What are the Career Options for Firefighters?
29 December 2009
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One of the most common career related queries that one is likely to ask, is the kind of opportunity in relation to career advancement. Firefighting as a career is offers many levels of advancement provided the candidate fits the necessary qualifications, following are listed the various levels/ranks that one is likely to be placed in as a career firefighter:
1. Volunteer Firefighter: Most individuals start their career in firefighting as volunteer firefighters, although a “volunteer firefighter” is not an official rank within the fire department, it still serves its purpose as a transition phase which allows an individual to gather up the amount of experience one will need to move up the levels to become a career firefighter. Once an individual feels that she/he has gained enough knowledge and experience in this phase, then one may choose to advance to the next stage.
2. Recruit: After appearing for and completing a firefighter entrance exam within their respective fire department, an individual is sent to the firefighter academy as a new recruit, recruits are not given any monetary compensation during the academy phase but are given a salary during their training department training phase. This is the most important phase in one’s advancement as a firefighter as successful completion of this stage, will allow an individual to interview with their respective fire department to become a career fighter.
3. Firefighter – entry level: Once all the background checks and credit checks are completed and the individual has gone through the interview process, she/he will be placed within the fire department as an entry level firefighter.
4. Firefighter – Levels 1, 2, 3: A firefighter Level 1, 2 or 3 in most cases is an equal rank with the distinction coming only on the basis of annual salary. The promotion to Firefighter Levels 1, 2, or 3 is on the basis of completion of the required courses that are to be taken, most courses are offered at your local university or can be taken online, depending upon your convenience.
5. Supervisor Level: Once an individual gains enough experience and knowledge as basic level firefighter, they may choose to go through the process of being promoted to a supervisor class firefighter. This level requires at minimum a Bachelors’ Degree preferably in Science. Some different ranks which equate to a supervisor firefighter is a lieutenant level firefighter.
6. Captain Level: A captain level firefighter is required to hold at the very least a bachelor’s level education, along with a minimum number of years served as a firefighter, before they are eligible for captain level selections. The selection process for a captain level officer is very competitive and exhausting and only the best of the best make it through this stage.
7. Chief Level: A chief level position is an executive level position within the organization, becoming a chief would require decades of service and knowledge as a firefighter, along with having to complete all courses relating to firefighter ranks and at the very least holding a 4 year Bachelors’ Degree, although, most chief level officers possess a Masters’ Level educational qualification.
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This means firefighting holds good prospects for moving ahead in one’s career.There is a lot of potential growth with experience and relevant education.
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