How to Become a Firefighter

Welcome to How to Become a Firefighter. If you are seriously driven to become a firefighter, we salute you. Firefighting is challenging, interesting, rewarding, and one of America's top jobs. In fact, we saw one survey recently that showed firefighting as the most respected career in the U. S., ahead of doctors and even college professors.

That's the good news.  The not-so-good news is that it is not easy to become a firefighter.  It would be nice if you could just walk down to your local fire station, hand in an application, and start the next day, but it just doesn't work that way.  In fact, firefighting has become such a desirable occupation, that the competition for every opening in just about every fire department has become fierce.

This site is organized to help you overcome that competition and land your dream job.

Hereߣs the key to the buttons at the left.

Where to find firefighting jobs. Information that can help you find firefighter job openings.

Preparing to become a firefighter. This page discusses and lists those prerequisites you need to know to become  a firefighter.

Submitting an application. Where to get an application and what you need to know to ensure it will be filed on time.

The firefighter hiring process. This section describes in detail the process you must go through in order to get hired as a firefighter.

Firefighter requirements. This page lists firefighter requirements from three cites as examples of what may be required if you apply to become a firefighter.

Standing out from the crowd. Read this section to learn those things you can do to stand out from the competition and look like the best applicant possible.

Applying for the job. Applying for a firefighter position is not as simple as stopping by your local fire station and asking for an application. This secrtion will teach what you need to know to get an application and submit it correctly.

Typical firefighter written examination. The written exam you will be required to take ߝ and pass ߝ will not be an easy one. But this page will give you the information you need to maximize your chances of getting a great score. This page also has links to sample questions.

The Interview.  The next step to winning that dream job is an interview with a hiring committee. Many candidates fail in this area. But if you follow our advice, you can ace the interview.

Physical test.  Step three in the hiring process will be a physical test. Go to this page to see what you will most likely be asked to do. Again, be prepared and you cannot help but succeed.

Firefighter salaries. What you will get paid as a firefighter may not be as important to you as the job itself, but weߣre sure youߣll want to know what you can expect to earn. Go to this section to see some typical salaries.

We wish you well on your quest to become a firefighter. It is a noble and vital job and one that will test your intelligence, communication skills, physical ability and your talent for problem solving.

Firefighting equipment. If you are interested in what equipment you will be using and what clothing you will be wearing as a firefighter, this page lists and describes both clothing and equipment.