Firefighters – College Essay Example

fires. This involves clearing the path of the fire, removing fuel by creating bare land. The smoke jumpers, who are the best firefighters, parachute from airplanes to reach inaccessible areas that cannot be reached by foot or truck. Despite its effectiveness, this strategy is incredibly risky as the crews have no means of escape if the wind changes direction and the fire moves towards them. Alongside responding to alarms, firefighters engage in various tasks such as cleaning and maintaining equipment, conducting practice drills and inspections, and participating in physical fitness activities. They also remain updated on technological advancements and changes in administrative practices and policies by reviewing fire science literature and preparing written reports on fire incidents. Firefighters endure challenging working conditions, with much of their time spent at fire stations that resemble residential facilities with dorm-like features.

Regardless of weather or time, firefighters promptly respond to alarms. Firefighting involves risks such as traffic accidents, exposure to flames and smoke, and contact with toxic, flammable, or explosive gases and chemicals, including radioactive or other hazardous materials that can have immediate or long-term health effects. Consequently, firefighters must wear heavy and hot protective gear. Compared to other workers, firefighters have longer and more variable hours. Many surpass 50 hours per week and sometimes work even longer. Some work sites follow a pattern of 24-hour shifts followed by 48 hours off with an additional day off at intervals. Others switch between 10-hour day shifts for 3 to 4 days and 14-hour night shifts for the same duration before enjoying 3 to 4 days off before repeating the cycle. Moreover, firefighters often work extra hours at fires

and emergencies while also being regularly assigned holiday shifts.

Fire lieutenants and fire captains have the same working hours as the firefighters they oversee. This includes studying, training, and conducting fire prevention duties. Volunteer firefighters, who perform similar tasks, are often the majority in residential areas. In 1998, there were approximately 314,000 paid career firefighters. The majority of them (over 90%) worked in municipal or county fire departments. Larger cities may have thousands of career firefighters while smaller towns may only have a few. The remaining firefighters were employed at federal and state installations like airports. Private firefighting companies also employ a small number of firefighters on a subscription basis. Applicants for firefighting jobs usually need to pass a written exam, physical tests assessing strength and stamina along with coordination and agility assessments, as well as a medical examination that includes drug screening.

After being hired, employees may be randomly tested for drugs. These tests usually target individuals who are at least 18 years old and have a high school education. In larger fire departments, new employees typically receive several weeks of training at the department's training center or academy. This training includes both classroom instruction and hands-on activities that cover various aspects of firefighting, such as techniques, prevention methods, hazardous materials control, local building codes, and emergency medical procedures. In addition to this, recruits learn how to operate firefighting and rescue equipment like axes, chainsaws, fire extinguishers, and other tools. Once they successfully complete this training program, they are assigned to a fire company where they will go through a probationary period.