Guide to Become a Firefighter in Arizona
Firefighters are usually the first respondents on the scene of traffic accidents, wildfires, structural fires, natural disasters, explosions, hazardous accidents, and other catastrophes. Due to the dangerous working conditions, firefighters are susceptible to crush injuries, smoke inhalation, and burns. They can also suffer from long term job related illnesses including lung damage, cancer, heart disease, and asthma.
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To work as a firefighter in the state of Arizona, you have to complete the following steps.
You need a high school diploma or a GED to apply for the position of a firefighter in Arizona. Some fire departments may require you to have a college degree.
In case of most fire departments in Arizona, the minimum age limit to join the firefighters force is 18 years.
Once you are sure you have met all the prerequisites, start applying for the position of a firefighter. Since competition for places is fierce, you will need to be patient. Once your application is shortlisted, you have to clear the hiring process. To pass the hiring part, you will need to clear written and oral evaluations, medical tests, psychological screening, drug tests, etc.
You will also have to pass fire academy training to work as a firefighter in the state of Arizona. After passing the academy, you will be eligible to obtain EMT certification. This certification might not be required in some cases.
Duties of a Firefighter
As part of your job, you will be expected to do the following:
- Respond to emergency calls and carry out rescue operations
- Extinguish and combat fires
- Provide emergency medical care to injured people
- Operate firefighting apparatus and drive emergency vehicles
- Rescue trapped individuals and animals
- Prepare emergency incidence reports
Requirements to Become a Firefighter in Arizona
There are certain basic requirements that aspiring firefighters need to meet. These are mentioned below:
- The applicant should meet the residency requirements and should be a US citizen
- The applicant must be 18 years old
- The applicant must have a high school diploma or GED at the time of application
- The applicant must hold a valid driver’s license
- The applicant should have excellent physical and mental health
- The applicant must not have any past felonies or criminal convictions
How Long Does It Take to Become a Firefighter in Arizona?
Once the applicant has met the minimum requirements, he/she can fill out the application form and apply before the deadline. If the application gets shortlisted, the individual will be called in for the aptitude test, and the strength and agility test. Those who clear these tests will then be required to appear for oral and panel interviews, which will test the applicant’s mental and reasoning skills.
If the individual manages to impress the interviewers, then he/she will move on to the next stage which involves a criminal background investigation. A personal and professional reference check will also be conducted to check the applicant’s character. After clearing this stage, the applicant will be finally offered a place at the fire department, dependent on availability of the positions. Following this, the candidate will be expected to undergo strenuous firefighting training that covers topics like survival skills, rescue operations, and fire code violations.
Salaries of Firefighters
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual mean wage of firefighters in Arizona was $47,590 in May 2020.
Conclusion
Firefighting is a challenging job that can take a mental and physical toll on those who perform it. If you think that you have what is takes to become a firefighter, then apply right away.
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