Becoming a firefighter in Idaho is a great career move for many people. The job can offer excitement, as well as the knowledge that you are making a difference in peoples’ lives every day. One of the top ways to learn more about firefighting and fire in general is to go to colleges that offer fire science courses and degrees. Even though it isn’t necessary to have a degree from certain schools to become a firefighter in Idaho, you will see that getting a degree can help when you are looking for work and when you are hoping to advance through the ranks in the department.
How to Become a Firefighter in Idaho
You need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED. You also need to make sure that you have a clean background so you can pass the background check. You are also going to need to have a valid driver’s license. In addition, you must have the ability to become EMT certified within the first six months of employment with a department. You may find it advantageous to have this certification even before you submit an application.
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To become a firefighter, you will need to take a written test and be able to pass a physical test, and an oral interview. Once you are able to pass the qualifications and go through fire academy training, you can become a firefighter.
Employment Trends for Firefighters
Those who are considering becoming firefighters in Idaho will find that the growth for this job is not as robust as some other fields are. As in other parts of the country, firefighting isn’t growing quickly, with only a projected 9% growth nationally over the next few years. Still, firefighting is a great job, and it is a career well worth pursuing. Just give yourself more of an advantage by going to fire science programs.
Salary and Employment Facts
The average salary of a firefighter in Idaho is around $49,000 per year. The salary is higher than many other jobs, but with a high salary comes some element of danger.
Firefighter Activity in the News
Firefighters from a number of departments in Idaho recently underwent an extrication clinic. While rescuing people from fire is a primary responsibility of a firefighter, rescuing people trapped in cars and in other types of structures even when there is no fire is a part of the job as well. The clinic helped to sharpen the skills of all firefighters involved.