North Dakota is sparsely populated when compared with other states in the nation, but there is still a great need for highly trained firefighting professionals. The job is demanding, and it requires a certain set of skills to be able to perform it. If you believe that you have those skills, and you want to become a firefighter in North Dakota, it’s important to learn what you will need to do and what might help to give you an advantage when you are applying to the departments. Degrees might not be a necessity to become a firefighter, but they can be helpful.
How to Become a Firefighter in North Dakota
You will want to be a high school graduate or have your GED. You also need to be able to pass a criminal background check. Applicants should be over 18 years old, and they will have to pass a written and a physical test in order to qualify. Once you pass those tests, it is possible to apply to fire departments and get further training through the right programs.
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 |
You will find several academies where you will be able to get the training you need for fighting fires. The Fire Service Academy of North Dakota and the North Dakota Fireman’s Association both offer the first response training that firefighters need. In addition, North Dakota Wildfire Training is the academy that specifically trains firefighters to deal with wildfires.
Employment Trends for Firefighters
Competition is rough for those who want firefighting jobs. The growth rate nationally is just 9%. You always want to put your best foot forward, and sometimes that is going to mean having a better education than the other applicants do have. When you go to schools and colleges for your fire science degree and your EMT training, it shows initiative.
Salary and Employment Facts
Firefighters working in North Dakota receive an average salary of $54,000 per year. This is 4% lower than other areas of the country. However, a lower cost of living in the state means that this is still a more than livable wage.
Firefighter Activity in the News
A North Dakotan received high honors as the National Firefighter of the Year. Jeffery Rueben, Assistant Fire Prevention Chief of a local Air Force Base, was also the VFW’s North Dakota Firefighter of the Year. It is the first time that anyone has won both the VFW state and national award in the same year.