Exploring a Career as a Firefighter (What You Need to Know)

Interested in a firefighter career? Learn how to get started, what the job involves, and the traits and training you need to succeed in today’s fire service.

With over 300,000 active firefighters employed across the country, the fire service continues to be a popular and essential career field.¹ This article provides information on how to begin a career in the fire service, including the process of preparing, applying, interviewing, testing, and training. While it can be rigorous and challenging, firefighting is a rewarding career where you can find meaning and purpose in your work. 

What a Firefighter Career Really Involves

Firefighting can be an exciting career choice. Firefighters have the opportunity to save lives, protect property, and make a difference in their community. As part of their job, they will be expected to extinguish fires, evacuate people and animals from structures and dangerous environments, provide medical care to injured individuals, drive and operate firefighting apparatus, maintain equipment, and provide education to the public.¹

In recent years, the role of the firefighter has continued to evolve. Municipal and district fire agencies increasingly respond to a wide range of emergencies — from medical calls and hazardous materials incidents to technical rescues and natural disasters. As communities grow, departments are integrating advanced technology such as drone-assisted scene assessments, modern dispatch and GIS systems, and real-time fire behavior modeling. Many agencies now also emphasize community risk reduction programs, focusing on prevention, education, and home safety checks to reduce fire occurrence and improve local resilience.

How to Start a Firefighting Career

One way to begin a firefighting career is to volunteer with a fire department or other fire-related agency. This allows you to become familiar with the role, the day-to-day tasks involved, physical and educational requirements, the feel of a firehouse environment, and possibly even meet potential future coworkers. Some departments offer Explorer programs for young people to expose them to the workings of the fire service and introduce them to the nature of the work and the potential of a career. Similarly, high school and college fire science programs provide early exposure to the academic and physical components of the profession in coordination with nearby fire agencies.

Some firefighters begin their journey as part-time, reserve, or paid-call members with municipal or special district departments. These entry points help applicants gain experience and make connections within the local fire community.

Basic Requirements and Certifications

Individuals who want to become firefighters must complete some form of post-secondary training. This may be through a technical school, college/university, or a fire academy. Required education and certifications can vary by local, state, or federal fire agency. Generally, firefighting candidates should have a high school diploma, a clear criminal record, meet some physical standards/requirements, and be at least 18 years of age. Some agencies may have differing basic requirements.¹ Depending on the area, a fire department may also require a candidate to have a fire academy, EMT, or paramedic certification prior to applying.²

With fire service agencies now experiencing emergency medical response calls that represent 75-80 percent of their overall call volume, more departments are now prioritizing EMT or paramedic training as an essential component of hiring, reflecting that growing demand for medical response capabilities. Candidates with additional training in hazardous materials, wildland/urban interface firefighting, or behavioral health awareness can stand out in today’s competitive applicant pool. As the fire service continues to modernize, departments are also adopting recruitment strategies to build a workforce that reflects the communities they serve.

Fire Academy and EMT Training

In most situations, firefighters will attend a fire academy to receive training. Requirements for emergency medical training will vary based on the area.³ Fire academy training will be comprised of academic and physical fitness elements, including lectures, books, examinations, and uniforms. A typical day at a fire academy may include morning roll call, physical conditioning, housekeeping, written examinations, apparatus checks, skill drills, and classroom learning.⁴

Many academies now emphasize modern concerns such as firefighter wellness, post-incident mental health care, and the use of simulation-based training for both structural and wildland fire response. In the coming years, virtual reality and data-driven performance analytics are expected to play a greater role in preparing new recruits for real-world operations.

At the completion of a fire academy, trainees will have learned about such topics as firefighter health and safety, communications, tools, protective equipment, water supply systems, ventilation, ladders, building construction, fire hazards, search and rescue, survival, firefighting tactics, fire behavior and control, wildland fire suppression, cancer awareness, behavioral health, incident management systems, hazardous materials, forcible entry, and report writing.⁵ Depending on state or local requirements, a fire academy may also provide EMT training, including classroom teaching and practicum.⁶

Applying, Testing, and Interviewing

The application process can vary by agency. It will generally include an online or paper application, interviews, and a series of written and physical examinations and assessments. The organization should provide applicants with information on what steps will be required as part of the hiring process.² Applicants should be sure to follow any instructions and timelines given. Physical fitness will be included in the evaluation process, and candidates may be expected to run a certain speed and distance, lift specified weights, and complete standardized and measurable physical activities.⁶

Departments may use scenario-based interviews to evaluate decision-making, communication, and ethical judgment under pressure. Some agencies also use regional testing networks, allowing candidates to test once and apply to multiple departments. Preparing early, understanding department culture, and demonstrating professionalism throughout the process remain key factors for success.

How Long Does It Take to Become a Firefighter?

The amount of time required to become a firefighter depends on state and local requirements, prior education and experience, waiting lists, open positions, fire academy schedules, and the speed at which a candidate moves through the process. Providing a single answer is difficult, as it could take between six months and two years to complete the entire process.⁷

Traits and Skills That Help Firefighters Succeed

A variety of skills can be helpful for individuals interested in the fire service. Among the most required and desired skills are physical and mental readiness, along with the ability to problem solve and work as part of a team. Skills such as these help to create a well-rounded firefighter who can function successfully within a fire department.

