What Does it Take to Be a Firefighter?

Firefighters are first responders who are trained to fight fires, rescue people from dangerous situations and provide other emergency services. They often work with specialized teams to deal with hazardous materials and other emergencies. The role of firefighters has evolved from its traditional roots to include a more varied and complex set of duties.

Although the job is known for its focus on fighting fires, most calls that firefighters answer are for non-fire related incidents such as medical emergencies, automobile accidents and other life threating disasters. These incidents require the use of a variety of skills, including the ability to make quick and sometimes difficult decisions under pressure. They also need to be strong enough to lift heavy equipment and be able to remain at the scene of an incident for extended periods of time.

In addition to their emergency response duties, firefighters train and test their skills to ensure that they are up to the task of responding to a wide range of emergencies. They also provide public education and safety instruction. Firefighters are sworn members of a fire department and are usually under the command of a chief fire officer or similar role. They do not generally have general police powers, although they may be granted limited authority to investigate certain types of incidents.

Despite the often dangerous nature of their work, many firefighters choose to remain in this profession because they want to help others and feel a sense of pride and accomplishment in their community. They are a very dedicated group of people who deserve the respect shown to them by the public and their colleagues alike.

Firefighters are exposed to a wide variety of risks, both physical and psychological. They are often called to work in dangerous environments, including underground utility lines that are transferring natural gas under extreme pressures, chemical spills and structural collapses. They must constantly make split second decisions in high stress situations that could put their own lives at risk. This can lead to significant levels of stress and fatigue.

There are a number of occupational health and safety hazards that firefighters face, such as exposure to infectious diseases (blood-borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B and C) and the inhalation of poisonous gases or fumes. They are also at risk of musculoskeletal disorders from repeated lifting, carrying and dragging of equipment as well as prolonged periods of standing and walking.

Individual fire services advertise vacancies for junior firefighters on their websites and social media, while senior roles are advertised in the national press. Candidates do not need to have a degree to become a firefighter, although health and safety qualifications and specialist management training can enhance career progression. The fire service magazine WNYF is published four times a year and contains articles of interest to those working in the industry. These include practical tips, technical information and news of firefighting developments around the world. It is read by both civilians and those involved in the fire service, and includes interviews with leading figures in the profession from all over the country.