Becoming a firefighter is a noble calling. It's a dangerous job, but it also leads to a lot of job satisfaction. Read further to learn more about a career as a firefighter.
History
You have to do something in your life that is honorable and not cowardly if you are to live in peace with yourself, and for the firefighter it is fire. -Larry Brown
Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus established the first body of organized firefighters back in 6 A.D., after a fire swept through through his great city and destroyed more than half of it. These early firefighters were known as the Vigiles.
Fast forward a few dark centuries into the Great Fire of London. Actually, there were three of them: 798 A.D., 982 A.D., and 989 A.D. Make a stop in the early days of the United States, back when Jamestown, Virginia was all but destroyed by a fire that ravaged it in the 1600s. Don’t forget to pause in Philadelphia in 1736, where Benjamin Franklin created the first volunteer fire company in America, called the Union Fire Company—only a few years after Richard Newsham of London developed the first and very primitive form of a fire engine.
Great power means greater responsibility. Because sometimes, the power that is fire can get out of control. Suffice to say, firefighting has been necessary since the dawn of civilization, once mankind began playing with fire.
What They Do
Firefighters are a crucial part of an emergency response team. These are highly trained first responder professionals, armed with all the equipment needed to fight fires, defeat disasters, and save the distressed. But there are other aspects of the job that get a little overshadowed by the superhero component.
First and foremost, firefighters fight fires. Not just with water, an ax, or other equipment. They also use their voices; they speak to their communities and teach them preventative measures and other educational facts.
They are first responders, and a firefighter will often have to use their EMS training at the scene of an accident, prior to the paramedics arriving. They’ll also be on the scene of a natural disaster, helping the injured and searching for the missing.
Why It’s A Good Career
A good firefighter knows how, an educated firefighter knows why. -Chris Walker
All careers have their benefits and drawbacks. Firefighting is full of the good and the not-so-good. But for many, the dream of being a firefighter outweighs any cons that come with the job.
Firefighters are always putting their lives on the line to help their community; it’s one of the perils of the career, and they are fully aware of it. Even though firefighting can be a treacherous job, it’s also filled with elements that make it a great career move.
- You don’t have to have postsecondary education to earn a good living as a firefighter.
- You’re always helping people, from visiting schools to talk about fire safety to saving lives from disasters that aren’t necessarily fire-related.
- Working as part of a cohesive team can make for an uplifting job experience.
- You will be part of a highly respected profession; people of all ages and walks of life look up to firefighters.
- It’s not a dead-end job. There are always opportunities for career growth.
- Because there are always fires, there is always a need for firefighters.
- You’ll be part of a close-knit community.
Qualities
Firefighting is not for the faint of heart. You need to be strong both in mind and body in order to get the job done. There are quite a few “soft skills” that firefighters need to possess in order to be successful and effective.
- Communication: You will need to have competent communication skills as a firefighter. Not only do you have to speak, but also you have active listening as a part of this skill, too.
- Courage: This one goes without saying. Fighting fires and other perils of the job can be terrifying. Scaredy cats need to look elsewhere; this isn’t the profession for you.
- Decision-making: There will be times, more often than not, where your quick thinking comes into play. You have to be able to make a decision and stick to it, especially under pressure. Lives are in your hands.
- Physical stamina: Being at the scene of a disaster, potentially for hours or days on end, is all par for the course of a firefighter’s job. You cannot waver; your incredible stamina must be sustained until the danger has passed.
- Physical strength: Barreling through buildings, climbing up walls, crashing through windows, throwing humans over your shoulders—sounds like part of a stuntman’s job, but it’s also what you’ll be doing. So, pre-Captain America puniness may not bode well for this type of career.
How To Become One
Before you can become a firefighter, you need to fulfill some important requirements. For starters, you must be at least 18 years old and have your high school diploma, or GED.
Also, you must either have an emergency medical technician certificate or have the experience and knowledge equivalent to an EMT. It also wouldn’t hurt to have your paramedic certification, either. Typically, firefighters are not allowed to be smokers — prospective firefighters will need to have quit smoking for over a year before landing a job.
Because being a firefighter can be physically demanding, you need to be in decent physical shape and pass a physical exam. Expect to have a medical exam and drug screening prior to being hired into a fire department. A good way to get yourself a head start is to volunteer as a firefighter; that could help you stand out in the job market. Also, having a two-year associate degree in Fire Science could give you a sizable leg up.
Most likely, you’ll be trained through a firefighter academy that is run by your state or fire department located through a community college or trade school. You’ll experience both classroom and hands-on instruction teaching you all the basics of the job. In your classes, you’ll learn about building codes, techniques needed for firefighting, and emergency procedures. In the practical segment of your courses, you will learn how to use equipment such as axes, ladders, and chainsaws to fight fires. Most fire departments have a probationary period following academy training.
In some instances, fire departments have accredited apprenticeships that could take up to 4 years, which combine both classroom instruction with practical training. These apprenticeships are carried out under the supervision of an experienced firefighter.
You can further your training and earn certifications through programs offered at the National Fire Academy.
Climbing The Ranks
I can think of no more stirring symbol of man’s humanity to man than a fire engine. -Kurt Vonnegut
The following are different positions within the fire station:
- Driver engineer: You’ll be the one driving the fire trucks and operating the hoses. You’ll also be the person in charge of maintaining the trucks’ equipment and parts. As the driver, you’re one of the most important people in the company.
- Lieutenant: If the captain is out, you take his or her place. You help train the probationary firefighters and run daily operations.
- Captain: As the captain, you’re the head honcho at the scene of the emergency. You’ll also be the company spokesperson when necessary. Once you’ve become a captain, you can be promoted to fire chief.
- Battalion chief: As the highest ranking person on duty, you’re one of three that are usually present at scenes. You’re also in charge of taking care of the staff scheduling and management.
- Assistant chief: One main aspect of your position is to develop new programs and processes for improvement. You help with the budget and manage the operations division.
- Fire chief: This is the top rung of the ladder. You’re the main person overseeing the entire company. You may rub elbows with the mayor of your area, and you are the go-to for interviews when it comes to coverage of a fire.
Salary and Job Outlook (2023)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2023, firefighters made an average pay of $60,390, with the top 10 percent making $93,720 or more. Between wildfires, building and house fires, and even medical emergencies, firefighters are expected to remain in demand. The BLS reports that by 2032, demand for firefighters is expected to increase 4 percent, which is a growth rate as fast as the national average.
Highest Paying States (2023)
|
State |
Salary |
|
$87,890 |
|
|
$84,850 |
|
|
$83,630 |
|
|
$80,950 |
|
|
$75,610 |
When responding to fires, firefighters are typically responsible for connecting hoses hydrants, operating pumps, using equipment to assist in rescue and extinguishing a fire, and also participating in search-and-rescue operations, along with disaster relief. Firefighters will be trained with the necessary medical practices and also commonly respond to traffic accidents, and other health-related emergencies too. Becoming a firefighter is a rewarding career for the brave and daring individual.
References
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/firefig...
https://www.sokanu.com/careers/firefighter/