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Firefighters
What they do?
Firefighters perform some or all of the following duties:
A. May participate as members of a trauma or emergency response team and provide para-medical aid to accident victims or ill persons
B. May supervise and co-ordinate the work of other firefighters.
C. Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, bomb threats and other emergencies
D. Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites
E. Control and extinguish fires using manual and power equipment, such as axes, water hoses, aerial ladders and hydraulic equipment and various firefighting chemicals
F. Administer first aid and other assistance
G. Ensure proper operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment
What education do I need?
1. To be a firefighter, you usually need a high school diploma and a college program in fire protection technology or a related program. You must pass physical agility, strength, fitness, and vision requirements. Previous experience as a volunteer firefighter may also be an advantage.
2. Training courses in firefighting and emergency medical care are provided, and vary in length depending on the different fire department requirements.
3. An apprenticeship training program for firefighters and voluntary trade certification is available in New Brunswick.
4. To be a senior firefighter, such as a lieutenant or captain, you need several years of experience.
5. With additional training/experience, you may move up the ranks to a senior position, such as fire chief.
6. Most recent entrants have a community college diploma, and almost 3 in 10 have a trade/vocational certificate.
High School Subject that will help:
1. Math
2. English
3. Physical Education
4. Sciences
What can you expect to make:
The average hourly wages for Firefighters is $24.47/HR, which is above average for occupations in the sale and service sector and are above average for all technical, professional, and skilled occupations. These wages grew at an average rate from 2002 to 2004.
Average Wage
Expected Wage by Age
Unemployment:
0% of Firefighters are unemployed. This rate is below the average for technical, professional, and skilled occupations.
Unemployment
Trends in Unemployment
Current Job Outlook:
The job outlook for Firefighters is considered Average because:
1. Employment grew at an average rate.
2. The retirement rate is above average, and the number of retiring workers contributes to job openings.
3. Hourly wages ($24.47) are above the average ($18.07), and the rate of wage growth is close to the average.
4. The unemployment rate (0%) is below the 2004 average (7%).
Future Job Prospects:
Your job outlook will continue to be Average because:
1. The employment growth rate will likely be below average. The demand for firefighting services is expected to keep pace with the population growth.
2. The retirement rate will likely be above average and the number of retiring workers should contribute to job openings.
3. The number of job seekers will likely match the number of job openings.
Highest Concetration:
The highest concentrations (per 10,000 people) of Fire-fighters are found in Saskatchewan and British Columbia while the lowest concentrations are in Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
Unionization Rate:
The unionization rate (91%) is above the average (32%) for all occupations.
Useful Experience:
1. Community service
2. Teamwork
3. Physical fitness
Part Time Workers
Part time workers:
2% of Firefighters are employed only on a part-time basis. There were 31,000 workers employed in these occupations in 2004, an increase of 32% since 1997.
Age Demographics
Age Demographics:
The relatively low percentage of younger workers suggests few entry-level job openings, and could point to a greater need for workers with experience or a number of years of training. The retirement rate to 2009 will likely be above average because of a tendency to retire at an earlier-than-average age (56).
