Hays Kansas Firefighter Salary And Job Requirements

As the name says, Firefighters are people who literally save people or some other things from fire simply by fighting it. They’re chosen among the finest to risk their lives in rescue operations. Often loved by women, these pros are not afraid of anything and literally lay down their lives daily like policemen. You see the accolades these professionals acquire, would you not like to become like these fearless firefighters?

firefighter career summary Hays Kansas
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Table Of Contents

How Much Money Does A Firefighter Make In Hays?

People say that work does not seem like work anymore if you value what you do. Nonetheless, this passion is not enough to supply your finances like basic needs as well as life-style. Everybody needs a financial resources to make them live life the way they think fit. As a result, with regards to selecting a profession, people are always curious about the amount of they might receive out of it. For some, it’s the only motivation in the morning to get up and go to work. People who carry out community outreach do not earn much. On the other hand, they do have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. {Let us find out how much a firefighter earns.|Without further ado, let’s figure out the earnings of a firefighter.

firefighter salary Hays Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

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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 depending on the what state he is in or his education degree or his expertise and experience. As we go further, you’ll know aspects affecting salary.

Location Matters

Firefighter’s wage can be determined by the location of the department you are assigned. This is due to a number of components like – population size, availability of firemen as well as frequency of fighters. A location just where fire takes place regularly probably will possess higher salary in comparison to less occurrence of fire places. New York has the greatest rate among firefighters with 70% above the national mean. While Columbia pays the lowest at 38%.

firefighter average salary by state Hays Kansas
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Educational Qualification

If you have undergone a study in fire science in high school, you will be eligible to apply as being a firefighter. In this area of firefighting, having attained an education is beneficial. There are 2 major reasons for this. This shows you have the required understanding as well as expertise in firefighting. Another one is for the department to invest less on you before becoming an asset in the government. Thus, 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 a lot more. Just how much more if you have a graduate credentials in firefighting.

Working Experience

Experience is usually a major key in deciding someone’s earnings. In case a firefighter has a field experience of approximately Two decades, his earnings may rise to 50% This is extremely high when compared to other jobs which commonly see a 15-20% rise in the same length of time.

Accreditations

Even the basics of EMT, it’s still required by a fireman. However, apart from learning the basic, you can go further and learn the advanced certifications. Getting these credentials gives you a better chance of earning more. It also provides you a “Plan B” if you do decide to change careers later.

Industry

At the end of the day, your company signs your paycheck. Per BLS records, it’s not the government employers who pay firefighters more, however it’s the private companies. This includes companies that deal with waste management, coal as well as oil production, and metal product manufacturing. Regardless, the local as well as state government are still needing firefighting people.

Other Advantages

Among the best things about possessing a government job is that there is a bunch of other advantages that come with it. As being a firefighter, you definitely get perks like dental as well as medical insurance. You may also avail sick leave benefits. The exact advantages differ from department to department.

As you can see, the monetary scope of a fireman isn’t as good as that of a health care provider. But a fireman has got the accolades of an instant savior. Therefore, if you wish to be that hero, find out the prerequisites to become a firefighter now!

Hays Firefighter Job Outlook

firefighter job outlook Hays Kansas
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The job outlook is a vital factor while choosing which profession to get into. You would not wish to pick your favorite career choice simply to realize that it going down the drain in a few years. You can find out such info from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The career outlook for public servants is always on the rise since due to the growing population. So, what does the future hold for the common fireman? Let us discover.

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There are currently about 300,000 firemen appointed in the USA. There is a steady growth of 5% for the next several years till 2024. This is the average growth rate of any normal profession. This means that there will be about 12,000 new jobs by 2024. But, this also implies that there would be that much more people trying to get the job too. Therefore, there would be some competition. This is primarily because of the low education requirements and also the attractions of a public service job. The pay might not be extremely high, but the advantages make up for that. It’s estimated that there might be about 100 people competing for the same position by 2024.

firefighter job outlook by state Hays Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

How To Become A Firefighter

Much like any other expert career to go after, a process is crucial to follow. Main requirement is you should have the necessary education. Without these requirements, hardly any employer will be willing to hire you. As a firefighter, there aren’t too many education requirements that one needs to have. Alongside, education you need to pass other exams like physical, medical and legal test. We will go further in details to better understand the prerequisites.

Education Qualification

The fundamental prerequisite becoming a firefighter is to complete high school and acquire a relevant degree. Subjects you gained don’t matter much. Nonetheless, possessing 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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A lot of those who intended to become a firefighter, they elect to pursue a degree in college after earning their diploma in high school. The minimum age qualification is EIGHTEEN years. That is a primary reason why most of the aspirants are not be eligible right after graduating in high school. College degrees in fire sciences are a huge plus in case you are planning to join the field. There are subjects in a curriculum of the degree picked that teach you how to save lives, handle equipment required in firefighting and also other related technicalities.

