firefighter resume examples entry level

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7 Firefighter Resume Examples + Complete Guide

Firefighter

Best for candidates with 3+ years of experience

With your job experience and a stunning resume layout, recruiters will be ready to give your application the official stamp of approval.

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Firefighter Resume

• Firefighter Resumes by Experience
• Firefighter Resumes by Role
• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Some of the most high-risk careers are also the most rewarding. If you’re a firefighter, this probably resonates with you. We appreciate your commitment to people and your community. It’s safe to say that you do the work most of us run far, far away from. 

Our skills have nothing to do with putting out fires, but we’re sure you’ll appreciate the research and work we’ve done to help you create a cover letter and  draft the best possible resume  as you pursue a new position. 

Here,  you’ll find seven free firefighter resume samples and accompanying tips and tricks to ensure you avoid common pitfalls  when you create a resume  that will stand apart from the competition in 2024.

or download as PDF

Why this resume works

• We recommend you list at least three metrics per work experience, but more is almost always better.
• Numbers speak louder than words and can demonstrate your capabilities to handle firefighting responsibilities, whereas words alone make your resume a longer read and less convincing.
• Start by brainstorming relevant statistics that relate to your job title. As a firefighter, this could be the percentage of crew members you collaborated with, apprentices you’ve mentored, the acreage of wildfires you’ve fought, how many emergencies you’ve responded to, and the amount of time you’ve saved by improving efficiency, etc.
• Then, rework your current bullet points to include these metrics. If you’re having trouble finding exact numbers, it’s okay to use a ballpark estimate.

Entry-Level Firefighter Resume

• If you lack this kind of expertise, though, don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere, and employers are usually willing to look at relevant experience, which you explain its relevant further in your firefighter cover letter .
• Working as a server, sales associate, or call representative, for example, can demonstrate your ability to collaborate with coworkers and work in high-pressure environments.
• Keep your objective to a concise, two to three-sentence snapshot of your very best skills, and include a metric or two showing the impact you’ve had in previous jobs or the number of years you worked in a relevant position.

Senior Firefighter Resume

• Your skills section may include both hard and soft skills.
• Hard skills are king and include job-specific abilities like evacuation, fire containment, ladder use, and EMS know-how.
• Soft skills, which often apply to a variety of jobs, may include strengths such as verbal communication and organization.
• As a seasoned firefighter, don’t forget to include the education and certifications you’ve earned. These are two areas that take up little space, but can quickly eliminate you from the applicant pool if omitted. 

Firefighter EMT Resume

• Ensure that you clearly highlight and state any past experiences of dealing with medical emergencies like “first-aid and CPR assistance for 17+ medical emergencies.”

Firefighter Paramedic Resume

• Communication and training in this field are essential too. Follow Michael’s example and list down all instances of when you’ve used a particular skill for training, streamlining communication between teams, or providing medical assistance.

Wildland Firefighter Resume

• Unlike the resume objective, it’s useful if you boast 10+ years in the field and can showcase a specialization or two to set yourself apart from the competition.
• Make sure to include the title of the job you’re applying to, the name of the company/department/organization, and how your specializations will provide value.

Volunteer Firefighter Resume

• Fire chiefs are looking for a trustworthy team member to add value to the station without getting in the way or requiring constant guidance. Use your work experience bullet points to demonstrate your capacity to work just as hard as full-time firefighters.
• Include metrics on achievements like the number of drills you attended, the average number of calls you responded to, how many firefighters and departments you’ve collaborated with, awards earned, memorable fires you’ve worked, etc.
• Begin each bullet point with an action word to own your accomplishments; they help make your point quickly and are easier to read.
• Lastly, give yourself the best shot at landing your dream firefighting job by using our free  resume checker  to ensure you’ve covered the bases of perfect grammar, action words, and sufficient metrics.

Related resume guides

• Police officer
• Medical Assistant

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Firefighter Resume Examples and Templates for 2024

• Resume Examples
• Resume Text Examples

How To Write a Firefighter Resume

• Entry-Level
• Senior-Level

Firefighter Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples

• Entry-level
• Senior-level

Mike Minerva (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | San Francisco, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Motivated and resourceful firefighter with two years of experience. Focused on raising public awareness and knowledge of fire prevention and safety topics. Skilled at calmly assessing situations, responding with solutions, and following instructions from senior firefighters.

• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Community outreach and education
• Emergency response
• Equipment maintenance
• Fire prevention and safety
• Rapid problem-solving
• Team collaboration

Professional Experience

San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco, CA | February 2021 to present

Firefighter (December 2022 to present)

• Control and extinguish fires, handling up to 14 calls per week
• Help quickly respond to 911 emergency situations
• Evaluate safety hazards and conditions
• Assess victims’ needs and administer first aid or CPR to those injured by fire, trauma, or smoke inhalation

Junior Firefighter Internship (February 2021 to November 2022)

• Helped contain and extinguish fires in buildings and car accidents
• Learned firefighting methods, treatment protocols, and prevention strategies
• Maintained equipment and vehicles

Basic Firefighter I Training Course, CAL Fire Academy, Ione, CA | September 2019 to March 2020

Certifications

Fire Prevention and Safety | 2023

California State Firefighter | 2021

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) | 2021

Cristina Mason (123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Los Angeles, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example

Dedicated firefighter and EMT with extensive experience in fire prevention and helping victims of house fires and road traffic collisions. Fully certified and highly trained in various firefighting methods and safety measures. Committed to continuous learning.

• Group leadership
• Quality assurance
• Risk assessment

Firefighter / EMT, Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles, CA | October 2018 to present

• Help quickly respond to disaster situations, evaluate risk, and contain and extinguish fires, handling ~10 calls per week
• Perform first aid or CPR on victims of smoke inhalation or other injuries
• Lead a team of four responders as needed
• Help maintain ladder truck, two ambulances, and six fire trucks to high standards

Firefighter / EMT, City of Fountain Valley Fire Department, Fountain Valley, CA | December 2012 to October 2018

• Maintained and safely drove emergency response vehicles to provide prompt disaster assistance
• Carried out risk assessments to help contain fires and other emergencies

Education and Professional Development

Associate of Science in Fire Science Technology, City College of San Francisco, CA | 2012

Emergency Medical Technician Training, Orange County EMT | 2012

California State Fire Marshall Courses

• Firefighter I and II National Certification
• Firefighter Survival
• Fire Control 3B

Helen Bentley (123) 654-3210 | [email protected] | Mound, MO 64470 | www.linkedin.com/example

Safety-focused firefighting professional with over 10 years of experience. Strong knowledge of National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) emergency medical services, Emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B), Emergency medical technician-intermediate (EMT-I), and Emergency medical technician-paramedic (EMT-P) procedures and treatment protocols.

• Rapid decision-making
• Regulatory compliance
• Reporting and documentation

Firefighter I, City of Branson Fire Department, Branson, MO | January 2019 to present

• Ensure personnel (four onsite firefighters and six volunteers) and equipment are ready to respond promptly to EMS calls and fires
• Help inspect and repair department apparatus and equipment, including ladder truck, two ambulances, and two fire trucks
• Administer first aid, life support, and other emergency medical care
• Draft weekly reports on department activities

Wildland Firefighter, United States Fish & Wildlife Service, Rolla, MO | March 2016 to December 2018

• Gained strong knowledge of fire suppression and fuels management practices
• Assisted in backfire, burnout, and tree-falling operations for three major wildfires and over 50 smaller burns
• Employed specialized tools, techniques, and equipment while actively managing wildfires
• Maintained and repaired fire engines, tractors, hand tools, and chainsaws

Probationary Firefighter, Springfield Fire Department, Springfield, MO | February 2013 to February 2016

• Helped control and extinguish fires in commercial and residential buildings
• Performed rescue/extrication operations

Education and Credentials

Associate of Science in Fire Technology & Administration, Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, MO | 2012

EMT License | 2012

• CPR Certificate, American Red Cross | 2012

Memberships

International Association of Firefighters

National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians

To write a good firefighter resume, you’ll need to show you can quickly respond to fires and other emergencies that may arise in your community. The tips below will help you capture this skill in each section of your resume so it gets you interviews for your next firefighter job.

1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your firefighter qualifications

Your resume profile should catch hiring managers’ interest by giving the top reasons they can expect you to respond to a fire quickly and effectively. What do you consider your key strengths in your field? What areas of the job have you shown high interest or ability in or been praised for the most? For example, maybe you have years of experience in a similar community or type of fire prevention. Or perhaps you recently won an award for diligence or efficiency in operating emergency vehicles. With relevant details like these in your profile, you can make a strong first impression and show you’re a great fit for the role.

Entry-Level Profile Example

Mid-career profile example, 2. showcase your firefighter experience.

View the Experience section as a chance to give examples of your success as a firefighter. These are the best ways to convince a hiring manager you can thrive.

Review your recent work history , and list duties and highlights for the firefighter jobs you’ve held so far, along with any other jobs where promptness and efficiency were critical. Try to quantify each past firefighter job with relevant data like the number of calls you answered or volunteers you led. Also, outline your preparations to help ensure the department’s readiness and efficiency in a crisis. Most importantly, spell out how your work helped save lives, prevent property loss, and protect the environment or community.

Mid-Career Experience Example

Firefighter / EMT , Los Angeles Fire Department, Los Angeles, CA | October 2018 to present

Senior-Level Experience Example

Firefighter I , City of Branson Fire Department, Branson, MO | January 2019 to present

• Help inspect and repair department apparatus and equipment, including a ladder truck, two ambulances, and two fire trucks

3. Include education and certifications relevant to firefighters

Use the Education and Certifications sections to show you have a strong knowledge base for your target firefighter job. In addition to your highest education degree, consider giving details about the fire academy where you trained. Also, include your CPR certificate or other credentials for providing emergency medical services.

Below are templates and examples to help you format your education and certification details. Note that optional template areas appear in [brackets].

• Degree Name — [Major], School Name, City, ST | [Year]
• Associate of Science in Fire Technology and Administration, Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, MO | 2012

Certification

• Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]

4. Outline your most useful firefighter skills and proficiencies

Add a Key Skills section to show how you can help respond to fires and other emergencies. Make sure each item overlaps with your target job, but otherwise, aim for variety in this section to cover your skills in teamwork, efficiency, emergency medicine, and community relations. Below are some common skills to consider for your firefighter resume.

How To Pick the Best Firefighter Resume Template

For firefighters, a clear and straightforward resume template is usually best. Opt for a visual design that lets the hiring manager quickly review your best career details. Select a traditional resume font , and avoid any template with a colorful or elaborate design. Also, make sure the template is compatible with applicant tracking systems (ATS) employers use to screen resumes.

Frequently Asked Questions: Firefighter Resume Examples and Advice

What are common action verbs for firefighter resumes -.

One of the best ways to enhance your resume is by starting each bullet point with a strong action verb. Dynamic verbs help you keep the hiring manager’s attention and show the varied nature of your experience. The following list can help you find a good mix of action verbs for your firefighter resume:

How do you align your firefighter resume with a firefighter job posting? -

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that jobs for firefighters will increase by about 4% (or nearly 14,000 positions) between 2021 and 2031.

You can get more interviews in this growing field if you tailor your resume for each application. Start by looking at the job post and highlighting words that are repeated, emphasized, or otherwise seem important. Compare these highlighted phrases to the language you’re using in your resume, particularly the Profile and Key Skills sections. Then, look for ways to align your resume language with the job post while not copying phrases or misrepresenting your background.

For example, if the organization seeks someone highly collaborative, call out that aspect of your experience. Or, say, the department engages with many non-English community members. Consider highlighting your foreign language skills in your Profile and as a separate section farther down the document. With adjustments like these, you can make your resume more relevant to each new job opportunity.

What is the best firefighter resume format? -

In nearly all cases, use a Combination (or Hybrid) resume because it’s easiest for hiring managers to learn about your pertinent skills and experience. It’s also the simplest way to align with your job goals.

With the Combination format, you highlight your most relevant skills and experience in your Experience or Work History section and an intro section. (This combination of work history and intro content is where the format gets its name.) Your resume intro should usually include a Profile summary and Key Skills section, but you may also add a Career Highlights or Awards section. By carefully choosing the details for these intro sections, you can (a) position yourself for your target job and (b) give hiring managers a clear, quick view of what you offer.

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To increase your chances of an interview, write and submit a strong cover letter. The key to an effective letter is customizing it based on each job opening. Read our Firefighter cover letter guide to learn how. For other related examples, see our Police Officer and Security Guard cover letter guides.

Jacob Meade

Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW, ACRW)

Jacob Meade is a resume writer and editor with nearly a decade of experience. His writing method centers on understanding and then expressing each person’s unique work history and strengths toward their career goal. Jacob has enjoyed working with jobseekers of all ages and career levels, finding that a clear and focused resume can help people from any walk of life. He is an Academy Certified Resume Writer (ACRW) with the Resume Writing Academy, and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with the Professional Association of Resume Writers & Career Coaches.

Check Out Related Examples

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Fight fire with water!

[ Click here to directly go to the complete firefighter resume sample ]

Fight for your dream job with an ATS-compliant resume.

Learn all about landing a shortlist with our Firefighter Resume Guide today.

Your fire department resume is the key to getting an interview call, so it is important to market yourself in a way that convinces the recruiter that they don’t have to look any further.

After reading your fire fighter resume, a potential employer should understand the impact you had in your previous roles and how well your firefighter resume skills will translate to the new role you are applying to.

In this guide, we will reveal every secret to writing the perfect fire fighter resume.

We will show how you can capitalize on your strengths while downplaying your shortcomings. Furthermore, we will show you how just a one-page document can help you land your dream job!

Here is a summary of our Firefighter Resume Guide:

• Only use the month and year format to write the dates throughout all the sections of your fire fighter resume.
• Write the key skills and firefighter resume objectives/summary section towards the end. This will save you time and make it easier to draft these sections as well.
• Avoid using paragraphs at all costs as it makes your fire chief resume look cluttered. Instead, use one-liner points to communicate your roles & responsibilities in the professional experience section.
• Do not let your fire chief resume exceed 2 pages unless your work experience transcends 10 years.
• Write a fireman resume summary if you have a professional experience of 3 years or more, otherwise stick with firefighter resume objectives.

That's not all.

This guide is embedded with 15+ sample firefighter resumes and firefighter resume examples that are designed to show you what each resume section would look like after you follow the guidelines in this blog.

Whether you're writing an entry level firefighter resume or a resume for firefighting professionals, this blog is the ONLY guide you will need.

The best part about this guide is that it is so exhaustive that you won’t have to look for information anywhere else!

By the end of this resume for firefighters blog, you will learn:

• How to draft each section of your fireman resume correctly.
• What personal information to include in your firefighter resume.
• How to list professional experience in a firefighter resume.
• What firefighter resume skills to write in your key skills section that will make you stand out.

Hiration’s Online Resume Builder is easy to use as it auto-fills all the boring stuff for you, you just need to optimize it according to your current target job-listing and you are done. Start building your resume here.

