How to Become a Firefighter in Oregon
Training to become a firefighter is a long process that begins before the firefighter is recruited. In Oregon, there is not a single way to become a firefighter. Instead, cities and counties hire firefighters during open recruiting, and may also advertise for recruits when openings suddenly become available. Becoming a firefighter in Oregon is a difficult and arduous feat that includes learning how to put out fires, rescue those inside a fire and apply emergency medical techniques to those who have been rescued.
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Instructions
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Preparation
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Make fitness part of your every day routine. Physical strength, endurance and flexibility are required of every firefighter. Incorporating a fitness routine into your daily life, long before you apply for a position as a firefighter, will help you pass your physical requirements more easily when you are recruited.
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Work as a volunteer firefighter within your local area. Many firefighters start their careers as volunteers. Contact the Oregon Volunteer Firefighters Association to find the fire station nearest you and for more information on how to become a volunteer firefighter.
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Obtain a degree. Although it's not always required to be hired as a firefighter, a degree from a two- or four-year college could make you stand out as a firefighter candidate. Oregon colleges offer fire and EMS degree programs.
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Get fire training through the Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training academy. The DPSST trains volunteer and career firefighters in Oregon. You must be working as a volunteer firefighter to qualify for the DPSST program. You will need to complete an application and provide a supervisor's signature approving you for training as a volunteer.
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Work in a related emergency field, like as an emergency medical technician or paramedic. Learning how to manage people in a crisis and respond to an emergency can help you during a fire rescue situation. Some cities may require their firefighters to be a licensed EMT or paramedic. For instance, Portland requires all newly hired firefighters without an EMT-Basic license to obtain one in the first months of their recruitment.
Application
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Contact fire departments you would like to work for in Oregon and find out how they recruit. Ask for a list of candidate requirements and for dates when open recruitment takes place. Each city and county will have its own application process. Some may ask you to qualify and then place you on a recruitment list. This list is accessed when the department needs new firefighters. Others may recruit for open positions on an as-needed basis.
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Apply for a firefighter position during open recruitment and complete the initial assessment. You will be tested on physical agility, be interviewed by firefighters, pass a psychological exam and be tested on your technical skills.
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Complete the second round of assessments. Candidates who pass the first round of initial requirements must pass a background check and may then go through a second round of interviews, and possibly be interviewed by the fire chief. Successful candidates are placed on a recruitment list and are hired on an as-needed basis.
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Complete recruit training after being hired. Fire recruits must complete several months or more of physical training. This includes learning fire-fighting techniques in self-rescue, practicing search techniques and learning to coordinate as a fire crew.
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