How To Become A Firefighter In Florida

Thousands of people are drawn to Florida, and this leaves many asking how to become a firefighter in Florida. 

Families will come here to raise their kids and enjoy life in a sunnier state. Retirees will relocate here in their Golden years to enjoy the laid-back nature of the area. Then there are all of the tourists that come to the coasts, national parks and major attractions here.

Such a vast population means that there is a high demand for skilled firefighters across all departments. So, how can you become a member of the Florida fire service?

How to Become a Firefighter in Florida

• 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Florida driver’s license
• State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance
• Paramedic or EMT Basic Certificate by the State of Florida

As you can see, the minimum requirements here are about as straightforward as they get concerning age and background.

Departments will check your criminal and employment records too and require a drug test.

Departments here aren’t fans of tobacco use so it is best to quit now to avoid lengthening the application process.

In this guide on how to become a firefighter in Florida, I will look at some of the training options and major fire departments in the state. This is important for all new recruits as the more you understand your area and its needs, the better able you are to serve.

Firefighting in Florida

Florida changes dramatically depending on which part of the state you are in. So many regions have their own identities, demographics and risk factors.

In one corner, you have the Everglades and the other the tourist paradise of Miami. There are all kinds of communities from the retirement complexes up to the towns and cities in the Panhandle.

Then, of course, there is Orlando and all the attractions there. Each city needs a fire department that can handle the challenges it brings. New applicants need to be prepared for what awaits them.

This means not only understanding what lies within the jurisdiction and its climate, but also means a willingness to learn new skills and train on the job. Those that can do this will go far.

Let’s take a closer look at those communities and the challenges they bring.

Challenges for Firefighters in Florida

Thousands of seniors relocate to the sunnier climate of Florida and its dedicated retirement villages.

These well-maintained gated areas provide everything that seniors need for a relaxed way of life. The scale of these developments and the public safety risks of older residents means that Florida needs skilled fire and EMS staff on hand to look after them.

The Villages is one of the largest communities in Florida with 140,000 people living in five cities over three counties. This is an area of 55 square miles.

The Villages Fire Rescue provides care and support across this vast area. It also looks after the few family’s communities and schools within its jurisdiction.

In 2018, they handled 25,000 calls, 58% of which were medical emergencies. This is why it is so important that firefighters here get their EMT certification as soon as possible.  Learn more about the department here. 

A major concern for health and safety in Florida is the prevalence of major hurricanes and tropical storms. Many that make landfall in the US tend to hit the coast of Florida first and do so with a devastating impact.

Therefore, fire departments the length of the state need to be prepared to handle the aftermath of the weather. This means helping those in flooded areas, dealing with damaged structures and offering aid in cut-off communities.

The more hurricanes that develop, the more resources and man-power is needed. That is where it is so important that Florida fire departments are trained in all kinds of specialist skills.

Another consideration for those learning how to become a firefighter in Florida is that there is the chance of being sent out to other communities or even to the Caribbean islands.

This happened recently as Florida crews relocated to the Bahamas to help out in Nassau.

Again, advanced training in communications and strategies are vital here because you need to be able to work with new departments and agencies in a new location.

The diversity of Florida and the challenges it brings for new firefighters continues at the tourist attractions.

Florida is home to both Universal Studios and Cape Canaveral – among many others. Both sites have their own departments dedicated to protecting the area in case of fire, medical emergencies and other major risks to life.

They can be interesting places to work for those that want to follow a more specific passion. The Cape Canaveral service also looks after Port Canaveral and other marine areas so needs firefighters with good marine and dive rescue training.

They also run a lot of outreach programs for the community. Find out more here.

Finally, there are those that need support out in the Everglades, and this may sound like a more laid back option than Orlando or Miami.

However, there are still plenty of residents and business to protect. There are also plenty of tourists that may get into difficulties out on the water. Firefighters stationed in this area need to understand water rescue operations, fire suppression and hazardous material containment – among other skills.

The port is at risk of fire, accidents and contaminations. Also, there is the risk of wildfire. Just this June, a massive fire in Sawgrass that put the Everglades at risk. Port Everglades has a fire department on-site and they expect crews to be able to handle chemical spills, truck rollovers, major fires and medical emergencies.

Learn more about the department and the services they provide here. 

Fire Academies in Florida

Wherever you choose to work or happen to reside in Florida, you need to make sure that you have the right training to meet the standards of the department. Most major towns and cities in Florida have some form of training program or fire academy available.

Tampa: Hillsborough Community College

Orlando: Orange Technical College and Valencia College

Fort Lauderdale: Broward College

Fort Myers: Fort Myers Technical College, Florida Southwestern State College and Southwest Florida Public Service Academy

Tallahassee: Tallahassee Community College

Miami: Miami Dade College

Jacksonville: Florida State College at Jacksonville

Winter Haven: Ridge Career Center

Panama City: Gulf Coast State College

Lake Worth: Palm Beach State College

HCI has campuses in West Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale and offers a Fire Science course. This program helps those interested in progressing through a career in firefighting to gain the additional knowledge they need for the Fire Officer and II exams as well as the Fire Inspector exam.  Learn more about the college here.

