By definition, firefighters are skillfully trained people to save lives and properties in case of fire. They are selected among the best to risk their lives in rescue operations. Usually loved by women, these professionals aren’t frightened of anything and literally lay down their lives everyday like policemen. Right after hearing so much of praise regarding these brave individuals, you need to have developed a slight desire to become one yourself.
Table Of Contents
- Average firefighter salary
- Firefighter career outlook
- How to become a firefighter
- Firefighter job description
Just How Much Does A Firefighter Make In Foley?
If you value your work, sometimes you really feel like you are not working anymore. Nevertheless, this passion is not enough to supply your finances such as basic needs and life style. Everybody requires a financial backing to make them live life the way they think fit. That’s why when you select a profession to pursue, it’s undeniable that you think also how much cash you can make from it. For a few, it’s the only motivation each morning to get up and go to work. People in the community service sector don’t get paid as much. But income is not their basis of joy and fulfillment. {Let’s find out how much a firefighter earns.|Without further ado, let’s figure out the wages of a firefighter.
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The mean annual income of a firefighter is around $49,000 with the median around $46,000. The figures may vary based on the what state he is in or his education degree or his abilities and experience. As we go more, you will know aspects affecting salary.
Location Matters
Firefighter’s salary can be determined by the place of the department you are assigned. Factored to that are the need of the population of fighters. A place where impulsive wildfires are likely, have a higher need for firemen than any other areas. Currently, New York pays their firemen the most at around 70% above the national mean. On the other hand, Columbia pays the lowest at 38% below the national average.
Education Level
To be a firefighter, one normally just needs to have studied a course relevant to fire science in high school. In this area of firefighting, having gained a college degree is advantageous. There are two main reasons for this. One is the reason is evidence of your expertise in the field. The second is that the government will have to spend substantially less on you to develop you as being an asset. As a result, they can afford to pay you more. In case you have a degree, whether it’s a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree, that will help you acquire added benefit. How much more if you have a graduate credentials in firefighting.
Length of Work Experience
Experience is commonly a major key in determining someone’s salary. As a firefighter, your revenue can rise around 50% with experience in the field of 2 decades. This is quite high when compared to other jobs which normally see a 15-20% rise in the same length of time.
Accreditation and Training
Even the basics of EMT, it’s still required by a fireman. However, you can choose to pursue the medical field a bit more and be a paramedic or get advanced EMT training. Having these credentials provides you a higher chance of gaining more. Besides, this also provides you another choice should you decide shift careers later.
Industry
By the end of the day, your employer signs your paycheck. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying employers for this job are not the government but private contractors. Included are companies handling production in oil, manufacturing of metal products and waste management. Regardless, the local and state government are still looking for firefighting individuals.
Other Benefits
In case you are a government worker, one of the advantages you receive is the benefits you could claim. As a firefighter, you obviously get perks like dental as well as health care insurance. But you also get covered sick leaves and reimbursement for a few specific tuition fees. But then again, benefits may vary from what department you are into.
Being a medical professional might have a better earning as compared to being a fireman. However a fireman has the accolades of an instant savior. Consequently, if you would like to be that hero, figure out the requirements to become a firefighter now!
Foley Firefighter Career Outlook
The job outlook is an essential aspect while determining which career to get into. You would not wish to pick your favorite career option simply to realize that it going down the drain in a few years. You can find out such information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The career outlook for public servants is always on the rise since due to the ever-growing population. So, what does the future hold for the common fireman? Let’s discover.
[asd_program_button /]There are presently about 300,000 firemen employed in the USA. There is a steady development of 5% for the next few years till 2024. This is the average progress rate of any normal profession. This means that there would be about 12,000 new jobs by 2024. Nevertheless, this also means that there would be that much more people hoping to get the job as well. As a result, there will be some competition. This is mainly due to the low education requirements and also the attractions of a public service job. The pay may not be very high, however the benefits make up for that. It’s approximated that there may be about 100 people competing for the same job by 2024.
How To be A Firefighter
One needs to follow a specific process to join any profession. Main requirement is you need to have the necessary education. Without these requirements, hardly any employer would be willing to hire you. Though education is the primary requirement, you shouldn’t be worried simply because employer only need at least one degree completed. Nevertheless, there are many other requirements like physical, medical and legal that one needs to have to be approved for being a firefighter. Let’s explore these in detail.
Education Qualification
High school diploma along with a degree in advanced schooling are the basic prerequisites to be qualified as being a firefighter. Subjects you earned do not matter much. But, acquiring some courses in fire sciences does help your cause. Which will give you a backgrounder of the profession you are about to enter.
