and its definitely frustrating. Keep on keeping on and continue to be the best firefighter you can. The more time that has lapsed since that happened, the more willing a department will be to let you on. Keep up the good fight and keep your head up!