Firefighters Job Requirements

If you want to become a firefighter, you should be aware of the requirements for the job. Remember that some requirements will differ from state to state, and also from town to town too. This article covers the general guidelines and will give you an idea of what you can expect.

Generally you must be at least 18 years of age, some fire departments will allow 17 year old applicants. Most of the time, the maximum age for applying for a firefighters job is 29 years old. Each fire department should have their age limits listed on their application form. Most fire departments will require you to at least have a high school diploma, or a GED and there are some fire departments that want you to have already attended certain courses and to have acquired special education in fire fighting. Some fire departments will require EMT-Basic, EMT-1 or equivalent skills for the position before applying and you may need to show proof of certification from the Approved Fire Fighter Training program.

The fire department may require the applicant to possess a valid and current driver's license with a clear driving record. Some states go back 3 - 5 years on the driving record checks. Certainly you must have no convictions for criminal offenses, especially in relation to the job of an emergency worker. The Applicants will have to be in excellent physical fitness, and a physical assessment and medical exam is mandatory during the recruitment process. Most fire departments prefer you to have above average vision without the need for glasses. Color blindness as well as peripheral vision is also tested, along with your hearing, which must also be unaided. Applicants are usually asked to be a resident of the county in which they are applying and must definitely reside in the same state.

There are some other qualifications you may want to work at obtaining; these will benefit your application, and show you are really interested in the job of firefighting.

1. Volunteering or working full or part time career related fields.

2. First aid work and/or training.

3. Driving emergency vehicles.

4. Any type of medical training or work.

5. Completing any academic or trade program in firefighting is a benefit toward applying for a job as a firefighter, and remember to provide a copy of your transcripts.

Most fire departments are particular in who they hire since there is a lot of stress and trust put on these men and women that are finally chosen. It not only takes physical strength and ability, but also emotional and mental strength. The stress alone is enough to bring you down, and the fact that each moment on the job could be the last, or the chance of long term health problems from breathing the air around you at the scene of a fire are reasons that some people have no desire to be firefighters, however, there are a select few that make it all the way and fulfill the firefighters job requirements.

According to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of firefighters positions will increase faster than most other types of jobs in the country.

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