Nikiski Alaska 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 strong individuals who can do rescue actions with style and panache. Similar to any other macho image profession, like policemen, who offer risking their lives just to save another. After hearing so much of praise regarding these brave people, you must have developed a slight desire to become one yourself.

firefighter career summary Nikiski Alaska
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Table Of Contents

How Much Money Does A Firefighter Make In Nikiski?

People say that work doesn’t seem like work anymore if you love what you are doing. Nevertheless, this passion is not more than enough to provide your finances like basic needs and life style. Everyone needs a financial backing to help them live life the way they think fit. Thus, in terms of choosing a career, individuals are always curious about the amount of they might receive from it. For some, it is the only motivation in the morning to get up and go to work. People who do community outreach do not earn much. But income is not their basis of happiness and fulfillment. {Let us find out how much a firefighter earns.|Without further ado, let’s determine the earnings of a firefighter.

firefighter salary Nikiski Alaska
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

[asd_program_button /]

The mean yearly 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 skills and experience. Below is a list of these aspects and how they could increase or decrease your wage being a firefighter.

Location Matters

The precise location of the fire department is a main factor in figuring out someone’s earnings. Factored to that are the need of the population of fighters. An area just where fire occurs regularly will probably get higher salary in comparison to less occurrence of fire areas. Currently, New York pays their firemen the most at about 70% above the national mean. On the contrary, Columbia pays the smallest at 38% below the national average.

firefighter average salary by state Nikiski Alaska
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Education Level

In case you have undergone a study in fire science in high school, you will be eligible to apply being a firefighter. Nonetheless, education is highly valued in this area. There are 2 main reasons for this. This will show you have the needed understanding and know-how in firefighting. Another one is for the department to invest less on you before becoming an asset in the government. Resulting to paying 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. How much more if you have a graduate credentials in firefighting.

Experience

Work experience is certainly the determining component of how much an employee should receive. Being a firefighter, your income can rise about 50% with experience in the area of 2 decades. That percentage is quite as compared with 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 have to learn the fundamentals of EMT to even apply for the job. On the other hand, apart from learning the fundamental, you can go more and learn the advanced certifications. Possessing a deeper list of certifications and trainings provide you with a chance of getting a bigger income. Besides, this also provides you another choice should you decide shift careers later.

Industry

At the end of the day, your employer signs your paycheck. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the highest paying employers for this job aren’t the government but private companies. This includes firms that deal with waste management, coal and oil production, and also metal product production. Regardless, the local and state government are still looking for firefighting people.

Other Advantages

In case you are a government employee, an advantage you obtain is the benefits you can claim. Being a firefighter, you obviously get benefits like dental and medical insurance. You may also avail sick leave benefits. The exact benefits vary from department to department.

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

Nikiski Firefighter Career Outlook

firefighter job outlook Nikiski Alaska
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

The job outlook is a crucial aspect while determining which profession to get into. You would not want to select your favorite career option simply to realize that it going down the drain in a couple of years. You will find out such info from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The career outlook for public servants is obviously on the rise since because of the ever-growing population. Consequently, what does the future hold for the common fireman? Let us find.

[asd_program_button /]

There are currently about 300,000 firemen appointed 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 career. This 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 also. Hence, there would be some competition. This is primarily because of the low education specifications and the attractions of a public service job. The pay may not be very high, but the advantages make up for that. It’s approximated that there may be about 100 people competing for the same position by 2024.

firefighter job outlook by state Nikiski Alaska
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

How To Become A Firefighter

One needs to follow a certain process to join any career. The most crucial part of these processes would be to complete the education requirements. Without these specifications, hardly any employer will be happy to hire you. Though education is the primary requirement, you shouldn’t be worried simply because employer only need at least 1 degree completed. Alongside, education you need to pass other examinations such as physical, medical as well as legal test. Let’s explore these in detail.

Educational Requirements

High school diploma and a degree in advanced schooling are the fundamental prerequisites to be qualified as a firefighter. Subjects you earned don’t matter much. However , if you have fire fighting related subjects attained, that would be useful. That will provide you a backgrounder of the profession you’re about to go into.

[asd_program_search_bar /]

Many of those who intended to become a firefighter, they decide to pursue a degree in college right after earning their diploma in high school. You must be at least 18 years old to meet the age requirement. That is one good reason why many of the aspirants are not be eligible after graduating in high school. College degrees in fire sciences are a big plus if you are planning to join the field. Courses which educate you on how to save people, control hydraulic equipment such as ladders or some other related things are a major plus.

