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||Defence and Paramilitary Services||
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Written by Mumtaj Khan
Feb 04, 2026

Firefighting: A Career Built on Courage and Commitment

Firefighter (Firemen) is the courageous individual of the society who volunteer in this line of firefighting not just as a vocation but as a means of just making ends meet by just earning the living of their families. One time volunteer work has assumed a professional nature in the past decades due to the rising urbanization and multitasking of the job the firefighter must undertake in the current scenario. They are not just assigned to extinguish the fire but also address any other disaster that occurs either natural or manmade such as building collapses, accidents, plane crashes/ emergency landing, earthquake etc since they are a professional trained individual to address such disasters. He is an expert who can manage these disasters in the most effective manner and with minimum number of casualties.

Any effective manner that they will discharge their duty requires them to be taken through special training/course. In order to enter into these courses, they may follow the course that is stated below and enter into this good and risky yet rewarding profession:

Firefighter Eligibility

Educational Qualification : The requirements to join as a Firefighter- should be +2 in any stream.

Age Limits : May (depending on the state) Between 18 to 27.

  • Physical Requirements
  • Height - Minimum 165 Cms
  • Weight - 50 Kgs
  • Chest Measurement - 81 Centimetres, and 5 Centimetres enlargement.
  • Visual acuity - 6/6, with or without assistance.

Skills needed as a firefighter

  • Firefighters would need integrity such as honest, trustworthy, reliable and accountable.
  • They ought to be physically fit like having the ability to complete physical jobs.
  • They also have good communication such as good people skills and good articulation.
  • They ought to possess the flexibility/adaptability such as low-maintenance, work under stress, compromising, adapt and overcome.
  • Their other desired skills are dedication (passion, pride, heart, desire, drive, competence, work ethic); team player; tolerance and a public image.

How to become a Firefighter?

To become a Firefighter- one has to go through below-given steps:

Step 1 : The interested candidate must attend a written entrance exam, by different institutions offering on the job training which might be between 6 months and 12 months. The written exam can be divided into multiple choice questions that are generally 150-200 in number. The written examinations might be in any of the following subjects of testing:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Human Relations
  • Problem Solving
  • Judgment
  • Math
  • Memory
  • Charts
  • Inductive Reasoning
  • Deductive Reasoning
  • Visualization
  • Verbal and Listening Comprehension.
  • Spelling
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Oral and Written Communication Information.

Step 2 : Once qualified in written test the aspirants have to undergo physical endurance test and then medical examination and psychological examination of the aspirants. This is a physical agility test that is aimed at testing the candidate on his/her skill on d fire-fighting. This physical agility test could be connected with the work which is actually done by fire-fighters. The design of this test is to determine that the firefighter would possess a high standard of aerobic energy, strength as well as a considerable level of fatigue resistance.

Given the requirements of the profession i.e. saving life and property of the populace that too without subjecting themselves to much damage on top of the stress and pressure of the environment, the consideration of the need to ensure that the recruits of the fire brigade are physically capable and medically fit to learn and do the required work is viewed as the most crucial aspect of the recruitment criterion.

Step 3 : Having passed this physical stamina examination and medical and psychological examination, the aspirants are integrated into the force as a trainee to undergo on job training of different advanced instruments to be used in different circumstances of emergencies depending on their field of operation in different areas where they are needed.

Job Description of a Firefighter

Though they have the primary mandate and training in fighting the fire of the same kind, yet they may majorly be engaged in evacuation of the people safely out of other calamities fire simply because of the sensitivity that they have to their duty of saving lives out of the grip of death. To carry out all these tasks adequately, they are armed and trained to handle different levels of sophisticated and traditional equipment. Ensuring all rescue equipment is properly checked on a daily basis and well maintained in good shape so that it can be in a serviceable condition at any given time is one of the most important things that the firemen are doing. The firemen have to determine the kind of fire they have to deal with and chose the right extinguishing agent when approaching a fire scene because different kinds of fires need different extinguishing agents and different ways to achieve good results. They are forced to combat fires of different kinds, such as wildfires, building, vehicles, aircraft, or installations fires, and each of them poses its own troubles and challenges. They must be fighting fit and professionally trained only then they can save the lives of the people with a minimum risk to her own life.

Career prospects of firefighters

The firefighters have tremendous job opportunities within large manufacturing facilities especially those dealing with production of chemicals or flammable materials such as petroleum refinery, petrochemicals and plastic, fertilizers, textile, LPG and LNG storage and bottling plants, chemicals and other plants where fire may occur. In addition to that, fire departments of local government, insurance companies, the aircraft industry, and a region with the risk of fire or combustion are also staffed by firefighters. A seasoned Firefighter can also operate as surveyors in insurance companies to provide the appropriate determination of the loss of the clients in case of fire in their units etc.

Firefighters' Job Titles

  • Firefighter
  • First in Command Firefighter (or Crew manager)
  • Sub Officer (or Watch manager)
  • Station Officer (or Station Manager)
  • Assistant Divisional Officer.
  • Divisional Officer
  • Assistant Chief Fire Officer
  • rising to Chief Fire Officer in due course.
  • Chief Fire Officer (Top position in this ladder)

Firefighter Salary

Firefighter gets nearly Rs.20,000 per month to start with and can go as far as Rs.40,000 with experience in the field. Besides this, Firefighters get uniforms, medical aid scheme and pension fund, annual leave and housing subsidy. A firefighter with extraordinary skills and exemplary courage can reach higher positions in the organization.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anyone with good physical fitness, courage, and a strong sense of public service can become a Firefighter.
Most departments require 10+2 pass, while some prefer science or technical backgrounds.
Generally 18–27 years, with age relaxation for reserved categories as per rules.
Yes, candidates must clear physical endurance, strength, and medical fitness tests.
Physical stamina, teamwork, quick decision-making, problem-solving, and stress management.

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