What skills will help Firefighter/Paramedics earn the most?

Earnings tend to follow expertise and flexibility in fire and EMS. The more training, experience, and 'extra abilities you bring to the table, the more promotional job options you have. Being fluent in a second language, for example, often goes along with a bonus as you have the ability to converse with someone without proficiency in English. You can imagine the advantages of a crisis! Many departments specifically recruit dual language speakers with higher salaries commensurate with the additional valuable skill. The same thing applies to other types of additional skills and experience. Someone who has studied grant writing and has successfully written grants tends to be well compensated because they bring in money, and no one wants to lose them. Those are just some examples of how doing more than just the minimum can pay off in your career!