If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a firefighter, it’s important to get yourself set up for success. The truth is that becoming a firefighter is no easy task. There is a lot of learning, hard work, long hours and true dedication needed when considering this career course. So if you’ve ever wondered “how do I become a firefighter in Texas?”, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out some of the major things you should do when preparing to join the fire service force in Texas.
1. Get a Proper Education
First things first, in order to join the fire department you’ll need to at least get a GED or high school diploma. As far as secondary education is concerned, earning a degree in fire science or health can only help your cause. Becoming certified as an EMT is a huge advantage and can greatly increase your odds of getting hired as well as your base salary.
2. Keep Your Social Media Clean
In the age of social media and speaking your mind, it can be easy to say things you don’t really mean or for someone to take something the wrong way. If you’ve posted immature, embarrassing or inappropriate things on social media it could harm your ability to become a firefighter. It’s common practice these days for employers to scan social media profiles before making a hire. Be sure to go through your social media to remove potentially offensive posts and consider closing your accounts to avoid any unintentional harm.
3. Get in Great Shape
A firefighter’s job is incredibly demanding on the body. Not only that, firefighters have to pass a physical test before being considered to join the department. Part of the CPAT test is to carry equipment, raise and extend a ladder, climb stairs, drag a hose, force entry and much more. Knowing the physical elements of the job will help you to train and prepare your body to be able to handle the strain.
4. Meet Basic Requirements
Aside from education and the other things listed above, there are some basic requirements that have to be met before being able to join the service. For instance, you’ll need to be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license, and not be older than 35 years old (or whatever age maximum is set by the department you’re applying for). If you’re younger than 18, you can likely still join in some capacity as a junior firefighter.