Physical and Mental Readiness

Firefighters will benefit from having sufficient physical and mental readiness to meet the demands of the position. Requirements can include lifting and rescuing people and animals, carrying hoses and tools, maneuvering equipment, and wearing heavy uniforms and gear.⁸ During training, firefighters will complete a timed assessment to determine their physical ability to complete these necessary firefighting tasks. Having excellent physical fitness ahead of time can help firefighters to be more successful in this area of training, and reduce the risk of injuries.⁹ Mentally, firefighters need to be prepared for long shifts, stressful situations, teamwork, quick decision-making, and sharp attention to detail.

Problem Solving and Teamwork in High-Stakes Situations

Strong problem solving and teamwork skills are essential for the situations firefighters will face on a daily basis. Within their role, they may encounter any number of problems or obstacles, and must find a way to overcome them or work around them. This may include resolving a conflict with a co-worker, troubleshooting malfunctioning equipment, navigating traffic issues, or encountering a challenging fire or medical call. Having strong problem-solving skills will help firefighters to quickly address and resolve these incidents.¹⁰

Working as a team is also a critical part of the job for a firefighter. Teamwork plays a role both inside and outside of the firehouse. All members of a fire department must work together to serve the public and ensure that help is available when needed. Every time a call is answered, the firefighters responding must work as a team to address whatever the incident is. Firefighter safety also depends on each member within the company working together and being able to rely on each other. Strong team players make a stronger fire department.¹⁰

Future firefighters will also need adaptability — the ability to adjust to new technologies, community needs, and environmental challenges such as the expanding wildland/urban interface. Departments are placing greater value on leadership, emotional intelligence, and communication skills alongside physical fitness.

Career Paths and Long-Term Opportunities in the Fire Service

A variety of career paths and long-term opportunities are available within the fire service. Many firefighters retire after completing decades-long careers in the industry.

Within local fire departments, a firefighter could pursue advanced positions including:

• Engineer
• Lieutenant
• Captain
• Battalion chief
• Deputy chief
• Assistant chief
• Fire chief¹

Outside of local fire departments, a firefighter could obtain positions in other agencies such as:

• Wildland firefighting agencies
• Federal fire service organizations or contractors
• State fire organizations
• Fire-equipment manufacturers
• Private organizations
• Construction companies¹

As departments modernize, specialized units are also expanding — including hazardous materials, technical rescue, urban search and rescue (USAR), community paramedicine, and wildfire mitigation programs. Firefighters may also find opportunities in training, inspection, prevention, and emergency management. With continued population growth and an aging workforce, demand for skilled firefighters (and company officers and command staff) in local and district agencies is expected to remain strong for years to come.

Find Current Firefighting Job Openings

There are several ways to locate job opportunities within the fire service. One resource for viewing current openings is online through the Daily Dispatch. Available opportunities can be sorted by keywords and location, with options for remote, entry level, full time, part time, lateral, and seasonal positions

FAQs

• How old do you have to be to become a firefighter?
  • Generally, someone must be 18 years old to become a firefighter. Some agencies may have higher age requirements.¹
• How to become a firefighter?
  • The process for becoming a firefighter can vary based on the agency. In most cases, individuals will need to attend a fire academy, complete necessary certifications and trainings, and go through the application, interview, and testing process.
• What is the average salary for entry-level firefighter?
  • While data sources can vary, one source indicates that the average salary for a firefighter is $55,561 per year, with a common range of $36,192-$80,220. Entry level firefighters will start at the lower end of the range, though location also affects salary level.¹¹ Overtime pay can dramatically increase earnings. 
• What is a typical firefighter schedule?
  • Firefighter shifts can vary from agency to agency.   In the West, it is common to find departments that utilize a schedule option of 48 hours on with 96 hours off (more simply referred to as 48/96) to improve staffing consistency and facilitate a degree of work-life balance.  Other shifts exist and it is a simple question to ask of the agencies you are interested in.
• Is the firefighter job market competitive?
  • It can vary based on location, but in general, firefighter positions are in high demand and the job market is competitive. Applicants must meet rigorous requirements, testing, and training in order to be selected for a position.¹²

Sources

1. FireScience.org, “How to Become a Firefighter.” Accessed July 24, 2025.
2. Pocket Prep, “Becoming a Firefighter: The Application Process.” Accessed July 28, 2025.
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Firefighters.” Accessed July 28, 2025.
4. City of Portland, “A typical day at the Firefighter Recruit Academy.” Accessed July 28, 2025. 
5. Santa Rose Junior College, “Firefighter Academy.” Accessed July 28, 2025.
6. City of Virginia Beach Fire Department, “Virginia Beach Fire Academy.” Accessed July 28, 2025.
7. BestColleges, “How to Become a Firefighter.” Accessed July 28, 2025.
8. Indeed, “9 Firefighter Skills: Definition and Examples.” Accessed July 24, 2025.
9. Columbia Southern University, “What’s Required to Become a Firefighter?” Accessed July 24, 2025.
10. Helpful Heroes, “What are the most important skill sets firefighters need to have?” Accessed July 24, 2025.
11. International Association of Fire Chiefs, “How Much Does A Firefighter Make?” Accessed July 25, 2025. 
12. Los Angeles Fire Department, “The Fire Service as a Career.” Accessed July 25, 2025.