Firefighter
Why Is Fire Fighting a Job of Tomorrow?
Fires are an unfortunate event that costs lives as well as property damage. In 2008, 3,320 Americans died due to fire, and fires caused about $15.5 billion worth of property loss, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Without the quick response of fire fighters, the figures would undoubtedly be higher. With a rapidly growing population adding to the density of cities and pushing out into the surrounding suburban areas, the risk and danger of fire exponentially increases. More fire fighters will be needed to man each station in order to keep homes, businesses, and most importantly, people, safe from fires. Employment opportunities for fire fighters are expected to increase 12 percent by 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Fire fighters make an average salary of about $41,190 annually.
What Does a Fire Fighter Do?
Fires can be started in the most innocent of circumstances, and often are a result of ignorance or accident. Fires can ignite due to a short-circuited wire, a forgotten pot on an active stove, a dropped cigarette, and many other seemingly harmless circumstances. Small flames can also quickly escalate beyond a home owner’s control, and fire fighters must be called in to save the property’s residents and extinguish the flames before more damage is done. Fire fighters are always ready to respond to an emergency call. When a call is received, they must quickly make their way with all of their equipment to the scene of the fire. On arrival, fire fighters have only seconds to decide how to tackle the situation. Different fire fighters perform different tasks in order to keep the fire fighting team quick and efficient. For example, some carry the hoses, some connect the hoses to a fire hydrant, some climb up the ladders, and others enter the building to perform search and rescue operations. Yet, these roles can quickly change depending on the situation. Fire fighters are also trained in medical treatment and will often assist those who are injured. After a fire has been extinguished, which can take anywhere from several minutes to several days depending on the severity of the fire and the amount of combustible materials at the fire site, fire fighters are responsible for going through the wreckage to ensure that no other fires will ignite from the smoldering debris. Fire fighters can also respond to other emergencies, such as vehicle accidents or chemical spills. When not responding to a scene, fire fighters study fire science, keep up-to-date on fire prevention, and maintain their physical fitness so that they may always be prepared for another emergency.
What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become a Fire Fighter?
Fire fighters must have at least a high school diploma and be certified medical technicians, though those with at least an associate degree in fire science are becoming more common and preferred. An associate degree takes about two years to earn, and a fire science degree program covers arson investigation, fire-incident command, fire prevention, and other related topics. Fire fighters must also pass a physical examination. New fire fighter hires must go through intensive training, which typically lasts several weeks.
