Wichita Kansas Firefighter Salary And Job Requirements

As the name suggests, Firefighters are those who basically save people or other objects from fire simply by fighting it. They’re selected among the best to risk their lives in rescue operations. Normally loved by girls, these professionals aren’t frightened of anything as well as 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.

firefighter career summary Wichita Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Table Of Contents

Just How Much Does A Firefighter Make In Wichita?

People say that work does not seem like work anymore if you value what you do. However, this passion is not enough to supply your finances like basic needs as well as life style. Everybody requires a financial backing to make them live life the way they think fit. That is why when you pick a career to pursue, it is unquestionable that you think also how much money you can make from it. Genuinely, undeniably that’s the motivation you set your alarm clock to get you ready for the job daily. People who carry out community outreach don’t earn much. But income is not their basis of joy and fulfillment. {Let us see how much a firefighter earns.|Without more ado, let’s find out the earnings of a firefighter.

firefighter salary Wichita Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

[asd_program_button /]

Somewhere around $49,000 is the mean annual 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 qualification or his skills and experience. As we go further, you’ll find out components affecting income.

Location Matters

Firefighter’s earnings can be determined by the location of the department you’re assigned. This is due to a few components like – population size, availability of firemen as well as frequency of fighters. A place exactly where impulsive wildfires are likely, have a higher need for firemen than other areas. Currently, New York pays their firemen the most at around 70% above the national mean. On the contrary, Columbia pays the cheapest at 38% below the national average.

firefighter average salary by state Wichita Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

Educational Qualification

To become a firefighter, one usually just needs to have studied a course related to fire science in high school. Nevertheless, education is highly valued in this field. Here’s 2 main reasons why. One is the reason is proof of your know-how in the field. The second is that the government will need to invest considerably less on you to develop you as being an asset. Resulting to paying you more. A bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree in fire science will help you advance your career as well as earn quite a bit more. How much more when you have a graduate credentials in firefighting.

Length of Work Experience

Experience is commonly a major key in determining someone’s income. In case a firefighter has a field experience of around Two decades, his salary may rise to 50% This is quite high when compared to other careers which commonly see a 15-20% rise in the same amount of time.

Certifications

Even the basics of EMT, it’s still required by a fireman. Nevertheless, you can pick to pursue the medical field a bit further and become a paramedic or get advanced EMT training. Getting these credentials gives you a higher chance of generating more. Besides, this also provides you another option should you opt shift careers later.

Industry

At the end of the day, your company signs your paycheck. Based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the biggest paying employers for this career aren’t the government but private contractors. Included are firms handling production in oil, manufacturing of metal products and also waste management. Nonetheless, the local and also the state government still hire the most number of firefighters.

Other Advantages

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

As you can see, the financial scope of a fireman isn’t as nice as that of a doctor. However a fireman has the accolades of an instant savior. Consequently, if you want to be that hero, find out the requirements to become a firefighter now!

Wichita Firefighter Employment Outlook

firefighter job outlook Wichita Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

The job outlook is a vital factor while determining which career to get into. You wouldn’t wish to choose your favourite career option just 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 because of the ever-growing population. Consequently, 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 advancement of 5% for the next several years till 2024. This is the average growth rate of any normal career. Which means that there would be about 12,000 new jobs by 2024. Nevertheless, this also implies that there will be that much more people trying to get the job too. Hence, there will be some competition. This is primarily because of the low education requirements and the attractions of a public service job. The pay might not be very high, but 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 Wichita Kansas
*Image Credit – BLS.gov

How To Become A Firefighter

One needs to follow a particular process to join any career. The most important part of these procedures would be to complete the education specifications. Without these specifications, hardly any employer will be happy to hire you. Being a firefighter, there aren’t too many education prerequisites that you have to possess. Alongside, education you have to pass other examinations such as physical, medical as well as legal test. We’ll go further in details to much better understand the requirements.

Educational Qualification

The fundamental requirement becoming a firefighter is to complete high school and acquire a relevant degree. The subjects do not matter as such. Nonetheless, having some courses in fire sciences does help your cause. It will also teach you how to become a more efficient firefighter.

