Five Great Tips to Become a Firefighter

The competition can be overwhelming when pursuing a career to become a firefighter.  Conversing with members in the fire service, you will find recurring themes and recommendations to become a firefighter. Take word of the following and you could increase your odds to obtaining work within the fire service industry.

1. Be aware of the duties and demands

Becoming a firefighter isn't only adding water on fire. Employment functions of any entry-level firefighter are rather extensive. Work shifts vary by department unit & customarily operate 24 hours or 48 hours that have 2-3 day rest.  Firefighters are responsible for maintenance of engines and related equipment, preparing daily meals, cleaning living areas, keeping in shape, writing fire reports, conducting fire evacuations, public service and many other needs. Even if there's downtime, on shift firefighters have to be prepared to respond to a crisis anytime. Crisis situations are never scheduled which will result in interruption to rest, meals, and washroom breaks.

2. Finish high school or achieve GED

Acquiring your high school diploma or GED certificate are minimum qualifications for almost all community firefighter opportunities. Though prospective candidates can be hired with a very minimum education standard, prospects with sound academic qualification are usually more desirable. Firefighters must to write reports and could be required to testify in a court proceeding.  Adverse written skills could undermine the trustworthiness and credibility of the firefighter.

3. Enroll in an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course

Most fire stations require basic EMT certification. Moreover it will give you a taste what it's like to attend victims during medical call, traumas, and fire crisis. If you might have difficulties with the sight of blood, violent trauma, or providing CPR the fire service won't be your true career.


4. Enlist in Firefighter Academy

A great number of fire departments request a satisfactory completion of Firefighter Academy 1 prior to taking an entry level exam. Participating in a fire academy can give the prospect a much wider scope and detail including fire commission protocols and limitations, fire best practices and safety, fire reports, hose operations, fire extinguishers, pre-incident organization, building assembly, and numerous other requirements. If you really wish to become a firefighter enrolling in a firefighter academy needs to be really considered.

5. Obtain Firefighter Written Exam Training courses Material

The written exam is used  to filter the applicant pool so that a smaller group may move forward to the physical test. The written exams look for ways to solidify that the job hopefuls have reasonable skill levels. Subjects may well include reading, mathematics,  fire science, and English. Map reading and adhering to directions may also be tested. Normally the exams are scored as pass/fail with least being much better than 70%.

Various preferred text books include "Smoke Your Firefighter Written Exam" according to Paul S. Lepore, "Firefighter Exam Preparation Book" created by Norman Hall and Arcos "Master the Firefighter Exam". The reference books gives the prospect basic awareness of of test preparation. Some related information might not apply to your city or state. When selecting any books be sure to confirm with the fire department you will be testing in. Request the fire department if there are any specific books they suggest

If you want to become a firefighter the best way is to standout from your competition.