Because firefighting is complex and physically demanding, firefighting training prepares those interested in a career in the fire services to respond to emergency situations by teaching fire science and using fire apparatus such as fire hoses, hydrants, climb ladders and more to put out fires. Students learn to use tools to gain entry to burning buildings, find and rescue occupants and perform basic life support techniques. The training is grueling, hot and dirty work that prepares students to be gainfully employed as firefighters with municipal fire departments.
Firefighters don't just to respond to fire emergencies. More often than not, the 911 calls they receive are medical emergencies of critically ill or injured patients. Paramedics use complex medical equipment, administer medication orally and through IVs and have to identify and treat life threatening illnesses. Paramedic training is the highest level of medical training in the pre-hospital setting.
Firefighting and paramedic training are two different courses of study at institutions of higher learning. Firefighting training can be completed at a fire college, a technical college or a community college. Technical schools and community colleges both other paramedic training. Many avenues of training exist for both programs, although courses are in high demand and may have a waiting list or special application procedures to be completed before acceptance into a program.
Depending upon the firefighting school chosen, an applicant can become certified as a firefighter I & II in three to four months. Fire colleges offer accelerated programs with room and board and daily instruction. A community college firefighting training program can take as long as one year to complete. Paramedic training is a year-long process in most cases.
A common question asked of paramedic and firefighting training is which one comes first? There is no hard and fast rule in answering that question. Sometimes it is a matter of which program has the first opening. Because paramedic certification is in high demand in the fire service, completing paramedic training before firefighting training provides advantages when applying for a firefighting position. First, valuable work experience as a paramedic is prized by hiring officials. Second, more firefighter paramedic jobs will be available without the increased competition that characterizes firefighter openings. Third, firefighters with a paramedic certification are paid considerably more than firefighters without certifications.