To become an airport firefighter, candidates need basic firefighting experience and specialized skills, as well as certification, age and fitness requirements, and a background check. They must attend a firefighting academy and pass tests before receiving additional certification. Personal criteria, such as age and fitness, may also apply.
To become an airport firefighter, a candidate must combine basic firefighting experience with the specialized skills needed to prevent and manage airport emergencies. Most regions have specific qualifications, including certification requirements, that must be met before a person can become an airport firefighter. Applicants may also need to meet age and fitness requirements and pass a background check to find work in this important field of firefighting.
In most regions, a person cannot become an airport firefighter unless they are already a firefighter for a military unit or a regional fire department. To meet this prerequisite, applicants must attend a civilian or military firefighting academy, pass tests, and find employment with an existing firefighting unit. In preparation for airport firefighter training, regional firefighters may want to take additional classes in hazardous material handling and emergency medical care, as these skills may be required in an airport job.
Once a firefighter has established himself as a professional, additional certification may be required. Regional firefighting organizations may offer special certification courses tailored to the criteria required at local airports and may be the best option for those planning to stay in the same geographic area. In a certification course, firefighters will learn about the types of emergencies, fires and hazards they may face as airport workers and receive training in the methods used to prevent and manage airport fires and rescue situations. These courses can take several weeks or even months to complete and may include classroom work and hands-on training experience.
To earn a certificate, students may need to take rigorous written and practical exams. Written tests may include questions about applicable laws, safety procedures, and testing a firefighter’s problem-solving skills. On practice exams, firefighters may be required to handle simulated emergencies in accordance with code, sometimes within a time frame. If a student is unable to successfully demonstrate the skills learned in training, he or she cannot become an airport firefighter.
In addition to receiving proper training, a person may need to meet certain personal criteria to become an airport firefighter. In many regions, firefighters cannot apply for an airport job until age 18, even if they have already been certified as a firefighter. Some airport firefighting units may have higher age limits and fitness requirements to ensure that all firefighters are in good enough health to handle their hazardous work. As security is a concern at airports, applicants may need to pass a criminal background check before being considered for an airport firefighting job.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
