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What is a firefighter/paramedic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted Expert
Elyse Zavar PhD
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A firefighter/paramedic is an individual who fights and contains fires, as well as provides emergency medical aid to people in fires or accidents. These professionals seek to prevent fires by educating the public regarding fire prevention, and handle emergency triage, stabilize patients, and provide life-saving medical assistance to persons who have suffered trauma or injury. They also manage paramedic/EMT continuing education programs, and are trained in HAZMAT response. They work closely with other healthcare professionals in providing emergency medical care to those in need.

To become a firefighter/paramedic, individuals need a High School diploma or a GED and require additional training and certifications. EMT, CPR training, and certification are also required, as well as the ability to pass a firefighter certification exam. There are many firefighter/EMT accredited programs available, and all require both classroom and in-the-field training. A firefighter/paramedic must possess strong communication, analytical and medical skills, as well as be able to lift heavy objects such as firehoses and

injured victims.

A firefighter/paramedic can make up to $56,00 per year in the U.S., and the job field is expected to grow 7% by 2028. If you have a passion for emergency care and are committed to public safety, a career as a firefighter/paramedic can be both a challenging and rewarding career.

What general advice would you give to a Firefighter/Paramedic?

Elyse Zavar PhDElyse Zavar PhD LinkedIn Profile

Associate Professor, University of North Texas

Prior to entering the field, gaining hands-on experience through internships and volunteer opportunities can help new professionals not only stand out in the job market, but many employers will recognize and count these as years of experience thus increasing salaries. When offered a position, research comparable salaries and do not be afraid to negotiate salary, among other benefits, when discussing a job offer.
ScoreFirefighter/ParamedicUS Average
Salary
4.0

Avg. Salary $51,764

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
10.0

Growth Rate 7%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.81%

Asian 4.49%

Black or African American 6.42%

Hispanic or Latino 15.10%

Unknown 5.48%

White 67.69%

Gender

female 14.79%

male 85.21%

Age - 34
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34
Stress Level
10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
9.7

Complexity Level is advanced

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
5.6

Work Life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

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Firefighter/Paramedic career paths

Key steps to become a firefighter/paramedic

  1. Explore firefighter/paramedic education requirements

    Most common firefighter/paramedic degrees

    Associate

    48.0 %

    Bachelor's

    32.5 %

    High School Diploma

    6.3 %
  2. Start to develop specific firefighter/paramedic skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Patients6.63%
    CPR5.56%
    EMT5.52%
    Fire Suppression4.78%
    Medical Services4.60%
  3. Complete relevant firefighter/paramedic training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New firefighter/paramedics learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a firefighter/paramedic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real firefighter/paramedic resumes.
  4. Obtain the necessary licensing

    Becoming a licensed firefighter/paramedic usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed firefighter/paramedic in most of states. 35 states require firefighter/paramedics to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.
    StateEducationExamLicense Url
    KentuckySpecific course requiredThird-party exam requiredAdvanced Emergency Medical Technician
    MarylandDegree requiredThird-party exam requiredEMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (PARAMEDIC) AND CARDIAC RESCUE
    Alabama--Registered Intermediate Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
    AlaskaSpecific course requiredState exam requiredEmergency Medical Technician
    ArkansasSpecific course requiredThird-party exam requiredEmergency Medical Technician
  5. Gain additional firefighter/paramedic certifications

    Firefighter/paramedic certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific firefighter/paramedic certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for firefighter/paramedics include Equipment Management Specialist (EMS) and Emergency Medical Services.

    More About Certifications
  6. Research firefighter/paramedic duties and responsibilities

    • Teach the public about fire safety, precept and instruct both paramedic and EMT students during there rides with the department.
    • Participate in continuing education opportunities for up-keeping of EMT certifications and recent medical procedures.
    • Train in HAZMAT response and perform monthly exercises.
    • Provide 9-1-1- BLS and ALS attention to the residents of the city of Chicago.
  7. Prepare your firefighter/paramedic resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your firefighter/paramedic resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a firefighter/paramedic resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Firefighter/Paramedic Resume templates

    Build a professional Firefighter/Paramedic resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Firefighter/Paramedic resume.
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
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    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
    Firefighter/Paramedic Resume
  8. Apply for firefighter/paramedic jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a firefighter/paramedic job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Firefighter/Paramedic Job

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Average firefighter/paramedic salary

The average Firefighter/Paramedic salary in the United States is $51,764 per year or $25 per hour. Firefighter/paramedic salaries range between $40,000 and $66,000 per year.

Average Firefighter/Paramedic Salary
$51,764 Yearly
$24.89 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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