What Skills Are Necessary for a Firefighter

Firefighters work in a very dangerous line of work, i.e. putting out fires and saving lives. They are responsible for saving people, property, and structures that otherwise would have burned to the ground. To be a successful firefighter, you need to understand what skills are necessary for this occupation.

firefighter on duty

Here are some of the essential skills required by firefighters to ensure appropriate safety and minimize risk.

1. Team Work

Firefighters work in very dangerous conditions and one mistake can cost a person their life. Successful firefighters must work together to look out for one another, make the best of situations and ensure that everyone comes home safe at the end of the day. These skills are also essential outside of a firefighting environment.

 

2. Working Under Pressure

As a firefighter, you have to stay calm and collected under high-pressure situations. You need to be able to take initiative in making quick decisions, but also understand when it's appropriate to follow the orders of a higher-ranking individual. Because firefighters work in emergency situations, they must be able to stay composed in the face of overwhelming fear.

3. Physical Fitness

Firefighters must have good physical strength, agility, and stamina to be able to run up and down stairs quickly or handle equipment needed to fight fires. A firefighter has to be quick on their feet and be able to function in high intensity physical exertion if needed.

4. Problem Solving

Firefighters deal with various kinds of people every day. They are constantly challenged by the surroundings they are working in, the problems they face, and the situations that they must resolve.

This means that firefighters have to be able to think quickly, understand what the problem is and how to solve it without causing unnecessary damage to themselves or others.

 

firefighter extinguish a fire on a property

5. Communication Skills

The firefighting profession requires great attention to detail when it comes to knowing what needs to be done in an emergency working as a team. The ability to effectively communicate with others is essential to achieve this.

 

Firefighters must understand and relay instructions quickly while being able to have communication even when they are extremely busy carrying out their jobs.

 

People associated with the profession find it fulfilling and challenging on many levels, if you're interested in joining the ranks then start your journey by preparing for NYC Firefighter Exams.

 

Civil Service Success can help you out. They offer preparation classes for a range of civil services exams including the NYS Court Officer Trainee Exam, Suffolk County Police Exam, and NYC Sanitation officer test. Get in touch to register for their classes.

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