Getting into the firefighting profession takes more than just a high school diploma. Applicants must complete an associate degree program in fire science or another similar field and obtain Emergency Medical Technician certification at the time of application or shortly after.
Firefighter certification Texas teaches individuals how to perform basic hospital emergency care. Smart, explicit, and respectful communication skills are crucial within the firehouse and on the scene.
Mechanical Aptitude
Firefighters must be able to handle extraordinary amounts of responsibility, put themselves in danger, and take risks to ensure the safety of others. As such, they must have a strong mechanical aptitude, meaning they can understand how and why things work.
This competency is tested during recruitment and is typically presented as questions with multiple-choice answers. It can include questions relating to math, such as interpreting gauges or how much hose to use in an emergency. It also includes reading and memorizing symbols, pictures, and codes for some time and then answering questions about them.
This is a competency that all firefighters must have to operate and perform basic service maintenance on all fire fighting equipment, both manual and motorized. It includes understanding how the principles of physics work and can be impacted by weather or environmental conditions.
Communication Skills
Firefighters must be able to relay information quickly and clearly. Communication is critical, whether following commands from their chain of command, communicating with people in or around an emergency scene, or sharing changing conditions about a fire or accident.
Effective communications are also necessary for firefighters when they’re at their station. Keeping open communication channels with their colleagues and the public can help them understand what they’re doing on call, making safer operations.
This is especially important for firefighters who work on vehicles, where it’s often difficult to hear over the radio or when they’re navigating through unstable structures or confined spaces. Clear communication, such as repeating orders to the person who issued them, can reduce miscommunication and potentially dangerous mistakes. Likewise, tools like personnel accountability systems and firefighter ID tags can help ensure all involved have the right contact info for a specific incident.
Firefighting Skills
Firefighters must be able to assess the safety of buildings, determine the best approach for entering them and make quick decisions in dangerous situations. They also use problem-solving skills to evaluate the risks and benefits of various actions.
To be a firefighter, you must pass a rigorous selection process, including a written exam, physical agility test, background check, and medical evaluation. Then comes academy training, where you learn and practice firefighting and emergency medical procedures.
Continual refreshment of these skills allows firefighters to make the right decisions in life-changing emergencies. This prevents delays, keeps everyone safe, and saves money on insurance rates and legal costs. Firefighters who practice regularly, run drills with fellow firefighters, and keep their equipment in good working order are more prepared for a call. They can quickly and correctly identify the situation, follow protocols and form an on-scene action plan. They also use visualization skills to help them navigate buildings in a chaotic environment and find the exits.
Teamwork
Firefighters must be able to work with a diverse group of people. Although they do not need to socialize with their colleagues outside of work or even like each other, they must communicate clearly to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Adaptability is also essential for firefighters because they must constantly adjust to their environment, coworkers, and the shifting conditions under which they perform their duties. They must be able to find other routes around obstacles and overcome them intelligently to continue to accomplish their tasks efficiently and safely.
Firefighters must complete eight months of classroom & physical training combined with on-the-job experience before becoming certified and joining their local fire department. Some departments require candidates to earn a college degree or have at least some college credit. Those seeking to become firefighters can pursue an associate degree in fire science or a bachelor’s degree in a field that will provide the necessary foundation for a firefighter.