Mentioned below is a list of information you will gather by reading this blog:

Firefighter Job Description for Resume

Firefighters are heroes! They save lives while risking their own. Your resume should make sure that this trait of yours comes across in the most humble way.

Following is the firefighter resume job description:

• Administer medical care to injured people in emergencies.
• Contain fires, assist victims, and ensure overall community safety.
• Inspect fire fighting equipment and hydrants.
• Perform minor maintenance to equipment.
• Be equipped to perform emergency functions, such as first aid, CPR, etc.

Firefighter Sample Resume

[ Back to Table of Content ]

Take a look at the sample firefighter resume below. It illustrates the perfect resume for firefighters.

• Administered medical care to injured people in emergencies to save the lives of 30 individuals
• Assessed conditions and responded quickly to contain fires, assist victims, and ensure community safety
• Controlled wildfire with a team of 3 Firefighters at the local park leading to the fire to be 100% extinguished in record time
• Mobilized a team of 9 Firefighters while responding to local fires and emergencies
• Trained 20+ volunteer Firefighters, showcasing leadership during evacuations and fire prevention
• Conducted “Fire Safety” talks in various venues including elementary schools , churches, and local businesses
• Devised fire training boot camps for troubled teens and individuals in rehabilitation
• Inspected F irefighting equipment and hydrants and performed minor maintenance that minimized malfunctions by 30%
• Awarded “Silver Grade” Award for saving 150 workers from life-threatening injuries during a local factory fire
• Emergency Medical Technology Certification | Texas Department of State Health Services | Austin, TX, US | Feb '10 - Jun '10
• State Firefighter Certification | The Texas Commission on Fire Protection | Austin, TX, US | Jul '09 - Sep '09
• Languages : English, Spanish

Firefighter Salary

Firefighter salaries as quoted by the following major websites:

• PayScale : $47,965 / year
• Indeed : $45,454 / year
• Glassdoor : $48,774 / year

What is a Firefighter Resume & why do you need it?

You will need an ATS-targeted resume to shimmy down the fireman’s pole and land that job interview for a fireman.

A less than perfect resume will take you nowhere with a fire chief as they are looking for highly-motivated people who pay special attention to detail and you have to reflect the same with your resume.

So, the need of the hour is to keep up with the times, which means you have to make sure that your resume is perfectly structured and formatted making it both recruiter and ATS friendly.

We have written this blog to help you build a wildland fire resume that will sail through any ATS while also impressing your recruiters.

A persuasive resume requires creativity. We have compiled the do’s and don’ts of writing resumes to help you build your resume.

Firefighter Resume Sections

To make sure that no relevant information is missed out on, we have divided the resume into the following sections which will cover every aspect of your professional identity:

• Personal Information
• Profile Title
• Summary/Objective
• Professional Experience
• Certifications (if any)
• Awards & Recognition (if any)
• Additional Information (if any)

If you want more advice on nailing your resume sections, read Hiration's Guide to sections in a resume .

Want to save time and have your resume ready in 5 minutes? Try Hiration’s Online Resume Builder. It’s fast and easy to use! Plus, you’ll get ready-made content to add with one click.

How to write your Firefighter Resume

If you go about writing your wildland firefighter resume with no set direction, you will probably take up a lot of time and come up with an average run-of-the-mill resume.

You want to avoid that and write a kickass resume while not wasting your time. For this purpose only, our resume writing experts have broken down the whole process into the following easy to follow stages:

• First Stage: Master Firefighter Resume
• Second Stage: First Draft of Firefighter Resume
• Third Stage: Final Draft of FIrefighter Resume

Master Firefighter Resume

Alright, let’s get to work. Sit down! And think about your whole professional life. The recent instances will come easier to you, so start listing everything down. What you did, how it helped the company?

Were you the employee of the year? The manager gave you any special kudos? It’s all solid gold! Keep going back to all the profiles you have held and keep listing down everything at one source file.

Dig out any logs and files to come up with hard data to back up your claims.

Do not forget about your education! List down all the information regarding your education as well.

Wondering what goal this master firefighter resume will achieve? It will help you in the following manner:

• Resume-writing in the present: As all your information is now compiled in one source, all you need to do is pick out the relevant details to build your resume. Because of the easy accessibility, it is so much easier to customize your resume according to whichever job you are targeting at the time.
• Resume update in the future: Once we have found a job, we tend to not look at our resume until we need it again and then we have to go through the whole ordeal all over again. But, if you have a master resume, you will cut your effort in half as you will already have all the information you will need to update your resume located in a single file.

First Draft of Firefighter Resume

The first draft of your fire department resume requires you to draft all the sections of your resume except the key skills and firefighter resume objectives/summary section.

We have listed all the sections you will need to draft in this section below:

Draft of Firefighter Resume

Now that you have completed writing all the sections mentioned in the first draft of your wildland firefighter resume, it will be extremely easy for you to write the key skills and firefighter resume objective /summary section.

We saved this section for last to make it easier for you to draft them. Now, you just need to go through your professional experience section and identify keywords from it to make-up your key skills section.

For the firefighter resume summary section, you just need to identify the roles & responsibilities that resonate with the firefighter resume job desciption of your target job and frame them for this section.

Also, don’t forget to highlight the achievements that you are most proud of.

Use Hiration’s guide on how to write a resume to improve your chances of getting more interview calls.

Firefighter Resume: Header

Always remember that your fire chief resume header should only be your name, not “CV” or “Resume” or anything else.

These are some of the tips regarding how to format your resume header to make sure it follows current industry standards:

• Your resume header appears at the topmost part of your resume.
• Leave a single space between your first and last name.
• Initialize middle name, if you have one.
• Keep the font size between 16 and 20.

Job hunting can be daunting, that’s why we’ve put together guides to navigate you through the process. Hiration’s Guide To Writing The Perfect Resume Header is one such guide.

Here's a firefighter resume sample showcasing the perfect header section:

Let the resume writing experts at Hiration take some stress off your shoulders by helping you build an ATS-optimized wildland firefighting resume. We can also help you build your firefighter resume cover letter

Firefighter Resume: Personal Information

Avoid providing extremely personal details and keep this section strictly for contact information only. Ideally, the personal information section should consist of the following details:

• Your functional mobile number
• Your professional email ID
• Your current location of residence

Updated Mobile Number

Re-check this information after you are done drafting your fire dept resume to make sure there are no typing mistakes here. Follow the below-mentioned instructions while writing your updated phone number:

• Use your country’s ISD code as a prefix before your phone number
• Put a plus sign (+) before the ISD code
• Write your updated mobile number after the ISD code
• Eg: +1 65432 51981

Professional Email Address

Do not mess up while writing your email ID as it will be the official mode of communication between you and your recruiter.

It needs to be professional-sounding as well to leave a good impression on your recruiter.

So, let’s say, if your name is Alecto Carrow, your email ID should look like “[email protected]” and not “[email protected]”.

Current Location of Residence

There is no scope for error even in the tiniest details of your resume. Follow the guidelines below while writing the location in your resume:

• Mention your current city and state of residence if you are looking for a job in your country of residence. If you are hoping to move abroad, mention your city and country name.

Read Hiration's Guide to composing your contact information to perfectly curate the personal information section of your wildland firefighting resume.

Sample Firefighter Resume for Personal Information

Here's a sample firefighter resume showcasing the ideal personal information section:

Read on to explore the 15+ firefighter resume examples that we have mentioned in this blog for a better understanding of how each section should be ideally curated.

Hiration’s Online Resume Builder is a comprehensive resume writing service that can create your wildland fire resume and on your behalf, using the employment of professional resume writing experts.

You can also use our services to write the perfect firefighter resume cover letter.

Firefighter Resume: Profile Title

Your profile title conveys your latest job designation in your functional industry to your recruiter.

It is important that you accurately curate your profile title and do not lie or exaggerate your level of seniority in hopes of higher pay.

Write this section in the font range of 14 and 16 font size.

For tips on writing an ideal profile title, view our firefighter resume examples.

We understand that writing a resume for what could be your dream job is formidable. If you are looking for assistance, let our experts review your resume and tell you what to do to make it better.

Firefighter Resume: Professional Experience

The professional experience is the most important section of your wildland firefighter resume as your suitability for this job will be judged based on this section.

With the help of this section, you will be able to talk about your roles & responsibilities and achievements that make you stand out from the crowd.

You can employ the following tricks to enhance the quality of your professional experience section:

• Use the STAR format
• Frame one-liner points
• Use bucketing & bolding

We have composed the guide to show you how to compose the professional experience section in your resume to help you.

Our firefighter resume examples use numbers and figures in the professional experience section that make the candidate’s accomplishments more tangible.

STAR Format

The STAR format stands for:

S: Situation - The situation that led to your contributions. T: Task - The task that got assigned to you. A: Action - What action you took to fulfill this assigned task. R: Result - What were the results of this action in the form of an achievement figure.

The STAR format employs the cause-effect relationship to explain the “why” behind your actions and results, pinpointing your exact contributions to your organization.

Framing Points

A shortlist-worthy resume is one that communicates your roles & responsibilities to the recruiter in an effective manner. That will happen when it is easy to read and comprehend.

Wonder why you are not getting shortlisted even when you are qualified? It might be because you have been using paragraphs to phrase the professional experience section of your resume.

It’s time to turn the leaf and follow our advice of only using one-liner points.

Here are two firefighter resume examples that we want you to observe closely:

Example 1 :

"I was responsible for administering medical care to injured people in emergencies which led to 30 individuals being saved. I employed different approaches according to the conditions at hand to contain fires and assist victims. My team always responded quickly and assessed the conditions accurately, ensuring the safety of the community. I along with a team of 7 firefighters was able to control the wildfire at the local park in record time. I also spearheaded and mobilized a team of 11 Firefighters while responding to local fires and emergencies."

Example 2 :

• Managed to control the local park wildfire with a team of 7 Firefighters which led to the fire being extinguished 100% in record time
• Spearheaded a team of 11 Firefighters while responding to local fires and emergencies
• Saved lives of injured people in emergencies through administering medical care, a total of 30 individuals saved till date
• Employed the right approach to contain fires and assist victims by responding quickly and accurately assessing conditions, ensuring the safety of the community

Framing Points Analysis

The following points can be concluded from the following firefighter resume examples that we have mentioned above:

• In firefighter resume example 1, we have used a paragraph to talk about the candidate’s professional experience. As is evident, it’s long and messy hence failing to have the desired impact.
• In firefighter resume example 2, we have used simple one-liner points to communicate the same information as example 1. As we can see, it is easier to read and gets the point across in a more comprehensible manner.
• Hence, we implore you to use bullet points rather than paragraphs while drafting the professional experience section of your wildland firefighting resume.

Bucketing & Bolding

While good readability is incredibly important, if your resume still does not pack a punch, all this effort may go to waste.

We encourage the use of bucketing & bolding alongside points to enhance the effectiveness of your resume.

Look at these two firefighter resume examples that illustrate this point:

Fire Extinguishing

Emegency & Medical Care

• Saved lives of injured people in emergencies through administering medical care, total 30 individuals saved till date

Bucketing & Bolding: Analysis

We have drawn the following conclusions from the above-mentioned firefighter resume examples:

• In firefighter resume example 1, we use points that make the resume easier to read and comprehend. However, it does nothing to emphasize your career highlights.
• In firefighter resume example 2, we use bucketing & bolding along with the bullets that will directly draw the recruiter’s attention towards the highlights of the candidate’s career. This enhances the effectiveness of the resume.
• Hence, we advise the use of bucketing & bolding alongside points to enhance the effectiveness of your resume.

Sample Firefighter Resume for Professional Experience

Here's a sample firefighter resume showcasing the ideal professional experience section for your resume.

Use Hiration’s Online Resume Review Service. It will help you correctly evaluate your resume and tell you how to overcome the shortcomings. Just click below:

Firefighter Resume: Education

Although firefighters don’t require formal education, most candidates will have at least an associate degree to stay one step ahead of the competition.

The education section of your firefighter resumes should ideally contain the following details:

• Name of your school/university.
• Name of the courses you have pursued.
• The location of your school/university.
• Date of enrolment and graduation from each course (in month & year format).

Should you show your GPA on a resume for a firefighter? See Hiration's Guide on how to list education on your resume .

The minimalist design of our firefighter resume examples do not distract the reader’s attention and make it extremely easy to navigate.

View one such sample firefighter resume illustrating the perfect education section below:

When adding education to your resume, use Hiration’s Online Resume Builder to ensure it is in a professional format.

The pre-designed firefighter resume templates that comes with our Resume Builder can be easily customized to suit your professional needs & qualifications. Use it to write an impeccable resume today!

Firefighter Resume: Certifications

Certifications play a vital role in a firefighting job. As firefighters respond to emergency situations, certifications other than fire fighting also come in extremely handy and are even sought after.

So, if you have an EMT certification or any medical certification, etc. do not leave them off your resume. Moreover, certifications also give you an edge over your competition which might not have that added advantage.

Mention the following information in the certifications section of your fire department resume:

• Name of the certification you have pursued.
• Name of the certification issuing body.
• Location of the certifying body.
• Enrollment and completion date in the month and year format.

Align this information horizontally in the format shown below:

{Name of certification} | {Affiliating Institution} | {Location} | {Date} (in month & year format)

Hiration's Guide on listing certifications on a resume will answer all of your questions regarding the certifications section.

Our firefighter resume examples demonstrate the ideal sections to a resume. View our certifications section below:

Do not miss out on your dream job! If you have an existing resume you want to get evaluated, we can help you with that. Use Hiration’s Resume Review Service!

Firefighter Resume: Volunteering Experience

Any kind of community service volunteer work will look sharp on your wildland firefighter resume, especially medical volunteer work.

Showcasing volunteering initiatives on your resume suggests that you are not only dedicated to cultivating your firefighter resume skills but also want to help the community.

Read Hiration's Guide to listing volunteer experience on a resume to know exactly how to demonstrate your volunteer work on a resume.

You can also use Hiration’s Resume Review Service to help better your volunteer firefighter resume with the help of our resume writing experts.

Firefighter Resume: Additional Information

All the miscellaneous information that you are not able to fit anywhere finds a home in the additional information section. You can mention anything ranging from hobbies to your knowledge of multiple languages.

Our sample firefighter resumes can help you.

Attached below is a sample firefighter resume showcasing the ideal additional information section:

You can also use Hiration’s Online Resume Builder to make use of our pre-filled firefighter resume template with perfectly aligned sections to make an impeccable resume.

Write your perfect firefighter resume cover letter by using Hiration's Services

Firefighter Resume Key Skills Section

Your recruiter is most likely to scan this section of your resume first to make sure that you have the firefighter resume skills that they are looking for in a candidate.

Based on this the recruiter might decide to evaluate your resume further.

This means that you need to perfectly compose this section to impress the recruiter. Mention your core skills here.

You can also identify the keywords mentioned in your target job listing and replicate these keywords smartly in the key skills section.

Compose this section of your wildland fire resume towards the end as it is a more effective approach.

Hazey about the details? Read Hiration's Guide on what skills to put on a resume and put your doubts to rest.

Hiration’s Online Resume Builder will write your wildland fire resume while complying with all the current industry standards. Use it today!

