What does a Firefighter do?
The job of a Firefighter includes activities such as: pulling hose lines, throwing ladders, operating tools and equipment (chain saws, generators, swinging an ax), wearing bulky and/or heavy protective equipment, effecting rescues, and many other miscellaneous duties. They also perform field assessments of patients and deliver medical care, respond to fires and other emergencies, keep the fire station in clean and working order, work well with others and maintain a level of peak physical fitness.
What kind of education do you need to be a Firefighter?
There is no set template or requirement – every fire department or agency will have a different set of qualifications they will ask candidates to apply with. In general, there are two types of training you can acquire to become a Firefighter:
1. Academic: This is acquired by taking Fire Science or Fire Technology classes, eventually earning a Fire Science or Technology degree (2 years or 4 semesters)
2. Hands-on Training: This is earned by attending a Firefighter I Basic Fire Academy.
What are the physical demands like?
Firefighting is one of the most physically demanding jobs you will find – it requires a high level of strength and cardiovascular fitness. In general, you must be able to sustain a high level of energy output for up to 30 minutes at a time – doing things like moving equipment, throwing ladders, carrying hose packs, using hand tools, dragging charged hose lines and ascending/descending stairs – all in bulky Firefighter gear.
Why is it a good idea to repeat orders on the fireground?
The emergency scene can be chaotic, loud, confusing and challenging for everyone involved – including the professionals that respond to them. When a Firefighter is given an order to do something, they are expected to follow that order. By repeating that order to the supervisor from whom it came, they show that supervisor that they understand the order. This is a simple way that 2 people can exchange information quickly and effectively when time is of the essence.
For more information view our video blog here.
What are some basic exercises I can do to get into Firefighter shape?
3 exercises that come to mind that are simple, effective, and relatively cheap are the pull-up, the push-up, and 20 minute cardio. By mixing these three exercises into your routine, and making them part of each week, you’ll begin to increase strength and your endurance. If you have any type of stairs nearby, such as a football stadium, park, or high-rise building, running these will also help your lower body strength.
Please visit these 3 previous blog posts for more info: A Classic Exercise (Pull-ups), 20 minute cardio, and Fitness Anywhere (Push-ups).
What are extra classes I can take during my journey to help make me a more desirable candidate?
The types of classes you can take generally fall into one of 4 categories: EMS, Rescue, Wildland or Command. With the exception of a short class designed to introduce students to EKG readings (EMS category), it’s our opinion that an entry level candidate would be better served to spend their time & energy seeking volunteer or reserve firefighter employment or volunteering within their community vs. taking a high-level or advanced class from one of these categories. You’ll make yourself stand out as a candidate with a solid work history and a strong oral interview, not a list of classes that many career Firefighters don’t have even after 5-10 years on the job.
For more on this topic please watch our video blog here.
