How much training does a firefighter need?

Question

Does anybody know how much training a firefighter needs and how much they get paid??

Answer 1

One semester at a community college will get you the Firefighter 1 certification. Pay varies depending on the venue you persue. CA state firefighters make about $2000/mo to start, while city firefighters can make about $5000/mo depending on their location. There are 5,000 applicants for every 1 open position, so before you make the leap, you need to really consider your odds. Less than 1% of certified firefighters ever land a full time career

Answer 2

I am no expert, but I have a friend here in St. Louis who wants to be a paid firefighter and he has told me a little bit about it. He says if you can land a job in St Louis you can make alot of money and work alot less than normal people. However, he has to get EMT training first (these are the ambulance technicians). Then you would have to get firefighting training. Finally, the paid jobs are extremely competitive and he implied that it helps to know someone in the department. Again this is only hearsay, but I think its safe to say that you have your work cut out for you. I think the idea to call your local fire dept is a good one. They can get you started for sure.

Answer 3

It depends on were you are training and were you are firefighting.
Washington DC fire fighters train for six months, and then move to field training like most ems services. You will have required continuous education a few times a year and be mandated to re certify every two years, as well as any tests you need to take to move up in rank.
All crew gets EMS training , some states require EMT level, all states require hazmat, some require a certain fitness level, other states like New Hampshire don't
Volunteer fire fighting is different in each state as well but a good place to start if you are having trouble getting your foot int he door in a city you would like to be in. were it is easy to turn down inexperienced, its hard to turn down some one with even a few classes under their belts because training is so expensive.
Washington dc fire fighters get about 40k-52k to start depending on a lot of factors to long to discuss, but their shifts run 2, 24 hour days a week, meaning you work a total of eight days a month and make full pay. and that leaves lots of room for side jobs.
most fire houses run shifts like that, its convenient because fires don't end at shift change. The average entry level salary will run close to that in most states, but you cant beat the benefits, and early retirement. plus pay from what ever you do one the side.
And it may be hard to get work in some cities, but others will pay to move you there if you can get some (and I mean any small amount) of training under your belt.
Ways to get free EMS traing, is volinteering with the big wigs who certify all these fire fighters, like the American red cross, and FEMA, both have serch and rescue, and both provide extensive trainig, then you have 911 operator, in a lot of states it is a great way to get a lot of training in a short period of time.

Answer 4

contact ur local fire dept they could give u a heads up on this

Answer 5

all they have to do is listen the house commander.


They get paid alot, and do little for it. But their P.R. is pretty good.

Answer 6

infinate and some of us do it for free