Education Requirements for Becoming a Firefighter
It takes more than bravery to be a firefighter. Specific education requirements may vary by fire department or state to state, but there are some general guidelines that tend to be accepted across the board.
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Minimum Requirements
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Firefighter candidates must have a high school diploma or G.E.D. They also usually need to be at least 18 years old, in good physical condition, drug-free, and able to pass a written examination.
Educational Background
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Post-secondary education in fields such as fire science, chemistry, public administration, environmental studies, and forest studies among others may contribute to furthering a firefighter's career. Two-year associate's degrees are offered at many community colleges and these can be parlayed into four year degree programs. There are also post-graduate programs available (see Reference 2).
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Firefighter Training
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Once a candidate has passed a written exam he has to participate in on-the-job training that should include information about fire safety and prevention and emergency medical procedures such as CPR.
EMT Certification
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, most fire departments require employees to get certified as emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
Apprenticeships
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Some fire departments offer further training and education in-house in the form of apprenticeships which combine on-the-job training with formal instruction in a classroom (See Resource 2).
Specializations
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There are also specializations with the firefighting field that usually require a college degree. These positions include fire inspector, forest fire inspector and prevention specialist, hazardous material worker and fire captain.
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