If wanted, you may also opt to finish an associate’s, bachelor’s or a master’s degree in the same. The former ones are needed to get promoted to higher positions. Simultaneously, bear in mind that the maximum age qualification is kept at 28-30 years of age. That’s why you shouldn’t over focus on having too much education to be able to be eligible.

Required Training in Paramedic

Each and every firefighter is needed to present an EMT certification. It can be either of these Two, EMT-B or the EMT-Basic. This certifies firefighters that they really know what to do in case of fires or in accidents. One year is needed to be able to complete this training. If one desires, they could choose to pursue further studies in the field Emergency Medical Services and be a paramedic. This will help them acquire an edge over other applicants and hopefully, a higher income. In most cases, fire victims rescued are attended by medical expert that are firefighters too.

Qualified to Drive Vehicle In Kansas State

In many states, employing of firefighter requires an applicant to possess experience in driving. A drivers license to each and every candidate is required so they could be useful in case of urgent situation where for an instance no other fire truck driver is available. It also serves as an ID proof to confirm the applicant’s age.

Free of Criminal Record

Firefighters are vetted almost as thoroughly as police officers. They undertake a comprehensive criminal background check just before they are hired. To get employed, the firefighters cannot have a criminal history. If you feel you have previous records, then much better not to pursue this profession as you will immediately be disqualified. People who were pardoned for their crimes are usually accepted, however, not all fire departments acknowledge such people.

Hays Physical Prerequisites

One of the main attributes that a firefighter should have is physical durability. They need to have the high upper body strength in order to lift objects and people to help them in rescue situations. Not just body strength is need, firefighter’s endurance must be high as they have to deal a lot of aspects like running even in harsh surroundings. All firefighters experience strenuous physical tests both in the academy and before it.

Free From Health Conditions

Suffocations in rescue missions happen and firefighters learn how to deal with it. Firefighters have face masks to conquer those scenarios but even so, if have respiratory condition, this might hinder your chances. If you have history in your respiratory, that will affect your efficiency. That is why it’s important that an applicant should be clear from any of that respiratory conditions.

When you fill up the forms, a lot of boxes have to be marked. If you really feel you tick these boxes, then go and find out how long it will take you to be a firefighter!

What Does a Hays Firefighter Do?

Firefighters are the unsung heroes who risk their lives to save other lives. They’re around in rescue quests you see in common incidents, not only fire. This means that the image of firefighters saving a kitten stuck on a tree usually shown on televisions is in fact true. Aside from this, they are also accountable for teaching people to prevent further fires. They also do the investigation as to the reasons of fire, its source or cause.

Putting Out Fires

Clearly, fire extinguishing is their primary task. They are always in check waiting for a call for their services. When they do get a call, they rush to the area in one of their firetrucks which may contain hoses or ladders. There are also fire trucks which are utilized for transporting wounded fire victims.

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Firefighting is a team work. Each and every member already has its specified task. Some people are in charge of controlling the ladder as well as rescue actions. Another firefighter is only for extinguishing the fire, while other do the rescue of fire victims. The same as any other team that has a leader ordering the operation, their group is headed by their commanding officer. They work in shiftings, because of that, each shifting unit has its corresponding officers.

Saving People

All firefighters should be qualified as an EMT. This is important given that one of the major tasks of the firefighters are to save people. A firefighter might need this technical abilities if a victim is trapped in fires. On the other hand, not all rescue operations that the firefighters take on are fire related. There are instances that a fireman comes first in the scene. Casualties maybe caused natural phenomena or road accidents. The firefighters are supposed to work together and rescue the victims from additional harm. Oftentimes a firefighter is also a qualified paramedic assisting them provide better healthcare to the victims.

Educating People

Fire science is one of the skills a firefighter possesses. Their know-how may vary as to how more firefighters go after this field. By sharing what they know, they help people by educating them how to prevent fire from happening. This is usually done just after they visit a fire site as well as extinguish it. Otherwise, they also visit schools and also other locations to actively educate people about fires, how to avoid fires and if necessary, how to extinguish them.

Fire Investigation

It’s also imperative to know the source of fire. They should identify what caused it so they could avoid further such cases. Oftentimes, it’s possible that criminals with malicious intent set such fires. Working together with police officers, it’s firefighter’s task to determine what causes the fire or who possibly started it. Firefighters specializing in investigations associated with fire are called arson investigators. Along with the law enforcement, they work to investigate possible arsonists.

There is no doubt why we should not call them our life savers and unsung heroes. While extinguishing fires in different locations, they ignite one in our hearts. Therefore, if learning about their responsibilities fired you up, see what education requirements you need to become one!