Firefighting

Firefighting can be a rewarding career — and an exciting opportunity to serve one’s community. Firefighters protect homes and businesses when fires unexpectedly break out, saving millions of dollars in potential property loss. These valuable workers also make emergency medical calls and may help preserve lives until paramedics or other medical services can respond.

The United States Department of Labor reports that there are more than 300,000 professional firefighters across the country; more than 90 percent of all those firefighters are employed by local governments.

Despite the risk involved in firefighting, many people find it to be a very satisfying career. The requirements to become a firefighter vary depending on the locale, but people who are willing to put in the time and effort to become a firefighter can likely find a department that will give them a chance. The application process to become a firefighter can be competitive, and the training is physically demanding. The following are a few tips for men and women mulling a career as a firefighter.

Meet the basic requirements.

Confirm the schooling and age requirements for the job. Depending on where they apply, firefighters may need to have a high school diploma and perhaps some college credits. Age requirements are common as well, as many departments mandate that applicants be at least 18 to 21 upon submitting their applications.

Refrain from drug use and illegal activity.

Firefighters must be physically fit and undergo a criminal background check and drug screenings.

Undergo CPR and EMT training.

Firefighters may be called upon in emergency medical situations. As a result, many firefighters are required to have an Emergency Medical Technician, or EMT, license. Even if a license is not a requirement, it is a helpful to have and may increase your odds of being hired.

Take fire-technology courses.

According to FireRescue1 ( www. firerescue1.com), a resource that features the most current news and analysis from some of the top experts in fire service, taking a semester of building construction and fire behavior can be helpful. Such coursework can educate prospective firefighters about how buildings are built and may make them more attractive candidates.

Speak to current firefighters.

Visit a local firehouse to speak to current firefighters. Ask questions of the firefighters, and get their impressions and opinions on training and testing. These professionals may offer some job leads, and some may even offer some first-hand advice from their time in the field.

Become a volunteer firefighter.

Volunteer as a firefighter while enrolled in training or while studying. This can provide you with a pretty accurate idea of what the job entails. Gaining handson experience prior to applying for a permanent position — or even if the decision is made to keep volunteering — can be quite handy.

Take the tests.

Firefighting tests vary depending on the agency, but many include a written examination, an oral interview and a physical aptitude/agility exam. A person may not pass the first time around, but he or she will gain experience and understand which areas to work on for future examinations.

Becoming a professional firefighter requires commitment, physical and emotional strength, and a willingness to help one’s community.

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