Applying for a Firefighter Job

When you have found a fire department that is accepting recruits, your first step is to get an application. Depending on the department, you may be able to download a form from the Internet, pick one up, or have one mailed out to you.

Some fire departments only issue a limited number of application forms for each round of hiring that they do.

Once you have your job application in hand, take some time to review it in detail before you start filling it in. It’s a good idea to have a copy of the job ad with you as well, so that you can make sure that the information in your application show that you are a good fit for the position. If the ad mentions certain qualifications or certificates that the hiring department is looking for, you can make a point of highlighting the ones that you have.

The form needs to be filled out very carefully, since the information you provide is subject to a detailed background check. For each firefighter job you have held, you will need to provide the company name, address, phone number, your job title, supervisor’s name, and the salary or hourly rate you were paid. Detailed information about the schools you have attended will also be required, so you may need to do some digging before you can start filling in the form.

Before you submit your application form, go over it so ensure that you haven’t overlooked any portions of the form. Be sure that you have listed the exact job title for the position you are applying for on the form. Some departments may be hiring for multiple positions at the same time, and you want to make sure that your application is being considered for the correct one.

Not all fire departments will allow job applicants to submit a resume along with their application form, but you should have one prepared anyway. This is a way of providing the department with more information about your background than what you can provide in the limited space on an application form. If the department you are applying to will let you submit your resume as well, it makes sense to do so.