A Career in Firefighting
In today’s world, there are many opportunities for adults to work. Some of these jobs are in the private sector, and some are in the public sector. Among the public jobs, policemen and firemen are the more recognized career paths. Either is noble and helpful to society, but firefighting offers more variety and opportunities for one to advance. A career in firefighting can be a good career path to use one’s gifts and talents, help other people, and make an honest living.
When people hear that someone works for the fire department, most of them assume that person would be a regular firefighter. That can often be incorrect simply because there are many more jobs in the fire department than just fighting fires and getting scared cats out of tall trees. Some of those other jobs could be: fire Marshall, fire chief, certified fire instructor (who trains other beginner firefighters), forest fire inspector, fire prevention specialist, fire investigator, and smoke jumper, just to name a few. There are many jobs within the area of firefighting, and one can move up the ladder if they so wish.
Some people may think that this job is all fun and games, but if you are an actual firefighter who deals with emergences all day, and often during the night, the work can de very dangerous at times. Just about every time you get a call it is usually something intense. Being a fireman takes a lot of physical and mental strength and being able to handle strong heat. In the book America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs, Michael Farr reports that the personal qualities that firefighters need most are “ mental alertness, self-discipline, courage, mechanical aptitude, endurance, strength, and a sense of public service.†He also writes “initiative and good judgment also are extremely important because firefighters make quick decisions in emergencies.†Other qualities that a firefighter needs to do well in the job are dependability and the ability to get along well with others, since
When people hear that someone works for the fire department, most of them assume that person would be a regular firefighter. That can often be incorrect simply because there are many more jobs in the fire department than just fighting fires and getting scared cats out of tall trees. Some of those other jobs could be: fire Marshall, fire chief, certified fire instructor (who trains other beginner firefighters), forest fire inspector, fire prevention specialist, fire investigator, and smoke jumper, just to name a few. There are many jobs within the area of firefighting, and one can move up the ladder if they so wish.
Some people may think that this job is all fun and games, but if you are an actual firefighter who deals with emergences all day, and often during the night, the work can de very dangerous at times. Just about every time you get a call it is usually something intense. Being a fireman takes a lot of physical and mental strength and being able to handle strong heat. In the book America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs, Michael Farr reports that the personal qualities that firefighters need most are “ mental alertness, self-discipline, courage, mechanical aptitude, endurance, strength, and a sense of public service.†He also writes “initiative and good judgment also are extremely important because firefighters make quick decisions in emergencies.†Other qualities that a firefighter needs to do well in the job are dependability and the ability to get along well with others, since
Bibliography: Works Cited Farr, Michael. America’s 101 Fastest Growing Jobs. Indianapolis, IN: JIST Publishing, Inc., 2005. “Firefighter Average Salary†. Job-Employment-Guide. 2007. Job-Employment-Guide.Com. August 15, 2008. URL: http://www.job-employment-guide.com/firefighter-average-salary.html “Firefighters, Doctors and Nurses Top List as ‘Most Prestigious Occupations’ According to Latest Harris Poll†. Harris Interactive. 2006. Harris Interactive, Inc. August 15, 2008. URL: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=685 “IAFF Firefighters†. 2008. International Association of Firefighters. June 18, 2008. URL: www.iaff.org/firefighter Nemko, Marty. “Firefighter: Executive Summary.†U.S. News.com. December 19, 2007. U.S. News & World Report, L.P. August 15, 2007. URL:http://www.usnews.com/articles/business/best-careers/2007/12/19/firefighter-executive-summary.html “Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition: Fire Fighting Occupations.†Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2008. U.S. Department of Labor. August 17, 2008. URL: http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos158.htm “Open Career Doors With A Degree†. Fire Link. 2008. Police Link. June 16, 2008. URL: http://edu.firelink.policelink.com/?medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_content=firefighting