How to Join the Fire Service

If you want to become a firefighter, the first thing you should do is learn as much as you can about the training you'll need. This could mean attending a firefighter training school or taking classes after high school. Four to six months of training is possible, but certificate programs may be shorter. There are many ways to get into this field, and knowing the different requirements can help you make the best choice for your future.

If you've always wanted to be a firefighter, you might find what you need at a community college. They have programs that lead to an associate's degree that focuses on fire safety and emergency medical services. Students in these programs learn how to help people who have been hurt or have a medical emergency. The program usually takes about 60 credits and covers all basic education requirements to become a firefighter.

OCC has a Fire Protection Technology degree that is recognized all over the country. Students in the program learn what it takes to become firefighters anywhere in the United States. During the program, students will learn everything there is to know about preventing fires, as well as science and math. They will also learn how to use these skills in real life. When they finish the program, graduates will be ready to take the state certification exam, which has written and hands-on parts.

There are many ways to go to college after high school to become a firefighter. Depending on the department, you can attend a school or work as an apprentice for four years. Some fire departments also have fire schools that anyone can go to. Again, training can take just a few weeks or several months, depending on the department. The training can take anywhere from 10 to 24 weeks, and it can be done full-time or part-time. Some departments also offer classes in the evenings and on the weekends.

Check out the requirements for a firefighter academy before you apply. Classes in basic science, fire theory, and safety are often part of many programs. If you take these classes, you will learn how to fight fires and run fire departments. But you should think about whether or not you want to take more classes in fire science, fire behavior, or fire theory.

Most of the time, firefighters who are also EMTs work in fire stations. They respond to medical emergencies and drive people to hospitals. They also do regular maintenance around the fire station, like cleaning and repairing engines and equipment. Also, firefighters are expected to fill out paperwork and do chores around the house. So, they have to be ready to drop whatever they are doing when duty calls.

Before you can apply to be a firefighter, you have to go through a medical exam to make sure you are healthy enough to do the job safely. The exam includes a blood test, a test of your vision, and an X-ray of your chest. It will check for heart and other health problems that could make you less able to do things. Your doctor may also ask you about your cholesterol and blood pressure.

By law, fire departments have to check the health of their firefighters regularly to see if they are physically fit. This can help keep someone from getting a common disease in their job. A firefighter should get a general physical exam, chest x-rays and a cancer check. During the exam, the fire department will also want to know your vital signs. This will show potential employers how you look now and let them know if you have any health problems.

A background check is the first thing you must do to become a firefighter. This could mean a background check by the police or an investigation by the Human Resources department of the fire department. The background check is sometimes done by a private investigator hired by the fire department. Depending on how this investigation goes, the applicant may or may not be able to join the department.

Getting a background check to become a firefighter is done differently in each state. Some departments do background checks by searching online or calling the police in the area. Others send requests to several places, like schools and past employers, to find out about a potential firefighter's background. It may take a few weeks to finish.