How to Get Hired As a Firefighter

Becoming a firefighter takes perseverance.

To get hired as a firefighter, you must follow a set of guidelines provided by the fire department you want to work for. Each department has varying requirements for employment, which include minimum education and certification, age, standards of physical fitness and the ability to pass written exams. Depending upon whether formal firefighter instruction and certification are required, it can take up to two years to be gainfully employed. The process to get hired can seem long and tedious, but most firefighters agree that the job satisfaction is worth the wait.

Instructions

Meet the Requirements

1. Research hiring procedures of fire departments for which you want to work. Departments vary in their minimum hiring standards. Some do not require formal firefighting education or certification, but some do, and usually the requirements depend upon whether the state requires certification. Some fire departments, whether to comply with state law or other established fire training guidelines, offer firefighter instruction. Departments in states where education or certification is required and which don't offer their own training will require applicants to complete firefighter training and to become state certified as a Firefighter I & II prior to applying for open positions.

2. Once you determine the minimum education and certification requirements, proceed with firefighting training and obtain your certifications. The rest of the steps to getting hired as a firefighter are generally identical.

3. Be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma and meet other stipulated requirements. All fire departments share age and minimum education requirements. In some cases, fire departments have other requirements for firefighter positions such as having an emergency medical technician (EMT) or paramedic certification.

Apply for Employment

1. Check for vacant firefighter positions. Most fire departments publish position announcements on the county or city website and in the local newspaper. They usually do not accept applications unless a vacancy announcement has been published.

2. Submit an application for employment. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Many times fire departments will ask for supporting documents of your training and other credentials such as a diploma, a driver's license, or proof of military service. Your application can be delayed or rejected if it is not submitted according to instructions. Be prepared to obtain a physician's physical as part of the application process. Firefighters must be in excellent health and need a physician's release to complete the final hiring steps.

3. Pass a written and/or physical exam. Fire departments always give physical exams to ascertain the applicant's physical fitness and ability to perform the duties of a firefighter. More often than not, they also give a written exam consisting of reading comprehension, logic and math skills, or some combination thereof. Sometimes the tests are done separately, one after the other, to weed out unfit applicants, and other times they are done together in one appointment. Applicants are often ranked for further consideration based upon their test scores.

4. Attend an interview. After you pass the physical and written exam, the fire department may invite you back for an interview, which is called an oral board. The interview is usually two or more hiring officials asking questions that may or may not be related to firefighting training experience to determine the best candidate for the job.

5. Accept the position. If the fire department believes you are the right person for the job, it will offer a conditional offer of employment, which usually depends upon satisfactory performance during the probationary period. If you haven't already completed firefighting training, you will begin formal training as a fire trainee or recruit.

Tips & Warnings

• 1. Firefighter positions are extremely coveted and competitive. Volunteering as a firefighter, getting Firefighter I & II certified and/or EMT certified, and qualified work experience will give you an edge over the competition.

• 2. Just like any other potential employer, fire department hiring officials expect professionalism. When interviewing, be sure to dress in a suit and tie and employ other interviewing skills.

• 3. Apply for positions with more than one fire department. There are always more applicants than positions, so to raise your chances of getting hired, apply to several fire departments if you are able to relocate for or travel.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Firefighter
• Fire Prep: Passing Oral Boards