Houston Firefighter Requirements and Career Summary

There are many people who aspire to become firefighters and while it is their passion to save lives, they also want to know more about the job and the benefits of this career. Professionally speaking, firefighters get to help community, get to practice leadership skills, and learn how to deal with difficult situations. Among other things, firefighters enjoy job security as communities and states need these brave men and women in emergency situations.

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If you are passionate about serving the community and protecting the residents of your city, then joining the firefighting profession would be an ideal choice for you. The entire process is lengthy and complex – this guide will help you understand how to become a firefighter in Houston.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021) and O*Net Online

If you are applying for a Non-Certified Firefighter/EMT Trainee position, you need to meet the following requirements to take the Civil Service Exam:

• 24 transferrable college credit hours with a minimum ‘C’ grade
• 18 years of age at the time of applying
• 2 years of active military service with an honorable discharge
• Valid driver’s license; 2 or less violations in the past 36 months

If you are applying for a Certified Firefighter/EMT Trainee position, you need to meet the following requirements to take the Civil Service Exam:

• Texas Department of State Health Service Certification (EMT) – Basic or Higher
• Texas Commission Fire Protection – Basic or Higher
• 15 transferrable college credit hours with a minimum ‘C’ grade
• 18 years of age at the time of applying
• Valid driver’s license; 2 or less violations in the past 36 months

After 2-4 years of education, the Houston’s firefighter training program is usually 6 to 7 months long. On top of that, the initial screening and applicant shortlisting process can take a few months. So, you will need about 8 to 12 months after studies to become a part of the Houston Fire Department, depending on the availability of the positions.

With 29,530 firefighters as of May 2021, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics figures, Texas ranks as the number one state with the most employed firefighters. In 2021, firefighters in Texas were earning an annual mean salary of $ 53,310. This figure is close to the national annual mean wage i.e $ 55,290 in 2021. Besides good salary, firefighters also get benefits like
• Paid sick leaves
• Paid holidays
• Workers’ Compensation
• Disability Package and Life insurance
• Health Insurance
• College tuition reimbursement
• Retirement plan

The following table shows the annual compensation received by firefighters in Houston:

Before entering any field, it is important to learn about its potential growth, opportunities that are available, and of course, which educational path you should take. Firefighting is a challenging profession that requires a lot of physical training. Once you have determined that you are the right fit for the job, then you have to decide which educational route to take.
There is a fast-track way to become a firefighter, which requires finishing high school and then enrolling into firefighting academy. Due to the growing demand of firefighters now more and more states prefer a professional degree holder. An associate degree in fire science gives you a competitive edge and opportunities to climb up the hierarchy. There are many colleges and universities that offer certificates and degrees in Firefighting, Fire Science, and Fire Technology. Which one is best suited for you? We have compiled a list that will make degree selection easier for you.