1 answer
Connor
Student
Kerrville, Texas
6
Questions
1 answer
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Lieutenant / EMT
96
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Connor. Nearly all firefighters - volunteer and paid - must be 18 years old, have a driver's license, and have graduated high school or earned their GED. That is typically the minimum education needed!
That said, most places will require you to attend a Basic Firefighter Academy, and be certified as at least an Emergency Medical Technician. Your local community college probably offers both of these; each one will take a semester. So, one year of community college education to earn the basic certifications most paid fire departments will want you to have before applying.
Depending what part of the country you're in, firefighting jobs can be very competitive - you may be competing against 200 other people for 1 job opening. If that is the case where you live, additional education may help you stand out. Completing an Associates Degree in Fire Science will be a great career move that I highly suggest.
Some firefighters go on to earn Bachelor's degrees, or in my case a Master's Degree, but it is definitely not required. Those degrees do not typically do you much good until you are entering a supervisory or administrative role. Generally speaking, most fire departments are very proud of their "blue collar" heritage, and would rather see an applicant with trades experience (electrician, plumbing, construction, auto mechanics, etc.) over someone who is only "book smart".
I hope that answers your question! Let me know if you have any follow-up questions.
That said, most places will require you to attend a Basic Firefighter Academy, and be certified as at least an Emergency Medical Technician. Your local community college probably offers both of these; each one will take a semester. So, one year of community college education to earn the basic certifications most paid fire departments will want you to have before applying.
Depending what part of the country you're in, firefighting jobs can be very competitive - you may be competing against 200 other people for 1 job opening. If that is the case where you live, additional education may help you stand out. Completing an Associates Degree in Fire Science will be a great career move that I highly suggest.
Some firefighters go on to earn Bachelor's degrees, or in my case a Master's Degree, but it is definitely not required. Those degrees do not typically do you much good until you are entering a supervisory or administrative role. Generally speaking, most fire departments are very proud of their "blue collar" heritage, and would rather see an applicant with trades experience (electrician, plumbing, construction, auto mechanics, etc.) over someone who is only "book smart".
I hope that answers your question! Let me know if you have any follow-up questions.