Has it always been a dream of yours to work as a firefighter? Are you at a point in your life where you know no other career path will allow you to be fulfilled? Continue reading to learn what you need to know about this chosen career path so that you can get ready to gear up! Although in some locations you may be able to find work as a firefighter with only your high school diploma, your chances of landing a fulfilling position that will allow you to advance will require a higher level of education. Most community colleges provide associate’s degree programs for students, while larger colleges even offer degree programs in fire engineering. As our cities in the United States continue to grow, the demand for firefighters will also grow. Now is a great time to get your foot in the door for this exciting career path! For individuals who want to work as a firefighter it is most common for them to pursue an associate’s degree program in fire science. The curriculum within an associate’s degree in fire science is designed to teach you how to effectively fight fires, how to prevent fires, and how to investigate fires. Depending upon the coursework required by your particular choice of school, you may even take classes that will teach you how to organize and manage a fire department. Being certified as an emergency medical technician is a common requirement of many fire departments, so you can expect to take classes that will help you become certified. In addition, some associate’s programs even teach their students how to fight forest fires and other such fires that are not contained within a home or building structure.
Your required coursework will range anywhere from 18 to 40 credit hours and will consist of classes like: basics of fire prevention, administering a fire department, basics of fire protection, discovering the origin and cause of a fire, combustion and how fires behave, firefighting equipment and systems, and responding to hazardous materials fires. Take a moment and check out our site for any particular schools that peak your interest. Any of them will be more than glad to send you a free information packet detailing what they have to offer you. With some level of formal degree and training you will be able to seek employment in one of these popular areas: fire investigator, fire inspector, firefighter, fire chief, or manager of firefighting and prevention workers. Keep in mind, the educational requirements for some of these positions may vary. Research any of the first science schools below.