What They Do:
Firefighters are responsible for
protecting people’s lives and property through fighting fires
and rescuing people who are trapped inside fires, injured by
fires or through other accidents. Although Firefighters perform
many of their duties in an independent manner, working as a team
is a vital and necessary part of being a firefighter. Through
inspections and safety education, Firefighters also work to
prevent any unsafe situations or conditions, so that life
threatening and other dangerous situations can be avoided. They
will also assist in many of the emergency and disaster
situations that occur throughout their area.
Who Would
Enjoy It:
A person who would like to respond to
a variety of emergency situations in which life, property, or
the environment are at risk. This person must be able to be a
team player and able to take orders as a member of the emergency
response team at the scene of an accident, fire, flood,
earthquake, or act of terrorism. A person in this field must be
organized, maintain control in various situations and be able to
think and act quickly under pressure.
What They Earn:
A full time Firefighter’s salary
ranges from about $22,000 to $50,000 per year, while part time
Firefighter’s average $8.00 to $25.00 per hour. Firefighters
will often earn overtime by working extra shifts to maintain
minimum staffing levels, or when called in for special
emergencies.
How Many Jobs
Available:
Strong competition for positions can
be expected. Although the growth is expected to be slower than
the average, some growth should occur in this field as fire
departments enlarge or new departments are formed. The outlook
is fair, and competition will be keen for jobs in most large
cities. Most openings occur when experienced workers retire or
leave their jobs for other reasons.
How Much Schooling,
Training, or Skill Development:
Firefighting attracts many people
because a high school education was usually sufficient, however
a person with a two-year Fire Science Degree is often a large
advantage. A person may also need to pass a civil service
examination to get a job in this field, as well as a
comprehensive physical exam.
Related
Occupations:
Emergency Medical Technician
