A career firefighter works full time at the profession, as opposed to a volunteer firefighter. In 2008, there were 321,700 career firefighters representing 28 percent of all firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Each state and locality sets different criteria for hiring, but the candidate must prove he is capable of doing the job. Firefighting occupations are expected to grow by 12 percent from 2006 to 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Basic Requirements

Fire departments usually require a recruit to be 18, reside in the area, have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma, pass a criminal background check, complete the proper CPR training and fill out an application.

Hiring Process

You must then pass a series of tests while impressing the supervisors. The process typically includes a physical agility test. The candidate usually performs exercises without a break, including a one-mile run, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and squats. Points are awarded based on the number completed in a given time frame. The test might also include firefighter-specific techniques such as a tower climb and ladder extension. The written test lasts a few hours. It measures the abilities and skills that a firefighter needs. It could include questions relating to basic emergency medical care, math calculations and comparisons, mechanical reasoning and spatial scanning, reading comprehension, spelling, teamwork, visualization and other similar topics. An entry level civil service test given by the local municipality might also be required. The oral interview isn't much different from interviews in other professions. Firefighters need to stay calm and think on their feet, and this is one way to show it. Topics often include why you want to become a firefighter, your past experiences, why you would make a good firefighter and how you would handle certain situations. A medical examination includes drug testing, a physical exam and a psychological exam that has written tests and an interview with a psychologist. Finally, an Emergency Medical Technician Certification is often required before you can be hired.

Fire Academy

Once hired, the potential firefighter goes through a rigorous, physically and emotionally exhausting on-site training period. He's taught both in the classroom and with hands-on learning. Depending on the program, the firefighter might need to complete over 600 hours of training in a 3 to 4 month span.

Probationary Firefighter

The final step to becoming a career firefighter is to complete the probationary firefighter period after graduating from the fire academy. This could last over a year. The recruit eases into a full-time role with more privileges given to him as time goes on. He's also expected to help around the fire station, for example, putting up flags when needed. Once the period is over, he becomes a full-fledged firefighter. The median annual earnings for firefighters in May 2006 were $41,190, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It also reported that the middle 50 percent earned between $29,550 and $54,120. Additionally, the lowest 10 percent earned less than $20,660, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $66,140.

Source:

National Fire Protection Association: Fire Service Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Fire Fighting Occupations

Resource:

U.S. Fire Administration: For NFA Students & Instructors

International Association of Fire Fighters