I am interested in this field of work because I feel the urge to help people in trouble. My uncle was a firefighter for over 20 years, and I have visited him at the fire station many times. My uncle has taught me many things and shown me things that must be learnt to be a firefighter. I have tried on the heavy clothes and have been inside the fire truck.

A firefighter is an emergency safety professional who responds to fire scenes to extinguish fires and assist fire victims. Many fire fighters are certified first responders, meaning they can assist victims by providing CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and other basic life saving techniques. Fire fighters work in teams at the scene of an emergency. They are in good physical condition because they must be able to carry and handle heavy equipment. While carrying their equipment, they must endure the heat and smoke conditions inside a burning structure as well.

Maltese Cross The Maltese cross, or fireman’s cross, is a symbol almost every U.S. firefighter sports. The Firefighter cross is eight pointed, and each arm has two points. Together, the eight points represent the eight traits found in chivalrous individuals: perseverance, loyalty, dexterity, explicitness, observation, tact, sympathy, and gallantry. The Maltese cross one of the most commonly used emblems on Firefighter challenge coins.

Firefighter Badges and Patches Firefighter badges and patches include fire station information and a symbol or statement of the individual’s position, such as lieutenant or chief. Alternatively, fire investigators often carry their badges in leather cases or in wallets. Fire investigator patches or fire department patches may be embroidered onto a patch plaque or sewn directly onto clothing.

This chart shows the common payment of the equipment that all firefighters are required to wear.

Job Description Wildland Firefighters use special techniques and equipment to suppress wildfires. Hand crews, helitack crews, airtankers, rappellers and smokejumpers all contribute to create firelines, backburns, and controlled burns in order to isolate and wildfires that can be attacked with water or fire retardants from aerial tankers. Median Salary $62,593 Education Requirements While education beyond the high school level is not generally a requirement for a basic rookie position, superior wildland firefighters are expected to have two years of education above the high school level which included at least 12 semester hours in any combination of the following courses: forestry, agriculture, crop or plant science, range management or conservation, wildlife management, watershed management, soil science, natural resources (except marine biology and oceanography), outdoor recreation management, civil or forest engineering, or wildland fire science Job Outlook Although employment is expected to grow as fast as the average for all jobs, candidates for these positions are expected to face keen competition as these positions are highly attractive and sought after. The good news for applicants is that due to extreme physical demands within wildland firefighting, retention rates are low and positions are consistently open.