Valencia College:

This Orlando College offers a fire academy program that gives students the tools to handle the Firefighter I and II certificates.

From there, students can use their vocational credits to move onto an Associate degree in the field of Fire Science Technology. Requirements for enrollment are the same as to join the fire service itself. Learn more about the program here.

Major Fire Departments in Florida

I have already covered some of the more interesting fire departments in the state when looking at The Villages, Cape Canaveral and Universal Studios. But, we can’t forget about some of the other large departments in Florida.

How to Become an Orlando, FL Firefighter

• 18 years old
• High school diploma or GED
• Valid Florida driver’s license
• State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance
• Paramedic or EMT Basic Certificate by the State of Florida
• No tobacco use in the past 12 months

Orlando follows most of the same rules when it comes to age, residency and experience.

An additional consideration here is that they don’t take anyone that has used tobacco products in the past year. The department is the only one in Florida with an ISO 1 classification and it sets high standards for fire prevention, suppression and other specializations in the city.

You can learn more about the Orlando fire department here.

Job Prospects for Firefighters in Florida

As of 2018, Florida is the third-highest employer of firefighters with 22,690 and a high ratio of 2.64 per 1000 people.

The metropolitan area of Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach is the highest employer in the state with 7,020 and 2.71 per 1000 jobs.

Florida’s annual mean wage for firefighters was $53,340, which is significantly higher compared to the rest of the country.

https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes332011.htm#st

Getting into the fire service in Florida isn’t too difficult. You can join from an early age and the hiring process isn’t too difficult. T

he hard part comes when it is time to step-up within your department. You need to understand what it takes to work in your chosen area. That means understanding the population and risks as well as the skills needed for the job.

If you have the passion to serve and can continue to learn, you should find that you can enjoy an exciting career as a Florida firefighter.

The post How To Become A Firefighter In Florida appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-florida/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-become-firefighter-in-florida.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/10/23/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-florida/

How To Become A Firefighter In Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a lot of history and a lot of heritage among its many communities which leads many to ask how to become a firefighter in Oklahoma.

The state is ever-evolving to meet the needs of the current population. Right now, that means a lot of born-and-bred Okies and a native community in Choctaw Nation.

Each community needs a fire service that understands it needs and will always respond to any emergency. It takes the right skills and character to do this.

How to Become a Firefighter in Oklahoma

• 18 years old
• High school education or higher
• A valid driver’s license
• Citizenship and residency in the area
• EMT training often preferred

The minimum requirements to be a firefighter in Oklahoma aren’t too demanding but many major departments will have their own rules.

One thing that seems to stay the same is the age restriction. No older than 45 and no younger than 18.

Some departments may take the screening process and firefighter interview more seriously than others.

Also, expectations vary between volunteer and career departments. In this article, I want to look at some of the key considerations when applying for a position as an Oklahoma firefighter. I will also look at some of the major departments and training options available here.

Firefighting in Oklahoma

Bi-lingual firefighters may do better here in Oklahoma.  According to the 2010 census, there are more than 16,000 people of Vietnamese descent in Oklahoma. Most of those are in Tulsa or else in Oklahoma City.

These major cities are also home to immigrant families from other nations and a lot of Spanish speakers. This means that the families you help on your calls may not have English as a first language.

If not, will you be able to explain to them the dangers and current situation? Can you calm relatives? This is why additional language skills are so helpful if you want to be a firefighter here.

On top of that, there is a language-themed incentive pay system in Tulsa. They offer more money for those that speak Spanish and Vietnamese, as well as those that understand Sign Language.

This could also mean that those from Vietnamese backgrounds could be a step ahead when applying in Tulsa.

Dealing with major weather events in Oklahoma.

Tornadoes are part of life in the state of Oklahoma, but we can never take them for granted if they pose a risk to life and/or property.

Oklahoma firefighters need to be prepared to handle the aftermath as best they can to help victims recover. If you plan to be a firefighter in areas that are often hit, you need to prepare to take on extra training.

Emergency situation training with skills in different equipment and strategies can help teams create a more effective plan. The more efficient the process, the less distress and damage on-scene.

There were 61 tornadoes in Oklahoma in May of this year alone. If you are interested in how to become a firefighter in Oklahoma, just know you will eventually find yourself caught up in one at some point.

Training to be a firefighter in the Choctaw Nation.

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma needs its own department of firefighters that understand the risks and needs in their community. This is now the third-largest tribe in the United States to be federally recognized. Durant’s fire department have 3 stations with a local crew to handle medical issues, fires and accidents.

The Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma also has a forestry department with its own trained fire personnel. It is a 24/7 service to ensure that someone is always on-call in case of a major fire.