Check out what a great key skills section looks like in our sample firefighter resume:

Firefighter Resume Summary

Writing a wildland firefighting resume summary? That’s hard, so don’t do it first. Write your other sections, then select the best of them for your firefighter resume summary.

This section gives the recruiter a quick overview of your professional experience and the highlights of your career.

Here are some facts that you should keep in mind while writing your wildland firefighting resume summary:

• Only write a resume summary if you have a minimum of 3 years of work experience.
• Pick the keywords from the firefighter resume job desciption of your target job and lay them down in your resume summary, do not, however, blatantly copy keywords.

Hiration's Resume Summary Guide has all you need to know about composing a resume summary.

Let Hiration’s firefighter resume examples guide you.

Evaluate our firefighter resume examples to make the ideal resume summary:

Every section in Hiration’s Online Resume Builder is pre-filled, and the text size and the design of the resume are perfected to save you from the trouble of obsessing over every tiny detail.

You can also customize each section according to your needs using the firefighter resume template that comes with our Resume Builder.

Firefighter Resume Objective

When writing the entry level firefighter resume objective, focus on what you can do for the company and not the other way around. Be very clear with what you intend to contribute and aspire to accomplish.

Write a entry level firefighter resume objective if you have less than 3 years of work experience.

Hiration's Guide on Resume Objectives will help you if you are a fresher or have very little experience.

Resume Review & Free Firefighter Resume Templates

Being a firefighter, it’s alright if you are not well-versed in the art of writing a resume. Let the resume writing experts at Hiration help you identify the flaws in your resume.

We will tell you exactly what you can do to make a perfect fire department resume.

With our review service, your wildland firefighter resume will be professionally reviewed according to the following parameters:

• Compliance with industry norms
• Content Relevance
• Recruiter Friendliness
• Design Compatibility
• Conversion Scope
• ATS Compliance
• Global Compatibility
• Performance Assessment
• Resume Formatting (font, margins, the order of sections, etc.)

And you will even get 2 firefighter resume templates for free!

Make sure that your wildland fire resume is ATS-optimized with Hiration’s Resume Review Service.

Online Resume Builder for Firefighter Resume

Our Online Resume Builder is a comprehensive tool that will help you design an impeccable fire dept resume that will have perfect formatting.

You will get the following resources with Hiration’s Online Resume Builder:

• Option to save unlimited resumes
• 25+ resume designs
• Full rich-text editor
• Unlimited PDF downloads
• 100+ resume templates
• 1-click design change
• A shareable link
• Live resume editor

Write your wildland fire resume with Hiration’s Online Resume Builder now!

Key Takeaways

• The month and year format is the ideal format and should be followed consistently throughout all the sections of your wildland fire resume.
• You can't go wrong with the reverse-chronological format. Follow it to make sure that your wildland fire resume is ATS-optimized.
• Maximize the readability and effectiveness of your resume by using bucketing & bolding while framing points. Do not forget to use the STAR format.
• Use power verbs to begin all the bullets of the professional experience section.
• For present profiles, use power verbs in the present continuous tense. For past profiles, use power verbs in the past tense.
• In the professional experience section, quantify your achievements wherever you can.
• Never let your fire dept resume exceed 2 pages and your resume summary 3-5 lines unless you have 10+ years of work experience.

With this you have reached the end of the blog, we hope you are now able to write a job-winning firefighter resumes.

Are you ready to put all these tips into action and land the perfect firefighter job? Check out our fire dept resume templates and build your resume with Hiration’s Online Resume Builder.

Go to Hiration resume builder and create a professional resume for yourself. Additionally, reach out to us at [email protected] and you can get 24/7 professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries.

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• • Coordinated rapid response operations for critical care transport, serving over 1,000 patients annually with life-saving interventions.
• • Led a team of 15 EMTs, ensuring adherence to best practices in emergency care and patient transport, resulting in a 20% increase in patient survival rates.
• • Implemented a new training program for junior EMTs, focusing on advanced life support techniques, which improved team efficiency by 30%.
• • Managed equipment inventory, securing a 15% budget reduction by negotiating with suppliers and optimizing resource usage.
• • Developed and executed community outreach programs to educate the public on first aid and emergency preparedness, engaging with over 5,000 community members.
• • Collaborated with local hospitals to streamline patient handoff processes, reducing average transfer times by 25%.
• • Responded to an average of 500 emergency calls per year, providing timely medical intervention and care.
• • Trained 10 new EMTs in field protocols and emergency response strategies, enhancing team capabilities.
• • Managed medical supply inventory, achieving a 10% cost savings through efficient use and procurement strategies.
• • Participated in continuous education, completing advanced EMT certification which improved patient care outcomes.
• • Initiated a peer review program to evaluate response strategies, leading to a 15% improvement in response efficiency.
• • Provided emergency medical services and fire suppression assistance on over 300 calls per year.
• • Assisted in community fire safety programs, educating over 2,000 residents on fire prevention techniques.
• • Collaborated with local emergency services to improve coordination and response times to emergencies.
• • Maintained and inspected emergency response equipment to ensure readiness for immediate deployment.

5 Firefighter Resume Examples & Guide for 2024

When crafting your firefighter resume, it's crucial to showcase your professional training. Include certifications like EMT or Firefighter I and II, which are often prerequisites for the role. Demonstrate your experience with emergency response and firefighting tactics. Your resume should reflect a history of successful team collaboration and life-saving skills.

Resume Guide

Resume format

Resume experience

Hard & soft skills

Education & certifications

Resume summary/objective

Additional sections

Key takeaways

With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense , it's clear the challenges in firefighting are evolving. Climate change is pushing us to adapt and rethink how we manage these disasters. The need for skilled firefighters who are ready to face these challenges head-on has never been more critical.

If you're considering a career in firefighting, you're looking at an opportunity to make a real difference. The job now involves not just battling blazes but understanding and responding to the broader impact of climate change on our environment. It’s about being part of a new generation of firefighters  who are as committed to sustainability as they are to saving lives and property.

But here’s the question: how do you capture your readiness and your diverse skills in a resume? How do you make sure your application stands out in a field where the demands are as dynamic as the fires you’ll be fighting?

Our guide is designed to tackle this challenge. After reading the article below, you'll build a resume that not only shines a light on your unique blend of courage and commitment but also opens doors to new opportunities. Here’s what we’ll cover:

• How to build a readable and concise resume that passes ATS and recruiters’ assessment.
• How to translate your front-line experience into a compelling narrative that highlights transferable skills such as leadership, crisis management, and teamwork.
• How to quantify your achievements and impact, turning your everyday heroics into measurable milestones that catch a recruiter's eye.
• How to play around with resume sections and organize them in the best way possible, demonstrating your suitability for the role you’re applying for.

Whether you're aiming to advance within the fire service or pivot to a new career path, building a resume that fully captures your experience, skills, and bravery is no small feat. Let’s get started.

Are you considering any other public safety role? Check out some other related resume examples.

• Volunteer Firefighter Resume
• Police Officer Resume
• Entry-level Police Officer Resume
• Public Safety Officer Resume
• Law Enforcement Resume
• Firefighter Cover Letter

How to format a firefighter resume

Usually, we talk about three main types of resume layouts. The reverse chronological resume  lists employment history starting with the most recent positions first and is best suited for individuals with extensive experience. The second one is the functional resume , which emphasizes skills over chronological work history. It’s ideal for entry-level candidates or those with career gaps.

In the case of firefighters, however, the most reasonable choice is the combination, or hybrid, resume. This format allows for a dedicated section to highlight your transferable skills upfront, such as crisis management, teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication. The hybrid resume  is also particularly beneficial for firefighters looking to advance within the fire service or transition into new roles where emphasizing the applicability of their skill set is crucial.

Formatting tips for a job-winning resume

A resume demands paying attention to some very specific details like ATS-friendly  fonts and acceptable file formats. Below, we break down  the formatting principles  you should follow when building your firefighter resume.

• Resume header : Include your name, contact information, and location. This is also the ideal place to put a link to your LinkedIn account .  
• Fonts : Go with a professional, readable font that can be easily recognized by applicant tracking systems. Lato, Arial, Rubik, or Calibri , size 10-12 pt would work perfectly for a firefighter resume.
• Margins : This part of your resume should comply with industry standards and shouldn’t be less than 1 inch wide. Margins provide white space  on a resume and make it easy to read.
• Layout : Go for a clean layout (a single- or double-column resume) and keep your  resume length no more than 1 page long.
• Language : Proofread your resume  for typos and grammar mistakes. If you’re not confident, use our resume checker —it’ll do the necessary optimization for you.
• PDF format : Many people have expressed frustration with their resumes failing to pass the ATS assessment. In many of those cases, the file format is the reason. So, make sure you save your resume as a PDF  file to preserve the layout across all devices and platforms.

If you already have a resume built, chances are it might not be ATS-friendly. Click the button below to see if it passes the test or not.

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Drop your resume here or choose a file . PDF & DOCX only. Max 2MB file size.

Now that we covered the foundations of a well-organized resume, have a look at the must-have sections you’ll need to fill in.

The top sections on a firefighter's resume

• Firefighting and rescue experience : Demonstrates hands-on experience and success in firefighting, rescue operations, and emergency response.
• Emergency medical services (EMS) skills : Highlights qualifications in providing medical assistance, showcasing the ability to perform under pressure.
• Fire safety and prevention education : Reflects contributions to community safety through educational programs, inspections, and compliance efforts.
• Specialized training : Experience in managing hazardous situations is critical for safety roles.
• Professional certifications : Lists relevant certifications such as EMT, Firefighter I/II, and HazMat, underscoring specialized skills and knowledge.

Now consider how recruiters interpret these sections and what they’ll be on the lookout for when reviewing your application.

What recruiters want to see on your resume

• Proven experience in firefighting and emergency response : Recruiters look for hands-on experience to ensure candidates can handle the physical and mental demands of the job.
• Certifications such as EMT, Firefighter I/II, and HazMat : These are essential qualifications that demonstrate the candidate's commitment and readiness for the role.
• Physical fitness and agility : Necessary to perform the strenuous duties of firefighting, including carrying heavy equipment and rescuing individuals.
• Teamwork and communication skills : Critical for effectively working in teams during high-pressure situations and ensuring safety and coordination.
• Community service and public education : Showcases the candidate's dedication to fire prevention and safety awareness within the community.

To demonstrate your effectiveness as a fireman, learn how to describe your work experience. We’ll dive into more detail on that in our next section.

How to write your firefighter resume experience

The largest part of your resume should showcase your practical application of skills and knowledge in real-world situations. This is the place to prove you can handle the intense and varied demands of firefighting and emergency response.

The most common approach for writing your experience section  is to use the reverse chronological order.

• Begin with the title of the most recent position held.
• Mention the dates of employment and the name of the organization.
• List key responsibilities, achievements, and any specialized tasks or operations.

Remember, highlighting quantifiable achievements , like the number of fire incidents managed or training sessions led, can significantly boost your profile by demonstrating the tangible impact of your work.

Let’s see this in practice, starting with an exaggeratedly bad example.

• • Responded to numerous emergency calls each year, dealing with a range of situations.
• • Participated in discussions with the LA County Emergency Services to put together a wildfire prevention plan.
• • Attempted to improve team efficiency through the creation and delivery of a training program, covering various firefighting techniques.
• • Carried out a number of fire safety inspections and held community education sessions.

These achievements don’t sound particularly impressive as they lack quantifiable outcomes.  It’s a list of routine tasks, presented in a mundane light.

The improved version below shows how much more depth you can add to your experience section with a few tweaks.

• • Responded to over 300 emergency calls annually, including fires, medical emergencies, and hazardous material incidents, demonstrating rapid decision-making and a commitment to community safety
• • Collaborated with the LA County Emergency Services to develop and implement a comprehensive wildfire prevention program, contributing to a 20% reduction in wildfire occurrences in the Los Angeles area.
• • Enhanced team efficiency by 15% through the design and delivery of an in-house training program focusing on advanced firefighting techniques, emergency medical care, and team leadership.
• • Conducted 200+ fire safety inspections and community education sessions annually, raising local fire safety standards and promoting preventive practices among community members.

The effectiveness of these entries is evident through several key aspects:

• Quantified achievements : The entry quantifies the firefighter's contributions, such as responding to over 300 emergency calls annually and conducting more than 200 fire safety inspections each year. These metrics  offer a clear, measurable impact of the firefighter's work.
• Action verbs : The use of strong action verbs  like responded , collaborated , enhanced , and conducted  at the beginning of each bullet point actively highlights the firefighter's role in each accomplishment. This makes the resume more dynamic and places the individual as a proactive and essential contributor to their team and community.
• Key skills : The section demonstrates a range of key skills vital for a firefighter, including rapid decision-making, teamwork and collaboration (especially with LA County Emergency Services), leadership (evidenced by enhancing team efficiency and leading training programs), and community engagement (through fire safety inspections and education sessions).

To emulate the best practices for writing a resume experience section, follow our tips below.

How to quantify impact on your resume

Quantifying achievements on a resume provides evidence of your capabilities and impact. Here are tailored instructions to make your firefighter resume more impactful:

• Include the total area (in square miles or acres)  you helped protect from wildfires, demonstrating your contribution to safeguarding community and natural resources.
• Mention the percentage decrease in fire incidents   or emergency calls  in areas where you led public education initiatives, showing your effectiveness in preventive measures.
• List the exact number of fire safety inspections conducted, highlighting your thoroughness and commitment to safety standards.
• Detail the number of training sessions  you've conducted or participated in, underscoring your dedication to continuous improvement and skill enhancement.
• Specify the volume of emergency medical services calls  you've responded to, reflecting your versatility and efficiency in critical situations.
• Report the amount of equipment and assets you've managed or maintained, indicating your responsibility and the trust placed in you to handle valuable resources.
• Present the number of community outreach programs  you've initiated or been involved with, showcasing your commitment to community engagement and safety education.
• State the number of high-risk interventions  you've participated in, such as complex rescues or hazardous materials incidents, demonstrating your capability in high-stakes environments.

Regardless of your experience level, try to add quantifiable achievements to each statement you make on your resume. This speaks volumes about your commitment to the profession.

Real heroes are men who fall and fail and are flawed, but win out in the end because they've stayed true to their ideals and beliefs and commitments.

Kevin Costner

Next, we’ll discuss how to write a resume if you’re a first-time firefighter.

How do I write a firefighter resume with no work experience

For firefighters starting their careers with no direct experience , crafting a compelling resume can still be achieved by emphasizing relevant skills, volunteer experiences, certifications, and education. Here are key strategies to consider:

• Highlight education and certifications : To show your readiness to begin work, start with your firefighting education, any relevant certifications, or emergency medical training, such as hazardous materials handling.
• Emphasize transferable skills : Even if you haven't worked as a firefighter, you likely have skills from other experiences that are valuable in firefighting. Highlight teamwork, physical fitness, decision-making under pressure, and any leadership experience. Use examples from school, sports teams, or other jobs to illustrate these skills.
• Volunteer experiences : If you've volunteered, especially in roles related to emergency services, community safety, or first aid, detail these experiences. Volunteering shows a commitment to community service and can provide practical skills relevant to firefighting.
• Soft skills : Firefighting requires a strong set of soft skills, including communication, empathy, and resilience. Provide examples of how you've demonstrated these in other settings.
• Technical proficiencies : List any technical skills  and proficiencies, especially those related to emergency response, such as familiarity with firefighting equipment, emergency dispatch software, or first aid techniques.
• An objective statement : This demonstrates your enthusiasm and commitment to pursuing a career in firefighting, while also highlighting your understanding of the role's demands.

