Firefighter Career and Technical Certificate
Certificate
Public SafetyContact Information
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About this Program
The Firefighter Career and Technical Certificate program offers critical skills to students looking for employment as a volunteer firefighter (Firefighter I) or a firefighter (Firefighter II).
Program Overview & Requirements
Program Purpose:
To prepare students for employment as a volunteer firefighter (Firefighter I) or a firefighter (Firefighter II).
Program Length:
206-398 clock hours, depending on certification sought
Admission Requirements:
Applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have a standard high school diploma or GED diploma. Applicant must take the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) and achieve required scores. Additionally, applicant must have a physical examination prior to program entry.
Academic Division:
Florida Public Safety Institute, Tallahassee Fire Academy
Contact:
(850) 201-7000
View Information about Graduation Requirements and Year of Entry .
Program Courses
- FFP0010 Firefighter I 0 credit hour(s) ; 206 clock hour(s)
- FFP0020 Firefighter II 0 credit hour(s) ; 192 clock hour(s)
Related Careers
All career information is provided by Career Coach, and reflects data available for the Tallahassee area.
Municipal Firefighter
Municipal Firefighter
Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.
37Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
- Rescue victims from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill.
- Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
- Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
- Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
- Lay hose lines and connect them to water supplies.
- Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
- Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
- Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
- Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
- Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
- Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
- Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
- Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.
- Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
- Establish firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas near fires.
- Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.
- Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($27,275.20) to highly-experienced workers ($69,674.77). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Fire Investigator
Fire Investigator
Conduct investigations to determine causes of fires and explosions.
1Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Prepare and maintain reports of investigation results, and records of convicted arsonists and arson suspects.
- Testify in court cases involving fires, suspected arson, and false alarms.
- Package collected pieces of evidence in securely closed containers, such as bags, crates, or boxes, to protect them.
- Analyze evidence and other information to determine probable cause of fire or explosion.
- Examine fire sites and collect evidence such as glass, metal fragments, charred wood, and accelerant residue for use in determining the cause of a fire.
- Photograph damage and evidence related to causes of fires or explosions to document investigation findings.
- Instruct children about the dangers of fire.
- Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
- Teach fire investigation techniques to other firefighter personnel.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($48,397.96) to highly-experienced workers ($89,344.81). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor
Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor
Supervise fire fighters who control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.
5Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.
- Evaluate size, location, and condition of forest fires.
- Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
- Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.
- Request and dispatch crews and position equipment so fires can be contained safely and effectively.
- Train workers in skills such as parachute jumping, fire suppression, aerial observation, or radio communication, in the classroom or on the job.
- Operate wildland fire engines or hoselays.
- Recruit or hire forest firefighting personnel.
- Monitor prescribed burns to ensure that they are conducted safely and effectively.
- Maintain knowledge of forest fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics.
- Direct and supervise prescribed burn projects and prepare postburn reports, analyzing burn conditions and results.
- Identify staff training and development needs to ensure that appropriate training can be arranged.
- Schedule employee work assignments and set work priorities.
- Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable.
- Inspect stations, uniforms, equipment, or recreation areas to ensure compliance with safety standards, taking corrective action as necessary.
- Drive crew carriers to transport firefighters to fire sites.
- Perform administrative duties, such as compiling and maintaining records, completing forms, preparing reports, or composing correspondence.
- Regulate open burning by issuing burning permits, inspecting problem sites, issuing citations for violations of laws and ordinances, or educating the public in proper burning practices.
- Review and evaluate employee performance.
- Recommend equipment modifications or new equipment purchases.
- Investigate special fire issues, such as railroad fire problems, right-of-way burning, or slash disposal problems.
- Lead work crews in the maintenance of structures or access roads in forest areas.
- Educate the public about forest fire prevention by participating in activities such as exhibits or presentations or by distributing promotional materials.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($39,607.47) to highly-experienced workers ($112,510.05). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Fire Inspector
Fire Inspector
Inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations.
1Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Conduct inspections and acceptance testing of newly installed fire protection systems.
- Inspect buildings to locate hazardous conditions and fire code violations, such as accumulations of combustible material, electrical wiring problems, and inadequate or non-functional fire exits.
