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Municipal
Firefighter
Long shifts of waiting, punctuated by everything.
Typical pay
$45k-$95k
How you get in
EMT plus fire academy; competitive testing
Outlook
Stable but hard to get into
Firefighters respond to fires, medical calls and rescues. Most calls are actually medical. Station life is a second family.
A day in the life
- 7:00aShift change, apparatus check
- 9:00aTraining drill: ladders
- 11:00aMedical call at a nursing home
- 1:00pStation chores and workout
- 6:00pCook dinner as a crew
- 2:00aStructure fire, back at five
How to get in
EMT, academy, then testing
Duration
1-2 years
Cost
$2,000-$8,000
Credential
EMT certification plus Firefighter I/II
- Get your EMT certification — most departments require it before they will look at you
- Complete a fire academy, often self-sponsored at a community college
- Pass the written exam, CPAT physical test, oral board, background and medical
- Survive probation — the hiring process routinely takes years and multiple attempts
Fire science degree
Duration
2-4 years
Cost
$8,000-$60,000
Credential
AS or BS in fire science plus certifications
- Enroll in a fire science program that includes academy certification
- Get your EMT or paramedic alongside it
- Test with multiple departments simultaneously
- The degree matters more for promotion than for getting hired
Volunteer department first
Duration
1-3 years
Cost
$0 — training is usually provided
Credential
Firefighter I/II earned on the department
- Join a volunteer or paid-on-call department
- Get your certifications through them at no cost
- Build real fireground experience and references
- Test for career departments with an actual resume
What people love
- · Pension and benefits
- · Days off between shifts
- · Deep camaraderie
What wears people down
- · Very competitive hiring
- · Sleep disruption and health risks
- · Cumulative trauma exposure