Above all, customize your resume for the job: Tailor your resume  to align with the specific requirements and duties of the firefighter position you're applying for. Use keywords  from the job listing to make your resume more relevant.

Test your draft firefighter resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they were hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterward.

We’ll explore each of the bullet points above further in the guide. Next—skills on a resume.

How to list hard and soft skills on your resume

We've already highlighted the importance of using keywords in your resume. They provide clear guidance for the entire resume-writing process. It's simple—review the job description, take note of the requirements, and then make sure you incorporate these exact words into your resume. Why? It's the most effective way to pass ATS scanners and grab recruiters' attention.

When deciding which skills to include in your resume (and we imagine there are many), prioritize those mentioned in the job posting and relevant to the position you're applying for. (Being a proficient user of programming languages might be impressive, but it won't save lives if you're applying for a firefighter position).

Moving on to practical skills. Your hard skills  are acquired through education, certifications, and training, so it's crucial to prominently display them in a dedicated section of your resume.

Best hard skills for your firefighter resume

• Emergency Medical Services (EMS) certification
• Fire suppression techniques
• Hazardous materials handling (HAZMAT)
• Fire safety inspection protocols
• CPR and First Aid certification
• Firefighting equipment operation (hoses, extinguishers, ladders)
• Incident command system (ICS) knowledge
• Wildland firefighting techniques
• Structural firefighting strategies
• Fire prevention and education methodologies
• Technical rescue techniques (confined space, high angle, trench)
• Water rescue certification
• Fire scene investigation and reconstruction
• Building codes and fire regulations comprehension
• Emergency vehicle operation
• Fire alarm and suppression systems maintenance
• Firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) usage
• Basic life support (BLS) certification
• Thermal imaging technology usage
• Radio and communication systems proficiency

Interpersonal skills  are equally important to include in your resume. However, to avoid simply listing them, think of how you could integrate them within other resume sections. This would save you space and will also allow you to prove them by providing context.

For example, these skills can be easily incorporated into the objective statement or in your experience section entries. For instance:

• Played a pivotal role in a high-profile rescue operation  during the 2020 California wildfires, safely evacuating 50+ residents from a threatened neighborhood  and receiving the Fire Chief’s Commendation for bravery.

This experience example illustrates how you can imply certain skills (bravery, working under pressure, problem-solving) without explicitly mentioning them. Only make sure you give enough context and quantify your achievements.

Below is a list of the most valued soft skills a firefighter should possess.

Best soft skills for your firefighter resume

• Communication
• Decision-making
• Stress management
• Adaptability
• Problem-solving
• Physical fitness
• Critical thinking
• Attention to detail
• Conflict resolution
• Time management
• Accountability
• Emotional intelligence

Next, we focus on the necessary education for a firefighter.

How to list education and certifications on your resume

The importance of education for firefighters in the U.S. can vary significantly depending on the fire department and the specific role within firefighting. For instance, in many regions, the field is highly competitive, so having a degree in fire science can make a candidate more attractive to hiring committees by demonstrating a commitment to the profession and a deeper understanding of fire behavior, emergency management, and fire prevention strategies.

However, in general, a minimum of a  high school diploma  or GED is required for entry-level firefighter positions. This educational baseline ensures that all candidates have fundamental skills in communication, mathematics, and science, which are essential for the job.

Your education section  could look like this:

• • Specialized in urban fire safety and fire prevention methods.
• • Completed coursework in emergency medical services and fire behavior analysis.
• • Completed state-approved EMT program, focusing on basic life support, patient assessment, and emergency response.

The completion of certification programs  and ongoing training is critical in the firefighting profession. Firefighters must undergo initial training at a fire academy and continue their education through specialized courses offered by organizations like the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF).

Here’s a list of some of the most popular certificates in firefighting.

Best certifications for your firefighter resume

• NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications - NFPA 1001
• “Essentials of Fire Fighting” by IFSTA - Essentials of Fire Fighting
• Certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Operations Certification
• Technical Rescue Certification

These certifications can be essential for meeting job requirements and staying updated on the latest firefighting techniques and safety protocols. Since in your case certifications are more important than college education, we recommend that you dedicate a separate section to them. Here’s how to list them:

• Start with the certification title.
• Add a serial number if available or certification date.
• State the organization/institution that issued it.

The next section of this guide gives you the right steps for writing your career summary or objective.

How to write your firefighter resume summary or objective

The are two major differences between a summary and an objective: length and purpose.

The objective statement  is 1-3 sentences highlighting your biggest strengths, relevant experience, and how you’re going to add value to the specific job or organization you’re applying for. It’s best suited for less experienced candidates.

The summary can span up to 5 sentences and outlines your most valuable strengths and accomplishments. If you have more than 3 years of experience, go for a career summary .

Let’s explore two examples of career statements and see the do’s and don’ts in writing summaries.

• This summary  lacks specific details about achievements and responsibilities , making it difficult to gauge the candidate's experience and skill level.
• The  use of vague language  doesn’t convey a clear understanding of the candidate’s role, contributions, or the scope of their experience in firefighting and emergency response.
• It misses an opportunity to highlight unique skills or specialized training  relevant to firefighting, which could differentiate the candidate from others.

Now, this is a summary done well. Here’s why:

• Length : 4 sentences filled with specific information and job-relevant keywords.
• Quantified achievements : The reduction of fire-related injuries by 20% provides a clear measure of the candidate's impact.
• Specific skills and specialized training : Showcases the candidate's expertise in critical areas of firefighting and emergency medical services.
• Recognition : "Firefighter of the Year" awards are mentioned, offering concrete evidence of the candidate's excellence and leadership in the field.

These are the most important elements of a good resume summary. Feel free to take the example and adapt it to your own needs. If you don’t feel confident in wording your accomplishments, our resume-building app  is packed with thousands of content suggestions to help you find the right words for your experiences.

Additional sections for a firefighter resume

Creating a firefighter resume that stands out requires not only listing your core qualifications and experiences but also including additional sections that highlight your unique skills, accomplishments, and personal attributes. Here are some reasonable optional sections you might consider adding to your firefighter resume to make it more comprehensive and appealing:

• Awards and honors : Any recognitions or awards  received for your service, bravery, lifesaving actions, or community involvement.
• Professional memberships : Membership in organizations such as the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicates your engagement with the broader firefighter community and commitment to staying informed about industry standards and advancements.
• Languages : Fluency in languages  other than English can be a significant asset, especially in diverse communities.
• Community engagement : Involvement in community activities or initiatives, especially those that promote safety, health, and well-being, can demonstrate your commitment to public service beyond your firefighting duties.

How to put volunteer experience in your resume

Highlighting volunteer work , especially if it’s related to emergency response, community service, or healthcare can be game-changing for firemen. According to a BBC article  from January 2024, “Of the more than one million firefighters in the US, 65% of them are volunteers […]. Of the more than 29,000 fire departments across the country, almost 19,000 of them are run completely by volunteers.”

Naturally, you’d want your community contributions explicitly mentioned in your resume. For the sake of space, you could list your volunteer work in your experience section. Remember to add measurable achievements and not simply list what you did.

• • Led a team of 10 volunteer firefighters in responding to wildfires and wildland fires, implementing fire suppression strategies.
• • Participated in 3 prescribed burn operations, reducing the risk of uncontrolled wildfires and enhancing ecosystem health.

In crafting a standout firefighter resume, it's crucial to showcase your most remarkable achievements, ensure clarity and accuracy, and effectively highlight your skills, certifications, and volunteer experiences. This article has provided a comprehensive guide on how to:

• Organize your achievements and structure your resume to spotlight your most significant accomplishments, ensuring they capture the attention they deserve.
• Harness the power of AI for crafting an impeccably readable resume, enriched with content suggestions and thorough proofreading to eliminate errors.
• Elevate your resume by quantifying your contributions, using precise data to showcase the tangible impact of your efforts.
• Identify and incorporate the most relevant skills for firefighting, weaving them seamlessly into your resume.
• Present your certifications to ensure they stand out, underscoring your specialized knowledge and qualifications.
• Emphasize volunteer work on your firefighter resume, showcasing your commitment to community service and teamwork.

Looking to build your own Firefighter resume?

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Firefighter Resume: Free Template & Real Examples

As a Firefighter you usually want to put out the flames, but it’s important to show that your professional passion burns brightly on your resume! Our tailored resume templates can help you light up your future career options.

Firefighter Resume Example MSWord® Download our free Firefighter Resume template in Word and douse the flames of uncertain career prospects!

Learning how to write a resume is a vital skill for anyone. An effective resume will captivate any potential employer and keep them wanting more. 

If you’re a Firefighter who’s looking to sound the alarm and grab the attention of recruiters , then focusing on creating an interesting resume should be your priority.

In this article, we will detail how to write the perfect professional firefighter resume by explaining:

• How to write an attractive opening statement
• What experience you should mention and how
• What to include in an entry-level Firefighter resume
• Most impressive skills to add

The advice above along with our easy-to-use resume builder can save the day when you’re unsure of how to create your application.

Keep reading this article to help yourself create the perfect job application and join the 1 million plus proud Firefighters in the United States.

Firefighter Resume Sample

Before getting started on your resume, it’s a good idea to take a look at what successful firefighting candidates should include in their applications. 

Here is a firefighter sample resume to get a general idea of what the final product should look like :

[Samuel Johnson]

[Firefighter]

[Lynwood, CA 90262 | 555-555-5555 | [email protected]]

Prolific firefighter with over 12 years of experience in the field. Trained and certified in fire safety, prevention, and suppression. Skilled in providing first aid, having assisted over 100 victims of various disasters, including fires and earthquakes, with a 99% survival rate. Specialized in vehicle maintenance and operation.

Firefighter & EMT

Los Angeles Fire Department, CA

2019 – Present

• Helped optimize the first aid response protocol, resulting in 15% faster response time for victims of fires and related disasters
• Created a training guide for new recruits, adopted by 3 additional fire stations
• Increased outreach of the fire department.
• Lead public events to raise awareness of the importance of fire safety and prevention

Bachelor in Fire Science 

University of Florida | Gainesville, FL

2014 – 2019

• Strong work ethic
• Sprinkler Specialist
• Vehicle maintenance
• First aid trained
• English – Native
• Spanish – Intermediate

What’s the Best Firefighter Resume Format?

One of the most important decisions you will need to make when writing a Firefighter resume is choosing the appropriate format to use. This will influence how you write your resume and how you present all of your vital professional information.

There are 3 main format types that are most commonly used in the industry:

• Reverse-chronological format
• Functional format
• Combined/Hybrid format

The ideal format to use would be a hybrid one. What makes the hybrid format especially useful for Firefighters?

It lays out these parts of your profile:

• Diverse skill set : The hybrid format can encompass a broad range of tasks such as medical assistance to equipment maintenance and community education.
• Progression as a firefighter : Firefighting often involves a clear career ladder, it shows off your added responsibility and any promotions you’ve had.
• Emphasis on training : The hybrid format can also emphasize certifications and types of training completed which is essential for a Firefighter to be hired.

By highlighting both your experience and skills your resume will be a hit with a lot of employers. 

Best Format for Entry-Level Firefighters

Skills and certifications are critical for Firefighters and that means an entry-level Firefighter resume that places emphasis on skills over experience can be successful. 

Use a functional format to do the following:

• Show off your skills directly related to being a Firefighter
• Display your Fire Academy training and EMT certification
• Mention any transferable skills such as communication

Even as a rookie, you can use this strategy to impress and maybe even get a chance over a more experienced candidate. 

How to Write a Firefighter Resume Summary or Resume Objective

At the top of the resume, you have to include relevant contact details . This includes your name, last name, professional email, your town and state, and phone number.

This should be followed by a well-written resume profile. The profile acts as a brief and concise introduction . There are two main types of resume profiles, namely:

• Resume summary
• Resume objective

While seeming similar to each other, the two focus on fundamentally different career aspects.

A resume summary is a broad overview of your experience and abilities. It is an effective way to condense a long history of employment and achievements. So, it is meant for experienced Firefighters who’ve served on the frontline for a long time.

However, what if you are just getting into the industry and have no experience? In that case,  as a Firefighter with no experience, an objective is probably your best bet. That way you can focus more on your career goals and aspirations.

Firefighter Resume Summary Example

Since a resume summary is a reflection of your experience , it should be unique and tailored personally to you.  This example should give you an idea of the tone and style of a good resume summary .

This is a great personal opening for the resume. Not only does it provide data, but it also paints a clear picture of the years of experience, certifications gained, and outlines what they can contribute to the fire department.

Firefighter with lots of experience. Hardworking professional, dedicated team player with great communication skills. Enthusiastic to start working at your company. Skilled in martial arts.

With this firefighter resume summary, the applicant uses generic phrases that aren’t specific or compelling.

It also includes unrelated and vague information, which takes up space meant for other important information.

How to Write a Firefighter Objective Statement With No Experience

Like with a summary, the objective has to personally refer to you. However, in this case, you’ll need to focus on your:

• Relevant skills
• Motivation to succeed 

You should have a good look at the Firefighter job description before writing your resume to completely understand what should be in your objective. 

Take a look at this example of a job description :

Act swiftly to emergency alerts, including fires, medical situations, and potential hazards; participate in proactive fire safety initiatives and skill development; ensure upkeep and readiness of fire equipment and station facilities.

To tailor an impactful resume objective, candidates should identify and utilize keywords present in the job description. These keywords are pivotal terms or phrases that summarize the primary duties and expectations of the role.

From the above description, some keywords to focus on include:

• Act swiftly
• Emergency alerts
• Proactive fire safety
• Skill development
• Ensure readiness

Include your skills in your objective that can demonstrate you are able to carry out responsibilities that you would have. 

Entry-Level Firefighter Resume Objectives

To correctly show that you are capable and willing you’ll need to put together the right resume objective . 

Here’s a good example.

Motivated and newly-certified firefighter eager to apply acquired skills in emergency response and proactive fire safety initiatives. Demonstrates a strong commitment to community service, team collaboration, and ongoing skill development.

With this objective, the applicant has shown that they are skilled, despite the lack of any formal experience, and they speak directly to the job description shown above. 

This also shows why volunteering and community service are vital in helping you progress career-wise.

Hardworking and enthusiastic graduate, who recently finished fire safety training. Hold a valid driver’s license and eager to start a career in the field.

Here, the applicant may be enthusiastic and have the potential to succeed, but they have nothing to show for it. There is nothing special about them that separates them from the other potential employees.