If wanted, you can also decide to complete an associate’s, bachelor’s or a master’s degree in the same. The former ones are needed to get promoted to greater positions. Simultaneously, keep in mind that the maximum age qualification is kept at 28-30 years old. That is why you should not over concentrate on getting too much education in order to meet the requirements.

Paramedic Training

Every firefighter is needed to have an EMT certification. The one required is the EMT-B or the EMT-Basic. This certifies firefighters that they know what to do in case there is fires or in accidents. The training might last for up to 1 year. If one desires, they could decide to pursue further studies in the field Emergency Medical Services and become a paramedic. The advantages of going into this direction are possible increase in salary or added edge over other candidates. In some instances, fire victims rescued are attended by medical professional which are firefighters too.

Qualified to Drive Vehicle In Alaska State

In most states, hiring of firefighter needs an applicant to have experience in driving. A driving license to every applicant is needed so they could be useful in case of urgent situation where for an instance no other fire truck driver is available. The driver’s license also verify other information needed in application just like for instance the age.

Clean Record

In certain cases, a firefighter is compared as a policeman. They carry out a comprehensive background check just before they are hired. To get hired, the firefighters cannot have a criminal record. If you think you have previous records, then better to not pursue this profession as you will right away be disqualified. People who were pardoned for their crimes are usually accepted, nevertheless, not all fire departments acknowledge such individuals.

Physical Fitness

Firefighters should be physically active to carry out thier responsibility at all times. Instances like lifting fire victims or even objects to free victims arise quite often in rescue missions, therefore, firefighter’s upper body strength is important. Not just body strength is need, firefighter’s endurance must be high as they should deal a lot of aspects like running even in harsh environment. No one become a firefighter without going through heavy and extremely thorough physical exams.

Free From Health Conditions

Firefighters should cope with a lot of suffocating situations. Firefighters have masks to conquer those scenarios but even so, if have respiratory condition, this might hinder your chances. Individuals having respiratory conditions could not operate such heavy machinery with precision under suffocating conditions. That’s why it’s essential that an applicant should be clear from any of that respiratory problems.

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

What Really Does a Nikiski Firefighter Do?

Firefighters are your everyday heroes who work together to set out fires as well as help people when they get stuck in such scenarios. They’re also in command of rescue actions for common everyday challenges. The same as what you see in films, a firefighter saving a kitten in a tree. Aside from the usual job they are doing, firefighters help educate people to avoid fire from taking place. In certain cases, they’re supposed to check causes of fire and dig deep in to the case due to the chance of an arsonist.

Extinguishing Fires

Certainly, fire extinguishing is their primary job. They are always in check waiting for a call for their assistance. When they get a phone call, they rush to the location in one of their firetrucks which might contain hoses or ladders. There are also fire trucks that are used for transporting injured fire victims.

[asd_program_button /]

Firefighting is a team work. Every single member already has its designated job. A particular firefighter maybe in charge of handling the ladder and hose. Another firefighter is only for extinguishing the fire, while other perform the rescue of fire victims. These people work under the control of their respected commanding officers. Given that they work in shifts, each unit has their own commanding officer.

Saving People

All firefighters are required to be qualified as an EMT. Since the primary job of the rescuer would be to save lives, it is vital that a firefighter has this EMT. Much of the time this comes in handy when looking after people who are trapped inside the fires. Not all rescue operations are fire related. There are situations that a fireman comes first in the scene. These casualties might be caused because of natural disasters, motor accidents or several other reasons. Firefighter has to work to rescue the victim. This is certainly where a firefighters knowledge in EMT comes in handy.

Teach People

Fire science is among the skills a firefighter has. The amount of know-how will depend on which degree they have pursued in the area or which course they have studied. By sharing what they know, they help individuals by educating them how to prevent fire from happening. Firefighters normally do it after visiting an extinguished fire scene. Otherwise, they also go to schools and also other areas to positively teach people about fires, how to avoid fires and if needed, how to extinguish them.

Investigating Fires

It is also essential to be aware of the origin of fire. They need to identify what caused it so they could avoid further such cases. Instances like criminals set the first to explode are possible. Working with police officers, it’s firefighter’s task to figure out what causes the fire or who possibly started it. There are firefighters who are also called arson investigators which are skilled fire investigation. They work with law enforcement 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 admiration to them. Consequently, if learning about their responsibilities fired you up, see what education requirements you need to become one!