What to Know When Considering a Career as a First Responder

First responders have one of the most important jobs in the world. Whether they’re firefighters, police or EMS personnel, they know how to act quickly to save lives. However, first responder careers aren’t for everyone, and it’s wise to honestly and thoroughly consider any jobs in this industry before committing. Here’s what to know before you choose it as a career.

Requirements

Before you start applying, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the requirements needed to become a first responder. Exact requirements will be different depending on where you live and the exact career you are considering. But in many areas, you’ll first need to take a first responder course. These classes are taken by potential EMS workers, police officers and firefighters. Thus, you’ll need to make sure you’re willing to undergo extensive training. On the more general side, most people who are successful first responders have similar traits. They are able to think clearly under pressure and remain calm. A basic level of fitness is also important, since you may need to run or move people who are hurt.

Emergency Vehicle Operations Training

Since first responders can be exposed to a variety of situations, you’ll need to go through both basic education and situation-based training. When in training to become a first responder a variety of skills are taught ranging from CPR, first-aid skills as well as skills taught on emergency vehicle operations training. The exact types of training will vary depending on your career choice. During this training, you’ll need to focus and apply yourself. The goal of training is to practice the skills you learn, so you can apply them even in tense and life-threatening situations.

Each Day Is Different

When working as a first responder, you might expect that every day is full of dramatic calls and life-threatening situations. However, part of being a first responder is being prepared for all types of workdays. Some days, you’ll deal with multiple high-stress calls, especially if you work in a large metropolitan area. But at other times, you’ll deal with long waiting periods. This is especially true for firefighters. You likely won’t be called out to a fire on a daily basis, but you’ll likely be called out for a fire alarm or a medical emergency.

While a career as a first responder can be a stressful one, it is also one of the most rewarding jobs you can have. By carefully considering your decision and being fully dedicated to training, you’ll make sure you enter your new career ready to make a real difference in the world.

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