How Can I Become a Firefighter? – Requirements, Cost, Career, Salary
How Can I Become a Firefighter – Requirements, Cost, Career, Salary. Being a firefighter is not easy and neither is the process of becoming a firefighter. Firstly, the truth you should know is that competition is fierce and the hiring process can be very grueling and challenging. Mamy people wanting of becoming a firefighter end up moving to other career choice.
Contents
How to Become a FireFighter with the Minimum Requirements
- Volunteer For Recruitments.
- Acquire an EMT/CPR training
- Take Tests And Apply For Work.
- Enroll In The Fire Academy.
- Get a Fire Science Degree
- Advance in your Profession.
What does a Firefighter do?
Job Description
Just like law enforcement officers, firefighters work first and foremost to protect lives, and then they turn their attention to protecting property. But, not against crime but against fire and emergency situations. At the scene of a fire, firefighters have many duties. So, they use their equipment to ensure that water goes where it is needed. Also, firefighters rescue victims trapped in buildings or other structures and administer emergency medical treatment when needed.
What are the requirements To Become a FireFighter?
There are varying requirements for firefighters for different jurisdictions, but generally, the basic requirement to become a firefighter are:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- You must have an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
What are the Skills That a Firefighter Should have?
As a firefighter, there are basic skills you must possess to do this job effectively, and they include that you must:
- be physically fit.
- be able to communicate effectively.
- have mechanical knowledge
- be a team player and show leadership traits.
- be mentally ready and tough
- discipline yourself.
Steps on Becoming a firefighter – must-do things
Here are 10 must-do things every firefighter candidate should be doing to increase their odds of getting hired. get at least a high school diploma or GED. Also, you must hold a valid driver’s license.
1. Become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
The great majority of departments are requiring an EMT certification to apply and more than 90% will require this certification after hire. Since most fire departments run upwards of 70% or more emergency medical-related responses, it only makes sense for them to require this as a prerequisite.
2. Volunteer For Recruitments
Many firefighters you ask would tell that they started off their firefighter careers as volunteers. Some firefighter departments often have openings for the recruitment of volunteers, including community service. As a volunteer firefighter, you can build vital professional contacts in the trade. The fastest way to become a firefighter is really to interact with the local firefighters.
It doesn’t matter if it is fire- or non-fire-related volunteer experience. According to the National Fire Protection Association, about two-thirds of firefighters were volunteer firefighters.
3. Maintain A Clean Background And Lifestyle
Whether you agree or disagree, it doesn’t matter. The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. Having a track record of problems (vehicle accidents, traffic tickets, arrests, domestic violence, anger management issues, etc.) will only make it harder for you to stand out in a positive way when compared with your competition.
4. Take Fire Technology Classes
Even though this is typically not a requirement to apply for a fire job, it sure looks good on your resume and prepares you for the career. It shows some dedication, commitment and initiative toward your career of choice. Invest in your future before you get the job because most fire academies fire departments put recruits through at the beginning of their employment only scratch the surface on a number of critical areas.
5. Take Tests And Apply For Work
For you to be hired as a firefighter, you must undergo the screening test which is usually a physical as well as a written test. The hiring process is usually lengthy as qualified candidates are interviewed and undergo further rigorous evaluation. You must also pass a rigorous physical fitness test. For this reason, you should be able to perform a distance run in an allotted period of time, climb flights of stairs at a rapid pace and lift and carry up to 200 pounds.
6. Understand All Of The Phases Of The Firefighter Hiring Process
If you do not understand what phases you will have to successfully pass, and pass well, to become a firefighter, how are you ever going to succeed? The selection process will vary in different regions and even from department to department, but there are some basic similarities across the board.
Start doing some research on how departments in your area, or where you hope to test, conduct their recruitments and what the more commonly used phases are (oral interview, written examination, physical agility, background investigation, etc.).
7. Enroll In The Fire Academy
Though a great part of training is done at the firehouse to which a firefighter is hired or assigned to work, enrolling in a fire academy offers the opportunity to focus on the classroom as well as hands-on work.
8. Advance in your Profession
Of course, to rise in ranks in the fire department you must devote more time to your work and more training. You can rise to even the role of an engineer or a fire chief from being a firefighter. So, it’s important to get more advanced certifications in this field.
9. Get a Fire Science Degree
If you want to further your career in fire science, paramedics, or advance to leadership roles within firefighting agencies, then you should consider getting an associate and bachelor’s degree program at colleges as well as universities that offer them.
10. Get Some Life Experience
The last thing the fire department that hires you wants to do is to teach you how to clean a toilet, how to treat customers, how to cook a meal, how to do dishes, how to do yard work or even basic mechanical aptitude. These are things you should bring to the job, and not expect the fire department to have to teach you.
What is the cost of becoming a Firefighter?
Generally, the tuition cost to acquire a fire science degree is $5,300. Additional costs include bunker gear purchase or rental which can range from $400 to $1,500; uniforms at $150 to $300 and books as well as class supplies which can cost anywhere from $100 to $200.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Firefighter?
Depending on the training program, it takes a period of 3 to 4 months to become a firefighter. Or up to 5 years, if you want to get advanced pre-employment training and experience a longer application process. However, to become a full firefighter paramedic who acquires a four-year fire-sciences degree takes generally up to 7 years.
What are the Educational Requirement For A Fire Fighters?
While education and training vary across different jurisdictions, it is important to get a fire science degree to create more career opportunities for you. Fire Science majors at the bachelor’s level may also combine classroom study with field training and/or an internship.
Common courses, in addition to general education classes, include:
- Fire Investigation.
- The Fire Control.
- Fire Chemistry and Physics
- Hazardous Materials Management.
- Disaster and Fire Defense Planning.
- Fire Prevention
- Emergency Management.
Fire Science Certifications
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers many voluntary certifications, including:
- Certified Fire Inspector, II.
- The Certified Fire Plan Examiner
- Certified Building Inspector
- The Certified Building Plans Examiner.
- Certified Fire Protection Specialist.
- The Certified Fire Inspector.
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