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Kaden
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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As a firefighter can you tell me everything, I need to be prepared to be one when I get out of school?
I want to be a firefighter when I get out of school, so I want to know everything about being a firefighter. I would also like to ask a few more questions regarding this topic.
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2 answers
Iryna Tam
Writer, copywriter
29
Answers
Hagerstown, Maryland
Updated
Iryna’s Answer
Hi!
Becoming a firefighter is an admirable goal that requires both physical and mental preparation, as well as knowledge of the profession. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand what you need to be prepared for becoming a firefighter after finishing school:
1. Education and Training
High School Diploma/GED: Ensure you complete your high school education or obtain your GED. Focus on courses related to science, health, physical education, and possibly fire science if available.
Firefighter Training Programs: After high school, consider attending a fire academy or vocational school that offers firefighter training. Many programs require candidates to have a basic knowledge of emergency services and public safety.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification: Many fire departments require firefighters to be certified as EMTs. Completing an EMT course will provide valuable medical training.
2. Physical Fitness
Physical Training: Firefighting is a physically demanding job. Prioritize a fitness regimen that builds strength, endurance, and agility. Focus on exercises such as:
Cardiovascular training (running, swimming, cycling)
Strength training (weightlifting, bodyweight exercises)
Flexibility and agility training (yoga, plyometrics)
Prepare for Physical Tests: You will likely need to pass a physical fitness test as part of the hiring process, which may include tasks such as climbing ladders, carrying equipment, and performing rescue simulations.
3. Understanding the Job
Skills Development: Gain skills relevant to firefighting, such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and stress management. You may also consider volunteering with a local fire department to gain experience.
Knowledge of Equipment and Safety Protocols: Familiarize yourself with firefighting equipment, tools, and safety protocols. Understanding how to use hoses, ladders, and other tools is fundamental to the profession.
4. Certifications and Additional Training
Firefighter I and II: Many states require certification as a Firefighter I and II, which involves both classroom learning and practical skills training.
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Certification: Firefighters often respond to hazardous materials incidents, so obtaining HazMat certification is valuable.
Continued Education: Once you are in the profession, continuing education and specialized training in areas like wildland firefighting, technical rescue, or fire investigations can be beneficial.
5. Application Process
Research Fire Departments: Learn about the requirements and application processes for local fire departments. Requirements can vary by region, so check the specific departments you are interested in.
Prepare Your Application: Ensure your resume is well-prepared, highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and certifications. Some departments might also require a personal statement or essay.
Interview Preparation: Practice for interviews by preparing for common questions, including scenarios where teamwork and decision-making are critical. Demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and community involvement.
6. Understanding the Work Environment
Shift Work: Be prepared for irregular hours, as firefighters often work in shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Team Dynamics: Firefighting is a team-oriented profession. Being able to work closely with others in high-stress situations is essential.
Emotional Resilience: Firefighters encounter traumatic and stressful situations. Developing coping mechanisms and support systems is important for mental health.
7. Explore Career Advancement Opportunities
Consider Future Roles: Understand that firefighting can lead to various specialized roles, including fire marshal, investigator, or even administrative positions. Consider your long-term career goals.
Preparing to become a firefighter requires a combination of education, training, physical fitness, and personal dedication. By focusing on these areas, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a fulfilling career in firefighting. Engaging with your local fire department through volunteering or internships can provide valuable insights and experiences as you move toward this goal. Good luck on your journey to becoming a firefighter!
Becoming a firefighter is an admirable goal that requires both physical and mental preparation, as well as knowledge of the profession. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you understand what you need to be prepared for becoming a firefighter after finishing school:
1. Education and Training
High School Diploma/GED: Ensure you complete your high school education or obtain your GED. Focus on courses related to science, health, physical education, and possibly fire science if available.
Firefighter Training Programs: After high school, consider attending a fire academy or vocational school that offers firefighter training. Many programs require candidates to have a basic knowledge of emergency services and public safety.
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certification: Many fire departments require firefighters to be certified as EMTs. Completing an EMT course will provide valuable medical training.
