Firefighter: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire a firefighter

A firefighter will put themselves in the way of danger to save others. They are highly skilled in lifesaving measures and are very physically fit so that they can keep up with the demands of the job.

Contributions of a great firefighter:

• Working in dangerous situations
• Understanding the importance of protocols
• Continuously training and learning new skills

What are the different types of firefighter?

There are a lot of different ranks for firefighters. The more experience you have, the higher your rank. All firefighters have to learn basic lifesaving measures and go through rigorous physical training before they qualify to be a firefighter. Before they can be hired, they must complete the firefighter’s exam, which tests their physical strength and ability to make quick decisions.

• Probationary Firefighter: These are firefighters who are still in training but have gone through the main qualifying exams.
• Firefighter/EMT: A fully trained firefighter who is also fully trained as an Emergency Medical Technician.
• Driver: A higher rank in firefighting, as they need a lot of experience to drive the truck.
• Captain: The captain will be in charge of one particular firehouse.
• Chief: In charge of several firehouses or a particular area of the city.

Where to find a firefighter

To find the right firefighter for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Firefighter associations: Local and national firefighter associations can help you find the best firefighter for your job opportunity.
• Firefighter schools: Firefighter schools are the best place to find new recruits. Here, you will be able to make connections with people who are hoping to work as a firefighter.
• Post your job online: Try posting your firefighter job on Indeed to find and attract quality firefighter candidates.

Skills to look for in a great firefighter

A great firefighter candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• quick thinking in a crisis
• being physically fit
• following directions of others/superiors
• ability to follow proper protocols
• ability to stay calm under pressure
• ability to work as part of a team

Writing a firefighter job description

A thoughtful description is important for finding qualified firefighter candidates. A firefighter job description includes a compelling summary of the role, detailed list of duties and responsibilities, and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your firefighter job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting. These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on firefighter jobs, according to Indeed data:

• firefighter
• fire fighter
• fire department
• paramedic
• wildfire
• forest fire
• emergency management

Interviewing firefighter candidates

Strong candidates for firefighter positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• experience with emergency situations
• experience of working long hours
• experience of working with the public
• ability to stay focused in a crisis

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of firefighter interview questions for examples (with sample answers).