Becoming A Firefighter: Are You Up For The Challenge?

Posted: Jun 23, 2011 |Comments: 0 |

Exactly what is a Firefighter?

Each year, fires and many other emergencies take a huge number of lives and ruin property worth billions of dollars. Fire fighters safeguard everyone against these hazards by responding to fires in addition to a range of other emergency situations. Fire fighters are generally the first to respond in emergency situations where property, life or the environment are in peril because of fires, floods, natural catastrophes, or accidents.

What Exactly Do Firefighters Do?

Firefighters carry out numerous functions, some much more demanding than others. Their duties range from operating the pump, connecting hose lines to hydrants and placing ladders. Though they regularly put out fires, fire fighters more frequently respond to various other emergencies. They are usually the first emergency personnel on the scene of a traffic accident or health-related crisis and may often be called upon to deal with injuries or carry out other sorts of essential tasks. Fire fighters rescue survivors and victims, perform medical assistance, salvage belongings in buildings and ventilate buildings to remove smoke.

Throughout duty hours, fire fighters need to be ready to react immediately to a fire or other emergency. Fighting fires is definitely challenging and dangerous and calls for organization and teamwork. At each emergency scenario, fire fighters perform precise duties specified by a superior officer. In some cases they'll stay at the site of a disaster for days at a time, saving trapped survivors, and assisting with medical treatment. Between calls, fire fighters hone their competencies; clean, take care of and repair apparatus; work out; and engage in practice drills.


Lots of firefighters work irregular hours and reside at the fire station a good deal of the time. Fire stations are generally furnished with cooking areas, bedrooms and living rooms. Hours may vary but usually include a 50-hour work week. Firefighters may work 10-14 hour shifts for 3-4 days back to back; a shift routine might include 3 days on shift, three nights on shift and three days off. In some cases, fire fighters work 24-hour shifts, and then a couple of days off. When they aren't responding to fires or other emergencies, fire fighters clean and maintain gear, study various other techniques relating to their jobs, run practice exercises, and participate in physical conditioning activities. They also put together written reports about fire occurrences and study fire science magazines to stay up to date about new trends and evolving administrative plans and regulations.

Fire Fighter Education and Training

Prospects in search of fire fighting careers usually are required to get at least a high school diploma, but prospects who have some college education are increasingly being desired. Today, a large number of fire fighters have obtained college degrees, such as an Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science or even a Bachelor of Science in Fire Science. Additionally, emergency medical services (EMT) education may be expected prior to starting work. Since lots of emergency calls involve medical-related problems, a large number of fire departments are generally requiring fire fighters to receive some sort of emergency medical education and might send employees for emergency medical technician (EMT) training in order to get EMT-Basic certified.

Physical fitness and health testing, a medical exam and a criminal background check are also mandatory when you are applying for a fire fighter job. All fire fighters undergo in depth training subsequent to getting hired. Normally, newly hired personnel in large fire departments will be trained for a few weeks at a department's training center or academy. By way of class room lessons as well as practical training, new hires learn fire fighting procedures, fire prevention, hazardous materials management, local building codes, and emergency medical procedures, such as first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They'll also learn about how to utilize axes, chain saws, fire extinguishers, ladders, and other sorts of fire fighting and rescue tools. After successfully completing training, the recruits can be assigned to a fire department, where they'll go through a period of probation.

Firefighting requires a great deal of persistence and professionalism for individuals who choose it as their career. A firefighter has to possess the strength and endurance to risk their own lives in the interest of other people. They have got to also study long hours as well as complete extended periods of training in order to become productive and proficient professionals. If you are prepared to make a commitment, a career as a Firefighter most likely will be one of great reward and fulfillment, although it is also a remarkably tough job.

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