From seasonal wildland to career firefighter

A fire season gives you real fireline experience, fitness and crew discipline. Many wildland firefighters use that to move into a year round job with a city, county or fire district. Here is the usual path.

1. Check what departments near you require

Each department sets its own rules. Most career departments ask for a high school diploma, a driver license, a written test, a physical ability test such as the CPAT, a background check and a medical exam. Read the posting for every job you want.

2. Get your EMT certification

Most structural calls are medical calls, so many departments require EMT Basic to apply or soon after hire. A community college course often fits in the off season.

3. Get Firefighter I and II

Some departments hire people who already hold state Firefighter I and II. Others put new hires through their own academy. If the departments you want expect it, a fire academy at a community college is the common route.

4. Put your season on your resume the right way

List your crew, your qualifications and red card, the fires you worked and the hours. Hiring panels value proven work in hard conditions, teamwork and safety habits.

5. Apply widely and keep applying

Departments open testing on their own schedules, and many only test once or twice a year. Watch for openings across your state so you do not miss a test date.

Find career fire department jobs

FireJobs lists fire department jobs across the U.S. Pick your state:

• Alaska fire department jobs
• Arizona fire department jobs
• California fire department jobs
• Colorado fire department jobs
• District of Columbia fire department jobs
• Florida fire department jobs
• Georgia fire department jobs
• Hawaii fire department jobs
• Idaho fire department jobs
• Illinois fire department jobs
• Indiana fire department jobs
• Iowa fire department jobs

For a full walk through of the hiring process, see how to become a firefighter on FireJobs.