Firefighter Resume Example

Firefighters are our daily unsung heroes who risk their lives to ensure that no harm comes to us. They lead dangerous lives, and as such need to follow correct protocols to ensure the safety of our community. Firefighters need continuous training and require a level-headed mind to make quick decisions during emergency situations. Depending on where they live, they can also earn an above-average wage.

Below are the best states (in terms of pay) for firefighters:

If you are thinking of becoming a firefighter, then you should consider the above data when deciding where to work. However, before you can start thinking about where to work, you’ll first need to build your resume.

Here’s where to start:

1. Add Relevant Certifications and Training

When it comes to writing a firefighter resume, the key is to include all of your relevant certifications and training. Whether you get the job largely depends on if you meet all of the requirements set by the employer and the state you live in. Here are some general certifications that are often necessary for most firefighting positions:

Adding certifications can be done in one of two ways. If you have a lengthy list, then create a certifications section that you can place right after your resume introduction. On the other hand, if your certs are a bit lacking, then go ahead and include them in your additional skills section at the bottom.

2. Choose the Right Resume Introduction

Choosing an introduction is an essential part of the resume writing process. Job seekers have four choices when it comes to adding an introduction: the statistics-based resume summary, the widely used resume objective, the skills-based summary of qualifications, and the powerful resume profile.

The candidate in the sample above uses a career objective to highlight three main points:

• He describes his years of experience, his personality, and ability to work under pressure
• He shows that he is a team player—consistently collaborating with team members
• He mentions his skill in working with different kinds of fires and ability to suppress them

Essentially, he has laid out his argument of why he is the best candidate for the position, and has given the manager a reason to read the rest of the resume. A career objective is a great way to start a resume for some people but may not be the best way for you. Use our easy flow chart to determine which resume introduction best suits you.

3. Beef Up your Professional Experience Section

Once you have hooked the manager with your introduction, it’s time to back up the claims you made with examples from your professional experience, listing them in a bullet format. Below, we’ve chosen the three strongest bullet points from the above sample resume for you to consider. We’ve also bolded the strongest parts of each bullet point:

• Earned “Silver Grade” Award for act of bravery during local factory fire, where 150 workers were saved from any life-threatening injuries

The above bullet point proves the exceptional service that this candidate has given. An award like this is a token of appreciation from the city for the hard work that this firefighter does on a daily basis.

• Inspected firefighting equipment and hydrants, performing minor maintenance repairs that minimized malfunctions by 10%

As shown above, the firefighter has to understand the tools that he uses to ensure that he can fight fire. By maintaining it, and being able to make minor repairs, the firefighter can ensure that he can do his job during critical and sometimes life-threatening situations.

• Successfully controlled wild fire with team of 3 firefighters at local park, through strategic planning and quick-thinking

Here, the candidate showed that he was able to successfully control fire from escalating with an initial small team, while waiting for a support team to come. Quick thinking and the ability to work under pressure is essential in this line of work.

4. List of Action Verbs for a Firefighter Resume

Need more action verbs? No problem.

5. Resources for Firefighters

• Learn how to become a firefighter
• National Fire Protection Association 
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• National Association of Fire Investigators