1. Fire Protection Career Opportunities
LPSCS Principles Course

2. Educational Trends
To be the most attractive job candidate, consider education beyond high school.
Paramedic training
Training Certificates
Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree

3. Who Employs Firefighters?
Over 300,000 career firefighters nationwide
90% work for cities or counties with populations of 50,000 or more
Federal Firefighters
Private Industry
Military/Federal Firefighters

4. Women in Firefighting
Women have been firefighters for longer than most people realize: in fact, for almost 200 years.
The first woman firefighter of record is Molly Williams, who was a slave in New York City then became a member of Oceanus Engine Company #11 in about 1815.

5. Woman Firefighters in Texas
Over 300 women firefighters in Texas
100+ women firefighters in Houston and Dallas

6. Municipal Firefighters
90% of firefighters work for municipalities
Common minimum requirements:
18 years old
6 month academy
12 month probation
High school diploma or GED

7. Volunteer Firefighters
Over 1 million firefighters in the U.S. and over 800,000 are volunteers
Experience can help get a paid position
hour training course is typical for volunteers

8. Public Fire Protection Careers
Firefighter Trainee – Fire Department
Firefighter – Fire Department
Firefighter – Federal/Military Fire Departments
Fire Heavy Equipment Operators
Wildland Firefighters (Forestry Aids)
Fire Prevention Specialists
Fire Hazardous Materials Specialists
Fire Department Training Specialists
Public Fire Safety/Education Specialist
Dispatch/Telecommunicator

9. Wildland Firefighters
Often hired during fire season
Know basic first aid and CPR
18 years old
Work for hourly rate plus overtime and hazard pay

10. Military/Federal Firefighters
Over 2,000 firefighters employed by the military or federal government
Additional firefighters needed each year
Must have a score of 39 or more on the ASVAB

11. Private Fire Protection Careers
Firefighter in plant protection and fire brigades
Professionals with fire technology backgrounds in loss prevention, fire inspection, emergency plan development, claim adjusting, and investigation in arson-related cases
Systems Engineers design and install fire protection systems
Fire Protection System Maintenance Specialists maintain systems for private industry
Inventors and Innovators contribute their inventions and ideas to the fire service and private industry

12. Private Industry Firefighters
Work at:
Oil and chemical refineries
Large corporations
Airports
Shipyards

13. Fire Protection Career Opportunities
Career opportunities are available for motivated individuals with fire service degrees, training, and industry certifications in both the public and private sectors.
Properly prepare yourself for the greatest opportunities.
A good education and related experiences are great assets. Make sure you note them on your applications and mention them in your interviews.