Useful Skills for Firefighters
There's a whole lot more to the life of a firefighter than scurrying around in a big red fire truck, rescuing stranded people from burning buildings. In order to become a great firefighter, one must be willing to put forth the effort to develop skills
that will help you to do your job in a more effective manner. A fire fighter's daily routine may consist of responding to emergency calls, rescuing stranded victims and animals, jumping through burning buildings to rescue people, or even battle raging wild fires, which is why developing certain skills can be of great benefit, particularly when applying for job promotions. Some of the skills listed below may not be required for admission to the fire academy or to even apply, but they will eventually come in handy at one time or another in this line of work. One specific skill to consider seeking after when applying is to learn a foreign language, preferably one that is spoken in your area. Most states, specifically California, are quite racially diverse and filled with people who speak many different languages, which generally means that
fire departments will be excited to learn that you speak more than one language.
What You Can Do:
- Learn basic first-aid & CPR
- Become a Certified First Responder with a defibrillator(CFR-D)
- Be familiar with how to use axes, chainsaws, and fire extinguishers
- Develop good driving skills and keep your driving record clean
- Develop effective study habits
- Polish your communication skills (speech, listening, & writing)
- Take a college course in public speaking and/or communication
- Learn a foreign language, particularly one used in your location
- Practice taking the initiative and making swift judgment calls when applicable
- Practice remaining calm during stressful situations, learn to work as a team, and maintain a positive attitude