How Long Does It Take To Become a Firefighter?
If you’re thinking about becoming a firefighter — thank you. A career as a first responder is a selfless choice that benefits society.
Thankfully, becoming a firefighter is not too much of an arduous process. You don’t need to invest significant amounts of time and money. However, on the job, you may need to sacrifice your health and wellbeing.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in this honorable profession, you may be wondering, “How long does it take to become a firefighter?” Read the information below to find out.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Firefighter?
There is no single answer that can definitively tell you how long it takes to become a firefighter. The reason for this is that there is no federal firefighting board that regulates requirements across states and districts. That means every single fire department is free to have its own requirements.
To find out what some of these requirements are, keep reading below.
With a GED or High School Diploma
Anyone can become a firefighter with just a high school diploma or GED. No postsecondary degree is required. Once you have a GED or diploma, you can progress directly to the next step — whatever that may be required at your local department.
There are also technical programs, like this training program, that can offer specialized education while being cheaper and faster than a college degree.
With a College Degree
As previously stated, you do not need a college degree to pursue a firefighter career. However, learning more about fire science at a postsecondary institution will look excellent on your resume. It can bode well for future career opportunities at the department.
EMT Certification
Many fire departments require their firefighters to become certified as an EMT. A fire science program should offer this as part of the degree.
If you are not interested in pursuing a fire science degree, you can pay for an EMT training program. Becoming certified takes a while — between one to three years depending on the level you want to attain. Considering that you will be helping people in life-threatening situations, make sure to take this part of your firefighter training seriously.
Paramedic Certification
Some fire departments take the EMT training a step further and require their firefighters to become certified as a paramedic. While both positions are considered emergency medical technicians (EMTs), a paramedic is the highest form of EMT.
A paramedic can do more than an EMT, including things like inserting an IV or administering drugs. This means a paramedic needs to have far more professional medical knowledge than a regular EMT, which takes more time.
While an EMT only needs around 150 hours to achieve the lowest level of certification, a paramedic needs more than 1,000.
Fire Academy Training
Once interviewed with a department and getting hired, firefighter jobs will appoint you to a fire academy for training. This part is shorter and highly physical. It should take around six months to complete.
Becoming a Firefighter
How long does it take to become a firefighter? It depends on the requirements of your local fire department. However, it’s likely that it will take a minimum of three years.
If you found this guide helpful, make sure to check out what else we have to offer.
