What Does it Take to Become a Firefighter?

A firefighter is a skilled emergency response professional who extinguishes and mitigates fires and helps people out of dangerous situations. This career requires extensive education and on-the-job training in addition to fulfilling specific job duties. People interested in becoming firefighters can start out by completing high school and post-secondary training in a technical school, college or firefighting academy. They can also get hands-on experience in a local fire department through volunteer, reserve or paid on-call positions.

The career is demanding and challenging, requiring a lot of strenuous activity, long hours and exposure to hazardous conditions such as extreme heat, smoke and toxic substances. But many firefighters find fulfillment in their work, knowing that they are making a difference to their community by responding to emergency calls and contributing to disaster preparedness efforts.

Besides the physical demands of the position, firefighters must be emotionally resilient and be able to perform well under stress and in adverse weather conditions. They must be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, victims and members of the public to educate them on fire safety and help in their recovery. They must be able to operate and service fire fighting equipment, including both manually operated and motorized systems, as well as assess and determine appropriate courses of action in emergency situations.

A good firefighter is a team player. They must be able to work with their co-workers to complete tasks efficiently and safely, even when those tasks are not especially enjoyable or exciting. Firefighters must also be able to trust their fellow firefighters; they rely on them for support and protection both in the firehouse and at the scene of an incident. A person who lacks integrity can never be trusted on a fire crew and can be detrimental to the effectiveness of the team.

Firefighters must be able to respond quickly and accurately to requests for assistance from the public. They must be able to assess the situation, determine the course of action and relay the information over radios to their co-workers and other first responders in a clear and understandable manner. Firefighters must be able to calm frightened residents, console distraught family members and victims, instruct children in fire prevention and CPR, explain building codes to business owners and enforce the laws regarding fire safety with tact, intelligence and professionalism.

After completing their training, aspiring firefighters must go through the hiring process, which includes a written exam, oral interview and background investigation. They must be able to pass a drug screening and physically and psychologically qualify for the position. Those who want to become firefighters can learn more about the requirements and application process by speaking with current firefighters in their area. They can also contact their local fire department to see if they offer cadet, volunteer or paid on-call positions. They can also contact their fire science instructor or the state fire marshal’s office for more information.