The Rundown
The marquee part of the job is self-explanatory, but firefighters spend relatively little time rescuing damsels in distress from three-alarm blazes or carrying out TV-style heroics. At many departments, responding to medical calls or car accidents is the most frequent activity, and a routine shift might also entail sorties to deal with hazardous materials, gas leaks, structural collapses, floods, ice storms, wild animals, or the myriad predicaments from which local residents need to be rescued. There’s also a ton of training, since firefighting is a tactical, technical job that requires intense discipline under pressure. Most firefighters work for local governments and respond mainly to community calls, but there are also specialists trained to cope with forest fires, airplane accidents, terrorism, and mass-casualty events. The profession attracts its share of adrenalin junkies primed for action, but many firefighters also love the camaraderie, the sense of patriotism that comes from serving a community, and the creativity that’s sometimes needed to solve confounding problems in a hurry. In most states firefighters are also certified emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
One Of The 50 Best Careers of 2011
The Labor Department predicts job growth between 2008 and 2018 to be about 19 percent—above the average for all occupations—creating 57,500 new jobs. But there’s stiff competition for those positions, since firefighting is stable, government-supported work that often comes with a pension and is often recession-resistant.
Median annual pay was about $45,050 in 2009, according to the Labor Department. Half of firefighters earn between $32,000 and $59,650. Firefighters tend to work concentrated schedules where they might be on duty for 48 or 72 hours straight, which is why they eat and sleep at the firehouse. Then they might have four to seven days off, which allows many firefighters to earn extra income moonlighting or running a business on the side. Senior management jobs in a typical department pay between $60,000 and $105,000.
Some firefighters spend their careers on the line, content to respond to calls and evade management responsibilities. Others climb the ranks to become technical specialists, battalion chiefs or other senior managers, arson investigators, fire marshals, and even department chiefs. Many firefighters are also emergency medical technicians, a starting point for those who might want to progress to paramedic or migrate into the healthcare industry.
Low to high. A slow day might involve washing the fire trucks (or “apparatus,” as they’re called), cleaning the station, checking the equipment, or killing time lifting weights or flipping through magazines. But it’s game on when a call comes through. And during a storm, power outage, terrorism scare, or local emergency, there could be so many calls that there’s barely time to eat.
High. Battling fires is obviously dangerous and since no two fires are the same, it’s hard to train for every possible situation. Firefighters are also vulnerable to post-traumatic stress disorder on account of their exposure to car wrecks, home accidents, and other events where victims may be severely injured or killed. Firefighters are in it for the action and tend to be blasé about the risks, but some find that the stress builds and becomes troublesome over time. Many departments have developed sophisticated counseling and stress-management programs to keep their crews healthy.
A high school degree is enough to qualify for most fire departments, but with tough competition for openings, an associate’s degree or even a college degree will help. Fire departments provide extensive training, but candidates who get some EMT or fire training on their own might gain an edge. Those who advance to battalion chief or higher might need a bachelor’s degree in fire science, public administration, or a similar field. In some big cities, top jobs require a master’s degree.
Real advice from real people about landing a job as a fire fighter:
If your day falls apart when you go without a one-hour lunch break, this job isn’t for you. Resiliency, emotional strength, and an ability to deal with high-stress situations are all essential to firefighting. Being a team player is another necessary trait. “You have to be able to get along with others. Simply, you have to be able to trust each other when you’re out there on a call,” says Patrick Morrison, an assistant spokesperson for the International Association of Fire Fighters. Morrison said the romantic idea of firefighting glosses over the personal fortitude the job requires. “I think after 9-11, everyone thought this was exciting, but you have to have a pretty strong emotional resolve and a network of support. Those that have a strong spiritual side tend to do better.”
Source: 2011 U.S.News & World Report
Degrees:
What To Focus On In High School
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Take as many math and science courses as you can, especially chemistry, which will help you understand the hazardous substances and materials you’ll deal with on the job. Learning a second language will also give you a job-hunting edge in some states.
Put extra effort into gym class, and get involved in extracurricular sports. You’ll have to pass tests of strength and stamina for the best jobs.
Engage in critical thinking and problem solving activities. Learning to think on your feet and make decisions quickly is a tremendous asset.
More to come
Put extra effort into gym class, and get involved in extracurricular sports. You’ll have to pass tests of strength and stamina for the best jobs. Sign up for health and safety classes. Learn as much as you can now about first aid, including CPR.
Source: The College Board
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