What is the career path for a firefighter?

The career path for a firefighter involves jobs as a firefighter, lieutenant, and chief. The firefighter career path is generally very straightforward in terms of its requirements in education, training, professional experience, and advancement in the field. Here is a look at each of these facets of the firefighter career path:

• Education

To start working as an entry-level firefighter, candidates must at least have a high school diploma or equivalent. Coursework beyond high school is also required at some fire departments and this includes certifications like:

• Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT)

• Firefighter I

• Firefighter II

• Certified Fire Inspector (CFI)

• Basic Life Support (BLS)

• Rescue Technician (RT)

• Fire Officer

All of the certifications directly related to firefighting are administered by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Other certifications involve medical training that can be received at various organizations.

While having a high school diploma or equivalent is required for entry-level positions, those wanting to advance far on the firefighter career path should consider getting a college education, either a bachelor's or master's degree, in fire sciences or another related field.

• Training

All entry-level firefighters receive at least a few months of intense training when getting a job at a fire department. The training consists of a mix of classroom study and hands-on instruction in the following areas:

• Firefighting

• Fire prevention methods

• Emergency medical procedures

• Local building codes

There is also training involving specific fire fighting equipment, such as:

• Axes

• Chainsaws

• Fire hoses

• Fire extinguishers

• Ladders

• PPE gear

Individual fire department training might vary slightly, but in general, most cover these areas and more.

• Professional experience for advancement

As was mentioned earlier, some firefighters need a college education to achieve certain positions within a fire department. However, here is a list of positions that entry-level firefighters might be able to obtain during their careers:

• Engineer

• Lieutenant

• Captain

• Battalion Chief

• Assistant Chief

• Deputy Chief

• Chief