Civil Firefighter: What It Takes to Enter the Profession

The Civil Firefighter is a professional trained and qualified mainly to work in fire prevention and fighting.

But you can also work taking care of the security of private environments such as companies, industries, events and condominiums.

In addition to carrying out rescues in emergency situations.

Therefore, the profession of civil firefighter is fundamental for the safety of the population in several sectors.

So, from what you have already gathered from the beginning of our article, the work of a civil firefighter is extremely important to society.

And for this reason, it requires that professionals be trained to act in the different situations to which they are exposed, from small fires to major tragedies that require a large contingent of firefighters.

But to become a civil firefighter it is necessary to have a specific training course.

So that you understand everything about the profession and how to become a good professional, continue following what we have prepared for you.

What does a Civil Firefighter do?

When you think about the profession of a civil firefighter, the first thing that probably comes to mind is a fire.

But in fact, the main objective of the professional working in this area is prevention work.

Since the civil firefighter's field of activity is private companies, where he works directly, outsourced or independently.

Therefore, after being hired, the first responsibility of the civil firefighter is to know the layout of the place where he will work.

And this will require the professional to carry out inspections, control the maintenance of safety equipment and even prepare reports regarding these inspections.

If there is a fire, you will be responsible for evacuating the area and controlling the flames until all contingency services arrive.

Areas of activity

Civilian firefighters work mainly in private areas, such as condominiums, stores, shopping malls and industries.

And they can also work on carrying out inspections, issuing permits and providing security for events, for example.

Therefore, you can work only in a fixed location or do occasional services, this will depend on your contract.

But to become a civil firefighter it is necessary to have specific training and study a lot.

How to become a civil firefighter?

Like most professionals today, to be a civil firefighter you need to have certification in a specific training course.

These courses are offered by several institutions and aim to prepare professionals to act in emergency situations and risk prevention.

The training courses offer theoretical and practical classes with content covering fire prevention and fighting, first aid, rescue and salvage, among others.

Furthermore, it is important that you have some important characteristics to work in this area.

For example, having courage, determination, working well in a team and, above all, knowing how to deal with stressful and pressure situations.

Requirements to become a Civil Firefighter

To become a civil firefighter you will need to meet some basic requirements.

These requirements may vary depending on legislation, regional regulations and the company that will provide the service.

But in general the following requirements are necessary:

1. Minimum age: You must be at least 18 years old to work as a civil firefighter;
2. Documentation: The main documentation required is ID, CPF and criminal record certificate, these documents must be up to date.
3. Education: You will need to have at least completed elementary school, but most companies require a high school diploma;
4. Training course: It is extremely important that you have completed a specific training course for civil firefighters;
5. Professional registration: In some regions, you must have professional registration with the Regional Council of Occupational Safety Technicians (CRT) to work as a civil firefighter;
6. Practical experience: Many companies require professionals to have practical experience in the area, so the ideal is that during your training you invest in internships and volunteering;
7. Good physical fitness: Some civilian firefighters may need to perform activities that include carrying heavy equipment and acting in emergency situations. Therefore, maintaining physical fitness is very important, especially when it comes to admission exam.

What is the preparation for becoming a civil firefighter like?

NBR 16877 requires criteria for the program contents of courses required for you to become a civilian firefighter.

Therefore, for those of you who intend to pursue a career as a civil firefighter, it is very important to research the educational institutions that offer training courses.

Furthermore, it is important to remember that this profession requires constant preparation, updates and refresher courses so that you are always prepared to face emergency situations.

However, as in any profession, the more specializations you have, the more chances you have of entering the job market.

As mentioned above, investing in internships and volunteering can make a difference when hiring.

But having a few more certifications can also take you a step ahead when the company is choosing a professional.

So we will list three of the main additional certifications that you can include in your training and increase your chances of being hired.

Additional courses

• Safety and health at work and in confined spaces;
• Handling of fuels and flammables;
• Working at height.

Another tip that can help you is to improve your knowledge of topics already covered in the courses, such as first aid and rescue courses.

Having a category D driver's license can also be a big advantage, as it will allow you to drive emergency vehicles.

Therefore, we can conclude that to enter the profession of civil firefighter it will be necessary to study and dedicate a lot.

Since the profession is fundamental for the safety of the general population and offers a range of job opportunities.

So if you really want to pursue a career as a civil firefighter, be sure to research the institutions that offer the specialization course.

And don't forget to seek practical experience in the area so that you can be in constant development to become a good professional.

Given that April 4, 2023