FirefightersMany young children dream of saving lives by fighting fires, but few know the training needed to become a firefighter and make their visions come true. Firefighters do dangerous work to control the spread of fires, respond to disasters, and treat people suffering medical emergencies, so it’s no surprise that firefighter training is intensive. Firefighters need to have a fair share of physical endurance, courage, strength, and problem-solving skills to succeed. After all, firefighters don their gear and enter burning buildings when everyone else runs the other direction. Although requirements tend to vary by jurisdiction, but the following is a general step-by-step guide showing how you can meet your firefighting goals for a rewarding career.

Know the Training Prerequisites

Before you can even start training to become a firefighter, you’ll need to fulfill a number of qualifications. Firstly, firefighters must be at least 18 years of age for training. Having a valid driver’s license and meeting certain residency requirements may also be mandated. Firefighters need to stay clearheaded to protect lives and property from harm, so passing a medical exam and drug screening process is another must. Entry-level firefighters must hold at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent to enter training too, according to Fire Recruit.

Complete a Post-Secondary Program

While this isn’t always required, it’s becoming more common for fire departments to make an associate’s or bachelor’s degree a qualification for hiring. Attending a technical school, community college, or university to study fire science can pay off when looking to advance into leadership in firefighting agencies later. Many accredited programs include a field internship to start gaining hands-on experience. Some firefighters also choose to receive EMT certification from a local trade school to give medical treatment to fire or accident victims.

Test for Open Firefighting Positions

Next, future firefighters must attend recruitment fairs held by fire departments to pass screening for open hiring positions. Having patience is importance because recruits typically have a lengthy hiring process. Qualified individuals will need to pass a first round of interviews, and then progress to a series of evaluations. To enter training, candidates will need to pass at least two exams, which include one written test and one Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT). The written test will likely include 100 questions covering everything from memory and reading comprehension to logic.

Start Fire Academy Training

The final step to become a firefighter is to complete training sponsored by the National Fire Academy (NFA). Training programs can last anywhere from six weeks to four months, but all trainees will work at least 40 hours a week. Academies will blend classroom instruction with practical hands-on training. New firefighters are given essential knowledge on fire prevention, firefighting techniques, anti-arson methods, hazardous materials, building codes, and disaster preparedness practices. Trainees are pushed through obstacle courses to assess their agility in fighting fires in various challenging areas too.

Related Resource: Become an EMT

After training, firefighters will enter a probationary period for three to six months to begin taking on the daily risky duties of a firefighter while under supervision. The process to become a firefighter is lengthy and never really ends thanks to continual training. That being said, it pays off with an average annual salary of $48,750 and plentiful intrinsic rewards touching the lives of many, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Now that you know the training needed to become a firefighter, you can start working towards your goal of providing emergency fire and medical attention for rescuing victims.