Bethlehem Pennsylvania Firefighter Salary And Job Requirements

As the name says, Firefighters are people who literally save people or other things from fire through fighting it. They are strong individuals who can perform rescue actions with style and panache. Often loved by women, these professionals aren’t afraid of anything as well as literally lay down their lives daily just like policemen. You see the accolades these professionals get, would you not like to become like these courageous firefighters?

firefighter career summary Bethlehem Pennsylvania
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Table Of Contents

How Much Money Does A Firefighter Make In Bethlehem?

If you value your work, sometimes you really feel like you are not working anymore. Nonetheless, this passion is not more than enough to supply your finances like basic needs as well as life-style. Everybody needs a financial backing to help them live life the way they think fit. That is why when you go with a profession to pursue, it is unquestionable that you think also how much money you can acquire from it. For a few, it’s the only motivation in the morning to get up and go to work. People in the community service sector do not get paid as much. On the other hand, they do have a sense of achievement at the end of the day. {Let us find out how much a firefighter earns.|Without more ado, let’s determine the wages of a firefighter.

firefighter salary Bethlehem Pennsylvania
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Around $49,000 is the mean yearly income a firefighter would make. A median of about $46,000 is the median. The figures may vary based on the what state he is in or his education degree or his expertise and experience. As we go further, you’ll figure out aspects affecting income.

Location Matters

The precise location of the fire department is a main element in deciding someone’s income. Factored to that would be the need of the population of fighters. A place where impulsive wildfires are likely, have a higher need for firemen than any other places. Presently, New York pays their firemen the most at about 70% above the national mean. While Columbia pays the lowest at 38%.

firefighter average salary by state Bethlehem Pennsylvania
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Educational Level

In case you have gone through a study in fire science in high school, you will be qualified to apply as a firefighter. Nevertheless, education is extremely valued in this field. Here’s Two reasons why. One is the reason is proof of your knowledge in the field. The 2nd is that the government will need to spend substantially less on you to develop you as an asset. As a result, they could afford to pay you more. A bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in fire science will help you advance your career and earn quite a bit more. Just how much more when you have a graduate credentials in firefighting.

Experience

Experience is mostly a major key in determining someone’s revenue. If a firefighter has a field experience of approximately 20 years, his revenue may rise to 50% That percentage is quite as compared to other job which is at 15% to 20% even they have got the same length of experience.

Certificates and Training

As a fireman, you will need to learn the basics of EMT to even apply for the job. On the other hand, apart from learning the fundamental, you can go further and learn the advanced certifications. Possessing a deeper list of certifications and trainings give you a chance of having a bigger wage. Besides, this also provides you another choice should you decide shift careers later.

Industry

When all’s said and done, you must receive your paycheck. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying employers for this career aren’t the government but private companies. This includes companies which deal with waste management, coal as well as oil production, and also metal product production. Regardless, the local and state government are still in need of firefighting individuals.

Other Advantages

One of the best things about possessing a government career is that there is a bunch of other rewards that come with it. As being a firefighter, you definitely get perks like dental and health insurance. However you also get covered sick leaves as well as reimbursement for a few specific tuition fees. The exact advantages vary from department to department.

Being a physician might have a greater earning as compared to being a fireman. However a fireman has the accolades of an instant savior. Learn the requirements to becoming a firefighter and be the man, the fireman, the savior!

Bethlehem Firefighter Career Outlook

firefighter job outlook Bethlehem Pennsylvania
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The job outlook is a crucial factor while determining which career to get into. You would not want to select your favourite career option just to realize that it going down the drain in a couple of years. You can find out such information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The career outlook for public servants is obviously on the rise since due to the ever-growing population. Consequently, what does the future hold for the common fireman? Let’s find out.

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There are presently about 300,000 firemen appointed in the USA. There is a steady development of 5% for the next several years till 2024. This is the average progress rate of any normal profession. Which means that there would be about 12,000 new jobs by 2024. But, this also means that there would be that much more people looking to get the job as well. Thus, there would be some competition. This is mainly because of the low education requirements and also the attractions of a public service job. The pay may not be extremely high, however the advantages make up for that. It’s estimated that there may be about 100 people competing for the same position by 2024.

firefighter job outlook by state Bethlehem Pennsylvania
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How To Become A Firefighter

You need to follow a particular procedure to join any career. The most important part of these processes is to accomplish the education requirements. You need to have your diploma or you’ll never get hired. As being a firefighter, there aren’t too many education requirements that you need to have. Alongside, education you need to pass other tests such as physical, medical as well as legal test. Let us explore these in detail.

Educational Qualification

The basic requirement becoming a firefighter would be to complete high school and get a relevant degree. Subjects you earned do not matter much. Nonetheless, acquiring some courses in fire sciences does help your cause. It will also educate you on how to become a more efficient firefighter.