The team can handle forest fires in a controlled, skilled manner to protect the landscape as well as the lives and properties within it. However, they have also been known to help out with other incidents if needed. This includes support following major weather events.

Fire Academies in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has several community colleges and other fire academies that include this Choctaw program and other higher education courses. Success here can help you progress on into a career with a major department.

Oklahoma City: Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

Tulsa: Tulsa Community College

Stillwater: Oklahoma State University

Enid: Autry Technology Center

Lawton: Great Plains Technology Center

Ada: Pontotoc Technology Center

Choctaw: Eastern Oklahoma County Technology Center

Altus: Western Oklahoma State College

Weatherford: Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Wildland firefighting is a big part of life as an Oklahoma firefighter. The Southwestern Oklahoma State campus offers an associate degree that focuses specifically in wildland firefighting.

Students get to learn all the theory and the academic side of fire management. This means learning about strategies, fuel planning and more. There is also the chance to put this to practice with hands-on training out in the forest. To learn more about this program visit this link.

Alternatively, you could work to become a graduate with an associate applied science degree from Tulsa.

Here they have a Fire and EMS Technology course in their Northeast campus. This is a great choice for those just starting out as you essentially get a 2-for-1 deal.

You get your fire training and EMT training side-by-side as the perfect way to prepare you for your career. No prior experience is required so it really does suit absolute beginners.

Those that don’t want to opt for the full degree can take the shorter Certificate first to see how they get on. You can find out more about the program here.

Major Fire Departments in Oklahoma

The following is a list of major fire departments in Oklahoma.  While it isn’t comprehensive it’s a great place to start if you’re interested in learning more about how to become a firefighter in Oklahoma.

How to Become an Oklahoma City Firefighter

• Applicants must be 18 to 44 years of age.
• Must possess a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, at the time of application.
• Have no felony convictions
• Must possess an Emergency Medical Technician license prior to completion of one-year probationary period.
• Must maintain Emergency Medical Technician license in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license
• Successfully pass a testing process consisting of a written examination, physical ability test, interview panel, background/polygraph test, and a medical evaluation

The Oklahoma City Fire Department has a large staff with around 1000 paid crew members working out of 36 stations. This is a large number because the city and surrounding jurisdiction are so large.

There are around 650,000 people here over a 621 square mile area. That means that there are many risks of accidents, fires and medical emergencies.

With 70,000 calls per year, the department is stretched to its limit. Therefore, you need to be ready to work if you’re thinking about applying here. 70% of calls are medical in nature so Paramedic training is a good idea.

Some special operations divisions can handle more advanced situations in case of a major emergency. You can learn more about the department here.

The city also has a training division where recruits get their basic training. This is a good alternative to the academic options mentioned above.

The academy program run for up to 18 weeks and consists of lots of exams, lessons and hands-on classes. It is an extreme introduction to what it takes to work in that city. Successful recruits then move onto their probationary period for one year.

How to Become a Tulsa, OK Firefighter

• 18 years old
• High school education or higher
• A valid driver’s license
• Citizenship and residency in the area
• EMT certification

The Tulsa Fire Department is smaller, but not by a lot. They have 30 stations over five districts with 676 active crew members.

The team is responsible for the health and safety of a population of around 400,000 people. They can take on around 57,000 calls in a single year and, like Oklahoma City, find that the majority are for medical emergencies.

This is why EMT certification is mandatory here.

Another interesting fact about working in Tulsa is that they recently changed their policy on the minimum age. It had been 21. Now you can apply if you are between the ages of 18 and 45. This wider gap is perfect for those that want to sign up straight out of school and train on the job.

Learn more about the department here.

Job Prospects for Firefighters in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has a large number of firefighters for its size. There were 3,530 employed by the state in 2018 with a ratio of 2.22 per 1000 jobs.

The average annual pay for firefighters in Oklahoma was $43,450.

For comparison, Kansas firefighters only got $37,930 in the same period. Another perk here is the Oklahoma City incentive pay scale. You can increase your salary if you have certificates as a Hazardous Materials Technician, an EMT-Paramedic or an Underwater Rescue Diver.

If you had been wondering how to become a firefighter in Oklahoma just know, no matter your background and circumstances in Oklahoma, there are opportunities out there to train, learn and build a strong career in the fire service. Work hard to gain experience in local communities, understand what you can do for your area and apply that to your training.

Once you pass the hiring process, continue that training with specializations to protect the state from natural disasters, major fires and more.

The post How To Become A Firefighter In Oklahoma appeared first on FirefighterNOW.

from FirefighterNOW https://firefighternow.com/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-oklahoma/

From https://catherinelee4.blogspot.com/2019/10/how-to-become-firefighter-in-oklahoma.html

source https://catherinelee4.wordpress.com/2019/10/23/how-to-become-a-firefighter-in-oklahoma/