How to Become a Firefighter EMT: Training & Requirements
Find out about firefighter EMTs and if you have what it takes to become one. See what training is required, the kind of education needed, how they are paid, and more.
Firefighter EMT Career Overview
Firefighters face danger every day in the pursuit of saving lives, and those firefighters trained as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are key to achieving that goal. As first responders to disaster situations, firefighter EMTs are often the first medical professionals to see and evaluate an injured person, helping to determine if it's safe to move them and stabilize their condition until they can reach a hospital. The table that follows offers more details about this career.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Education</b></td><td> High school diploma</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Requirements</b></td><td> Valid driver's license, must be over the age of 18, clean record, physically and mentally fit</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training</b></td><td> Fire academy training</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Skills</b></td><td> Bravery, decisiveness, and physical ability</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Certification and/or Licensure</b></td><td> EMT-Basic, Advanced EMT, or Paramedic certification, then state licensure</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Growth (2020-2030)*</b></td><td> 8% (for all professional firefighters)</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2020)*</b></td><td> $52,500 (for all professional firefighters)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *United States Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatDoFirefighterEMTsDo">What Do Firefighter EMTs Do?</h3><p>Firefighters respond to accidents and disasters in a rapid manner and must be ready to handle a wide variety of situations when they arrive. While the image that comes to mind is often a firefighter racing into a burning building, firefighters also respond to car accidents, where they may need to use tools such as the Jaws of Life to free trapped people, and to industrial incidents where hazardous materials may be an issue. Firefighters put their own lives at risk to help others, and must be physically fit enough to assist hurt or weakened people through dangerous situations. Firefighter EMTs perform all the regular duties, as well as hold the responsibility of monitoring and caring for victims until an ambulance can transport them to a hospital for more intensive care.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheRequirementsAnAspiringFirefighterEMTMustMeet">What Are The Requirements An Aspiring Firefighter EMT Must Meet?</h3><p>Anyone hoping to become a firefighter or take the EMT certification class must be over the age of 18. Career firefighters are generally expected to hold a high school diploma, at minimum, although there are some college majors such as fire science and public administration that a firefighter could benefit from. A valid driver's license is also required, and vision correctable to 20/20 at minimum. Upon applying, firefighters will be required to meet stringent health and physical fitness requirements, as well as pass psychological screenings. Drug tests are performed regularly, as the safety of victims and firefighters can't be risked by a firefighter who's under the influence. A background check may also be performed, primarily looking for a criminal record and credit history.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatSortOfTrainingIsNeededToBecomeAFirefighterEMT">What Sort Of Training Is Needed To Become A Firefighter EMT?</h3><p>Firefighter EMTs must go through all the training expected of both a firefighter and an EMT, as one might assume. They then attend training courses run by state organizations or local fire departments, called fire academies, that typically last a few months and involve both classroom work and practical application and training. Fire academies teach about fire codes and regulations, the tools of the trade such as fire hoses and axes, and more. EMT certification takes place through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT), which has different levels ranging from EMT-Basic to Paramedic, and requires classes as well as practical exams. Upon receiving the EMT certification, one must apply for state licensing in order to get a job where that knowledge is applied.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsWorkingAsAFirefighterLike">What Is Working As a Firefighter Like?</h3><p>Firefighters work unusual schedules compared to most jobs, often requiring 24 hours on call at a firehouse, where they will eat and sleep while ready for a call, then taking off for two to three days. Some firefighters work 10 hour shifts, instead, with the remaining hours off each day. Overtime is common, as disasters won't line up with shift changes, and firefighters can't leave in the middle of an emergency. Among all occupations in the US, firefighters are at very high risk of on-the-job injury, both from accidents, such as collapsing building debris, and chronic conditions due to exposure to smoke and flame. When not active, firefighters help educate the public on safety measures to prevent fires or minimize injury.
</p><h3 id="section---AreThereOtherJobsLikeFirefighterEMT">Are There Other Jobs Like Firefighter EMT?</h3><p>A paramedic or EMT working in an ambulance or for a hospital share many of the medical responsibilities of a firefighter EMT and may work alongside firefighters at the scene of accidents. Registered nurses (RNs) and certified nursing assistants (CNAs) working in emergency rooms and intensive care units treat the patients that firefighter EMTs send to the hospital, assisting them on the road to recovery. Police are another form of first responder, often working with firefighters and EMTs, who face similar dangerous situations every day with a slightly more predictable schedule. In rural parts of the country, firefighters are often volunteers, so they may need to hold jobs in these other related careers to earn a living.</p>