Know about Requirements and Tips to become a perfect Fire Fighter
Firefighters are specifically trained to respond to the risks of fires and other emergencies and protect lives, properties, and environments. They work in local, state, and federal fire departments, volunteer fire services, armed forces, airports, and ports. The firefighters are also specially trained for working in hazardous materials units, wildland, and industrials units. As EMTs and Paramedics, they provide emergency medical services to fire and accident victims before being driven or flown to the hospital. The ambulances also come with the fire engine where fire, accidents, and other emergency victims are given emergency care.
Firefighters working hours
The research findings show that Firefighting ranks 3rd among the most stressful jobs. Their working hours are also not fixed, and overtime is common in fire departments. They work 24-hour shifts and must be prepared for responding to emergency calls anytime. When there are no incidents or emergencies, their off- duty time stretches 48 to 72 hours, and during these free working hours when they are not responding to any emergency calls, they inspect and maintain their fire equipments and keep them ready for any emergencies, and they also educate public about the fire risks and safety.
Firefighters Career & Pay
A firefighter can work in varied job positions from entry-level to highest level depending upon the Fire Science education, training, skills, responsibilities, experiences, sizes of the team, and decision-making requirements. These factors also affect the firefighter's hierarchy of positions in rural, urban, and metropolitan Municipalities, and the Emergency Medical Services division of the municipalities.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2018 OES report, the National Estimation for this occupation is 321,570 firefighters, and their Mean hourly wage is $25.60, and the Mean annual wage is $53,240.
Firefighters - Skills and Abilities
The firefighters must possess certain qualities for responding and performing their emergency duties efficiently. Their key skills include:
They need to have excellent communication and interpersonal skills because effective communication is vital for communicating with trapped victims and other emergency-response crews.
When providing emergency medical services to injured, the firefighters must exhibit compassion and empathy, and provide emotional support to the injured and fire rescue victims.
They must be flexible in their duties, and ready to respond to the emergency in the shortest possible time and work for long hours. Sometimes, the duty even stretches for 24 hrs.
Physical fitness, strength, and endurance
Physical fitness and endurance are important qualities the firefighters should possess because when extinguishing fires, using fire equipments, and carrying fire victims, physical fitness, strength, and endurance are crucial for saving the lives and properties.
Instant decision making is also a necessary skill for a firefighter for a positive outcome.
Building and Mechanical Skills
It is necessary that firefighters should possess technical skills and knowledge of building constructions because when there is a fire in a building, the fire personnel must be able to immediately acquaint with the structure and age of the building, construction materials, ventilation, fire escapes, and construction methods for preventing firefighters from being exposed to risky situations of trauma, injury, and deaths. Knowledge is also vital for rescue operations. The technical knowledge is essential for using fire fighting equipments efficiently to extinguish fires.
Becoming a Firefighter is a simple process. Any individual aiming to begin a career in fire fighting should be 18-year old. He must also enroll in a Fire Institute and complete Fire Science education, consisting of theoretical and hands-on experience training program. The students can opt for Certificates or degree programs. The EMT or Paramedic certificates are also essential for providing emergency care to fire or accident victims.
