If you’ve always wanted a career in the public service sector, or wanted a chance to help other people, then you might be interested in a Florida firefighter job.
There is expected to be fierce competition for available firefighting jobs during the near future. According to the State of Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, many people are interested in a job as a firefighter because it’s challenging and provides the opportunity to perform an essential public service. Those wishing to become firefighters need at least a high school education, and once accepted to a position, a pension is guaranteed upon retirement after 20 years.
“Employment of firefighters is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2010 as fire departments continue to compete with other public safety providers for funding,” the AWI notes. “Openings are expected to result from the need to replace firefighters who retire, stop working for other reasons or transfer to other occupations.”
Applicants usually obtain jobs with local or federal governments. Those with a Florida job as a firefighter make an average annual salary of $32,469. Most firefighters make between $20,738 and $42,016 per year.
Firefighters are responsible for responding immediately to fires or other emergencies, a job that requires organization and teamwork. Firefighters’ tasks may include: connecting hose lines to hydrants, operating pumps to send water to high-pressure hoses, rescue victims and provide emergency medical attention, ventilate smoke-filled areas and attempt to salvage contents of buildings.
Just as when searching for a police officer or other public service job, there are certain requirements to become a firefighter. To become a municipal firefighter, applicants are required to pass a written exam; strength, physical stamina, agility and coordination tests and a medical exam including a drug test. Firefighters often can learn additional skills through college courses in fire science or by attending an approved paramedic training course, which many employers prefer.
One venue to take such a training course is the Central Florida Fire Academy, located in Orlando. The academy has been in operation since 1977 and is a regional firefighting school that offers minimum standards classes. The academy also offers further training for experienced firefighters and other personnel, including emergency medical service bike teams, emergency medical technicians, fire officers and instructors, fire inspectors and investigators, fire apparatus drivers and operators, emergency vehicle operators, rapid intervention teams and urban search and rescue teams.
