| Firefighting has become such a popular career | | | | second language is something such as Russian, |
| there is almost always a number of candidates | | | | you would most likely stand out from many other |
| for the few positions available. In fact, many of | | | | candidates. |
| those whose goal is to become a firefighter have | | | | Memberships and affiliations |
| found that they need to look for positions on a | | | | If you are serious about becoming a firefighter, |
| nationwide basis and be willing to relocate, even to | | | | don't wait. Start getting involved in the fire |
| distant cities. | | | | service. One good way to do this is to join those |
| For that matter, we know some firefighters, who | | | | organizations that can teach you what is required |
| have tried three or four different times in | | | | to be a firefighter and how to be an excellent |
| different municipalities, before getting hired. | | | | one. This includes associations such as: |
| What all this means is that for you to be a | | | | - State firefighters Association |
| successful candidate, you must find ways to | | | | - International Assoc.of Arson Investigators |
| stand out from the crowd. There are | | | | - National Fire Protection Association |
| certifications you can get that can help you do | | | | - National Association of EMTs |
| just this and to win that dream job. | | | | It is also good to have an ambulance driver's |
| In fact, some experts say that in order to win | | | | license and you should have a clean driver's |
| that coveted badge, you should have all or most | | | | license. |
| of the following: | | | | The written exam |
| 1. EMT certificate | | | | Of course, the best way to stand out as a |
| 2. Paramedic license | | | | firefighting candidate is by scoring very high in the |
| 3. EMT experience on an ambulance or in a | | | | written examination. This exam typically takes 3 1 |
| hospital either full-time or part-time. This is | | | | 2 hours and consists of 100 or more questions |
| because in most jurisdictions, firefighters respond | | | | that are often divided into seven different types. |
| to about 60% of the emergency medical service | | | | 1. Recalling, visualizing, and spatial orientation |
| calls. Can you imagine your fire department hiring | | | | questions. |
| someone with no EMT experience? | | | | 2. Reading and verbal/listening comprehension |
| 4. CPR for the Professional Rescuer (American | | | | questions |
| Red Cross) or CPR Health care Provider. | | | | 3. Questions on understanding and applying basic |
| 5. Firefighter 1 Academy Certificate and/or | | | | mathematics and science |
| Firefighter 1 State Certification. | | | | 4. Questions relating to tools and equipment |
| 6. Specialized training certificates These can be | | | | 5. Questions about dealing with people |
| training in Public Education, Fire Prevention, Fire | | | | 6. Questions relating to mechanical devices |
| Investigation, Auto Extraction, Rescue Systems, | | | | 7. Questions that test judgment and reasoning |
| Swift Water Rescue, Hazardous Materials First | | | | The only real way to score high on your written |
| Responder, etc. | | | | examination is by getting a book on firefighter |
| Volunteer experience | | | | exams and studying it extensively. There are |
| In addition, it's good to have volunteer experience. | | | | several of these books available on websites such |
| Many counties and small municipalities use | | | | as amazon.com, and if you are willing to settle for |
| volunteer firefighters and this is a great way to | | | | a used copy, they are very inexpensive. The |
| get experience. You might also contact your local | | | | experts on this subject say that you must study |
| fire department to see if it uses volunteers in | | | | for this exam every bit as hard -if not harder |
| non-firefighting capacities, such as administration, | | | | -then you would for an important final college |
| hazmat training, fire prevention, et cetera. | | | | exam. In fact, you literally cannot spend too much |
| Bilingual ability | | | | time studying for this exam. |
| Many jurisdictions now give preference to those | | | | You can stand out from the crowd and you can |
| who are bilingual. The most common second | | | | win that coveted badge. It just takes a lot of |
| language is, of course, Spanish. However if your | | | | hard work and preparation. |