The total number of firefighter responses due to fire was 1,318,500 in 2018; the number of fires has decreased since every year since 2015, but previously hit a low of 1,240,000in 2013. Please enable javascript to play this video. EMT requirements vary by city and state. This report provides an overview of local and municipal fire departments in the United States. The What They Do tab describes the typical duties and responsibilities of workers in the occupation, including what tools and equipment they use and how closely they are supervised. This is often overlooked, but the required background check covers credit score. You had prior experience, but you havent worked as a firefighter for several years. For example, lets say youre 35 years old and you served six years in the military. If you cant act when needed as a firefighter, then maybe this isnt the right career field for you at this age. interacts online and researches product purchases Copyright 2023 . There were 29,452 fire departments in the United States in 2020. Yes, but your employment options may become more limited as you get older. Firefighters, like EMTs and paramedics, need to provide emotional support to those in emergency situations. Many firefighters are responsible for providing medical attention. The entry-level education typically required to become a firefighter is a high school diploma or equivalent. Companies that used three or four methods had 7.1 new members, on average. In firefighting, instant reactions are critical. Wildland firefighters frequently create fire linesa swath of cut-down trees and dug-up grass in the path of a fireto deprive a fire of fuel. 8.2% of Fire Fighters are Hispanic or Latino, 5.9% of Fire Fighters are Unknown, 5.8% of Fire Fighters are Black or African American, 2.3% of Fire Fighters are Asian, and 1.0% of Fire Fighters are American Indian and Alaska Native. These sessions cover topics including anti-arson techniques, disaster preparedness, hazardous materials control, and public fire safety and education. You must hold a current and valid C Class (Car) driver's licence when applying for the role. We determined the average age of fire fighters based on ethnicity and gender. With a Associate degree, fire fighters earn a median annual income of $59,018 compared to $52,921 for fire fighters with an High School Diploma degree. If you have the relevant experience and youre 42 years old the day you send in your firefighting application, you could very well get the job. Im also a columnist for FireRescue1. There also will likely be a maximum age, usually between 28 and 35 years old, depending on the. They also use prescribed fires to burn potential fire fuel under controlled conditions. You might not be for very much longer, but you are for now. Firefighters | Data USA Since its a junior program, the participants are usually younger, such as 14 and up. Additional training needed (postemployment) to attain competency in the skills needed in this occupation. Firefighters must be able to explain conditions at an emergency scene to other firefighters and to emergency-response crews. and that the data you submit is exempt from Do Not Sell My Personal Information requests. The number of civilian injuries reported was 15,200. Don't be concerned! In 2021, women earned 98% of what men earned. By submitting your information, you agree to be contacted by the selected vendor(s) Fire Fighter Recruitment FAQs - Phoenix, Arizona After finding the gender ratio, we wondered if the percentages of LGBT persons were different as well. That New Jersey state webpage also brings up some interesting exceptions that might apply in the states with an upper age limit for firefighters. Download a copy of this fact sheet to have or hang in the station. White fire fighters have the lowest average salary at $56,325. It's important to remember that the salaries of individual firefighters in this state can vary depending on their specialization and credentials, such as if they suppress wildfires. If so, then youre in luck. This e-mail is checked on regular city business days. You must enable JavaScript in your browser to view and post comments. . If you are asked about your past record during an interview, do not lie. All rights reserved. Employees with the fire fighter job title have their preferences when it comes to working for a company. Fire Fighter Demographics and Statistics In The US - Zippia Latest U.S. Fire Department Profile Shows Aging Trend in Firefighters Percent change in employment, projected 2021-31, Note: All Occupations includes all occupations in the U.S. Economy.Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program. used one or two recruitment methods had, on average, 5.2 new members. If you worked at a participating AZ fire dept. Physical stamina. We hope the information in this article helped you plan your next career move. If they can bring somebody on board when they are a fresh-faced 21 or 22-year-old theyve got a blank slate to work with. Terms of Use Before sharing sensitive information, The average age limit seems to be around 35 years old. of equipment around with you, possibly for hours, when on a call. The State and Area Data tab provides links to state and area occupational data from the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, state projections data from Projections Central, and occupational information from the Department of Labor's CareerOneStop. Thus, while before, being 35 years old, you would have been ineligible to work as a firefighter, now that your adjusted age is 29, you can still apply to become a firefighter at your age. There is also a salary info tool to search for wages by zip code. You should get a response within 24 to 48 hours. The total number of firefighter responses in 2018 was 36,746,500, about 2 million more than the previous year. However, typically, the younger a recruit is the better from the departments point of view. By tracking the participants VO2 max levels, which is how much oxygen the body needs when youre exercising at your peak, the researchers noticed a trend. This evaluation will look at your mental and emotional stability to withstand the stresses associated with firefighting. For example, Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD) in California has an age range for new firefighter from 21 to 35 years old. The most common degree for fire fighters is bachelor's degree 31% of fire fighters earn that degree. Firefighters also enter burning buildings to extinguish fires, rescue any occupants inside, and give medical treatment as needed. Having prior firefighting experienceor at least firefighter trainingmight allow you to get a job as a firefighter as young as 18 or 21. Other types of emergency calls that firefighters respond to include disaster aid, search-and-rescue operations, and traffic accidents. How you've acted to rectify your mistakes will be important when applying to become a firefighter. However, at that age, they can only work a certain number of hours. A 2014 study that reviewed more than 3,300 people between the ages of 16 and 44 discovered that at 24 years old, your brain has the fastest response times. Employment of firefighters is projected to grow 4 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Sarah graduated with a bachelor's degree in news/editorial journalism at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Fifty percent of firefighters are between 30 and 49 years old. Here are four additional questions you'll be sure to get in a firefighter interview how you answer will influence a panel's hiring decision. After graduating the Academy as a firefighter, you receive a pay increase. The duration of the study was about eight years. Just because you are over 35, that doesn't necessarily rule you out from becoming a firefighter. Our estimates are verified against BLS, Census, and current job openings data for accuracy. The More Information tab provides the Internet addresses of associations, government agencies, unions, and other organizations that can provide additional information on the occupation. Look for a box or option labeled Home Page (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari) or On Startup (Chrome). Are you interested in joining the greatest profession in the world? There were 1,318,500 fires in 2018. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. Seattle Fire Department is one example where there is no upper age limit. This video interviews an 85-year-old volunteer firefighter at Rockaway Township Fire Department, in New York: Dont worry, though, you wont be the only volunteer who is a little older than average, its a very popular thing to do with generous citizens who are looking to give something back to their community, once theyve finished working or transitioned to part-time work later in their careers. Medical assistance was the number one reason for firefighter response in 2018, at 23,551,500 incidents. Thanks for coming to my site! The second highest reason for firefighter response in 2018 was false alarms at 2,889,000. For those younger than 18, you can look into limited involvement as a junior firefighter. interacts online and researches product purchases