2. Physical Fitness
Physical Training: Firefighting is a physically demanding job. Prioritize a fitness regimen that builds strength, endurance, and agility. Focus on exercises such as:
Cardiovascular training (running, swimming, cycling)
Strength training (weightlifting, bodyweight exercises)
Flexibility and agility training (yoga, plyometrics)
Prepare for Physical Tests: You will likely need to pass a physical fitness test as part of the hiring process, which may include tasks such as climbing ladders, carrying equipment, and performing rescue simulations.
3. Understanding the Job
Skills Development: Gain skills relevant to firefighting, such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and stress management. You may also consider volunteering with a local fire department to gain experience.
Knowledge of Equipment and Safety Protocols: Familiarize yourself with firefighting equipment, tools, and safety protocols. Understanding how to use hoses, ladders, and other tools is fundamental to the profession.
4. Certifications and Additional Training
Firefighter I and II: Many states require certification as a Firefighter I and II, which involves both classroom learning and practical skills training.
Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Certification: Firefighters often respond to hazardous materials incidents, so obtaining HazMat certification is valuable.
Continued Education: Once you are in the profession, continuing education and specialized training in areas like wildland firefighting, technical rescue, or fire investigations can be beneficial.
5. Application Process
Research Fire Departments: Learn about the requirements and application processes for local fire departments. Requirements can vary by region, so check the specific departments you are interested in.
Prepare Your Application: Ensure your resume is well-prepared, highlighting relevant skills, experiences, and certifications. Some departments might also require a personal statement or essay.
Interview Preparation: Practice for interviews by preparing for common questions, including scenarios where teamwork and decision-making are critical. Demonstrate a strong commitment to public service and community involvement.
6. Understanding the Work Environment
Shift Work: Be prepared for irregular hours, as firefighters often work in shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays.
Team Dynamics: Firefighting is a team-oriented profession. Being able to work closely with others in high-stress situations is essential.
Emotional Resilience: Firefighters encounter traumatic and stressful situations. Developing coping mechanisms and support systems is important for mental health.
7. Explore Career Advancement Opportunities
Consider Future Roles: Understand that firefighting can lead to various specialized roles, including fire marshal, investigator, or even administrative positions. Consider your long-term career goals.
Preparing to become a firefighter requires a combination of education, training, physical fitness, and personal dedication. By focusing on these areas, you’ll be well-equipped to pursue a fulfilling career in firefighting. Engaging with your local fire department through volunteering or internships can provide valuable insights and experiences as you move toward this goal. Good luck on your journey to becoming a firefighter!
Ryan Pfeiffer, MA
Firefighter Lieutenant / EMT
100
Answers
Fort Collins, Colorado
Updated
Ryan’s Answer
Hello Kaden. Wow! I love the enthusiasm. I've been in firefighting and emergency services for 18-years and I don't even know everything about firefighting. Here are some highlight about preparing for it though:
Physical strength and stamina: You can never be too fit to be a firefighter. You need a combination of strength, flexibility, and endurance. Many firefighters recommend "crossfit style" workouts over steady state cardio or traditional weight lifting because it is more functional (meaning it more accurately simulates actual working conditions). Speaking of working conditions, get acclimated to heat and humidity by working out in sweats outside - don't do all your workouts indoors in the air conditioning. Especially if you want to be a Miami firefighter! Sauna is good for this as well. Bonus point for team sports because firefighting is all about teamwork.
Academics: You don't need a 4.0 or masters degree to be a firefighter, but you will be in training for most of your career and every new certification or promotion comes with a textbook. Be prepared to learn about firefighting, emergency medicine (anatomy and physiology), hazardous materials (chemistry), driving apparatus (automotive technology), technical rescue (some physics and math) and eventually instructing, leadership and supervision, management, etc. You don't need to be a genius, but you need good study habits and test taking skills.
Integrity: Firefighters are among the most trusted people in the world. People invite us into their homes 24/7 365 on the worst days of their lives. We're sometimes there when babies are born, and we're often there when people die. We drive multimillion dollar fire apparatus down public streets in violation of traditional rules of the road to respond to emergencies. We have to earn that trust every day. If you apply to be a firefighter and you've got speeding tickets galore, a DUI, lies on your resume, etc. you're going to be finished before you even start. Keep your business clean.
