Firefighter

Question: I hear fire captains only work ten days per month and can earn over $100,000 per year. This sounds like an ideal job to me. How do you go about becoming a fire captain?
— Rick

Response: While it is true that Los Angeles County fire captains only work ten days per month, a typical shift is 24 hours. Thus, these firefighters work 240 hours per month, whereas someone with a "normal" 9-to-5 job works 160 hours in a month. However, fire captains do spend some of their time on duty sleeping.

Job Requirements
In order to become a fire captain, you first need to qualify to become a firefighter. To become a firefighter, you must participate in an intensive training program in basic firefighting, emergency medical treatment and peace officer responsibilities.

To qualify for the entry-level firefighter job, you must be 18 years old. You must be a high school graduate or possess a GED. You have to be a U.S. citizen or permanent alien resident who is eligible and has applied for citizenship. You must be free of felony convictions and of "good moral character." This last is determined by a thorough background investigation. Moreover, you must be in good physical condition as the duties of firefighting can be physically demanding.

In addition, all firefighter trainees must first pass a written examination. You are placed on a certification list based on your score, which the County calls a "band." Those candidates who score in the highest band move on to a physical abilities test, a medical examination, a background investigation and a selection interview.

If you pass all of these phases, you are invited to train at a recruit academy. Upon successfully completing the training program, you are promoted from trainee to probationary firefighter. The probation period lasts until the end of your first year on the job.

In order to apply for the position of fire captain, you must have five years of experience as a Los Angeles County firefighter, and you must possess current certification as an Emergency Medical Technician I. You will need to pass another written test and at least two additional interviews.

In the hierarchy of firefighters, there is also an intermediate step known as firefighter specialist on the County roster. These firefighters may be drivers, engineers or apparatus operators. However, you don't need experience as a firefighter specialist as a prerequisite for applying to be a fire captain.

Job Description
Firefighters protect communities against the loss of life, injury and destruction of property by fire. They may work at accidents, hazardous material spills and in fire prevention.

Firefighters work as a team with each person assigned to a special job. They respond to fire alarms, decide what action to take, locate the source of the fire and connect hose lines and nozzles. Additional duties include operating and maintaining fire equipment and trucks.

The fire captain is generally the first responder at a fire and directs all firefighters and fire fighting operations. Typically, a fire captain reports to a battalion chief and is responsible for supervising and training firefighters.

The fire captain is responsible for maintaining discipline and morale at the fire station and doing routine paperwork and administration. The majority of fire captains are assigned to fire stations or camps and perform physically arduous tasks along with their crews.

Some fire captains work at 9-to-5 jobs performing administrative duties, training firefighters at the academy, working as medical liaisons or on workers' compensation issues, or doing fire prevention or community outreach work. However, many fire captains enjoy the culture of the fire house and prefer the 10-day, 24-hour work schedule.

Firefighters are employed by Los Angeles County and by municipalities within the county such as the City of Los Angeles. According to a City of Los Angeles fire captain, increasing numbers of firefighters have prior experience and training as emergency medical technicians.

Salary Range
The current annual starting salary for City of Los Angeles Firefighter I is $46,729.

Los Angeles County firefighter trainees earn $3,800.88 per month. Firefighters earn from $3,788.55 to $5,242 per month. Firefighter specialists earn from $5,602.09 to $6,244.55 per month. Fire captains earn from $7,700 to $8,100. Overtime shifts may also be available.

Employment Outlook
The competition for firefighter positions is keen. In January 2005, the Los Angeles County Fire Department held a firefighter trainee examination and more than 22,000 people applied. The date for the next firefighter trainee examination is not yet scheduled.

To learn more about becoming a firefighter, visit the web sites of local cities and Los Angeles County. For example:

City of Los Angeles

Personnel Department

700 East Temple St.

Los Angeles, CA 90012

(213) 847-9240

www.ci.la.ca.us

County of Los Angeles

Recruitment and Examining Office

5555 Ferguson Drive

City of Commerce, CA 90022

(323) 890-7924

dhr.lacounty.info

The County website provides an online listing of employment opportunities.

 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.