What does a firefighter do?
Firefighters protect people and property from fires and other emergencies. Putting out fires is the best-known part of the job, but most calls at many departments are medical emergencies. Firefighters also respond to car crashes, hazardous materials spills, water and technical rescues, and natural disasters.
On a fire call, firefighters work as a team to search for people, stretch hoses, ventilate buildings and put out the fire. They use ladders, saws and other tools to get into buildings and rescue trapped people. After the fire is out, they check for hidden fire and help find the cause.
On medical calls, firefighters with EMT or paramedic training give emergency care until an ambulance arrives, or provide transport if the department runs ambulances.
Between calls, firefighters keep busy. They clean and check equipment and trucks, train on new skills, stay physically fit, and do fire inspections and community education, like visiting schools to teach fire safety. Many work 24-hour shifts and live at the station during their shift.
Tools of the job include fire engines and ladder trucks, hoses, nozzles, ladders, axes and other forcible entry tools, breathing apparatus, thermal imaging cameras, rescue tools and medical equipment.
Firefighters work for:
- City and county fire departments
- Fire districts and volunteer departments
- Federal and state wildland fire agencies
- Airports, as aircraft rescue firefighters
- Industrial sites and military bases
A typical shift
- Check in, inspect your gear and the apparatus
- Train on skills like ladders, hose work or medical care
- Respond to fire, medical and rescue calls
- Do inspections, school visits or station chores
- Clean and restock equipment after every call
Firefighter pay and job outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, firefighters earn a median of $59,280 a year, or $28.50 an hour. Pay varies a lot by department and region. Overtime is common, and many departments offer strong benefits and pensions.
The BLS counts about 355,300 firefighter jobs. Employment is projected to grow 4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 26,800 openings each year.
Pros
- Meaningful work helping your community.
- Strong benefits and pensions at many departments.
- Teamwork and close bonds with your crew.
- Shift schedules can mean several days off in a row.
Cons
- Dangerous work, with risks of injury and long-term health effects.
- Hiring is competitive, and the process can take a long time.
- Long shifts away from family, including holidays.
- Traumatic calls can take an emotional toll.
Training options: fire academy, EMT and fire science degrees
Fire academy. Most firefighters complete an academy after they are hired by a department. Some community colleges and regional training centers also run academies that you can attend before you are hired, which can make you more competitive. Academies often run several weeks to several months and lead to Firefighter I and II certification.
EMT training. EMT courses usually take a few months and are offered by community colleges, training centers and some fire departments. Paramedic programs take about one to two years and can boost your chances of being hired.
Fire science degree. Community colleges offer fire science or fire technology associate degrees, often taking about two years. Bachelor’s degrees in fire science or fire administration help with promotions. A degree is rarely required to get hired, but it can help you stand out.
Volunteer experience. Volunteer and paid-on-call departments provide training and real experience.
Certification and licensing by state
Firefighter certification is managed by each state, usually through a state fire marshal’s office or fire training agency. Requirements vary by state and department.
Most states base firefighter certification on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) professional qualifications standard for firefighters. Firefighter I covers basic skills under supervision, and Firefighter II adds more advanced skills and leadership. Many state certifications are accredited by the Pro Board or the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC), which can make them easier to transfer to another state.
Most departments also require EMT certification. Most states use the NREMT exam for initial EMT certification.
Other common training includes hazardous materials, driver/operator, technical rescue and wildland firefighting courses.
Specializations and where they lead
- Firefighter/paramedic. Combine firefighting with advanced medical care. Often comes with higher pay.
- Driver/operator. Drive and operate fire engines and ladder trucks.
- Fire inspector or investigator. Enforce fire codes or investigate the cause of fires, usually with extra certification.
- Wildland firefighter. Fight wildfires for federal, state or local agencies.
- Company officer and chief officer. Move up to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and fire chief.
How to choose a fire science school or academy
The right program prepares you for hiring tests and real fire service work. Ask these questions:
- Does the academy lead to state Firefighter I and II certification? Ask whether it is Pro Board or IFSAC accredited.
- Is EMT training included or offered? Many departments require it.
- What is the hiring rate for graduates? Ask which departments hire graduates.
- How much live-fire and hands-on training is included? Ask about the training grounds and equipment.
- Does the program help with CPAT and written test prep? Physical and test preparation matter.
- For degree programs, can credits transfer to a bachelor’s degree? This helps if you want to become an officer.
- What is the total cost? Include gear, uniforms, books and certification fees.
