School

• Most fire departments require applicants to have at least a high school diploma. Taking fire science courses from a community college or four-year university may increase a firefighter candidate's chances of getting selected for a position with a fire department, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Classes can include firefighter rescue and survival, wildland fire behavior and fire dynamics, which educates students about a fire's process. Classes involve both classroom lecture and hands-on experience so students can gain real-world experience.
  
  

Earn EMT Certification

• Many fire departments require firefighter candidates to earn Emergency Medical Technician certification. Contact your state's department of health to find out about local classes and tests. To become an EMT, you need to be 18, go through a background check, take educational classes teaching you how to assess injured people, and pass a test to make sure you comprehend the subject matter. Most states adhere to standards set by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, and require that prospective EMTs pass the registry's test.
  
  

Apply to the Fire Department

• Contact your local fire department and apply for any available positions. If the department doesn't have any open positions, try volunteering to gain experience and make connections. Applying for a firefighter job typically involves filling out an application that details your related work history and education, along with an interview with the fire chief and any other decision-making personnel. You may also have to get a medical examination and take a physical test to make sure you can withstand the rigors of the job.
  
  

Train on the Job

• After a firefighter begins his job with the fire department, he will typically train for a few weeks on the job. He will learn how to fight and prevent fires, how to handle hazardous material during a fire, and how to use equipment such as chain saws, fire extinguishers and ladders. After completing the initial training, most fire departments will assign the new firefighter to a truck. The recruit enters into a probationary period for an amount of time set by each fire department.