Becoming a Firefighter: Are You Up For the Challenge?

So what is a Firefighter?

Each year, fires or other emergencies take countless lives and damage property valued at billions of dollars. Fire fighters help safeguard people against these risks by responding to fires as well as a range of other emergencies. Firefighters usually are the first to respond in emergency situations wherever property, life or the environment are at risk due to fires, floods, natural disasters, or accidents.

What Exactly Do Firefighters Do?

Fire fighters engage in a variety of jobs, some much more difficult than others. Their jobs might include operating a pump, hooking up hoses to hydrants and placing ladders. Though they often put out fires, fire fighters more frequently respond to other types of emergency situations. They are generally the first emergency personnel at the scene of a traffic accident or medical crisis and might be required to take care of injuries or perform various other vital tasks. Fire fighters save survivors and victims, provide medical help, save contents of houses and ventilate structures to remove smoke.

During job hours, fire fighters must be ready to react instantly to a fire or other emergency. Fighting fires is challenging and risky and takes organization and teamwork. At every emergency scene, fire fighters engage in precise tasks specified by a superior officer. Sometimes they remain at the location of a disaster for days at a time, rescuing trapped survivors, and assisting with medical treatment. Between calls, fire fighters hone their techniques; clean, take care of and fix apparatus; exercise; and engage in practice drills.

A lot of firefighters work irregular hours and live at the fire station a lot of the time. Fire houses are usually outfitted with cooking areas, bedrooms and living rooms. Hrs can vary but generally include a 50-hour work week. Firefighters often work 10-14 hour shifts for 3-4 days back to back; a shift routine may involve 3 days on shift, three nights on shift and three days off. Sometimes, fire fighters work 24-hour shifts, followed by a couple of days off. When they are not responding to fires and other emergencies, fire fighters clean up and maintain apparatus, learn other techniques associated with their jobs, conduct practice drills, and engage in physical conditioning activities. They'll also prepare written reports on fire occurrences and also read fire science materials to keep knowledgeable about technological innovations and changing administrative plans and guidelines.

Fire Fighter Education and Training

Candidates interested in fire fighting careers normally are required to have at least a high school diploma, however prospects with some college education are more and more becoming favored. Today, many fire fighters have obtained college degrees, like an AAS in Fire Science or a Bachelor's degree in Fire Science. Additionally, emergency medical services (EMT) education is likely to be required before beginning work. Since lots of emergency calls concern medical related events, nearly all fire departments have started requiring fire fighters to acquire some type of emergency medical training and may also send personnel to get emergency medical technician (EMT) training in order to become EMT-Basic certified.

Health and fitness assessments, a medical assessment and a criminal record check are also mandatory when applying for a fire fighter career. All fire fighters receive considerable training subsequent to getting hired. Generally, newly hired workers in large fire departments will be trained for several weeks in the department's training center or academy. During class room education along with hands-on training, recruits learn fire fighting skills, fire prevention, hazardous materials control, local building regulations, and emergency medical practices, including first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). They also learn how to utilize axes, chain saws, fire extinguishers, ladders, and various other fire fighting and rescue apparatus. After successfully completing training, the recruits will be assigned to a fire department, at which they'll undergo a period of probation.

Firefighting requires a high level of drive and professionalism for those who settle on it as a job. A firefighter is required to have the courage and endurance to risk their own lives in the interest of others. They will need to also study long hours as well as endure substantial periods of training to allow them to develop to be successful and proficient pros. If you're ready to make the required commitment, a career as a Firefighter could certainly be one of great reward and fulfillment, even though it is also an exceptionally rigorous job.