Become a Firefighter in Tennessee

TennesseeThe road to becoming a firefighter in Tennessee is a long one, but the journey is going to be well worth it. Becoming a firefighter offers a good salary, a respectable position in the community, and a warm feeling from knowing that you are helping others and protecting their lives. It is important that you understand all of the training that you will have to go through if you choose to become a firefighter. You may not need to have degrees from colleges to qualify, but getting a fire science degree can give you an edge.

How to Become a Firefighter in Tennessee

Depending on where you apply to become a firefighter in Tennessee, you will find that the requirements might be a bit different. Always check the requirements of the departments you are considering. You will have to take a written test and pass that even before you can proceed to the physical portion. The physical test can be quite difficult, which is why it is so important to be in great shape before you apply. The departments need to know that you are going to be able to handle the demanding physical tasks of the job.

Featured Schools:

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

To increase the possibility of a department hiring you there are some things that you may want to do. You could go to the Tennessee Fire Service and Codes Academy, volunteer at a fire station, and start getting into great shape now. In addition to attending programs in fire science at accredited schools, doing these other things might just help you land a job in a department.

Employment Trends for Firefighters

At only 9%, the projected rate of job growth for firefighters is less than that of other careers. This means that finding the jobs is going to be more difficult because of the competition. Finding schools that offer fire science programs are a good way to make your resume stronger when you apply to these departments.

Salary and Employment Facts

You will find that the average salary for a firefighter in the state is $53,000 per year. Of course, the pay varies based on experience and location.

Firefighter Activity in the News

A restaurant fire, which killed a Tennessee fire chief who passed away while pushing other firefighters out of the way of a collapsing roof, is now labeled as arson. The DA and fire investigators are doing everything that they can to bring the perpetrators to justice, where they will face a first-degree murder charge and two counts of aggravated arson.