Firefighter College Training and Requirements in Connecticut,CT

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Firefighters put themselves in the path of danger to protect the life and property of others. If you have that compassion, then a firefighting career is suited for you. The journey to become a firefighter is long and has a lot of steps, therefore we have listed down the requirements and the stages involved in becoming a firefighter.

In order to apply for this job, the candidate must meet the following requirements:

• The candidate has to be a citizen of the United States
• The candidate should hold a GED or a High School Diploma
• The candidate has to 18 years of age
• The candidate should hold a valid driver’s license
• The candidate must have a good moral character. There should be no felony charges against the individual. If the candidate is found to be convicted, he/she can be rejected
• The candidate must be in an excellent mental and physical state. He must be able to make informed decisions in emergency situations and must be able to meet the physical challenges of the job

While new recruits receive extensive training, they need to possess or develop certain crucial skills to perform their jobs effectively and safely. They need to have the following skills:

• Adaptability and flexibility
• Resilience and confidence
• The ability to follow orders and instructions
• Effective communication skills
• Sound judgment and good problem solving skills

The first step of the recruiting process involves a written exam that tests the cognitive abilities and mental skills of the applicants. Those who pass this exam have to appear for the Candidate Physical Agility Test (CPAT), where applicants have to perform a number of challenging tasks. Since this is a very tough exam, individuals are advised to begin their physical training six months before the actual exam.
After clearing the CPAT, the applicants move on to the interview stage where the panel determines whether the person is fit for the job. They also have to go through a polygraph test, a psychological test, and a drug screening exam. Those who pass all these stages are then handed an appointment letter.

The data below has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and represent statistics as of May 2018. It indicates that the annual mean wage of firefighters in Connecticut is higher than the national estimates.