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Submitted by: Nick Boothe
If you are interested in becoming a firefighter, one factor you shouldn’t forget about is firefighter education. Firefighting is a fairly competitive field, and quite a few municipalities now are requiring firefighter candidates to get a college degree, or some number of college credits, or certification before being considered for a job. Then again, even if it’s not a strict prerequisite in your area, having the proper education can substantially increase your ability to get a job as a firefighter.
There are various ways to get the training and education you need to become a firefighter, and this article will help you to understand your options. Specifically, you might be interested in college degrees for firefighters, attending fire academy, taking online courses for firefighting, and firefighter apprenticeships. All of these are valid things achieving the education requirements for firefighters, so let’s look at these options in more detail.
Fire Academy Training – Your Neighborhood Fire Department
Depending on where you want to get a job as a firefighter, the fire department could have a local fire academy established to train new recruits. This type of education is what some people refer to as “fire school” or “fire academy.”
Typically, entry-level workers in large fire departments are trained for a few weeks at the department’s fire school training facility or fire academy. Firefighter training customarily includes class room instruction and field training. Firefighter recruits study subjects such as fire prevention, fire fighting strategies, hazardous materials control, local building codes, and emergency medical procedures. Many jurisdictions require firefighters to have certification as an emergency medicine technician (EMT) or paramedic.
In fire school training, recruits also learn to use tools of the trade such as axes, chain saws, fire extinguishers, ladders, as well as other fire fighting and rescue equipment. After successfully completing training, the recruits are usually assigned to a fire company, where they go through a period of probation which will usually include more hands-on instruction.
If the fire department in your area does give training and education through this kind of fire school, there could be prerequisites you will need to meet prior to being accepted to the program. You could ask at a local fire department to get the details of their specific application process and requirements.
Besides the firefighter training offered in the local jurisdiction, a lot of firefighter recruits and career firefighters also elect to enroll in firefighter courses offered through the U.S. Fire Administration and U.S National Fire Academy.
U.S. National Fire Academy – National Emergency Training Cente
The National Emergency Training Center is a very large campus situated in Emmitsburg, Maryland. The campus houses the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), the National Fire Academy (NFA), and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI).
The National Fire Academy delivers firefighter training at its campus in Emmitsburg, as well as off-campus, throughout the United states in cooperation with State and local fire departments and training organizations. There aren’t any tuition charges for National Fire Academy courses. All instruction and course materials are provided without cost. Most of the transportation and lodging expenses for students who represent career or volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, or State/local governments attending on-campus courses are provided as part of funding under the student stipend reimbursement program.
Anyone with substantial involvement in fire prevention and control, emergency medical services, fire-related emergency management activities, or allied professions is eligible to apply for National Fire Academy courses. Applicants are required to meet the particular selection criteria and prerequisites for each course. These prerequisite courses may be available online through the Emergency Management Institute and the National Fire Academy.
The National Fire Academy itself isn’t an accredited institution. However, completed NFA training courses may count as credits toward a college degree program. Not all colleges or universities accept these credits.
College for Firefighters
Numerous vocational schools, community colleges, and universities offer certificates and degrees for students who want to become a firefighter. The most common college certificate or degree is the Fire Science degree. Students in a Fire Science program generally study fire investigation methods as well as procedures for controlling a fire with equipment like axes, fire extinguishers, ladders and chainsaws. These programs also usually include instruction in fire prevention and teaching fire safety to the public.
Fire science students will also be taught basic first aid, CPR and proper handling of hazardous materials. As part of these college programs for firefighters, students can also earn their certification as an EMT/Paramedic. This is an important reason why college for firefighters is becoming increasingly more in-damand; because besides general requirements for becoming a firefighter, most jurisdictions now require EMT training and certification as the minimum education requirement for becoming a firefighter. Of course, the specific curriculum will vary depending on what college you attend for your firefighter education. Compare the firefighter class descriptions of colleges you’re thinking about to ensure that you get the education you want.
Firefighter Training Apprenticeship Programs
Accredited apprenticeships are offered by a lot of fire departments for those interested in becoming a firefighter. These firefighter training programs often require students to enroll in a Fire Science degree program at an affiliated school. The student will gain theoretical knowledge through classroom firefighter courses, while getting practical, hands-on field training through the fire department. These programs typically take 2-4 years to complete.
Students in apprenticeships programs have the opportunity to gain paid experience in a fire department, operating equipment and responding to calls. Fire departments that offer apprenticeship programs typically tend to hire firefighter recruits who have completed an apprenticeship. So, if your jurisdiction offers this type of program, it may be the best way for you to get your firefighter education and increase your chances of being hired in this competitive field.
About the Author: Additionally, if you want to become a firefighter, you can learn more about training and other firefighter requirements by visiting Nick Boothe’s Firefighter Training site at
TrainingForFirefighters.com
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