How To Write a Firefighter Resume
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.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
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
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.
Mid-Career Profile 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.
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
- 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
Senior-Level Experience Example
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 a ladder truck, two ambulances, and two fire trucks
- Administer first aid, life support, and other emergency medical care
- Draft weekly reports on department activities
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].
Education
Template
- Degree Name — [Major], School Name, City, ST | [Year]
Example
- Associate of Science in Fire Technology and Administration, Three Rivers Community College, Poplar Bluff, MO | 2012
Certification
Template
- Certification Name or Title, [Awarding Organization] | [Year]
Example
- CPR Certificate, American Red Cross | 2012
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.
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Basic Life Support (BLS) | Community outreach and education |
| Efficiency improvement | Emergency medical treatment |
| Emergency response | Equipment operation and maintenance |
| Fire prevention and safety | First aid |
| Group leadership | Process streamlining |
| Quality assurance | Rapid decision-making |
| Rapid problem-solving | Regulatory compliance |
| Reporting and documentation | Risk assessment |
| Team collaboration | |
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.
Firefighter Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-level
- Mid-career
- Senior-level
Cristina Mason
(123) 456-7890 | [email protected] | Los Angeles, CA 12345 | www.linkedin.com/example
Profile
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.
Key Skills
- Emergency response
- Fire prevention and safety
- First aid
- Group leadership
- Quality assurance
- Rapid problem-solving
- Risk assessment
Professional Experience
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
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:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Adapted | Analyzed |
| Answered | Assessed |
| Climbed | Collaborated |
| Contained | Controlled |
| Coordinated | Directed |
| Educated | Entered |
| Examined | Extinguished |
| Generated | Handled |
| Improved | Investigated |
| Isolated | Led |
| Overcame | Prepared |
| Prevented | Provided |
| Ranked | Reacted |
| Rescued | Resolved |
| Responded | Retrieved |
| Strengthened | Supported |
| Won | |
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.
