Many people want to become firefighters. They want to have a challenging career that offers great pay and benefits, and they want to help people. If you are like so many others and you want to become a firefighter in New Hampshire, then you should start researching all of the requirements that you will need to meet. In New Hampshire, you will find three different levels of firefighters – volunteer, paid-on-call, and permanent. Those who want to choose this as a career are probably going to want to become permanent firefighters.
How to Become a Firefighter in New Hampshire
Becoming a permanent firefighter in New Hampshire is difficult. Not only will it require a lot of training, only about 20% of the firefighters in the state are permanent. The rest are on-call or volunteer. You will need to have a high school diploma or a GED, and you have to be at least 18 years old.
In addition, you will have to pass the entrance exam, which is going to include a written exam covering general knowledge and a physical exam to make sure you are up to being a firefighter. You will also have to pass a background check and go through an oral interview. You are also going to have to have training through the fire academy.
Featured Schools:
| Anna Maria College | Online BS in Fire Science |
| Eastern Oregon University | Online FSA Degree |
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online Degrees in Criminal Justice |
The departments are looking for people who already have a lot of training, and this means that you may want to find schools that can offer EMS training, and perhaps even colleges that have fire science degrees. Bring as much to the table as you can. Once hired by a department you have 12 months to reach Firefighter II certification.
Employment Trends for Firefighters
As mentioned, getting a job as a permanent firefighter in the state is difficult. It might be better to start as a volunteer and then work your way up, getting the training you need as you go. Along with fire science programs, this can make it easier, although time consuming, to get a job.
Salary and Employment Facts
The salary for firefighters in New Hampshire is $59,000 per year. This is 4% higher than the national average.
Firefighter Activity in the News
Recently, fire departments in New Hampshire issued a warning. The dry and windy conditions in the state mean that there is an elevated risk of fire. This could lead to a large brush fire, which is something they want to avoid.