How to Describe Your Firefighter Experience

If you have worked full-time as a Firefighter, then now is the time to show off how productive you’ve been when you update your resume .

That being said, you should be concise and keep it to the most relevant information . 

To that end, some advice that will help you is:

• List out the most recent position you’ve held, and work backward in reverse-chronological order.
• Include the company, location, and dates for each entry
• Elaborate on your personal contributions and achievements at that company including statistics.
• Use keywords that are specific to your field and position
• Examine the firefighter job description and include keywords from it where relevant

One of the main things to remember is to focus on accomplishments and achievements that you’ve done. Do not list the responsibilities you had at work, since those are already expected and aren’t as impressive.

Try to sprinkle in soft/hard skill terms and specific phrases throughout your resume, and use powerful resume action verbs to describe experiences that are specifically related to being a firefighter.

Professional Firefighter Resume Examples: Experience

The experience section can be a make-or-break moment for many applicants. So, you have to nail it in order to secure the desired job.

First, let’s see an example that might not make the interview pile.

Firefighter

Chicago Fire Department, Chicago, IL

• Extinguished fires
• Provided first aid
• Operated a fire truck

The above sample firefighter resume entry, but it lacks crucial details. There is no mention of how long the firefighter has worked at the place they listed, what training they gained or delivered, what type of truck they operated, or what level of responsibility they had.

Additionally, there aren’t any significant contributions made to the place of work. There is nothing distinguishing about this particular employee, so why should the fire department hire them over anybody else?

Firefighter & EMT at Los Angeles Fire Department, CA

2019-Present

• Helped optimize the first aid response protocol, resulting in a 15% faster care response time for victims of fires and related disasters.
• Created a training guide for new recruits, adopted by 3 additional fire stations.
• Lead public events to raise awareness for the importance of fire safety and prevention.

This example goes above and beyond what is expected from a typical firefighter. It shows how productive the candidate has been in the past and how they can be an asset. 

This example of an experience section presents a valid case of why a potential recruiter should consider this applicant over the others that may be competing for the same position.

Entry-Level Firefighter Resume: No Experience? No Problem

Having years of experience as a firefighter is undoubtedly beneficial to the odds of landing a new job. However, what about if you are just starting and haven’t worked at a fire department before?

Well, it might be good for your case to include previous volunteering work . This is especially true if you’ve volunteered at a fire department before. Even if you weren’t getting paid, the experience is hugely important.

Other activities that would look good on a resume would be: 

• Internships 
• Extracurriculars
• Similar high-intensity jobs . 

Think of anything that has taught you transferable firefighter resume skills which you could use in the field, and express how a certain activity helped you acquire it.

Keep this section brief as an entry-level candidate your resume should be focusing more on your skills .

Is Your Education Section Evicted? It Might Be

Firefighter positions don’t usually require any specific college degree . Typically, a high school diploma will suffice in your education section. However, if you do hold any kind of degree, it wouldn’t hurt to list it as well.

No matter what your formal education looks like, you have to list your information in the following way:

• Type of qualification
• The institution name where you earned it
• Start and end of your studies
• GPA (if above 3.5), extracurriculars, and other information (if you lack professional experience).

Firefighter Resume Sample: Education Section

Let us look at a few examples that can help visualize this in action.

Degree: Fire Safety School: Providence College

While it’s good that the applicant is qualified in the field, it still doesn’t tell the employer the details.

The recruiter doesn’t know when you completed your studies, or where. Overall, it’s a lazy example and shows a lack of attention to detail.

Let’s see a better education section example from a firefighter resume.

Associate in Fire Science,

California Polytechnic State University|San Luis Obispo, CA| 2022

• Graduated with a 3.8 GPA
• Minor in EMT, participated in a summer internship program

In this section, the employer is presented with more complete information. In addition to the type of degree and the years of study, it also tells the reader how successful the studies were as their GPA was especially high .

If you are still a student make a mention of that. Write down all relevant information, but make sure to indicate that you haven’t finished your education yet. 

Otherwise, misrepresenting your education history is a bad look for your application.

The Best Firefighter Skills for a Resume

Let’s face it Firefighting requires a lot of skills to be successful. It’s listed as one of the most stressful jobs a person can have, meaning both soft and hard skills will be critical.

But, what do you include in a resume skill section? Again the best place to start is with the job listing or description.

That way you know what relevant skills you should add to your skills section.

Firefighters need to be strong, patient, be able to stay calm in moments of pressure, and work extremely well as a team . It’s a very demanding job both mentally and physically after all.

If you have a hard time thinking of a good list, you can look at the following list of skills that can present you as a capable Firefighter:

Soft Skills

• Problem-solving
• Working under pressure
• Adaptability
• Attention to detail
• Calm and logical

Hard Skills

• Physical fitness
• Mechanical aptitude
• Fire safety
• Valid driver’s license
• Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician certified

With these skills you can demonstrate that you can handle incredibly tense situations .

How to Add Other Sections for an Effective Resume

Apart from the most essential details there are usually some extra pieces of information that you can add. 

For Firefighters, one of the best things to include is any: 

• Certificates you have acquired
• Languages you speak
• Relevant interests

Mentioning relevant certificates such as first aid or that you have a hobby that keeps you in shape like doing CrossFit, can help you push your application over the line.

Don’t underestimate the power of adding another resume section if you have something interesting to add. However, remember to keep it truthful, it’s never worth lying on your resume about speaking another language or having a skill you actually lack.

Firefighter Resume Sample “Other” Sections

If you decide to include any “other” sections in your resume, you need to keep them brief .

They shouldn’t be the main feature of your resume and overshadow more important sections, such as education or experience.

This is an example of what you could include:

Certifications

• Certified Electrical Safety Worker—NFPA, 2021
• State of New York Firefighter and EMT Certifications, 2020
• English – native
• Italian – intermediate
• Russian – beginner

We’ve certainly thrown a lot at you in this article. However, following the guide and focusing on the essentials can help you craft a compelling resume.

Remember to keep your resume concise, but also information-dense. Include the most recent and relevant information that the employer would need.

It’s essential to include the elements we’ve gone over, such as:

• An experience section with quantifiable data and past success
• An attention-grabbing resume summary or objective
• Skills that demonstrate mental and physical strength and strong communication abilities .
• Certifications, especially those related to fire safety and first aid

If you’re able to add all of these parts and take advantage of our online tools you’ll have a much easier time creating a job-winning resume!

For more emergency services job application advice, check out our Lifeguard resume .

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• Emergency services
• Firefighter resume examples

Firefighter Resume examples

5 Firefighter resume examples found

All examples are written by certified resume experts, and free for personal use. Copy any of the Firefighter resume examples to your own resume, or use one of our free downloadable Word templates. We recommend using these Firefighter resume examples as inspiration only, while creating your own resume.

Learn more about: how to write a perfect resume

Firefighter

Worked with a team of 40 to gain control of emergency scenes, combat fires and explosions, participate in search and rescues, and protect civilians from dangerous situations.

• Handled and managed over 100 at-risk situations while in the County Fire Department.
• Saved 50+ lives in at-risk and high-pressure situations.
• Continued education to obtain and upgrade first aid, EMT, and paramedic certifications.
• Taught educational courses about fire safety and prevention to school aged children.
• Trained extensively in Rapid Intervention Team (RIT), Firefighter Assist and Search Team (FAST), Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT), vehicle fires and extrications, and structural and high-rise fires.

Answered fire fighting crises, performed an essential appraisal of the sick in case of emergency, executed fire rescue, updated activities following flames, and arrange mechanical assembly for future alerts.

• Coordinated fire suppression and rescues activities.
• Analyzed fire-related problems and communicated action plan to the staff and manager.
• Inspected buildings for signs of fire threats and assured that fire safety rules were enforced.
• Administered emergency medical treatments as required in case of fire, flood, or accidents.
• Examined vehicles and firefighting equipment for flaws, modifications, and restorations.
• Attended training classes to update knowledge of fire codes and regulations.

Performed fire control exercises, execute fire examinations, ensured fire code requirements by performing fire security assessments, and adhered to fire precaution standards and protocols.

• Controlled, contained, and extinguished fires to safeguard the lives of the community.
• Monitored and responded to all emergency calls related to hazardous materials and rescues.
• Assisted people and aided other teams in natural disasters such as floods and cyclones.
• Operated various firefighting equipment to extinguish the fire.
• Train volunteer firefighters on evacuation and firefighting skills.
• Maintained a record of all fire scenarios and accidents to be presented in the court of law.
• Acted as site leader to supervise rescue activities.

Multifaceted role encompassing strategic leadership and program management skills to ensure the effective response and execution of emergency protocols.

• Remained up-to-date on standard safety procedures, firefighting techniques, and emergency response and treatment protocols.
• Rapidly assessed on-site situations to devise the best rescue and fire containment strategies.
• Provided on-site supervision to responders to ensure the seamless administration of emergency & first aid treatment to victims in need of medical attention.
• Executed routine inspections of building for regulatory compliance and safety, whilst providing education on preventative measures.

Enlightening and challenging position requiring active learning and adaptive skills to efficiently assimilate and execute emergency response protocols within fast-paced environments.

• Routinely performed diagnostic and preventative maintenance on firefighting equipment to ensure they are situation-ready at all times.
• Efficiently responded to emergency calls and accurately record information to aid emergency support protocols.
• Worked collaboratively with team members to ensure seamless execution of duties.
• Performed ad hoc responsibilities such as setting up equipment, hosing down fires and documenting information.
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Firefighter Resume Sample

Whether you are a professional or beginner firefighter, in order to land a job, you will need to provide potential employers and recruiters with a killer resume that shows what a great laborer you are and encourages them to recruit you.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, pegs the average firefighter’s salary at $50,700 per year and $24.38 per hour.

But how to craft a winning resume that will help you jump-start your career or take it to the next level? We’ve got you covered!

This guide was compiled by experts from SkillHub who’ve got plenty of experience in the resume writing business. Here, you’ll find your perfect firefighter resume writing sample and actionable steps to writing your own resume.

Best Format for a Firefighter Resume

To write a winning resume sample firefighter, you will need to find ways to present your strongest personal traits, past experiences, key skills, and accomplishments in such a way that drives the recruiter’s attention and gets you employed.

But, first things first. Before you move on to writing the body of your resume, you will have to identify the right firefighter resume format that will work best for you. And we are here to help.

The perfect firefighter resume should follow a clear and consistent format. Here are the core tips to consider:

• Pick the reverse-chronological firefighter resume template. It’s the best pick since this layout puts your best features forward, making them easy to notice for a hiring manager.
• Use white space to your benefit to make your fire department resume look not too bulky and make it easy to navigate through.
• To make it look appealing to the eye, be sure to use clear fonts and headings consistently throughout the entire document.
• Stick to a PDF file. Almost every recruiter will find it most appropriate. Use it unless otherwise is stated in a description of a particular job you are planning to apply for.

Firefighter Resume Objective or Resume Summary

An objective or summary both perform the same function - to drive the attention to your job application, engage the hiring managers, and deliver your best points across first. It’s like an introduction to your resume. And it should be there to make you stand out.

Now, let’s look at the differences.

• A firefighter resume objective is an intro that shows passion. It works ideally for job seekers who are switching professions or for beginners.
• A resume summary, on the contrary, communicates your biggest achievements and highlights your professionalism. It’s perfect if you are an applicant with plenty of relevant work experience.

Firefighter Resume Summary [Examples]

Find below two firefighter resume samples of a summary.

❌ Wrong: Experienced and highly-skilled firefighter. Possess 5 years of experience handling various responsibilities and duties at the San Antonio Fire Department. Have strong leadership skills and experience in pump operation.

✅ Right: Certified, safety-oriented firefighter with 5 years of experience. Looking to leverage proven leadership and firefighting skills and knowledge at [fire station you’re applying to] to support excellence and show outstanding performance. Helped control and eliminate 50+ fire cases and have a 100% success rate in rescuing trapped people and providing pre-hospital first aid. 10 times the employee of the month.

Firefighter Resume Objective [Examples]

If you don’t have much experience yet, here are two examples of a firefighter resume objective.

❌ Wrong: Result-oriented graduate of a Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) striving to save lives and help people. Possess thorough knowledge of pump operation. Have a valid and 100%-clean driver’s license. Looking to grow professionally and develop within the [fire station you’re applying to].

✅ Right: Hard-working and dedicated EMS1 paramedic and firefighter seeking to work at the [fire station you’re applying to]. As a volunteer at a local fire department helped with managing supplies and reduced supply costs by 15% by finding more promising vendors.

Firefighter Resume: Tailoring Experience Section to a Job Description

One thing you should keep in mind is that the job description always has everything you need to create a job-winning resume and make the best impression. That’s why we encourage you to carefully study the job offer before writing your firefighter resume.

The core function of every firefighter is to protect the public in different emergency situations, which include not only fires but also car accidents, flooding, chemical spills, etc. A typical firefighter job description can include the following responsibilities:

• Using rescue and firefighting equipment
• Maintaining equipment
• Inspecting compliance with fire safety
• Performing practice drills
• Cooperating with ambulance and police
• Promoting fire safety through training, talks, etc.

Based on these responsibilities, the requirements to this position include being physically fit, possess strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, knowledge of special equipment, and being able to work under pressure. And that’s what you need to focus on when writing your resume.

Firefighter Resume Examples [Experience]

To write a great sample firefighter resume experience section, use the reverse-chronological layout. This way you will put your latest experience first.

The basic details to include are:

• Place of work
• Years of work

Additionally, add a few points to highlight core skills and achievements. And don’t hesitate to quantify them to catch attention.

Here is a well-written experience section for a firefighter resume sample:

Firefighter/Rescuer

San Antonio Fire Department

• Closely collaborated with the police and ambulance
• Trained 5 recruits on department procedures and policies
• Helped the local police department increase fire safety by 30% through intensive training

A Resume for Firefighter With No Experience

What if you don’t yet have relevant experience? Don’t worry! The good news is that you can write a resume for firefighter with no experience and still land a job.

To get employed without professional experience, you need to shift the focus of recruiting firms to your transferable skills and accomplishments from other jobs. It can be anything that highlights vital firefighter qualities such as:

• Physical fitness
• Strong work ethics

Also, it will be wise to emphasize your education (if any) and additional activities, such as volunteering. Things like that will show recruiters that you’ve got all the skills and traits needed for the job.

Entry Level Firefighter Resume [No Experience]

Let’s compare these two firefighter resume examples:

Firefighter Experience: Seeking to land the first job

Other Experiences:

• Sales specialist
• Construction worker

See how this example has absolutely nothing to do with the job you are applying for? That’s something you don’t want.

Volunteer at San Antonio Fire Department

• Helped with managing supplies and reduced supply costs by 15%
• Received commendations for being a team player and taking initiative at the workplace

Now, in the second case, the applicant still doesn’t have actual work experience, but they make an emphasis on relevant volunteering experience. Similarly, other experiences can also look relevant if you highlight the right skills.

How to Make Your Education Section Flawless

It doesn’t matter if you are applying for entry level firefighter jobs or already possess lots of relevant experience, in any case, you will have to showcase your education and you should make this section flawless.

