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Interested in professional fire fighting?
Fire fighters are our community’s first responders and our nation’s heroes. Fire
fighters respond to all hazards: car accidents, structure fires, natural and
manmade disasters and medical emergencies.
They work in airports, forests, industrial sites, for cities and counties, and in
urban and rural areas. The job is physically demanding as fire fighters
often work 24-hour shifts in hazardous conditions. Fire fighters and
EMS/paramedics work together to respond to emergencies. These professions
require skill and training. Many fire departments require fire fighters to be
certified as an EMS medical technician. Between calls, fire fighters
maintain equipment, receive training and run drills, take time for physical
fitness and file reports and paperwork.
More than a job
Becoming a professional fire fighter requires courage, knowledge, cooperation,
physical strength, agility, endurance, compassion and adaptability. To become a
professional fire fighter, you must have all of these characteristics to protect the citizens of your community from fire
and respond to any type of
emergency.
Professional fire fighters serve the public by protecting
citizens and their property from fire. However, fire fighters also respond to a
number of other emergencies, including emergency medical incidents,
hazardous material spills and rescue calls.
Duties as a professional fire fighter during fire suppression
calls include connecting hose lines to hydrants, operating pumps,
applying water or other extinguishing agents through hose lines and nozzles, and
positioning ladders. Fire fighters also ventilate smoke filled areas, operate
heavy equipment and salvage building contents, as well as rescue victims and
administer emergency medical care.
Special training for all situations
Most professional fire fighters are trained not only in fire
suppression, but also as emergency medical technicians or paramedics. Providing
emergency medical care to the ill and injured is a major part of a fire
fighter’s job. Fire fighters carry life-saving equipment such as cardiac
defibrillators and medications. Rapid response from a well-trained
fire fighter is often the difference between life and death in emergency medical
calls.
While fire fighting and emergency response are the most visible aspects of
being a professional fire fighter, incident command, hazardous
materials, high angle rescue, water rescue, wild land fires, fire
prevention, fire investigations, communications, fire education and community
relations also occupy a major part of a professional fire fighter’s job. As a
professional fire fighter, you have the opportunity to educate the
community you serve on the hazards of fire and teach school children the
dangers of fire and the correct reactions to emergency situations.
Professional fire fighters are also trained to inspect buildings for
hazardous conditions that may result in a fire. Armed with the knowledge of fire
hazards and local fire and building codes, fire fighters check exit
routes, the storage and use of flammable and combustible materials, overcrowding
of public places and the improper use of equipment or materials in buildings.
Not just fighting fires
When not on a call or dealing with the public, fire fighters perform a number of
other tasks. These include conducting practice drills, keeping
fire fighting equipment clean and in good operating condition, attending
training courses and other required station duties.
Professional fire fighters are at great risk of becoming injured while on
duty. Though fire fighting can be rewarding, it is one of the most
dangerous professions. Nearly 40 percent of all professional fire fighters
are injured every year. This is because fire fighters are required to face a
variety of dangers on any given day. In addition to the perils of fire, professional
fire fighters transport and use of toxic and hazardous materials and risk
exposure to
numerous infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV.
Shifts
Depending on locality, professional fire fighters are required to work
from 40 to 56 hours a week. In order to meet the 24-hours-a-day demand of fire
fighting, professional fire fighters work in shifts. Each fire department
establishes its own shift schedule and staffing requirements. Although there are
no absolute rules governing how shifts operate, the two most prevalent shifts
are 24-hour tours and the split shift. The 24-hour tour requires fire
fighters to work 24 hours on duty, followed by either 48 or 72 hours off duty. The split
shift requires fire fighters to work a nine-hour day and 15-hour night tour, or
a 10-hour day and 14-hour night tour. After each set of day tours, a fire fighter
has approximately 72 hours off duty and after each set of night tours 48 hours off
duty. The threat of danger and the
long hours associated with fire fighting turn many people away from this type of
career. However, most individuals who desire to become professional fire
fighters focus on their dedication to protecting and saving lives.
Salary
The average starting salary in the United States in 2006 for a fire fighter was $34,688,
with a
maximum starting salary of $47,386.
How do I become a
professional fire fighter?
The first step to becoming a fire fighter is to understand the examination and hiring process in
your city
or community. Information about the examination and the
application process is usually available from your city’s department of human resources or from your local fire department.
Sometimes, applications and information is available from the local high school’s
guidance office or local library.
Smaller towns, fire districts and counties often require
fire fighter certification at a community college or university. Once you
have the required qualifications, you can submit your resume to the fire
department. Larger cities and municipalities often use the civil service
exam. Those who score high enough may go through an interview process and, if
accepted, enter the training academy as a recruit to learn how to become a fire
fighter.
Professional fire fighters
are certified for fire fighting according to standards established by their
municipalities.
Typical Requirements for becoming a professional fire
fighter:
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Generally the age range for becoming a professional fire fighter is 18 to 35.
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You must be a citizen and have a valid
driver’s license to be appointed as a professional fire fighter.
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Fire fighter candidates often must be
residents of the community in which they intend to serve and to maintain their
residence if appointed as professional fire fighters.
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You must have a high school diploma or its equivalent. Additionally, you
must attend a fire fighting training program
at a vocational/technical school or a two-year college program that teaches
fire protection/fire control.
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Although not required, a number of fire fighters coming on the job today have
four year college degrees.
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If
you are in the military, you may need to show that you have been
trained in fire fighting techniques.
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Most
fire fighters must receive certification to be emergency medical
technicians or paramedics.
View sample fire
department requirements:
Phoenix,
Arizona
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Indianapolis, Indiana
Grand Rapids,
Michigan
Marion City,
Iowa
Tracy, California
After an eligibility rating
in the examination has been established, an investigation may be conducted to
secure additional evidence of your qualifications and fitness with particular
reference to integrity, reliability and general suitability. For more
information, contact the IAFF affiliate in the locality where you
are interested in working.
What is the IAFF? How do
I join?
The International
Association of Fire Fighters, headquartered in Washington, DC, represents more
than 281,000 fire fighters and emergency medical personnel who protect 85
percent of the nation's population. The IAFF includes more than 3,100 locals in
more than 3,500 communities in the United States and Canada. In addition to city
and county fire fighters and emergency medical personnel, IAFF members include
state employees, federal workers and fire and emergency medical personnel
employed at certain industrial facilities.
The IAFF is the driving
force behind nearly every advance in the fire and emergency services in the 20th
century — from the introduction of shift schedules early in the last century to
the enactment of SAFER in 2003. With extremely active political and legislative
programs, and with recognized experts in the fields of occupational health and
safety, fire-based emergency medical services and hazardous materials training,
the IAFF has established professional standards for the North American fire
service. Learn more at IAFF History Online.
Today, the IAFF is the
primary advocate for providing fire fighters and paramedics with the tools they
need to perform their jobs. The IAFF provides a strong voice in the development
and implementation of new training and equipment, and has worked hard to ensure
the proper staffing of fire and EMS departments. The IAFF is a democracy based,
member-driven organization — by fire fighters, for fire fighters.
Once you become a fire fighter or EMT, you can join the IAFF. Your IAFF local
can contact you about your membership. Learn more about organizing an IAFF
local here.
Where can I find more
information?
Visit the following links to learn more about fire fighting and
the fire service:
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