How can I be a career firefighter?
A career firefighter works full time at the profession, as opposed to a volunteer firefighter. In 2008, there were 321,700 career firefighters representing 28 percent of all firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Each state and locality sets different criteria for hiring, but the candidate must prove he is capable of doing the job. Firefighting occupations are expected to grow by 12 percent from 2006 to 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.Basic RequirementsFire departments usually require a recruit to be 18, reside in the area, have a high school diploma or a general equivalency diploma, pass a criminal background check, complete the proper CPR training and fill out an application.Hiring ProcessYou must then pass a series of tests while impressing the supervisors. The process typically includes a physical agility test. The candidate usually performs exercises without a break, including a one-mile run, pull-ups, push-ups, sit-ups and squats. P
