3 Firefighter Resume Examples (with Writing Tips)

Firefighter Resume Template (Text Format)

Whether you’re an aspiring firefighter or an experienced firefighting professional, we have targeted resume samples for you to refer to below (keep scrolling).

Entry-level firefighting resume (with no experience)

If you’d like to join your city’s fire department, follow this no experience firefighter resume:

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Entry-level firefighter resume highlights

• Beginner certifications: Although this candidate isn’t a professional firefighter, they have some certifications that make their application competitive. For example, they have EMT, FCA, and CPAT certifications as well as a valid driver’s license, all common requirements for new firefighters.
• Volunteer experience: Since firefighting is this candidate’s passion, they’ve included relevant volunteer experience to show fire departments that they’re already capable of performing the duties of a firefighter.

Experienced firefighter resume

You have years of leadership and firefighting experience to showcase, so present them both on your resume as this applicant does:

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Senior firefighter (captain) resume highlights

• Quantification: Quantification simply means adding numbers to your resume to illustrate what you’ve done or accomplished. As an FDNY captain, this candidate showcases their leadership skills by specifying the number of subordinates under them now (20) and in their previous role (7).
• Leadership verbs: As well as adding numbers to their resume, this candidate shows they’re a leader by using verbs of leadership, like “oversee,” “command,” “direct,” and “manage” to highlight their leadership skills.

How to write a firefighter resume

Here are four tips to help you perfect your firefighter resume quickly so you can succeed at your job search.

1. Highlight your firefighting certifications

Firefighters need a range of certifications and licenses to prove they’re qualified and legally allowed by their state to work as an emergency responder.

You should add your certifications and licenses to a dedicated certifications section that’s placed prominently on your resume so that fire departments can quickly find them. This will ensure that your resume stands out in a field of other applicants.

To find out how to serve as a firefighter in your area, check with your local fire department to see what the requirements are.

Here are the necessary certifications and licenses to apply for your first job with the three biggest fire departments in America:

2. Use your fire department’s rank structure to show your level of responsibility

When writing your job title, use your fire department’s rank structure to be as specific as possible.

For instance, if you work for FDNY, don’t use “Senior Firefighter,” but use “Associate Inspector L1” or “Battalion Chief.”

If you’re applying for a different job with FDNY, this will help them quickly understand your current level of responsibility.

And if you’re transferring to a different fire department, they’ll have a comparative rank table that’ll help them figure out your responsibility level and seniority.

Here are the rank structures for the US’s two largest fire departments (we omitted the very top ranks):

3. Quantify your firefighter resume bullet points

Adding numbers to your firefighter resume is called quantifying your accomplishments.

It’s a great strategy for making your resume stand out because numbers pop off the page. Additionally, fire departments will be able to see what you’re capable of and what the impact of hiring you would be.

Here are five examples of quantified bullet points for a firefighting resume:

4. Include the technical skills fire departments want to see

As a firefighter, you’ll be expected to have several technical skills corresponding to the equipment you’ll be using on a daily basis and life saving techniques.

You shouldn’t assume fire departments will know you have these skills just because you’re already a qualified firefighter, so add them to your resume.

Here are 10 skills a firefighter in any city needs (you can also check the job description to see what to add to your resume):

Resume examples for different industries

Not sure what your resume should look like? The best way to learn is by taking inspiration from resume examples written by other candidates in your industry.

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Average firefighter salaries in the US

After you’ve written your resume, make sure you use it to apply for jobs within a fair salary range.

The following table includes information from the most recent US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics report (May 2024). Here are the ten states with the highest salaries for firefighters, as well as the national average for your reference when applying for work.