Career Opportunities and Work Life

Skills You'll Need

Salary Ranges

The Classroom Experience

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Career Opportunities and Work Life - Fire Science

Every year, fire affects thousands of people, homes and businesses. It is the fire fighter's responsibility to respond quickly to an emergency and effectively control the situation.

There is no such thing as a typical day. When fire fighters are at a fire scene they may: Connect hose lines to hydrants Operate a water pump Rescue trapped victims Provide emergency medical attention Salvage property contents

Work Environment

Full-time fire fighters spend a majority of each shift at the fire station. Fire stations are usually built like a dormitory to provide accommodations during down time. When an alarm sounds, fire fighters rapidly put on their gear and respond to the emergency. Fire fighters respond at any time of day in rain, snow, ice, extreme cold and heat, dust, dirt, smoke, and chemicals.

Fire fighters work in shifts that vary from department to department. Many shifts are 24 hours on, 24 hours off, alternating with 48 hours on and 48 hours off. Shifts will differ from week to week. During emergencies, more hours may be required to get a situation under control. Expect to work weekends, nights, and holidays.

More than nine out of ten fire fighters work in municipal or county fire departments. Most of the remaining work in airports, industrial sites, chemical plants, and forest areas.

Employment Outlook

Prospective fire fighters will find heavy competition when looking for a job. Due to the attractiveness of the profession, many people are entering the field while few are leaving. Even with the competition, national trends indicate a 21 percent employment increase by the year 2012.

Much of the job growth will be found in volunteering. Volunteer fire fighters are often promoted to paid positions. Volunteer fire fighters, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic's Occupational Outlook Handbook, staff nearly 70 percent of fire companies.

Many are attracted to fire fighting because of the job security. There are few layoffs and this service is always in demand.

Career Advancement

Promotions within the fire-fighting field are a result of seniority and demonstrated knowledge. Exams test written skills, job performance, expertise in advanced fire fighting equipment and techniques, and verbal interviews. Exams usually occur in assessment centers where job performance is tested through simulated emergency situations.

The career ladder often progresses in this order: engineer, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and chief.

According to Kalamazoo Valley Community College program manager Wayne Kitchen, "The full Fire Science [associate's] degree adds weight and credibility for the student once they are in the fire service to advance within the department or service or for those looking at fire technical areas such as fire instructors, investigators, etc."

If your goal is to advance higher than battalion chief, a bachelor's degree in fire science or a related field is becoming a requirement. A master's degree is required to become a certified executive fire officer. Certification is granted by the National Fire Academy.