Become a Firefighter in Louisiana

LouisianaFrom Baton Rouge to Louisiana, there are many great places to work and live in Louisiana. If you’ve been in the state for a while, and you want to have a job that lets you give back to the people and help save lives, then becoming a firefighter could be a great choice for you.

How to Become a Firefighter in Louisiana

You do not need to have degrees from colleges in order to become a firefighter in Louisiana. However, you do need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED. It might be a good idea to find programs in fire science training at a local or online college though. Having a higher education can make it easier for you to get a job.

Featured Schools:

Anna Maria CollegeOnline BS in Fire Science
Eastern Oregon UniversityOnline FSA Degree
Southern New Hampshire UniversityOnline Degrees in Criminal Justice

You are going to have to be able to pass a written test as well as a physical test in order to be eligible to become a firefighter. Different departments around the state might have slightly different requirements, but they need to make sure that you are physically, mentally, and psychologically capable of working as a firefighter. If you can pass the tests, then you will need to become certified as a firefighter through one of the academies or schools that offers the program.

Employment Trends for Firefighters

Finding jobs is difficult for most people today. The job market for firefighters is growing, albeit only at about 9% over the coming years. This means the competition is going to be rough. Having your fire science degree, EMT certification, and being in great psychical shape can help increase your chance of getting a job as a firefighter.

Salary and Employment Facts

Firefighters who are working in Louisiana can make on average $44,000 per year. This is not the top salary for firefighters in the country, but given the cost of living in many parts of Louisiana, this is a decent salary. Keep in mind that the salary could be higher or lower based on your location and department. Those who are working in the larger cities might find a better salary.

Firefighter Activity in the News

Fire departments in New Orleans warned of an increased risk of fires starting in AC window units, and stressed that people need to watch their units carefully for signs of overheating. As the warm temperatures start to invade the state, people are going to be using their AC more, and the units can heat up drastically if they are running all the time.