Wyoming’s brave firefighting personnel never hesitate to put their lives on the line to save their fellow community members from deadly fires. The state’s 114 registered fire units work around the clock to keep fire-related injuries and fatalities to a minimum. In 2021, Wyoming witnessed an average of 3.7 deaths and 5.8 injuries for every 1,000 fires. The corresponding national average during this time was 2.3 and 7.2 respectively.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 560 firefighters are working in the state.

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Steps to Become a Firefighter in Wyoming

To become a firefighter in Wyoming, there are several steps and requirements to fulfill:

Basic Requirements
  • You must be at least 18 years old.
  • Possess a high school education or GED.
  • Have a Wyoming state driver’s license.
Training and Certification
  • All recruits in Wyoming must receive training to the same standard as in other states in the U.S.
  • Training options include community colleges and fire departments, which may offer additional training programs or skill courses.
Voluntary Certification Program
  • Wyoming offers a Firefighter Voluntary Certification Program, accredited by Pro Board.
  • This program provides a pathway to certification using the NFPA Standards, ensuring a standardized training format throughout the state.
Prerequisite Courses

The following courses are prerequisites to becoming a firefighter in Wyoming:

  • ICS-100: Introduction to Incident Command System.
  • IS-200: Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response.
  • IS-700: National Incident Management System (NIMS) Introduction
Testing and Evaluation

Candidates must undergo a series of tests and evaluations, including:

  • A written examination.
  • Physical evaluation.
  • An interview.
  • Psychological assessment.
  • Background checks.
  • Drug testing.

In summary, becoming a firefighter in Wyoming requires meeting basic age and education criteria, undergoing specialized training and certification, completing prerequisite courses, and passing various evaluations and tests. The process is thorough, ensuring that firefighters are well-prepared for their demanding and critical role in public safety.

Salary of Firefighters in Wyoming

As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the salary of firefighters in Wyoming was:

  • Annual Mean Salary: $44,420.
  • Annual Median Salary: $43,190.

Career Outlook for Firefighters in Wyoming

Firefighters in Wyoming will experience job growth of 8% between 2020 and 2030 as per O*Net Online.

Firefighters Training Academies in Wyoming

In Wyoming, certified firefighter training academies offer specialized training for new recruits. The key training academies and their offerings include:

Wyoming Fire Academy (Riverton, WY)

  • Structural Training: This includes a range of structural courses, with registration available online. The Academy requires students to create a username and password for registration and course access. All classes are conducted at the Wyoming Fire Academy unless specified otherwise. They have a dedicated Training Coordinator who develops and reviews the fire training curriculum, schedules classes, and oversees online learning programs.
  • Wildfire Training: This training is a cooperative effort between the Wyoming State Forestry Division and the Wyoming State Fire Marshal’s Office. It focuses on preparing firefighters for combating wildfires. The tuition varies based on the student’s residency, and classes are held at the Wyoming Fire Academy. They have a Fire Training Specialist who develops and reviews wildfire training curriculum and schedules classes.

DFPES Training Division

  • The Division of Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety (DFPES) Training Division assists local governments in improving education and training standards for local firefighters and emergency responders.

NFA Courses

  • The National Fire Academy (NFA) offers courses that can be searched through their course catalog. Applicants are required to obtain a Student Identification Number (SID) for registration, replacing the use of Social Security Numbers.
  • The process involves course registration, completion of quizzes, and the issuance of certificates. Course certificates are emailed to students by the NFA after completion of the courses and necessary administrative procedures.

These academies and programs in Wyoming provide comprehensive training for new recruits, ensuring they are well-prepared for various aspects of firefighting, from structural fires to wildland firefighting. The rigorous training and certification processes are designed to maintain high standards of safety and efficiency in firefighting services across the state.

References:
1)Wyoming Employment Trends – Firefighters: https://www.onetonline.org/link/localtrends/33-2011.00?st=WY
2)Wyoming Fire Loss and Fire Department Profile: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/statistics/states/wyoming.html
3)Firefighters: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes332011.htm

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