[asd_program_search_bar /]

Many of those who intended to be a firefighter, they elect to pursue a degree in college right after earning their diploma in high school. You have to be at least 18 years old to meet the age qualification. That’s a primary reason why most of the aspirants are not be eligible after graduating in high school. If you want to have choices later if you choose to become a firefighter, better pick a degree with subjects in firefighting, you may need them. Courses which show you how to save people, handle hydraulic devices such as ladders or some other related things are a major plus.

If wanted, you can 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 greater positions. While earning your education, you always remember that age limitation qualification of 28 to 30 years of age limit for you to be qualified too. As a result, if you wish to expend most of your life as being a firefighter, you should never focus too much on education.

Required Training in Paramedic

All the firefighters need to have this EMT certification. The one needed is the EMT-B or the EMT-Basic. This will help firefighters tend to victims in accidents or fires. One year is required 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 helps them gain an edge over other candidates and hopefully, a better income. Additionally, there are a few medical professional firefighters who can take better care of individuals after they have already been rescued from the fires.

Licensed to Drive Vehicle In Kansas State

Many states need the candidates to be able to drive. As a result, they want their applicants to be a licensed driver that might help them when person is required to drive the firetruck to the location. It also functions as an ID proof to confirm the applicant’s age.

Free of Criminal Record

In most scenarios, a firefighter is compared as a policeman. They undergo an extensive criminal background check just before they are hired. It absolutely required 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 applicant is immediately disqualified. On the other hand, there are instances where a pardoned individual of his violations are accepted however, not all department perform that.

Wichita Physical Requirements

One of the main characteristics that a firefighter should 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 situations. Not just body strength is need to have, firefighter’s endurance should be high as they should deal a lot of aspects like running even in harsh environment. Nobody become a firefighter without going through heavy and extremely comprehensive physical tests.

Wichita Medical Requirements

Firefighters should deal with a lot of suffocating scenarios. Firefighters have masks to overcome those circumstances but even so, if have respiratory condition, this might hinder your chances. In case you have history in your respiratory, that would affect your efficiency. That is why it’s important that an applicant should be clear from any of that respiratory problems.

There a number of boxes that need to be ticked while picking out a firefighter. Without a doubt, the list is long, so find out how long will it take you turn into a firefighter!

Wichita Firefighter Work Description

Firefighters are your everyday heroes who work together to set out fires as well as help people if they get stuck in such scenarios. They’re around in rescue tasks you see in common incidents, not only fire. Just like what you see in movies, a firefighter saving a kitten in a tree. Apart from this, they’re also responsible for instructing people to prevent further fires. They also do the investigation as to the reasons of fire, its source or cause.

Extinguishing Fires

This is the major role of firefighters. When on-duty, these individuals stay in their firehouse to interact to a call as quickly as possible. When they do get a call, they rush to the location in one of their firetrucks which may contain hoses or ladders. Several of the fire trucks are just meant to deliver harmed people.

[asd_program_button /]

At the scene of the fire, every person has a distinct job. A certain firefighter maybe responsible for controlling the ladder and hose. Another firefighter is solely for extinguishing the fire, while other carry out the rescue of fire victims. These individuals work under the order of their respective commanding officers. They work in shifts, for that reason, every shifting unit has its corresponding officers.

Rescuing People

All firefighters must be qualified as an EMT. Since the major job of the rescuer would be to save lives, it is vital that a firefighter possesses this EMT. A firefighter might need this technical know-how if a victim is stuck in fires. However, not all rescue procedures 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 crashes. The firefighters are supposed to work together and rescue the victims from further harm. This is certainly where a firefighters knowledge in EMT will come in handy.

Teaching People

Fire science is among the skills a firefighter has. The amount of knowledge will depend 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 avoid fires. Firefighters usually do it right after visiting an extinguished fire scene. Or else, they also go to schools and other areas to positively educate people about fires, how to prevent fires and if needed, how to extinguish them.

Investigating Fires

To teach people about how to prevent fires, the firemen/firewomen must first find the source of the fire. Understanding the causes can assist firefighters avoid fire for the same situation happen again. Sometimes, it is possible that criminals with malicious intent set such fires. Working with law enforcement officers, it’s firefighter’s task to determine what causes the fire or who possibly started it. There are firefighters who are also known as arson investigators that are experts fire investigation. They work with law enforcement to catch arsonists.

As you can see, there’s a wide number of reasons to call these people our everyday heroes. While extinguishing fires in different locations, they ignite one in our hearts. Consequently, if you think you wish to be like them, begin filling up the list!