If i want to be a firefighter and get a 4 year degree in college what should I major in?

Answer 1

It doesn't really matter. Do whatever you have an interest in. There are two main reasons for getting a bachelors degree when you want to be a firefighter. First, a lot of departments these days are requiring college hours to test, and even more are requiring a degree to promote up the ranks. Second, and MUCH more important, being a firefighter is a dangerous job. During a career as a firefighter, you will have an injury, probably more than one. They will probably be minor injuries, but there is the chance of a career ending injury. As an out of work firefighter, you would not be qualified to do much of anything else. The bachelors degree is your safety net. I would go with something like business administration. I would not go with EMS or fire science just because in the event you need that safety net, those degrees are pretty well useless.

Answer 2

Very very few firefighters have a 4 year degree. Most people that have the degrees over associates are usualy upper managment in larger fire departments.

If your goal is to be a firefighter, the best answer I have is actually to join the air force. If you join as a firefighter, you will get a good paycheck, experience, veterans preference, some of the best schooling you can get in the fire service. You will also come out of the firefighter school with the following certificates:
Firefighter I
Firefighter II
Driver Operator
Airfield driver operator
Airfield Firefighter
Emergency Medical Tech.
Hazardous Materials Operations

After that, you can easily get many more certifications, many difference bases you can be assigned to all over the world.
And if you only spend 4 or 6 years in the air force, you can get a job as a federal firefighter and those years would count towards retirement.

If Fed and Military Service is not for you (for whatever reason), contact your local fire department and find out what the requirements are to be hired.

If you are set on a 4 year degree. I would suggest lead in with a Fire Science or Allied Health associates (paramedic), and then continue on with business admin, public safety or public admin bachelors. But overall, for entry and lower level jobs, the experience means soooooo much more than a sheepskin.

In most cases it is easier to get a job with little firefighter experience and a paramedic Certification, than more firefighting and no paramedic.. 80% of the calls are medical, and paramedic is a big plus to most paying departments.

Answer 3

Fire Protection, Public Administration, Emergency Medicine (Paramedic) are a few. However most FFs do not have a college degree. They get much more valuable skills and training for that profession by working in the building trades, for an Ambulance company, or as a wildland firefighter (handcrew).

Answer 4

Well my father is the captain of a fire department. He majored in fire science. Below is a list of schools (the top is 2 year but scroll down). Alot of great schools like purdue and university of maryland have fire science majors. Fire science is obviously a great way to get into a fire department. As for the paramedic part any area will have paramedic programs. Once you get into a college just look around for paramedic classes.

Answer 5

You should get your bachelors in Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic. Most places then have a firefighter academy where you become certified to be a firefighter. Good luck.

Answer 6

Fire Science...I was a firefighter and i majored in criminal justice, traded a gun for a fire hose...A lot of fire depts here now are looking for those with paramedic...So you dont need a 4 year, get your first responder, then EMT, then paramedic...Volunteer at your local station, that helps to, at least they see your face around and you may be hired quicker...

Answer 7

fire science and become an arson investigator

Answer 8

doesn't matter.....

business.... admin