How to become a Firefighter
The process of becoming a Firefighter can be a long and arduous process. The process usually begins with a strong desire to be a part of something that is larger than the career itself. To be part of the Fire Service is to want to join a career steeped in tradition and progressing with ever-changing technology. You must be passionate about this career in order to find success within the tight confines of this worldwide brotherhood.
Let's delve into this world of Firefighting and what it actually takes to succeed here. The first area, we should explore are the requirements to be accepted into an accredited Fire Academy in order to receive the basic firefighting skills required in order to obtain a position as a Professional Firefighter. Physical fitness is one key factor that we will explore and as you will see it is almost a necessity in order to pass any entrance exam. Firefighting is very physical work and requires a certain level of cardio-respiratory fitness in order to complete tasks on the fire-ground, and this would be before any actual firefighting or rescue of people. Also required would be the ability to remain calm during highly stressful and chaotic situations.
The long process will usually start with an application to the State Fire Academy of your choice. Sometimes a local fire department may sponsor individuals to go through the training or training may come at an expense to the individual seeking the training. After the application is complete, the candidate will usually complete one of many forms of an aptitude type of exam, this exam may be similar to something the military may administer prior to enlistment in the armed forces. Upon completion of such an exam, the candidate would then be scheduled for the Physical Ability Test. This test would consist of tasks and activities that would closely resemble the abilities required during actual firefighting.
The physical ability test generally consists of the following, with slight variations from state to state. The candidate will ascend actual stairwell or stairs like in the form of a Stairmaster approx.4-5 floor with some type of a hose-load over the shoulder and while wearing a weighted vest. Upon reaching the designated floor, the candidate will unload the hose-load from his/her shoulder and proceed to hoist an object weighing approx. 50lbs through a open window on the designated floor. The candidate will then pickup the hose-load and proceeds down the stairwell to the ground landing, placing the hose-load on the ground. The candidate is now ready for his next task, which will consist of using a weighted rubber mallet to strike a weighted pod and move the object a designated amount of feet. This apparatus may be referred to as the Kaiser Sled after the physician who created it, this apparatus was invented to assess upper body strength as well as cardio-respiratory conditioning. Upon completion of the Kaiser Sled we will assess strength conditioning of the leg muscles by having the candidate pull a water filled hose-line approx. 150 feet over an asphalt surface. The candidates pulling in reverse a manikin weighing approx.175 lb a distance of 100 feet. This will conclude the Physical Ability Test. This test is usually timed and is judged by a pass/fail, this timed test usually lasts about 7-8 minutes.
Upon successful completion of the written and physical testing and passing a battery of medical exams including drug and background investigations and possibly an oral interview with a Chief who may be assigned to the academy, to judge your moral character, you will possibly be accepted as a training candidate for the Fire Academy.
Fire Academy experiences differ throughout the country, however two things are a sure thing, one you will never forget your Lead Fire Instructor and two you will never forget the one of the toughest experiences of your life. The memories from this experience will last a lifetime. You will develop lifetime friendships and begin to understand why our brotherhood is like none other. When and if you finish and graduate from this academy, you will be well on your way to discovering a competitive career, where only the best of the best, compete for Professional Firefighter jobs.
Making applications for jobs in this field is a full time job in and of itself. You must diligent and consistent. As we said earlier these positions are highly competitive, so anything you can add to make yourself more attractive to the employer will fair well for you. Examples of this would be having a degree, such as an A.S. degree in Fire Science or A.S. degree in Emergency Medical Services, become an E.M.T. or Paramedic, all of these types of things will make you more marketable and more employable.
While this is a difficult field to break into, it is one of the most enjoyable, challenging, ever-changing and rewarding careers ever. Just talk to any Firefighter and they will tell you the same thing, no matter what language they communicate in "It's the greatest job in the world".
