How To Become A Firefighter Essay

To serve and Protect The definition of a firefighter is “a person whose job is to extinguish fires”, however that just scratches the surface of the many responsibilities of a firefighter. A firefighter can fight a fire and also make an emergency medical call if need be. The work of a firefighter is dangerous, it can include collapsing buildings, emergency medical situation, and in extreme cases, even death. A firefighter needs to have a variety of skills such as evacuate fire structures and treat victims, suppress and extinguish fires with hoses pumps and additional apparatus’. Not everything a firefighter accomplishes involves fighting fires, and saving people, they also act as role models for the younger generation, and the community. A firefighter may have to participate and give a lesson in

The overall picture of becoming a firefighter starts off with having a high school diploma, passing a physical test, written test, volunteer, then applying for a job. The physical exam starts of with a hearing and eyesight test. Then there is a blood pressure and urine test. Finally a psychological exam will cover personality traits specific to performance as a firefighter. The second part to the physical exam is a test called CPAT which includes more physical activity rather than just as assessment. The test includes a stair climb, hose drag, equipment carry, ladder raise and extension, forcible entry, search, rescue, ceiling breach, and pull test. All of these tasks must be completed in a allotted time frame. Once the physical exam is completed a firefighter begins to study for their written exam. The written exam covers math, human relations, problem solving, written and oral communications, judgment, and finally memory and reasoning. A firefighter must score at least a 70% on the written exam and they have 3 1?4 hours to complete the