North Carolina,NC: How to Become a Firefighter
Firefighters control fires, and respond to emergencies where environment, property, and life are at risk. This profession requires determination, strength, endurance, and most of all, heart. If you think that, then pursuing this line of work is a good idea.
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Duties of a Firefighter
You will be expected to do the following:
- Put out fires using water pumps, extinguishers, and water hoses
- Drive emergency vehicles like fire trucks
- Find and rescue individuals stuck in burning buildings and treat the injured/sick
- Prepare reports related to emergency incidents
Requirements to become a Firefighter in North Carolina
There are certain basic requirements that need to be met if you want to apply for this position. These are as follows:
- The candidate should be a US citizen
- The candidate must be 18 years old at the time of application
- The candidate must possess a GED or a high school diploma
- The candidate must have a valid driver’s license
- The candidate must be in an excellent physical and mental condition
- The candidate must have a clean criminal investigation record
Steps Involved in Becoming a Firefighter in North Carolina
Once you have met all the above requirements, you can fill out the application form to apply for a fighter position in North Carolina.
If your application is successful, you will receive a notification to appear for the exam.
Once shortlisted, you will be expected to clear an aptitude test, strength and agility tests, audio interview, and a panel interview. These tests and interviews will assess your physical, cognitive and mental abilities such as deductive reasoning, inductive reasoning, comprehension skills, etc. Moreover, you will have to undergo a rigorous background screening which will include a criminal background investigation and a professional and personal reference check.
Based upon your test scores, interviews, and pre-employment screening, you may be offered a position at the state fire department, depending on the available job openings. Once you have been hired as a firefighter, you will be expected to undergo firefighting training which will cover various topics like fire code violations, emergency vehicle operations, survival skills, and hazardous materials handling.
Salaries of Firefighters
The data below has been taken from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics and represent statistics as of May 2018.
| Wages | National Average | North Carolina Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Mean Wage | $53,240 | $35,500 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $25.60 | $17.07 |
Conclusion
If you want to pursue a physically demanding job that involves serving the community by saving lives, putting out fires, and performing rescue operations, then a firefighting career is ideal for you.
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