Did you know that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are about 27,000 firefighting job opens projected each year for the next decade? These openings are expected to replace firefighters who are transferring to other jobs or leaving the workforce to retire.
If you are interested in the fire service industry, there are several excellent options to choose from. Keep reading on to learn about the 5 most popular fire safety jobs.
Table of Contents
1. Fire Inspector
Fire inspectors are enforcing fire codes and make sure buildings and businesses are following all the fire codes. Fire inspectors play a vital role in ensuring that all the people inside would get out of the building safely if a fire were to occur.
Fire inspectors spend a lot of time educating people on proper fire safety and fire prevention.
Fire inspectors need to look professional when enforcing codes or providing the public with education. A fire retardant shirt are a great option for fire inspectors to wear for work.
2. Fire Investigator
A fire investigator’s job starts after a fire has occurred and the fire is extinguished. Sometimes fire investigators work as part of the police department, depending on the department. There they are required to have police training and extensive fire science knowledge.
Other locations and departments may have fire investigators on their fire department. They may work and train as a firefighter and work to extinguish the fire before investigating the cause of a fire after the fire is out.
3. Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic
Firefighters frequently respond with EMS services to assist in medical emergencies. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2019, fire departments throughout the United States responded to about 1,291,500 fire calls and 24,481,000 medical aid calls.
Firefighters play a vital role in responding and assisting on medical scenes. Having additional medical training and certifications is especially helpful.
A Firefighter/Paramedic has a higher medical certification and more training than a Firefighter/EMT does. Therefore, they can perform more advanced medical care if necessary.
4. Wildland Firefighter
If you love working outside in nature, wildland firefighting may be for you. Wildland firefighters focus on containing wildfires instead of extinguishing the fire. This helps preserve the wildlands and allows for better plant regrowth after the fire.
Sometimes if a wildfire is large or spread out, wildland firefighters may work in a large spread out area. In comparison, other firefighters work in a single building or house typically. Teamwork and good communication are necessary to be a good wildland firefighter.
5. Volunteer Firefighter
Some local fire stations use volunteer firefighters if you want to be a firefighter but do not want to give up your full-time job. Volunteer firefighters usually work on either a part-time or on-call basis.
Volunteer firefighters typically work in areas where there is a shortage of paid firefighters. They help to provide extra manpower and equipment on fire scenes. In addition, volunteer firefighting allows you to see if a career in fire safety is the right fit for you.
While working with fire you have to take safety precaution measures and always wear a carbon monoxide respirator mask. Firefighters are at risk of breathing in smoke and deadly carbon monoxide while they do their jobs. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a fast-acting gas that travels through the bloodstream and starves the brain of oxygen, which can kill you in less than two minutes. Fire risk is a serious concern in most settings. Fire action signs are used to inform and direct people in the event of a fire. These signs are important because they provide basic information on how to react in the event of a fire.
Choosing the Right Fire Safety Jobs for You
Fire safety is a growing field and a great industry to go into. You will know that your work is valuable and you are helping people every day. If you decide to pursue fire safety jobs, your next step is deciding which option to take.
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