- Conduct fire code compliance follow-ups to ensure that corrective actions have been taken in cases where violations were found.
- Inspect properties that store, handle, and use hazardous materials to ensure compliance with laws, codes, and regulations, and issue hazardous materials permits to facilities found in compliance.
- Write detailed reports of fire inspections performed, fire code violations observed, and corrective recommendations offered.
- Identify corrective actions necessary to bring properties into compliance with applicable fire codes, laws, regulations, and standards, and explain these measures to property owners or their representatives.
- Inspect and test fire protection or fire detection systems to verify that such systems are installed in accordance with appropriate laws, codes, ordinances, regulations, and standards.
- Develop or review fire exit plans.
- Attend training classes to maintain current knowledge of fire prevention, safety, and firefighting procedures.
- Review blueprints and plans for new or remodeled buildings to ensure the structures meet fire safety codes.
- Inspect liquefied petroleum installations, storage containers, and transportation and delivery systems for compliance with fire laws.
- Present and explain fire code requirements and fire prevention information to architects, contractors, attorneys, engineers, developers, fire service personnel, and the general public.
- Conduct fire exit drills to monitor and evaluate evacuation procedures.
- Testify in court regarding fire code and fire safety issues.
- Teach public education programs on fire safety and prevention.
- Recommend changes to fire prevention, inspection, and fire code endorsement procedures.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($48,397.96) to highly-experienced workers ($89,344.81). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor
Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisor
Supervise fire fighters who control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property, and conduct rescue efforts.
5Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
- Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
- Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
- Instruct and drill fire department personnel in assigned duties, including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and related subjects.
- Evaluate the performance of assigned firefighting personnel.
- Direct the training of firefighters, assigning of instructors to training classes, and providing of supervisors with reports on training progress and status.
- Prepare activity reports listing fire call locations, actions taken, fire types and probable causes, damage estimates, and situation dispositions.
- Perform maintenance and minor repairs on firefighting equipment, including vehicles, and write and submit proposals to modify, replace, and repair equipment.
- Attend in-service training classes to remain current in knowledge of codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations.
- Participate in creating fire safety guidelines and evacuation schemes for nonresidential buildings.
- Compile and maintain records on personnel, accidents, equipment, and supplies.
- Maintain required maps and records.
- Evaluate fire station procedures to ensure efficiency and enforcement of departmental regulations.
- Direct firefighters in station maintenance duties, and participate in these duties.
- Recommend personnel actions related to disciplinary procedures, performance, leaves of absence, and grievances.
- Direct investigation of cases of suspected arson, hazards, and false alarms and submit reports outlining findings.
- Supervise and participate in the inspection of properties to ensure that they are in compliance with applicable fire codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, and standards.
- Coordinate the distribution of fire prevention promotional materials.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($39,607.47) to highly-experienced workers ($112,510.05). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Forest Firefighter
Forest Firefighter
Control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.
37Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Rescue fire victims, and administer emergency medical aid.
- Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
- Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.
- Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.
- Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
- Establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.
- Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
- Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear, and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.
- Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.
- Maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters.
- Train new employees to control and suppress forest fires.
- Participate in physical training to maintain high levels of physical fitness.
- Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.
- Transport personnel and cargo to and from fire areas.
- Inform and educate the public about fire prevention.
- Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
- Participate in fire prevention and inspection programs.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($27,275.20) to highly-experienced workers ($69,674.77). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialist
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialist
Enforce fire regulations, inspect forest for fire hazards and recommend forest fire prevention or control measures. May report forest fires and weather conditions.
2Annual Openings
Sample Daily Tasks
- Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
- Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
- Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
- Administer regulations regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.
- Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
- Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
- Maintain records and logbooks.
- Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
- Direct maintenance and repair of firefighting equipment, or requisition new equipment.
Wages
See the range of wages earned in this career, ranging from new workers ($18,607.59) to highly-experienced workers ($46,040.89). View by annual salary or hourly wage.
Employment Projections
A view of employment levels for the last 3 years, and projections for the next 7 years.
All career information provided by Career Coach
Learn More About This Career