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Right after high school, most people choose to get some formal college education in the field before they become a firefighter. You have to be at least 18 years of age to meet the age qualification. That is a primary reason why most of the aspirants aren’t be eligible after graduating in high school. If you wish to have options later if you decide to become a firefighter, better select a degree with subjects in firefighting, you may need them. There are subjects in a curriculum of the degree chosen that show you how to save lives, handle equipment required in firefighting and other related technical issues.

It’s optional, you may pursue a graduate studies in that same field. The graduate studies you attain can help you land a promotion. While gaining your education, you always keep in mind that age limit requirement of 28 to 30 years of age limit for you to be qualified as well. That is why you must not over focus on having too much education so as to be eligible.

Needed Training in Paramedic

Every single firefighter is needed to present an EMT certification. It could be either of these Two, EMT-B or the EMT-Basic. This certifies firefighters that they know what to undertake in the event of fires or in accidents. A year is needed in order to finish this training. Should you decided to be a paramedic at later time, you must earn education in the area of Emergency Medical Services. This helps them acquire an edge over other candidates and hopefully, a higher earnings. In most cases, fire victims rescued are attended by medical professional which are firefighters as well.

Qualified to Drive Vehicle In Pennsylvania State

Many states need the applicants to be able to drive. Consequently, they need their candidates to be a licensed driver that might help them in case that person is needed to drive the firetruck to the area. It also functions as an ID proof to confirm the applicant’s age.

Legal Record

Firefighters are vetted almost as meticulously as police officers. Just like policemen, firefighters also go through life-style check just before getting employed. It certainly needed that an aspiring firefighters must have a clean record, no criminal history. If its found that there was one, or the firefighter was previously arrested, then that candidate is immediately disqualified. Individuals who were pardoned for their crimes are usually accepted, nevertheless, not all fire departments acknowledge such individuals.

Physical Fitness

Firefighters must be physically active to execute thier duty at all times. They need to have the high upper body strength to be able to lift objects and individuals to help them in rescue situations. They are also supposed to possess the high endurance to deal with the excessive running around they should do. No one become a firefighter without going through heavy and extremely thorough physical examinations.

Free From Medical Ailments

Firefighters should cope with a lot of suffocating cases. Firefighters have masks to conquer those circumstances but even so, if have respiratory condition, this may hinder your chances. Individuals having respiratory conditions cannot handle such heavy machinery with precision under suffocating conditions. Therefore, applicants are checked appropriately for any such illnesses that may cause them harm in such situations.

There a number of boxes that must be ticked while selecting a firefighter. If you really feel you tick these boxes, then go and find out how long it takes to be a firefighter!

Bethlehem Firefighter Job Description

Firefighters are the unsung heroes who risk their lives just to save other lives. They’re also in command of rescue actions for common everyday challenges. Which means that the image of firefighters saving a kitten stuck on a tree normally shown on televisions is actually true. Apart from the normal job they do, firefighters help educate individuals to prevent fire from occurring. In certain cases, they are supposed to check causes of fire and dig deep in to the case because of the chance of an arsonist.

Putting Out Fires

This is the primary role of firefighters. When on-duty, these people stay in their firehouse to respond to a call as quickly as possible. When a distress call is acquired, firefighters together with their devices rush to the fire location to extinguish it. A few of the fire trucks are simply meant to deliver harmed people.

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At the scene of the fire, every individual has a distinct job. Some individuals are in charge of controlling the ladder as well as rescue actions. Others are responsible for controlling the water flow as well as extinguishing the fire. Similar to any other team that has a leader commanding the operation, their group is headed by their commanding officer. Given that they work in shifts, every unit has their own commanding officer.

Saving People

All firefighters are required to be qualified as an EMT. This is necessary given that one of the primary jobs of the firefighters are to save people. A firefighter might need this technical abilities if a victim is trapped in fires. Not all rescue procedures are fire related. There are instances that a fireman comes first in the scene. These casualties might be caused because of natural disasters, motor crashes or a few other reasons. Firefighter should work to save the victim. Sometimes a firefighter is also a knowledgeable paramedic helping them provide better health care to the victims.

Educating People

Fire science is among the skills a firefighter possesses. The amount of knowledge depends on which degree they have pursued in the field or which course they have studied. Therefore, they help most of the people by educating them about ways to prevent fires. Firefighters normally do it after visiting an extinguished fire scene. Otherwise, they also go to schools and other places to positively teach people about fires, how to avoid fires and if necessary, how to extinguish them.

Fire Investigation

Also, it is very important to understand the origin of fire. They should distinguish what caused it so they can avoid further such circumstances. Instances like criminals set the first to blow up are probable. It is then the task of the firefighters to check out and provide more clues to the law enforcement officers about who started it. There are firefighters who are also called arson investigators that specialize fire investigation. They work with the police to catch arsonists.

There’s no doubt why we must not call them our life savers and unsung heroes. They do save lives by extinguishing fires and they develop also our appreciation to them. So, if learning about their responsibilities fired you up, see what education requirements you should become one!