When putting the education section on a firefighter resume, include the following details:

• The name and location of your school
• Years of study
• Acquired degree

Additionally, you can add a few bullet points with big accomplishments that can be relevant to the position you’d like to occupy. For example, it can be relevant coursework, academic projects, memberships, and even GPA if it’s truly impressive, etc.

Firefighter Resume Examples [Education]

Look at these firefighter education entries to nail it:

Whitehall High School

• Graduated with degree

Madison Fire Department

• Completed the Recruit Training program

Madison Fire Department Recruit Training Academy

• Graduated with honors
• Received commendations for outstanding performance during practice
• Class president 2 years in a row
• Football team captain
• President of a student CrossFit club

Pro Tip: College degree isn’t always the education needed to be a firefighter. Often, a high-school diploma is enough. But, even if that’s all you have, be sure to put education on a resume.

Skills on a Resume for a Firefighter

Simply stating that you’re a skilled professional isn’t enough to make someone want to employ you. 

To land an interview, you have to show what you’ve got and prove it. That’s when you can use your skills to your benefit if you use them right.

Basically, there are three places to put skills on firefighter resume samples:

• Skills section - list the most relevant skills in bullet points;
• Summary or objective - use 1-2 skills to drive attention immediately;
• Experience section - use bullet points with skills to indicate professional achievements.

Now, how to put firefighter resume skills the right way? Here are the main tips:

• Check the job description first to identify what the employer is looking for.
• Mix soft and hard skills for the best impression.
• In the summary/objective and experience sections add some rough numbers to quantify your skills and accomplishments.
• Use targeted keywords to bypass the applicant tracking system.

Firefighter Resume Sample [Skills]

Now that you know how to put your firefighter skills on a resume, you’re probably wondering what exactly to include.

If you are not sure what skills to put on your firefighter resume samples, here’s a list of some of the most sought-after skills (both hard and soft ones). The list is also stuffed with resume keywords to help you get through the ATS system:

• Vehicle maintenance
• Strong work ethic
• Supplies ordering
• Pump operation
• Electrical work
• Computer skills
• Physically fit
• Custodial skills
• Sprinkler specialist
• Trustworthiness
• Valid driver’s license
• Interpersonal skills
• Light carpentry
• Problem-solving
• Swiftwater rescue
• Communication

Best Tips to Outbeat the Competition

If you want to get more interviews, you need to ensure that your firefighting resume stands out among other applications if not just edit resume according to this tips.

You may have just the right level of qualification. But, other candidates may have it too. Then how do you prove that you are the best employee? 

Employers are first of all looking to hire humans. They want to know who you are. Don't forget to manage your linkedin page too. To show this, use additional firefighter resume sections! It can be pretty much anything, including certifications, languages, volunteering experience, and even hobbies and interests, as long as it highlights the vital qualities of a firefighter that you possess.

Firefighter Resume Examples [Other Sections]

Including additional sections in your professional firefighter resume can give plenty of benefits, but only if you do it right.

Here’s what you should not do:

Additional Activities

• Listening to jazz music
• Outdoor activities with my dog

Here’s what you should do instead:

• Member of NFPA
• Regular participation in running, CrossFit, and weight training
• Volunteering as a weekend dog-walker at the animal shelter

Note how in the second example all additional activities somewhat go in line with the values and responsibilities of firefighters. If you organize it this way, it will complement your resume for firefighter jobs.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, after reading our comprehensive guide, you know how to become a firefighter with ease.

Now, let’s recap the main points that you should keep in mind when writing your own firefighter resumes:

• Start with a summary or objective to drive attention instantly.
• Quantify your professional achievements in the experience section.
• If you don’t have experience, make an emphasis on transferrable skills and achievements and volunteering.
• Always include the education section in your resume.
• Tailor the skills section to the job description.
• Add extra sections to stand out from the crowd.
• Also it would be great if you read about what is cv.

Follow these essential tips to create a flawless resume! As an option you can always turn to a professional executive resume writing service online! You'll get clear, engaged and brief resume with no hassle!

More Resume Examples

Firefighter Resume Examples | The Ultimate Guide With Writing Tips, Skills + More

Firefighters are brave and selfless individuals who risk their lives in emergency situations like fires or accidents to save other people's lives. A career as a firefighter is fulfilling and rewarding as you get to work in a profession that impacts your community positively.

All resume examples in this guide

Firefighter resume sample

Anthony Rupp ‍ Wildland Firefighter

467-134-877 [email protected] Houston, TX linkedin.com/in/antonyrupp

Professional summary

Experienced firefighter with ten years of experience offering emergency medical services in emergency situations. Adaptable worker with expertise in operating fire engines and other firefighting equipment to extinguish fires and respond to medical emergencies. Exceptional work ethic with proven ability to deliver outstanding care to patients at emergency scenes.

• Work experience

Houston Fire Department Firefighter July 2019-Date

• Performed fire prevention and fire suppression duties as required and inspected scenes of house fires or accidents to identify the causes.
• Wrote accurate reports after investigating a fire scene and submitted the results to the fire chief.
• Conducted multiple trainings to educate firefighters on responding to various emergency calls and the different firefighting and emergency medical duties.

Dust Busters Plus LLC Volunteer Firefighter January 2017-May 2019

• Attended multiple trainings and learned the best practices during emergency responses, how to handle fire equipment when extinguishing fires, and caring for the department equipment after using it.
• Assisted the firefighter EMT with performing first aid on individuals after an emergency rescue.
• Participated in fire drills to stay alert and learn more about the firefighter job duties.

High School Diploma Heights High School November 2016

• Critical thinking skills
• Analytical skills
• Team Player
• First Aid and CPR
• Vehicle Maintenance
• Physically fit
• Valid Driver's License
• Interpersonal skills

Additional sectionLanguages

• IELTS(English with an 8.5 score)
• SIELE(Spanish)

You need lots of training with the recommended hours before going into the interior of a burning building being 100 hours. With the right firefighter resume examples , you can also craft your resume that will increase your chances of getting your dream job as a firefighter.

Firefighters must possess specific skills, character traits, and paramedic and firefighter knowledge, which should be evident in your resume. They should also know the procedures that should be followed when the emergency alarms go off and respond appropriately.

Whether you're getting started in your firefighting career or want to advance to the next level, we have some great resume writing tips for you that will help you write an exceptional firefighter resume. Check out our resume examples and resume builder, which are the perfect resources for you if you don't know where to start when creating your professional resume.

This guide will also have the following information:

• A sample firefighter resume that is easy to follow and understand.
• The right skills for your resume for a firefighter.
• The best professional experiences for your entry-level firefighter resume.
• How to structure your resume without leaving any vital sections.

Additional Information On Firefighter Salaries and the Job Market

According to the U.S Bureau of Statistics , the employment of firefighters is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations.

The industries with the highest levels of employment in Firefighters include:

• Local Government excluding schools and hospitals
• Other Support Services
• State Government excluding schools and hospitals
• Federal Executive Branch
• Other Ambulatory Healthcare Services

The average salary for a firefighter is $48,000, but the typical range is $36,000 to $60,000, depending on your education, skills, and experience.

How to Make a Firefighter Resume

Most firefighter jobs will have specific requirements, so a job-winning resume should have these requirements. Think about some of the best qualities that a firefighter should have , such as a strong work ethic, team player, a person of integrity, and love for the community .

Check out these other resumes that might interest you.

• Military resume
• Social work
• Teamwork skills
• Community service

Firefighter Resume Format, Layout, and Structure

The resume format is critical because it determines how you structure your qualifications. The best format for your resume should represent your top qualifications first . Let's look at some of the formats you should consider.

If you have a lot of experience, the best format for you is the reverse-chronological format because it focuses on your experience. It's also a good choice because most hiring managers love it since it's easy to scan on ATS systems.

If you don't have experience, the best format for you is the functional resume format which focuses on your skills. It's perfect for career changers and recent graduates.

The third option is the combination/hybrid resume which mixes the best features of the functional and reverse-chronological format. If you have years of experience as a firefighter and possess the required skills, this is the perfect format for you.

The layout of your firefighter resume should be easy to read and understand . Use easy-to-read fonts such as Times New Roman, Arial, Georgia, Cambria, and Calibri , and a font size of 10-12pt. The margins on your resume should be one inch on each side and not smaller than half an inch to prevent it from looking too busy.

The structure of your firefighter resume should have the following sections:

• The header section
• Professional summary/objective
• Education section
• Skill section
• An additional section (Computer skills and certifications, languages, volunteer work, awards/honors, and interests)

The Header Section Of Your Firefighting Resume

The header is a critical section that contains essential details of your resume, including:

• Your full name
• Phone number
• Professional email address
• A link to your LinkedIn profile.

Firefighter

638-009-789

Gonzales, TX

linkedin.com/in/jayhowell

3452 Farland Avenue

House number 23

Date of birth 09/07/1996

Photo Or No Photo

A photo is not essential on your resume because it increases the chances of discrimination and unconscious bias . However, if the recruiter asks you to send one, it should be a professional headshot.

Prove Your Experience As A Firefighter

Use this section to list your previous experiences related to the job. Start with your most recent job and go backward . If you've not worked as a firefighter before, add the positions with transferable skills that will be useful in a firefighter position.

Under each workplace, list three to five responsibilities using bullet points and quantify the results with facts and figures . This gives the recruiter an idea of the value you could bring to the job.

When listing the work experience, add the name of the company/organization, your job title, and the years you've worked at each place .

Example for an Entry-Level Firefighter

Volunteer Firefighter

February 2015-June 2016

• Cleaned/maintained the fire station and equipment such as sprinkler systems and pumps, ensuring that they were in good condition in case of an emergency.
• Received and prepared documentation after each emergency response and forwarded it to the department head for further review.
• Assisted in removing individuals in dangerous situations and took them to the paramedic to get medical assistance.

Example for Experienced Firefighters

Experienced Firefighter

June 2018-August 2020

• Extinguished fires in burning buildings and rescued individuals trapped in the building.
• Operated fire trucks and transported the required equipment to various emergency scenes.
• Participated in training sessions that increased our knowledge of quality assurance procedures and safety protocols.

Describe Your Educational Qualifications

This section is simple and should summarize your relevant educational qualifications . Firefighter positions require at least a high school diploma to get the job, but if you have a college degree, don't leave it out because it sets you apart from the other candidates.

The details you'll add to this section include:

• The name of the degree/diploma
• The name of the school
• The year of graduation
• GPA(optional)

Correct example

Associate of Science in Fire Technology and Administration

Alvin Community College

December 2012

Most Valued Skills for Firefighters

The perfect firefighter job description will have some of the skills you need in your resume. The description also gives you direction on the correct wording of the skills when you're adding them to your resume to ensure the ATS systems do not filter it.

Let's look at some of the skills you should add to your firefighter resume.

Hard skills

• Sprinkler specialist
• Fire prevention
• Fire safety
• Arson investigation
• Qualified pump operator
• Valid Driver's License
• Mechanical aptitude
• Fire suppression

Soft skills

• Communication skills
• Decision-making skills
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving skills
• Listening skills
• Time management

Write a Winning Professional Summary

Example for a firefighter with experience, incorrect example, additional sections for your resume.

Whether you're writing a wildland firefighter resume or a volunteer firefighter resume, you shouldn't leave this section out of your resume. This is the section that can give you an edge over the other candidates and help you land the job.

Here are some of the sections you should consider adding to this section.

Certifications

If you have additional certification, it's always better to add it under this section instead of the education section. That's because this ensures that the recruiter does not miss it even when they glance at your resume. Certifications boost your resume because they show that you have additional training as a firefighter . Some of the firefighter certifications you can add to your resume include:

• Firefighter Level 1 Certification
• Firefighter Level 2 Certification
• Fire Inspector Level 1
• Fire Inspector Level 2

You've probably been discouraged against adding this section to your resume, but it's a section you should consider having in your resume. It shows the recruiter that you're a diverse candidate and can give you something to talk about during the interview , especially if you have common interests with your potential employer.

• Germany's Goethe-Zertifikat (70%) or higher is required.
• IELTS - English (a minimum score of 6.5 is required)
• DELF for French (with a score of 60% and above)

Tips to Make Your Firefighter Resume Better

• Use a professional firefighter resume template to structure your resume properly and ensure that you don't miss any vital sections.
• Add the right keywords and action verbs to optimize your resume and get past the applicant tracking systems.
• Avoid using one resume for multiple applications and tailor each resume you send out to match the company you're applying to.
• Tailor the job title and optimize it with the right keywords.
• Choose the correct format and layout for your resume.
• Keep your resume summary/objective short but catchy and engaging.
• Check your resume for typos and grammatical mistakes before sending it out to the recruiter.

Key Takeaways: Writing a Resume for Firefighters from Zero

• The information in your header section should be accurate.
• The perfect resume template is essential in helping you structure your resume.
• Your resume should highlight your top qualifications, experience, and skills.
• The resume summary introduces your resume and summarizes your top accomplishments.
• Your professional experiences should be relevant to the firefighter job.
• Use bullet points to list your skills to make them more visible.
• If you don't have much experience, use a resume objective to introduce your resume.

Complement Your resume with a Cover letter

Frequently asked questions.

According to Glassdoor the companies include the following:

• S Forest Service
• S Air Force
• Department of Defense
• S Marine Corps

The minimum qualification is a high school diploma, but you should get an EMT certification and a degree in fire science or a related field if you want to stand out.

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The rich text element allows you to create and format headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, images, and video all in one place instead of having to add and format them individually. Just double-click and easily create content.

Static and dynamic content editing

A rich text element can be used with static or dynamic content. For static content, just drop it into any page and begin editing. For dynamic content, add a rich text field to any collection and then connect a rich text element to that field in the settings panel. Voila!

How to customize formatting for each rich text

Headings, paragraphs, blockquotes, figures, images, and figure captions can all be styled after a class is added to the rich text element using the "When inside of" nested selector system.

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Advice for getting a job, instructions.

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Fifteen Ways to Create a Better Entry-level Resume

Your impression starts the minute the oral board encounters something related to you. One of the key things you can do to be able to make a positive impression is to have a powerful, attention-grabbing resume that is short, easy to read, and straight to the point.

Many of us probably cringe at the thought of having to provide a resume, or update a resume for an upcoming interview or application process. Producing and keeping your resume updated doesn't have to be that difficult or stressful. A properly prepared resume can distinguish you from other candidates as well as showcase the knowledge, skills, and abilities that make you the best fit for the position.

Basic Resume Tips:

1. Keep it to one page -- unless you are competing for a chief officer position (and you have over 10 years of specific experience to the field that you're applying for) -- you don't have that much that can't be squeezed onto one page. If it can't fit on one page, it probably isn't important enough or relevant enough to be on there. When I took my captain's oral interview, I had a one-page resume. It was tough to squeeze everything on there (and have to leave things out), but I made it work. I received a 100 percent score on my oral interview, so I guess a one-page resume didn't hurt me.

