Oak Bluffs Massachusetts Firefighter Salary And Job Requirements

By definition, firefighters are expertly trained people to save lives as well as properties in case of fire. They are strong people who can perform rescue actions with style and panache. Usually loved by women, these professionals are not scared of anything as well as literally lay down their lives daily just like policemen. You see the accolades these experts get, would you not like to become like these fearless firefighters?

firefighter career summary Oak Bluffs Massachusetts
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Table Of Contents

Just How Much Does A Firefighter Make In Oak Bluffs?

If you value your work, sometimes you feel like you aren’t working anymore. Nevertheless, passion is not more than enough to sustain a lifestyle. We all need bucks so we could move, after all money is everything. That is why when you select a profession to pursue, it’s unquestionable that you think also how much money you could acquire from it. Genuinely, undeniably that’s the motivation you set your alarm clock to get you ready for the job daily. People in the community service sector don’t get paid as much. Nonetheless, they do have a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. {Let’s see how much a firefighter earns.|Without further ado, let us determine the income of a firefighter.

firefighter salary Oak Bluffs Massachusetts
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

[asd_program_button /]

The mean annual income of a firefighter is around $49,000 with the median somewhere around $46,000. The figures may vary based on the what state he is in or his education degree or his expertise and experience. As we go more, you’ll figure out components affecting salary.

Location Matters

The location of the fire department is a main element in deciding someone’s salary. This is because of a number of components like – population size, availability of firemen and frequency of fighters. A place exactly where spontaneous wildfires are likely, have a higher need for firemen than other places. Currently, New York pays their firemen the most at around 70% above the national mean. While Columbia pays the cheapest at 38%.

firefighter average salary by state Oak Bluffs Massachusetts
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Education Level

If you have been through a study in fire science in high school, you’ll be qualified to apply being a firefighter. Nonetheless, education is extremely valued in this field. There are two significant reasons for this. One is the reason is proof of your knowledge in the field. Another one is for the department to invest less on you just before becoming an asset in the government. Therefore, they could afford to pay you more. In case you have a degree, may it be a bachelor’s or an associate’s degree, that would help you acquire added advantage. A master’s degree might help a lot more.

Working Experience

Experience is commonly a major key in deciding someone’s earnings. As being a firefighter, your revenue can rise about 50% with experience in the field of 20 years. That percentage is quite as compared with other job which is at 15% to 20% even they have the same duration of experience.

Accreditations

Even the fundamentals of EMT, it’s still required by a fireman. On the other hand, apart from learning the basic, you can go further and learn the advanced certifications. Having a deeper list of certifications and trainings provide you with a chance of getting a greater salary. It also gives you a “Plan B” if you do decide to change careers later.

Industry

When all’s said and finished, you must receive your income. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biggest paying employers for this career aren’t the government but private contractors. This includes firms that deal with waste management, coal and oil production, and also metal product production. No matter, the local and state government are still looking for firefighting individuals.

Other Advantages

If you’re a government employee, one of the advantages you receive is the benefits you can claim. You get the services like insurance in your health or even dental check-up. You may also avail sick leave benefits. The exact benefits vary from department to department.

As being a doctor may have a higher earning as compared with being a fireman. Nonetheless, at the end of the day, you then become a hero in someone’s eyes. Learn the requirements to becoming a firefighter and be the man, the fireman, the hero!

Oak Bluffs Firefighter Career Outlook

firefighter job outlook Oak Bluffs Massachusetts
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

The job outlook is an important aspect while deciding which career to get into. You wouldn’t wish to choose 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 always on the rise since because of the ever-growing population. So, what does the future hold for the common fireman? Let us discover.

[asd_program_button /]

There are presently about 300,000 firemen appointed in the USA. There’s a steady progress of 5% for the next few years till 2024. This is the average growth rate of any normal profession. Which 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 also. Therefore, there will be some competition. This is mainly because of the low education specifications and the attractions of a public service job. The pay may not be quite high, however the benefits make up for that. It’s estimated that there might be about 100 people competing for the same job by 2024.

firefighter job outlook by state Oak Bluffs Massachusetts
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Steps To Becoming a Firefighter

Much like any other expert career to go after, a process is crucial to follow. Primary requirement is you need to have the necessary education. You should have your diploma or you’ll never get hired. Although education is the primary requirement, you should not be worried because employer only need at least 1 degree completed. Alongside, education you have to pass other tests such as physical, medical and legal test. Let us explore these in detail.

Education Qualification

The fundamental requirement becoming a firefighter is to complete high school and acquire a relevant degree. Subjects you gained do not matter much. But if you have fire fighting related subjects earned, that would be useful. That will give you a backgrounder of the profession you’re about to go into.

