If you are seriously committed to the idea of becoming a firefighter, we salute you. The job of being
a firefighter is challenging, interesting, rewarding, and very well respected. In fact, there was a survey recently that showed firefighting as the most respected career in the US. Firefighting was even ahead of professions such
as doctor and college professor.
But to become a firefighter, you must first understand that there is intense competition
for every position that becomes available. For that matter, there are usually numerous candidates for every position - sometimes
as many or as 10 or 15 people competing for the same opening.
This means it is critical for you to understand what
it takes to win a firefighting position.
The process begins with knowing where to look for firefighting jobs.
Obviously, the first place is your local newspaper and the best place to find firefighter positions in its Sunday edition.
If you do not live in a major city with a newspaper that has a leadinga Sunday edition, you might go to your local library
on Monday and check for classified ads for firefighters in nearby large cities. For example, if you lived in Wray, Colorado, your best bet would be the Sunday edition
of the Denver Post.
The next step
The next step in how to become a firefighter is to a get and fill
out an application. You can usually get information about the exam and application process from your city's department
of personnel (or HR department) or from your local fire department. You might also be able obtain an application from your
school guidance office or your local library.
To begin the application process you should locate the appropriate
agencies and give them a call. When you call, be sure to have a pencil and paper ready to write down any instructions or directions
you are given. You can explain that you need.
1. Information about the examination 2. The application itself 3. The correct procedure for filling out the application
The written exam
The next step towards winning
that coveted badge will be a written examination. The typical written firefighter exam takes about 3 1/2 hours and may include
100 or more questions. The best way to prepare for a written exam is to get a book on firefighter exams. There are several
available via the Internet and if you are willing to settle for a used copy, they are generally inexpensive.
Assuming you score high enough
on the written exam to continue the process, you'll next be required to take a physical test. These tests are designed
to simulate actual firefighting duties, and include exercises such as hose drag, hose carry, ladder climbing, latter raise
and victim removal. You will most likely be required to do these while wearing firefighter clothing and equipment, and to
complete the tasks within a stated amount of time.
The physical and psychological evaluation
The next
step will be a physical examination, followed by a psychological evaluation. The work of a firefighter is often stressful
and performed under harsh conditions. The purpose of the psychological evaluation is to make sure that you can function well
under these conditions will and that you will work well with other members of your team.
This, in short, is how
to become a firefighter. We congratulate you on your choice of careers and wish you well in your quest.
Firefighters are considered by many to be modern day cowboys, universally loved and respected. While
this level of admiration can be flattering, it may not be enough to make fire fighting the right job for you. The duties that
a firefighter performs are much wider ranging than many people realize. A great deal of work goes into the preparation of
fighting a fire.
Firefighters are often the first responders on the scene of an accident, and as such they must
be prepared for anything. When a call comes into the fire station, the firefighter must assess the call and determine what
equipment should be used and how many men should respond. Once they arrive on the scene, the firefighters can more accurately
determine what is needed, but in accidents and fires even a few minutes can have a great impact on the outcome of a situation.
After they arrive, the firefighter will begin to treat the situation. In the case of a structure fire, this will involve
putting out the blaze and determining if there is anyone inside the building. If they have responded to an automobile accident,
they will help paramedics extract and treat victims and prepare them for transport. Many firefighters also have paramedic
training, which makes them invaluable in these types of situations.
Other emergencies, such as chemical leaks or
fallen electrical lines are taken care of by firefighters as well. Because of the extensive nature of emergencies that the
firefighter is expected to face, they must be well trained in all types of situations. Regardless of the type of situation
that a firefighter faces, they must remain calm and be ready to make an instant decision on how to proceed. This type of judgment
is partially a personality trait and partially the result of training and experience.
Despite the chaos that surrounds
an emergency, a firefighter is expected to maintain their concentration and provide communication, both to other emergency
responders and any victims or victims’ families that may be at the scene. Because firefighters often see people at the
most tragic moment of their life, this can be a difficult process. No one wants to be told to stand back or calm down when
everything that they own is going up in smoke. A firefighter must retain empathy for the victim without being so emotionally
involved that the job becomes too much to handle.
Could I Be a Firefighter?
Firefighting
is a very physically demanding job. Not only do you put your life at risk if you are not able to do the work that is required,
but you put others at risk as well. Firefighter must drag heavy hoses, climb high ladders and carry people from buildings.
Regardless of how exhausted they are at the end of a run, they must put their equipment away so that it is ready to go the
next time that their is an emergency.
The process of becoming a firefighter varies from department to department,
and is different if you are on a volunteer fire department or a paid fire department. As a rule, to be considered you must
have your high school diploma or GED, and many fire stations require a fire science degree from a community college. Most
departments will also require that you receive emergency medical technician (EMT) training. This is not as involved as paramedic training, but will allow you to stabilize a patient while waiting for
an ambulance.
Most fire departments will run a background check on you before accepting you. While a criminal background is a definite no-no, a spotty driving record is also a red flag.
For liability reasons, most fire stations will not consider putting a driver with a poor record behind the wheel of a fire
truck. Before you are accepted for training you should also polish your communication skills. Most fire academies require
an interview before acceptance, and the more poised and confident that you appear; the more likely it is that you will be
accepted.
Probably the part of any firefighters training that is the most nerve wracking is the physical test.
While each department has its own requirements for the physical fitness test, typical fitness tests are used to measure the applicant’s strength, agility and endurance. Exercises may include
a mile run, a shuttle run, push-ups and pull-ups, as well as firefighter specific activities such as tunnel crawl, beam walk
and ladder climb. Often the firefighter specific activities are performed in full gear. To pass the physical fitness portion
of the assessment you will need to be in excellent physical fitness and mentally strong.
Firefighting is a wonderful
career, but not everyone is suited for the job. A good firefighter is confident, calm, works well without supervision and
communicates well with others. While someone who is passionate about firefighting may work hard to develop these skills, the
best firefighters seem to naturally have these traits.