2. A 12-point font size is suggested for text. I've seen ones that are in nine-point and 10-point font (as well as 18-point font). Twelve-point font size is standard for text -- anything smaller and people are going to strain their eyes, anything larger is going to be obnoxious. Usually the people reviewing your resume are not just fresh out of college. They usually have some experience behind their belts and with experience comes declining eye site. How are you going to keep someone's attention if they have to strain to read your writing?

3. Keep it short, sweet, to the point, and leave plenty of open space to distinguish between things you want to stand out. If you're writing more than two to three lines of text in a row, it is going to read like a paragraph. People reviewing resumes usually don't have time to read novels - they want one to two lines that are separated by open space, maybe accented with bullets or other objects, and pleasing to the eyes. Think about it, if you hand out an updated resume when you walk into the room. If you write paragraphs, there is the tendency they will not see key points (because all the words blend together after a while) and that they will miss things. Even if they had the time to review the one you turned in with your application, they usually don't have more than a minute or two to read it - that is why it is important to be short and sweet, making things stick out and be noticeable.

4. Make sure you keep it from being boring -- many resumes are plain, difficult to read, and will put the reader to sleep. Use type sets such as uppercase, sentence case, bold, underline, italics, in addition to just the plain old regular computer print. Alternating type sets will help the reader distinguish and pick out certain things about you and what you have to offer, while also ensuring that certain things about you are highlighted.

5. If you're not updating your resume at least once a month, you're probably not doing as much as you can to prepare yourself to become a firefighter. Updates can include additional education or training, another relevant certificate, more hours of community service/volunteer time, etc.

6. If you are going to bring a resume to the interview (updated resume or initial resume), I would suggest bringing at least seven resumes with you. I had an entry-level interview once with seven oral board members. Talk about intimidating. Most oral boards usually only have three to five members on them, but how would you feel if you only had five resumes and there were six people in front of you? What are you going to do now? Only pass out five of them and leave one person in the cold? How do you think that person is going to score you? I bet you would be embarrassed and it would potentially make you so nervous that you screwed up that you would not do as well as you should.

7. Do not list "References available upon request." It is a waste of space and I've never had any department ask me for references at the time of application or while you're going through the entry-level process. If they want references, they'll usually ask you as a part of your background investigation paperwork. It might work in the business world, but to me it is one line of text that can be used more wisely.

8. Stick to neutral colors - white, gray, beige, etc. If you want to stand out, having bright colored resume paper is probably not the best way.

9. Don't forget to list your name, address and phone number. A few years ago, we were looking at hiring some new EMT instructors at the college. One excellent candidate turned in his resume (no job application, just a resume as a screening tool). However, when I made an attempt to find a way to contact him to bring him in for an interview, I couldn't locate an address or a phone number. He had just put his name on the top of the resume and went into his qualifications.

The scary part is that he was already a captain at his fire department. The only thing I can assume is that he used the same resume that he used for his captain's promotional exam (even then that is risky because it bucks the normal trend.) That is fine for his fire department because I think they knew how to contact him, but it was not acceptable to me because I did not have a way to contact him. He failed at making a positive first impression. Learn from his mistake.

10. Try to stay away from using abbreviations on your resume. About the only acceptable abbreviations are EMT, CPR, or the State you live in. Why is that? Well what might be an abbreviation of one word might be the abbreviation of another word to someone else. In the medical field, PE can stand for patient exam, pulmonary edema, or pulmonary embolus. Not that you're probably going to list PE on your resume, but I think you get the point.

Think about who might read your resume - it might not just be a fire service professional. Folks from the human resources or personnel department might be the ones reading it (or screening it) first or during an oral interview, and you can't expect them to know fire service abbreviations. Also, many departments have a citizen from the community on the oral panel. Do you think you're going to score points if you're talking about things they are not aware of? Also, writing out words can be perceived as being more professional or mature.

11. The only name, street address (2544 Jones Street), zip code, and phone numbers that should be on your resume should be your own! Do not list names of references (I've seen that done) or names of supervisors. You know my opinion on listing references. As for names of supervisors, that information will be going on the application. Another problem with listing names on your resume is that not everyone you list is going to be well liked.

I realize the oral board is supposed to be objective - not subjective. However, if you list the name of a reference on there that might not be a "quality reference" in the eyes of the evaluator (oh yes, it is a very small world); you put yourself at risk of getting the maximum points. I know that subjectivity is not supposed to occur in the oral board process, but it is almost impossible to eliminate bias and personal opinions in the testing process.

12. If you're going to list e-mail addresses on your resume, avoid ones such as or [email protected] . Oh yes, I've seen many similar ones. I am not here to judge folks on their hobbies, personal lives, or professional sports team choices. I am just offering the suggestion that you might want a more "professional sounding" one such as your first and last name. I know we're supposed to be objective, but put yourself in the shoes of a fire chief reviewing resumes of candidates they plan to hire as firefighters for the next 30 years, representing their community and their department. Just like cars and the clothes we wear can be an extension of our personalities and attitudes, so can email addresses.

I have no problem with the Oakland Raiders. But what if the person reading your resume is a 49'er fan and hates the Raiders? Or what if you are a female on the oral panel reviewing resumes and you see a [email protected] . I know we're not supposed to be biased, but can you blame them if they are? Also, for those of you with AOL.com e-mail accounts: if you have a member profile, I would suggest reviewing it to make sure you would not be ashamed if a fire chief that was looking to hire you saw that profile. I make the EMT students at the college provide a resume to me and every now and then, I go check to see if they have a member profile, and there are always a few students that list things that would probably be found to be "unprofessional."

13. Don't list hobbies on your resume. You're not getting hired for your hobbies - you're getting hired for your knowledge, skills, and abilities (in addition to how well you perform throughout the testing process). Nothing says you can't talk about them during the interview, go ahead. To me it is a waste of space on your resume. Also, what might be a "cool" hobby to you (snowboarding, bungee-jumping, motorcycling, jet skiing, etc.) might not be so "cool" to the chief officer reviewing your resume.

Getting back to subjectivity - every fire department has probably experienced folks getting injured off-duty doing some of those "cool" things. The last thing we need is another injury that is just waiting to happen. Chief Officers are usually trained or educated in risk management concepts. Let me see, this candidate likes to jump from planes, race fast vehicles, etc... If they take risks off duty, they might do them on duty..... Don't let people's minds wander - they will go places you don't want them to go.

14. Have somebody else take a look at your resume to proofread it for errors or things that just don't make sense. Remember when you've been staring at your "masterpiece" for a while, changing things, adding things, etc., you are going to get tunnel vision and after a while, you wouldn't even be able to realize you had misspelled your name. Trust me, been there, done that, got the t-shirt. One misspelled word can be enough to have the person reading it convinced that you don't care about the way you present yourself.

15. Last, but not least, make a copy of every resume you ever turn in. You should be making a copy of everything you turn in to a department (application, resume, etc.) and keeping it in a file. Other relevant items to keep are the initial job flyer and any information you obtained in the process. Keeping a copy of your resume can jog your memory when you get that interview four years later (I was actually called by a department I had tested with four years prior, to see if I wanted to be considered for employment). I didn't go to the interview because I had already been hired in a "dream department." Imagine if I had gone to that interview and they had asked me "What have you done since the time you turned in the original application?" If I hadn't kept a copy of the application, I would have looked pretty stupid. If I had kept copies, I could have been able to say with confidence "Look what I have done since then," to show my motivation and drive towards becoming a firefighter.

That is about all I have to offer in regards to producing the best resume you can. Use what you feel might benefit you. That first 30 seconds or so when you walk through the door to greet the oral interview panel are some of the most valuable seconds you will ever have to make a first impression. Already having produced a quality resume prior to the interview (and having turned it in with your application) will help set the stage for your entrance into the room since the interview panel usually reviews your application and resume prior to interviewing you. It will also start you out on a good note, thus leaving a positive first impression. Even if you turn in your first resume at the time of oral interview when you walk in the door, or you provide an updated resume at this time, it is still counted as part of your "first impression time."

The bottom line is that you always need to have a resume ready to go at any given time. Keep it on your computer, backed up on disc, so that you can change the objective for every test you take, and be able to easily add the achievements you have accomplished since the last time you updated the resume.

Just remember -- you don't get a second chance to make a first impression!

• See author Steve Prziborowski Live at Firehouse World! Quinn will be presenting "Responsibilities of the First-Due Company Officer" and "How to Excel at Promotional Exams - The Fireground Simulation Exercise" at Firehouse World in San Diego, Feb. 28 - March 4.

STEVE PRZIBOROWSKI , a Firehouse.com Contributing Editor, is a battalion chief for the Santa Clara County, CA, Fire Department and an instructor for the Chabot College, CA, Fire Technology Program. Steve is a 16-year veteran of the fire service. He holds a master's degree in emergency services administration, has authored numerous fire service articles featured in the leading fire service publications and is a regular speaker and presenter at fire service events. He has also mentored and coached numerous entry-level and promotional level candidates. You can find valuable fire service entry level and promotional preparation information and his contact information on his website: www.chabotfire.com .

Steve Prziborowski

Steve Prziborowski, who is a Firehouse contributing editor, has more than 31 years of fire service experience. He recently retired as a deputy chief of training for the Santa Clara County Fire Department in Los Gatos, CA. Prziborowski is an instructor for the Chabot College Fire Technology Program and for the National Fire Academy. He received the Ronny Jack Coleman Leadership Legacy Award from the Center for Public Safety Excellence in 2020 and was named California Fire Instructor of the Year in 2008. Prziborowski is a regular presenter at fire service events, having presented in 40 states and Canada. He has authored and contributed to numerous articles, podcasts, videos, blogs and books and published four career development books: "Reach for the Firefighter Badge," "The Future Firefighter's Preparation Guide," "How to Excel at Fire Department Promotional Exams" and "101 Tips to Ace Your Promotional Exam." Prziborowski's fifth book on "Courage Under Fire Leadership" will be released in the near future.

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Top 16 Firefighter Resume Objective Examples

Updated July 22, 2023 13 min read

A resume objective is a statement that appears at the top of your resume and outlines your career goals. When writing an effective resume objective for a firefighter position, you should focus on what qualities and experience make you an ideal candidate for the job. You should also emphasize the value that you can bring to the role and explain why you are a great fit for it. For example, if you have experience as an emergency medical technician or have specialized training in firefighting techniques, be sure to mention it in your objective. Additionally, include positive traits such as leadership skills, communication abilities, and problem-solving capabilities that demonstrate how you can contribute to the team. Examples of resume objectives for a firefighter position include: “Seeking a firefighter position with ABC Fire Department where I can utilize my EMT certification and firefighting skills to help protect lives and property” or “Dedicated professional with 5+ years of experience in firefighting seeking to join ABC Fire Department as a firefighter to provide exceptional service while protecting lives and property.”

or download as PDF

Top 16 Firefighter Resume Objective Samples

• To obtain a position as a Firefighter where I can utilize my training and experience to help protect the safety of the community.
• To secure a position as a Firefighter in which I can apply my knowledge of firefighting techniques and protocols to serve the public.
• Seeking a challenging role as a Firefighter where I can use my expertise in emergency response and risk management.
• Looking for an opportunity to work as a Firefighter utilizing my experience in hazardous materials control and prevention.
• To obtain employment as a Firefighter with an organization that values dedication, commitment, and professionalism.
• To join an established firefighting team where I can utilize my skills in communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• To contribute to the safety of the community by working as a Firefighter with an organization that prioritizes public safety.
• Seeking a position as a Firefighter where I can apply my strong sense of responsibility, leadership abilities, and attention to detail.
• To utilize my knowledge of fire suppression techniques and first aid procedures to become an effective firefighter.
• Desire to become part of an established firefighting team that values hard work and dedication while serving the public.
• Looking for an opportunity to work as a Firefighter using my excellent physical fitness level, interpersonal skills, and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Seeking employment with an organization that is dedicated to protecting life and property through fire prevention methods by hiring me as their firefighter.
• Aiming for a job as a firefighter where I can take advantage of my passion for helping others while developing new skillsets along the way.
• Applying for the position of firefighter so that I can use my training in first aid procedures, hazardous materials control, and emergency response tactics effectively.
• Searching for employment with an organization that values commitment, dedication, teamwork, and integrity by becoming their firefighter.
• Looking forward to joining an experienced team of firefighters where I can hone my skills in problem solving while providing service to the public

How to Write a Firefighter Resume Objective

When writing a firefighter resume objective, it is important to highlight your experience, qualifications and accomplishments. The objective should be tailored to the job you are applying for and should demonstrate why you are the best candidate for the position.

First, start by researching the role and organization you are applying for. Familiarize yourself with their mission statement, requirements and expectations for the job. This will allow you to tailor your objective accordingly.

Next, think about what makes you unique from other applicants in terms of knowledge and skills. What sets you apart? Incorporate this into your resume objective by highlighting relevant qualifications that match those required for the job such as certifications in firefighting or EMT training. Additionally, include any special skills such as hazardous materials handling or medical response that can make you stand out from other applicants.

Thirdly, focus on how your experience will benefit the organization by emphasizing how your past roles have prepared you for a career in firefighting. For example, if you have previous experience in customer service or working as a first responder then emphasize how these experiences have given you an advantage when it comes to being successful in this role.

Finally, consider including information about any awards or recognition received during past positions that demonstrate your commitment to excellence and professionalism within the firefighting field. Doing so will show employers that they can rely on your expertise when dealing with emergency situations.

In conclusion, writing an effective firefighter resume objective requires careful research into the job description and organization’s requirements as well as self-reflection on unique qualifications and experiences which make you suitable for the position. By highlighting relevant qualifications, skills and achievements that relate directly to firefighting roles, employers can be confident that hiring you will be beneficial to them as well as their team of firefighters

Related : What does a Firefighter do?

Key Skills to Highlight in Your Firefighter Resume Objective

The objective section of your firefighter resume is a crucial component that can significantly influence a potential employer's first impression of you. This section provides an opportunity to showcase your most relevant skills and competencies for the firefighting role. Highlighting key skills in your objective statement not only demonstrates your qualifications but also communicates your career goals and commitment to the profession. In this section, we will discuss the essential skills you should emphasize in your firefighter resume objective to make it more compelling and effective.

1. Extrication

Extrication is a crucial skill for a firefighter as it involves safely removing individuals from vehicles, collapsed buildings, or other hazardous situations. This skill demonstrates the ability to perform under pressure, make quick decisions, and utilize specialized equipment. Including this skill in a resume objective shows potential employers that the candidate is capable of handling high-stress scenarios and possesses the necessary practical skills for emergency response. It also highlights their commitment to saving lives and ensuring public safety.

2. Ventilation

Ventilation is a crucial skill for a firefighter as it involves the ability to remove heat, smoke, and toxic gases from a burning building, replacing them with fresh air. This skill is necessary for reducing damage and increasing the safety and survival of individuals trapped inside during a fire. Having this skill on your resume objective shows potential employers that you have specific knowledge and expertise in firefighting tactics, which could increase your chances of being hired.