Stress Management: Have good coping mechanisms in place. Have healthy friendships, hobbies, a good diet, exercise routine, and people you can talk to. Once you're a firefighter your sleep will be negatively impacted by the nature of shift work, and you will be exposed to stresses and traumas most other people may only have to experience a few times in their whole lives. If you deal with these stresses via alcohol consumption, sleeping pills, sports betting, and other reckless behavior, it will eventually catch-up to you - maybe in 5-years or maybe 20. Don't wait until you start to feel burned out by the job to rest and recharge.
Be a Sponge: Just come in ready to learn. Follow directions. Listen to instructions. Some instructors will be better than others, and some may even contradict each other, but they all have something to offer. Don't get frustrated with the instructors and don't get a bad attitude about things in fire academy that "don't make sense." Just about everything has a reason, even if its not clear to you right away. Trust the process. And remember, the instructors are there to help you. I've never met one single instructor that become an instructor because they wanted to wash people out and ruin their dreams. We want you to succeed. But we can't want you to succeed more than you do. You have to ask for help and listen to and apply our advice. We don't want to fail anyone out, but we absolutely will fail someone that can't do the job because aloowing them to stay would put other firefighters at risk and jeopardize the public's trust in us.
What else do you want to know?
Physical strength and stamina: You can never be too fit to be a firefighter. You need a combination of strength, flexibility, and endurance. Many firefighters recommend "crossfit style" workouts over steady state cardio or traditional weight lifting because it is more functional (meaning it more accurately simulates actual working conditions). Speaking of working conditions, get acclimated to heat and humidity by working out in sweats outside - don't do all your workouts indoors in the air conditioning. Especially if you want to be a Miami firefighter! Sauna is good for this as well. Bonus point for team sports because firefighting is all about teamwork.
Academics: You don't need a 4.0 or masters degree to be a firefighter, but you will be in training for most of your career and every new certification or promotion comes with a textbook. Be prepared to learn about firefighting, emergency medicine (anatomy and physiology), hazardous materials (chemistry), driving apparatus (automotive technology), technical rescue (some physics and math) and eventually instructing, leadership and supervision, management, etc. You don't need to be a genius, but you need good study habits and test taking skills.
Integrity: Firefighters are among the most trusted people in the world. People invite us into their homes 24/7 365 on the worst days of their lives. We're sometimes there when babies are born, and we're often there when people die. We drive multimillion dollar fire apparatus down public streets in violation of traditional rules of the road to respond to emergencies. We have to earn that trust every day. If you apply to be a firefighter and you've got speeding tickets galore, a DUI, lies on your resume, etc. you're going to be finished before you even start. Keep your business clean.
Stress Management: Have good coping mechanisms in place. Have healthy friendships, hobbies, a good diet, exercise routine, and people you can talk to. Once you're a firefighter your sleep will be negatively impacted by the nature of shift work, and you will be exposed to stresses and traumas most other people may only have to experience a few times in their whole lives. If you deal with these stresses via alcohol consumption, sleeping pills, sports betting, and other reckless behavior, it will eventually catch-up to you - maybe in 5-years or maybe 20. Don't wait until you start to feel burned out by the job to rest and recharge.
Be a Sponge: Just come in ready to learn. Follow directions. Listen to instructions. Some instructors will be better than others, and some may even contradict each other, but they all have something to offer. Don't get frustrated with the instructors and don't get a bad attitude about things in fire academy that "don't make sense." Just about everything has a reason, even if its not clear to you right away. Trust the process. And remember, the instructors are there to help you. I've never met one single instructor that become an instructor because they wanted to wash people out and ruin their dreams. We want you to succeed. But we can't want you to succeed more than you do. You have to ask for help and listen to and apply our advice. We don't want to fail anyone out, but we absolutely will fail someone that can't do the job because aloowing them to stay would put other firefighters at risk and jeopardize the public's trust in us.
What else do you want to know?