[asd_program_search_bar /]Many of those who planned to be a firefighter, they choose to pursue a degree in college after earning their diploma in high school. The minimum age requirement is EIGHTEEN years. Consequently, one could not choose to be a firefighter right out of high school. If you wish to have choices later if you opt to be a firefighter, much better pick a degree with subjects in firefighting, you might need them. There are subjects in a curriculum of the degree picked that show you how to save lives, operate devices required in firefighting along with other related technicalities.
It is 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 remember that age limitation qualification of 28 to 30 years of age limit for you to be qualified also. Therefore, if you wish to spend most of your life as a firefighter, you should not focus too much on education.
Paramedic Training
Each and every firefighter is needed to present an EMT certification. It can be either of these 2, EMT-B or the EMT-Basic. This certifies firefighters that they really know what to perform in the event of fires or in accidents. The training might last for up to 1 year. If one desires, they can decide to pursue further studies in the field Emergency Medical Services and be a paramedic. This will help them acquire an edge over other candidates and hopefully, a better income. There are also several medical professional firefighters who can take better care of people after they have been rescued from the fires.
Licensed to Drive Vehicle In Alabama State
In most states, employing of firefighter needs an applicant to have experience in driving. Therefore, they want their candidates to be a licensed driver which might help them in case that person is required to drive the firetruck to the area. It also functions as an ID proof to confirm the applicant’s age.
Legal Track Record
In certain scenarios, a firefighter is compared as a policeman. Just like policemen, firefighters also undertake lifestyle check just before getting hired. To get hired, the firefighters could not have a criminal record. If you think you have previous records, then better not to pursue this career as you will right away be disqualified. Individuals who were pardoned for their crimes are normally accepted, on the other hand, not all fire departments admit such people.
Physical Fitness
One of the main characteristics that a firefighter needs to have is physical strength. They must have the high upper body strength to be able to lift objects and people to help them in rescue cases. They’re also supposed to possess the high endurance to deal with the excessive running around they should do. Nobody become a firefighter without going through heavy and extremely detailed physical examinations.
Free From Medical Ailments
Suffocations in rescue tasks happen and firefighters learn how to deal with it. They’re normally provided with masks to help them cope with such situations however, not always are they so lucky. Individuals having respiratory conditions could not handle such heavy machinery with precision under suffocating situations. As a result, candidates are checked accurately for any such illnesses which may cause them harm in such circumstances.
If you fill up the forms, a lot of boxes need to be marked. Indeed, the list is long, so learn how long will it take you turn into a firefighter!
What Really Does a Foley Firefighter Do?
Firefighters are the unsung heroes who risk their lives just to save other lives. They’re also in command of rescue actions for common daily challenges. Which means that the image of firefighters saving a kitten stuck on a tree often shown on televisions is really true. Aside from the common job they do, firefighters help educate people to avoid fire from taking place. They also do the investigation as to the reasons of fire, its source or cause.
Extinguishing Fires
This is the primary function of firefighters. They are always in check waiting for a call for their expert services. When they get a call, they rush to the area in one of their firetrucks which may contain hoses or ladders. Some of the fire trucks are simply meant to deliver harmed people.
[asd_program_button /]Firefighting is a team work. Each and every member already has its designated job. Some people are in charge of controlling the ladder as well as rescue actions. Others are in control of controlling the water flow as well as extinguishing the fire. Just like any other team which has a leader ordering the operation, their group is headed by their commanding officer. They work in shifts, because of that, each shifting unit has its corresponding officers.
Saving People
A certification in EMT is required to all firefighters. Since the major job of the rescuer is to rescue lives, it is important that a firefighter possesses this EMT. Most of the time this comes in handy when looking after those who are trapped inside the fires. Not all rescue procedures are fire related. There are cases that a fireman comes first in the scene. These casualties may be caused because of natural disasters, motor crashes or a few other reasons. The firefighters are supposed to work together and rescue the victims from additional harm. Oftentimes a firefighter is also a knowledgeable paramedic helping them provide better health care to the victims.
Teaching People
Firefighters are normally knowledgeable in fire sciences. The amount of know-how depends on which degree they have pursued in the area or which course they have studied. By sharing what they know, they help individuals by teaching them how to avoid fire from happening. Firefighters normally do it right after visiting an extinguished fire scene. Or else, they also go to schools and also other areas to actively educate individuals about fires, how to avoid fires and if necessary, how to extinguish them.
Fire Investigation
To educate people on how to avoid fires, the firemen/firewomen have to first find the cause of the fire. Understanding the causes can assist firefighters avoid fire for the same scenario happen again. Instances like criminals set the first to blow up are possible. Working together with police officers, it’s firefighter’s job to find out what causes the fire or who possibly started it. Firefighters specializing in investigations related to fire are called arson investigators. Along with the law enforcement, they work to check into possible arsonists.
As you can see, there is a broad number of reasons to call these people our everyday heroes. While extinguishing fires in several places, they ignite one in our hearts. So, if learning about their duties fired you up, see what education requirements you should become one!