Work Description
Firefighters control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster management.
Working Conditions
Firefighters spend much of their time at fire stations, which usually have facilities for dining and sleeping. When an alarm comes in, firefighters must respond rapidly, regardless of the weather or hour. They spend long periods on their feet, sometimes in adverse weather, tending to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous materials incidents and other emergencies. They wear all kinds of protective gear, which can be very heavy. Work hours are longer and vary more widely than hours of most other workers.
Training
Related instruction covers subjects; such as, firefighting techniques and equipment, chemical hazards associated with various combustibles building materials, emergency medical procedures, fire prevention and safety.
Three to four year training program
400 hours paid related instruction
Additional related instruction may be required
Application
Applicants apply directly to participating fire departments. View application requirements below:
Minimum qualifications depend on the hiring authority
High school diploma or equivalent
Meet required norms on aptitude test (if required)
Physically able to perform trade
Some require completion of a two- (2-) year program at a technical college. In many cases, applicants will have to take a civil service examination