[asd_program_search_bar /]

After high school, a lot of people decide to get some formal college education in the field before they will become a firefighter. The minimum age qualification is EIGHTEEN years. That is one of the reasons why many of the aspirants are not be eligible after graduating in high school. If you would like to have choices later if you opt to become a firefighter, better select a degree with subjects in firefighting, you may need them. Courses which educate you on how to save people, handle hydraulic devices like ladders or some other related things are a major plus.

If desired, you may also choose to complete an associate’s, bachelor’s or a master’s degree in the same. The graduate studies you attain can help you land a promotion. While earning your education, you always keep in mind that age limit qualification of 28 to 30 years old limit for you to be qualified too. That is why you must not over concentrate on having too much education so as to qualify.

Paramedic Training

Every single firefighter is needed to present an EMT certification. The one required is the EMT-B or the EMT-Basic. This certifies firefighters that they know very well what to perform in case of fires or in accidents. One year is required in order to finish this training. If one desires, they can decide to pursue further studies in the field Emergency Medical Services and be a paramedic. This will help them get an edge over other applicants and hopefully, a greater income. There are also several medical expert firefighters who can take better care of people after they have already been rescued from the fires.

Licensed to Drive Vehicle In Massachusetts State

Many states require the candidates to be able to drive. As a result, they require their applicants to be a licensed driver which might help them in case that person is required to drive the firetruck to the area. It also serves as an ID proof to confirm the applicant’s age.

Free of Legal Record

In certain cases, a firefighter is compared as a policeman. The same as policemen, firefighters also undertake lifestyle check before getting employed. To get hired, the firefighters cannot have a criminal record. If it is found that there was one, or the firefighter was previously busted, then that applicant is immediately disqualified. People who were pardoned for their crimes are normally accepted, nonetheless, not all fire departments acknowledge such individuals.

Physical Fitness

Firefighters need to be physically active to perform thier job always. Instances like lifting fire victims or objects to free victims arise much of the time in rescue tasks, consequently, firefighter’s upper body strength is essential. Not only body strength is need to have, firefighter’s endurance must be high as they have to deal lots of factors like running even in harsh environment. Nobody become a firefighter without going through heavy and extremely comprehensive physical exams.

Oak Bluffs Medical Requirements

Firefighters must cope with a lot of suffocating cases. Firefighters have masks to overcome those scenarios but even so, if have respiratory condition, this might hinder your chances. Individuals having respiratory problems cannot handle such heavy machinery with precision under suffocating circumstances. Thus, candidates are checked properly for any such conditions which may cause them harm in such cases.

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

Oak Bluffs Firefighter Job Description

Firefighters are the unsung heroes who risk their lives just to save other lives. They are around in rescue missions you see in common incidents, not only fire. The same as what you see in films, a firefighter saving a kitten in a tree. Besides this, they’re also responsible for teaching individuals to prevent further fires. In some cases, they’re supposed to examine causes of fire and dig deep in to the case due to the possibility of an arsonist.

Extinguishing Fires

This is the major role of firefighters. They are always in check waiting for a call for their assistance. When a distress call is acquired, firefighters along with their tools rush to the fire area to extinguish it. Several of the fire trucks are simply meant to deliver wounded people.

[asd_program_button /]

Firefighting is a team work. Each member already has its designated task. Some people are in charge of controlling the ladder and rescue operations. Another firefighter is only for extinguishing the fire, while other carry out the rescue of fire victims. The same as any other team that has a leader commanding the operation, their group is headed by their commanding officer. Given that they work in shifts, each and every unit has their own commanding officer.

Saving People

All firefighters must be qualified as an EMT. Considering that the primary job of the rescuer would be to rescue lives, it is essential that a firefighter possesses this EMT. A firefighter may need this technical skills if a victim is cornered in fires. Not all rescue procedures are fire related. There are cases that a fireman comes first in the scene. Casualties possibly caused natural phenomena or road accidents. The firefighters are supposed to work together and save the victims from further harm. This is certainly where a firefighters know-how in EMT comes in handy.

Teaching People

Firefighters are usually knowledgeable in fire sciences. Their knowledge may vary as to how further firefighters follow this field. By discussing what they know, they help people by educating them how to prevent fire from taking place. Firefighters commonly do it right after visiting an extinguished fire scene. Otherwise, they also visit schools and other places to actively teach individuals about fires, how to prevent fires and if necessary, how to extinguish them.

Investigating Fires

To educate people about how to prevent fires, the firemen/firewomen need to first find the cause of the fire. Knowing the causes can assist firefighters prevent fire for the same scenario happen again. Sometimes, it is possible that criminals with malicious intent set such fires. 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’re also known as arson investigators which are experts 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 through extinguishing fires and they develop also our appreciation to them. Consequently, if learning about their responsibilities fired you up, see what education specifications you should become one!