How to Become a Paid Firefighter

Every day you report to work as a firefighter, you might get an opportunity to help people who cannot help themselves. It is a long process to become a paid firefighter, but if you stick to it, the pay-off could be an exciting, and rewarding, career.

Instructions

1. One sure way to improve your chances of becoming a paid firefighter is to boost your physical fitness level. The number one killer of firefighters is not smoke, nor is it fire or collapsing buildings. It is heart attacks. While training, make sure to push yourself hard enough to become fatigued. If you do your training right, this will occur less and less frequently.

2. Volunteer at a local fire department. Although not required, volunteer firefighting experience can help you place higher on the candidate list.

3. Take EMT training. Many fire departments now require all of their firefighters to have EMT-Basic licensure, so becoming a certified EMT will help boost you to the top of the candidate list. Many of the duties of a firefighter require basic medical skills.

4. Find a fire department that is hiring. Most do not hire firefighters continually. They usually have hiring periods every couple of years.

5. Take the candidate physical abilities test. The CPAT is a firefighting related fitness test. It will test your ability to physically function as a firefighter. You must pass this test in order to become a firefighter, and the higher you score the higher you will climb on the candidate list.

6. Take the civil service exam. Since most departments require this written test, your having already taken it--and passed--will again boost your chances of getting hired.

7. Have a successful interview. You will be required to attend one or more interviews by department officials. Upon successful completion of this step, you will be given a tentative job offer.

8. If you accept the job offer, chances are you will be asked to attend the department's fire academy, where you will receive hands-on training. You will usually be paid while in the academy, but you must successfully completeall of the training and tests in order to become a firefighter.

Tips & Warnings

• A college degree in fire science or fire engineering will put you higher on the candidate list, and will also allow you to receive a higher salary.

• Firefighting is a dangerous career that can lead to severe injury or death.

References

• Los Angeles Fire Department: Firefighter Selection Process

Resources

• Los Angeles Fire Department: Join Our Team
• New York City Fire Department: Employment