Civil Firefighter: What is Needed to Enter the Profession

A civilian firefighter is a trained and qualified professional primarily involved in fire prevention and firefighting.

But they can also work providing security for private environments such as companies, industries, events, and condominiums.

In addition to carrying out rescues in emergency situations.

Therefore, the profession of civilian firefighter is fundamental to the safety of the population in various sectors.

So, as you've already gathered from the beginning of our essay, the work of civilian firefighters is extremely important to society.

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

But to become a civilian firefighter, you need to have a specific training course.

Therefore, to help you understand everything about the profession and how to become a good professional, keep reading what we have prepared for you.

What does a civilian firefighter do?

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

But in reality, the main objective of professionals working in this area is prevention.

Since civilian firefighters work in private companies, either directly, as contractors, or independently.

Therefore, after being hired, the first responsibility of a civilian firefighter is to become familiar with the layout of the location where they will be working.

This will require the professional to conduct inspections, monitor the maintenance of safety equipment, and even prepare reports related to these inspections.

In the event of a fire, they will be responsible for evacuating the premises and controlling the flames until the emergency response team arrives.

Areas of expertise

Civilian firefighters primarily operate in private areas, such as condominiums, stores, shopping malls, and industries.

They can also work in carrying out inspections, issuing permits, and providing security for events, for example.

Therefore, you can either work in a fixed location or do freelance work; it will depend on your contract.

But to become a civilian firefighter, specific training and a lot of study are necessary.

How to become a civilian firefighter?

Like most professionals these days, to be a civilian firefighter you need to be certified in a specific training course.

These courses are offered by various 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.

In addition, it's important that you possess certain key characteristics to work in this field.

For example, having courage, determination, working well in a team, and especially knowing how to handle stressful and high-pressure situations.

Requirements to become a Civil Firefighter

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

These requirements may vary depending on legislation, regional regulations, and the company providing 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 civilian firefighter;
2. Documentation: The main required documents are ID, CPF (Brazilian tax identification number), 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 the specific training course to become a civilian firefighter;
5. Professional registration: In some regions, you need to be registered with the Regional Council of Occupational Safety Technicians (CRT) to work as a civilian firefighter;
6. Practical experience: Many companies require professionals to have practical experience in the field, so ideally, during your training, you should invest in internships and volunteer work;
7. Good physical fitness: Some civilian firefighters may need to perform activities that include carrying heavy equipment and acting in emergency situations. Therefore, maintaining good physical fitness is very important, especially when performing these tasks. pre-employment medical examination.

What is the training like to become a civilian firefighter?

NBR 16877 requires criteria for the programmatic content of courses Requirements to become a civilian firefighter.

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

Furthermore, it's 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 one has, the greater their chances of entering the job market.

As mentioned above, investing in internships and volunteer work can be a differentiating factor during the hiring process.

But having a few more certifications can also give you an edge when a company is choosing a professional.

So, we'll list three of the main additional certifications you can include in your education to increase your chances of being hired.

Additional courses

• Occupational health and safety and confined spaces;
• Handling of fuels and flammable materials;
• Working at heights.

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

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

Therefore, we can conclude that entering the profession of civilian firefighter will require a great deal of study and dedication.

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

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

And don't forget to seek practical experience in the field so that you can constantly develop and become a good professional.

Given that

I am a member of the O Administrador team and I produce content about career, personal finance, financial education, productivity, and professional development. My goal is to share clear and practical information to help readers with their day-to-day decisions.

April 4, 2023