Firefighters are required to undergo intense, rigorous training. Quality training results in a well-prepared force that minimizes injuries and reduces the impact of emergencies on the community.
Research your local fire department’s hiring process. Talk to firefighters, cadets, or reserve members and discover what it takes to get through the selection phases.
Pre-Admission Requirements
So, how do I become a firefighter in Texas? Before candidates can even start the training academy process, they must meet specific minimum requirements. These include 18 years old, having a high school diploma or GED certificate, and passing a background check and polygraph exam. Some departments also prefer EMT-certified applicants who have a degree in the field.
A candidate must pass the CPAT, the standard test for most sizable fire departments. This physical assessment involves completing eight tasks while wearing a weighted vest and helmet.
Firefighters must be able to order information and perform complex tasks in a specific sequence. These skills are necessary to raise ladders safely, deploy hose lines, and ventilate roofs. To develop these abilities, firefighters undergo extensive training that may take several months.
Basic Training
During the first few days of the academy, firefighters fill out tons of paperwork. Despite what it looks like, this documentation proves they are in good health and physically fit for the rigorous training. It also includes liability waivers and acknowledgments that they understand how important it is to meet the standards required to graduate from the academy.
During basic training, firefighters learn fire fighting and rescue techniques, hazardous materials handling, and local building codes. They also practice emergency medical procedures such as providing first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on mannequins.
Structural collapse is a leading cause of death for firefighters on the scene of an emergency, so they are trained to identify and assess structures in danger. They are also trained to use communications equipment to receive alarms, give commands, and request assistance.
Advanced Training
Fires are one of the most destructive forces on earth, causing millions of rands in damage and often taking lives. Workplace firefighters are trained to deal with small fires quickly by using fire extinguishers, hose reels, and blankets. They also learn to use early warning systems like smoke and heat detectors.
Advanced training deals with more extensive fires and the need for additional firefighting equipment like helmets, hoses, and flash hoods. It also trains them on the different techniques that can be used to rescue people from a burning building.
STCW Advanced Fire Fighting is a safety course that prepares deck and engineering officers to manage firefighting and emergency rescue operations on board ships. It involves several practical exercises and is mandatory for all firefighters.
Certifications
Firefighters must complete a variety of certifications. For example, they must be able to perform the Candidate Physical Ability Test and pass a background check, drug screening, and interview. They also must take a 1-hour course on Bloodborne Pathogens, which educates firefighters about exposure risks and their effects.
They must also be able to write reports and communicate in emergencies. This requires writing, communication, and reasoning skills. A bachelor’s degree in health and fitness or a medical degree can help them acquire these skills.
Colleges that offer firefighter programs often have a dedicated academy for their students. This allows them to provide a more specialized training experience. Some academies are run by local fire departments, which hire their graduates. Colleges and charge tuition operate others.
Career Opportunities
Firefighters work in challenging, dangerous environments and must make split-second decisions under high stress. They often work long hours, including overnight shifts and weekends.
Fire departments host recruitment fairs and hold written and physical tests to select applicants. Those who pass these tests can enter fire academy programs that lead to an associate degree in fire science or a bachelor’s degree in fire technology.
Firefighting is a competitive field, with thousands of applicants applying to each academy. A background check and drug test are required before joining. Having a record of reckless or criminal behavior will disqualify an applicant. Those who want to be firefighters must also demonstrate that they are morally responsible. They should be able to handle high-stress levels and be physically and mentally fit.