3. Rappelling

Rappelling is a crucial skill for firefighters as it enhances their ability to respond to emergencies in high-rise buildings or difficult-to-reach areas. This skill demonstrates physical strength, agility, and quick decision-making abilities which are paramount in firefighting operations. Having this skill on a resume objective can show potential employers the candidate's readiness and capability to handle challenging situations effectively and safely.

A firefighter often encounters situations where individuals may be unconscious or in cardiac arrest. Having CPR/AED skills is crucial as it enables the firefighter to provide immediate assistance and potentially save lives before paramedics arrive. This skill demonstrates a firefighter's commitment to public safety and their ability to respond effectively in high-pressure emergency situations.

5. SCBA (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus)

A firefighter needs to be proficient in using a Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) as it is a critical tool for survival in smoke-filled, oxygen-deficient, and other hazardous environments. This skill demonstrates the ability to effectively manage life-saving equipment, ensuring safety during firefighting operations. Including this skill in a resume objective can highlight the candidate's preparedness for the physical demands of the job and their commitment to adhering to safety protocols.

6. Hazmat Response

A firefighter's resume objective should include the skill of Hazmat Response as it is crucial in handling hazardous materials emergencies. This skill demonstrates the candidate's ability to respond effectively and safely to incidents involving dangerous substances, protecting both people and the environment. It also shows their commitment to ongoing learning and specialization within their role, which can set them apart from other candidates.

7. Search and Rescue

A firefighter's primary role is to protect people, the environment and properties from all types of emergency situations. The skill of search and rescue is crucial as it involves locating, stabilizing, and extracting individuals during or after a disaster. This skill demonstrates a firefighter's ability to perform under pressure, make quick decisions, and effectively save lives. Hence, mentioning this on a resume objective can highlight the candidate's proficiency in critical life-saving techniques and their readiness for emergency response situations.

8. Fire Suppression

Fire suppression is a critical skill for a firefighter as it involves the direct application of tactics and strategies to control and extinguish fires. This skill demonstrates the ability to effectively respond to fire emergencies, protect lives and property, and ensure public safety. Including this skill in a resume objective shows potential employers that the candidate has the necessary expertise and experience to perform well in high-pressure situations, making them a strong asset to any firefighting team.

9. Incident Command System (ICS)

The Incident Command System (ICS) is a standardized approach to the command, control, and coordination of emergency response. This skill is crucial for a firefighter as it enables them to effectively manage all types of emergency situations. Having this skill shows potential employers that the candidate can take charge during emergencies, coordinate with other first responders, and ensure the safety of all involved. It also demonstrates their ability to work within a structured system and make critical decisions under pressure.

10. Water Rescue

A firefighter's role often extends beyond just extinguishing fires. They are also first responders in various emergency situations, including water-related incidents such as floods or drowning accidents. Having water rescue skills indicates that the candidate is capable of responding effectively to these situations, potentially saving lives and property. This skill shows a high level of physical fitness, courage, and the ability to stay calm under pressure, which are all crucial qualities for a firefighter. Including this on a resume objective demonstrates a broader range of emergency response capabilities, making the candidate more attractive to potential employers.

In conclusion, highlighting key skills in your firefighter resume objective is crucial in showcasing your capabilities and potential to prospective employers. It provides a snapshot of your abilities and aptitude in handling the demanding tasks associated with firefighting. While it's important to tailor these skills to each job application, it's equally critical that they reflect your genuine strengths and experiences. Remember, the objective of your resume is not just to land you an interview but also to help you stand out as the most competent candidate for the job.

Related : Firefighter Skills: Definition and Examples

Common Mistakes When Writing a Firefighter Resume Objective

Writing a firefighter resume objective is an important step in the hiring process for any fire department. It is an opportunity for a potential employer to get a glimpse of the applicant’s professional goals, qualifications, and skills. Unfortunately, many applicants make mistakes when writing a firefighter resume objective that can cost them the job. The following essay will explore some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.

The first mistake applicants make with their firefighter resume objective is not customizing it to the individual job they are applying for. A generic or boilerplate statement simply won’t cut it in this scenario; employers want to see that you have taken the time to tailor your objective specifically to their position and company culture. Make sure you include details about why you are the right fit for this particular role, such as your relevant experience and certifications.

Another common mistake is writing an overly long or detailed objective statement. Employers don’t have time to read through long paragraphs; they want concise information that directly answers their questions about your suitability for the job. Keep your statement short and sweet, no more than three sentences in length.

In addition, many applicants forget to include key words from the job description in their resume objectives. This is an important step because it shows potential employers that you have taken the time to read through their posting and understand what they are looking for in a candidate. Including relevant keywords from the description will demonstrate your attention to detail and give you an edge over other applicants who may not have done so.

Finally, some people make the mistake of including irrelevant information in their firefighter resume objectives such as personal interests or hobbies unrelated to firefighting. Although these topics may be interesting, they do not belong on your resume; save them for interviews instead! Stick strictly to relevant experience and skills related to firefighting when crafting your objective statement so employers know exactly what kind of person they are considering hiring.

By avoiding these errors when writing a firefighter resume objective, you can put yourself ahead of other candidates vying for similar positions and increase your chances of getting hired by demonstrating that you are serious about this career path and well-prepared for success as a firefighter.

Related : Firefighter Resume Examples

A right resume objective for a firefighter should focus on how the applicant can contribute to the fire department, while a wrong resume objective would be self-centered and focus solely on what the applicant hopes to gain from the position.

Editorial staff

Brenna Goyette

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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Resume Worded   |  Resume Skills

Skill profile, firefighter, improve your resume's success rate by using these firefighter skills and keywords ..

• Hard Skills and Keywords for your Firefighter Resume
• ATS Scan : Compare Your Resume To These Skills
• Sample Resume Templates
• How To Add Skills
• Firefighter More Resume Templates

Frequently Asked Questions

• 3. Effective Action Verbs for your Resume

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Looking for keywords for a specific job search for your job title here., © 2024 resume worded. all rights reserved., firefighter resume keywords and skills (hard skills).

Here are the keywords and skills that appear most frequently on recent Firefighter job postings. In other words, these are the most sought after skills by recruiters and hiring managers. Go to Sample Templates ↓ below to see how to include them on your resume. Remember that every job is different. Instead of including all keywords on your resume, identify those that are most relevant to the job you're applying to. Use the free Targeted Resume tool to help with this.

• Firefighting
• Emergency Services
• Public Safety
• Fire Safety
• Emergency Management
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
•  Find out what your resume's missing
• U.S. National Incident Management System (NIMS)
• Disaster Response
• Incident Command
• Hazardous Materials
• Preparedness
• Structural Firefighting
• Fire Protection
• Fire Management
• Fire Suppression Systems
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Homeland Security

Resume Skills: Firefighting

• Fire suppression
• Water rescue
• Building ventilation
• Rope rescues
• Ladder operations
• Rescue equipment (Jaws of life)
• Vehicle extrication
• High angle rescue
• Confined Space Entry & Rescue
• Fire arson investigation
• Fire safety inspections
• Firefighting equipment maintenance
•  Match your resume to these skills

Resume Skills: Medical Assistance

• Basic life support (BLS)
• Automated external defibrillators (AED)
• Patient assessment
• Medication administration

Resume Skills: Equipment Handling

• Fire engines
• Water pumps
• Fire extinguishers
• Personal protective equipment

Resume Skills: Physical Fitness

• Strength training
• Cardiovascular fitness

Resume Skills: Fire Safety Software

• Fire Dynamics Simulator

Resume Skills: Fire Safety Codes & Regulation

• NFPA codes and standards
• OSHA regulations
• Knowledge in State Fire Safety Regulations
• Fire Prevention Laws
• Fire Detection Systems

Resume Skills: Techniques

• Firefighting techniques
• Fire prevention techniques
• Hazardous material handling
• Fire Investigation
• Emergency Response Planning

Resume Skills: Hardware Tools

• Standard Firefighting Equipment
• Fire and Smoke Detectors
• Aerial & Pumper Fire Apparatus

Resume Skills: Tools & Technologies

• Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS)
• NIST Fire behavior software
• Firehouse Software

Resume Skills: Emergency Systems

• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Incident Command System (ICS)
• National Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT)

Resume Skills: Certifications

• Hazardous Materials (HazMat) Operations
• Fire Officer I & II
• Fire Inspector
• Fire Instructor

  Where on my resume do I add these buzzwords? Add keywords directly into your resume's work experiences , education or projects. Alternatively, you can also include a Skills section where you can list your technical skills in order of your proficiency. Only include these technical skills or keywords into your resume if you actually have experience with them.

   Does your resume contain all the right skills? Paste in your resume in the AI Resume Scan ↓ section below and get an instant score.

Compare Your Resume To These Firefighter Skills (ATS Scan)

Paste your resume below and our AI will identify which keywords are missing from your resume from the list above (and what you need to include). Including the right keywords will help you get past Applicant Tracking Systems (i.e. resume screeners) which may scan your resume for keywords to see if you're a match for the job.

Sample Firefighter Resume Examples: How To Include These Skills

Add keywords directly into your resume's work experiences , education or skills section , like we've shown in the examples below. use the examples below as inspiration..

  Where on my resume do I add these buzzwords? Add keywords directly into your resume's work experiences , education or projects. Only include these technical skills or keywords into your resume if you actually have experience with them.

How do I add skills to a Firefighter resume?

Go through the Firefighter posting you're applying to, and identify hard skills the company is looking for. For example, skills like Fire Safety, U.S. National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Emergency Services are possible skills. These are skills you should try to include on your resume.

Add other common skills from your industry - such as Public Safety, Emergency Management and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) - into your resume if they're relevant.

Incorporate skills - like Paramedic, Disaster Response and Fire Management - into your work experience too. This shows hiring managers that you have practical experience with these tools, techniques and skills.

Try to add the exact job title, Firefighter, somewhere into your resume to get past resume screeners. See the infographic for how to do this.

Word Cloud for Firefighter Skills & Keywords

The following word cloud highlights the most popular keywords that appear on Firefighter job descriptions. The bigger the word, the more frequently it shows up on employer's job postings. If you have experience with these keywords, include them on your resume.

Get your Resume Instantly Checked, For Free

Upload your resume and we'll spot the issues in it before an actual firefighter recruiter sees it. for free., firefighter resume templates.

Here are examples of proven resumes in related jobs and industries, approved by experienced hiring managers. Use them as inspiration when you're writing your own resume. You can even download and edit the resume template in Google Docs.

Resume Example Professional

An effective Description of the templates...

Download this resume template

This resume template is suitable for experienced hires or mid-level hires. The education contains two examples of an education experiences, but only include one (your most recent one) if you're a senior level employee.

Tips on why this template works

   makes great use of space.

It strikes the right balance between white space and content, and doesn't waste space on unnecessary images and icons. Remember, recruiters aren't looking at how creative you are when it comes to your template. Your content is core and should be the focus.

   Strong resume bullet points

This job seeker uses resume bullet points that uses strong action verbs, and most importantly, contain numbers that demonstrate the significance of their accomplishments.

Resume Example Highlights (Free)

This template is clean, readable by resume screeners, and is effective at calling out key accomplishments and projects from specific work experiences. This would be useful if you have been at a company for a while, or been in a consulting-type of role, and want to point hiring managers to your most impressive accomplishments.

   Strong action verbs

Action verbs are important on your resume are vital. They evoke strong imagery to your reader, and this resume does an excellent job by using words such as “spearheaded,” “managed,” and “drove.” These words will help you to put your achievements in perspective, in conjunction with measurable results. Use action verbs relating to the skills you want to highlight.

   Specific examples of finished projects

Many of your accomplishments will involve your responsibilities in your employer's high-level projects. Recruiters want to see what you’ve completed in previous roles -- such as the Operations Improvement Project and new iPhone app launch highlighted in this resume. The numbers make your experience real, rather than a vague “oversaw several teams for a project.” What did you do specifically? Be specific.

Resume Example Modern Two-Column

This two column resume template has been designed and created in Google Docs, and puts an emphasis on a skills section. You can download it in Word, or edit it directly in Google Docs.

   Prioritize work experience, while including other key sections

The two-column in this Google Docs resume template prioritizes the work experience sections, while maximizing the content into the resume. Not all two column templates are ATS-compatible, but this one is when it is saved as PDF and passed through a resume screener.

   Includes a strong Skills section

Skills sections are a great way to include specific keywords and skills that you have, that haven't been included in other parts of your resume. This helps you get past resume screeners that scan your resume for specific keywords.

Resume Example Clean Modern

If you're a job seeker with a few years of experience under your belt, use a template like this one. It's simple, effective at highlighting our work experience, and minimizes the emphasis on the education section (the dates are omitted which is good to prevent ageism, especially if you graduated more than 10 years ago).

   Professionally-designed template

Minimal templates like this one are exactly what mid-to-senior level recruiters want to see - it shows professionalism, focuses on accomplishments, and makes full use of each page.

   Resume summary highlights key accomplishments

The first rule about including a resume summary is that it does not repeat accomplishments mentioned elsewhere on the resume. This resume stresses new software engineering and leadership skills right at the top of the resume, and includes an award too. If you include a summary, try to include a mix of both technical accomplishments (e.g. projects you developed or led), as well as career-related accomplishments (e.g. being promoted).

Resume Example Entry-Level (Free)

Use this Google Docs template if you're a student, recent graduate, or a career changer. Right out of college, you may not have much experience in the field. To supplement that, use your experience in clubs and activities, volunteering, projects, and useful coursework to help highlight your knowledge on the subject.

   Emphasis on education

If you're an entry-level job seeker that has recently completed education (or in the process of completing a degree), you should prioritize your education and include it first. This Google Docs template does this.

   University projects relevant to the job

If you're an entry level job seeker (or a career-changer), you may not have enough work experience to fill up your resume. This is where class projects and university projects come in. This template has a section dedicated to projects, which you can use to talk about volunteering, class projects, or personal projects relevant to the job.

Resume Example Concise

This is a suitable Google Docs resume template for all kinds of roles, including senior, entry-level and mid-level. Note how the focus is the work experience section only, and the education section is limited. This is what you should do if you graduated a while ago.

   Use a skills section to highlight specific keywords

To get past resume screeners and Applicant Tracking Systems, use a skills section that includes specific skills the job is looking for. This is an easy way to tailor your resume.

   Keep you education short, if you're a mid to senior level job seeker

What skills should you put on a Firefighter resume?

Some effective Firefighter skills you can add to your resume include:

Target your Resume to a Job Description

While the keywords above are a good indication of what skills you need on your resume, you should try to find additional keywords that are specific to the job. To do this, use the free Targeted Resume tool. It analyzes the job you are applying to and finds the most important keywords you need on your resume. It is personalized to your resume, and is the best way to ensure your resume will pass the automated resume filters. Start targeting your resume

Most resumes get auto-rejected because of small, simple errors. These errors are easy to miss but can be costly in your job search. If you want to make sure your resume is error-free, upload it to Score My Resume for a free resume review. You'll get a score so you know where your resume stands, as well as actionable feedback to improve it. Get a free resume review

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Find out what keywords recruiters search for. These keywords will help you beat resume screeners (i.e. the Applicant Tracking System).

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Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.