Firefighter Resume examples & templates
Copyable Firefighter Resume examples
What drives someone to rush toward danger when everyone else is running away? Firefighting isn't just a career—it's a calling that demands extraordinary courage, quick thinking, and unwavering dedication. Beyond the dramatic rescues portrayed in media, today's firefighters are trained as multi-disciplinary first responders who handle everything from medical emergencies to hazardous material incidents. This evolution has transformed the profession, with nearly 67% of fire department calls now being medical-related rather than fire-related, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
The field is experiencing significant shifts toward technology integration, with thermal imaging cameras, drones, and AI-powered decision support systems becoming standard tools at many departments. While the job remains physically demanding and inherently dangerous, these technological advances are helping to protect those who protect us. For those seeking a career with profound purpose, firefighting offers something few other professions can match—the chance to make a direct, life-saving impact on your community nearly every shift you work.
Junior Firefighter Resume Example
MARCUS RODRIGUEZ
Los Angeles, CA 90041 | (323) 555-8124 | m.rodriguez@email.com | linkedin.com/in/marcusrodriguez
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Recently certified Firefighter with 18 months of experience responding to emergency calls and providing fire suppression services. Completed 750+ hours of specialized training and participated in 75+ emergency responses. Committed team player with strong physical capabilities and quick decision-making skills in high-pressure situations. Seeking to leverage EMT certification and wildland firefighting experience to serve the community as a full-time municipal firefighter.
EXPERIENCE
Firefighter I – Los Angeles County Fire Department, Station 42, Los Angeles, CA
June 2023 – Present
- Respond to approximately 6-8 emergency calls per shift, including structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies
- Maintain and operate firefighting equipment including pumps, hoses, and hydraulic rescue tools
- Assist in fire prevention inspections for 40+ commercial properties
- Participate in weekly training drills to maintain and improve firefighting skills
- Conduct fire safety education presentations at 5 local schools, reaching 300+ students
Seasonal Wildland Firefighter – California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), Angeles National Forest
May 2022 – September 2022
- Deployed to 3 major wildfire incidents, participating in containment operations for 14+ days consecutively
- Constructed fire lines using hand tools and chainsaws across varied terrain
- Operated pumps and laid hose lines for direct and indirect fire attacks
- Maintained fire equipment and vehicles during daily inspections
- Completed 120 hours of field training in wildland firefighting techniques
Volunteer Firefighter – Glendale Fire Department, Glendale, CA
January 2022 – May 2022
- Completed 240 hours of basic firefighter training while responding to emergency calls
- Assisted in emergency medical responses, providing basic life support until paramedics arrived
- Participated in station maintenance and equipment checks on a regular basis
- Attended bi-weekly training sessions on fire suppression and rescue techniques
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Science in Fire Science
Los Angeles City College – Los Angeles, CA
Graduated: December 2021
Certifications:
- Firefighter I Certification – California State Fire Marshal (2022)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) – California EMS Authority (2021)
- Hazardous Materials First Responder Operations Level (2022)
- S-130/S-190 Basic Wildland Fire Training (2022)
- CPR/AED for Professional Rescuers – American Red Cross (Current)
- Confined Space Awareness (2023)
SKILLS
- Fire suppression techniques
- Emergency vehicle operation
- Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)
- Basic life support/First aid
- Vehicle extrication
- Radio communications
- Hydraulic & pneumatic rescue tools
- Fire code knowledge
- Physical fitness & stamina
- Spanish (conversational)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Physical Capabilities: Successfully passed CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) with a time of 9:32 (10:20 maximum allowed)
Community Involvement: Volunteer, Burn Foundation of Southern California – Assisted with 2 fundraising events for children affected by burn injuries
Mid-level Firefighter Resume Example
Michael Ramirez
Portland, OR 97209 • (503) 555-8127 • mramirez.fire@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaelramirez
Dedicated Firefighter with 5+ years of progressive experience in emergency response, fire suppression, and community safety education. Trained in advanced rescue techniques with proven ability to maintain composure in high-pressure situations. Known for strong teamwork and clear communication during critical incidents. Committed to ongoing professional development and maintaining peak physical fitness standards.
EXPERIENCE
Firefighter II
Portland Fire Department, Portland, OR
June 2020 – Present
- Respond to approximately 650+ emergency calls annually, including structure fires, vehicle accidents, hazmat incidents, and medical emergencies
- Lead fire safety inspections for 43 commercial properties quarterly, identifying hazards and ensuring compliance with local fire codes
- Serve as Acting Lieutenant during 12 shifts in 2022, coordinating 4-person crew activities and managing station operations
- Instruct CPR and first aid courses to community groups, training over 175 residents in life-saving techniques
- Developed improved equipment maintenance schedule that reduced out-of-service time by 31% compared to previous year
Firefighter I
Gresham Fire Department, Gresham, OR
March 2018 – May 2020
- Responded to emergency calls including structure fires, wildland fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies
- Maintained and tested fire apparatus, tools, and equipment to ensure operational readiness
- Participated in 200+ hours of training in fire suppression tactics, ventilation techniques, and forcible entry
- Assisted in delivering fire prevention education programs to local elementary schools (reached 1,200+ students)
- Volunteered for community smoke detector installation program, helping install 87 detectors in at-risk neighborhoods
Volunteer Firefighter
Clackamas County Fire District, Happy Valley, OR
January 2017 – March 2018
- Completed Firefighter I certification while responding to emergency calls on 24-hour shifts
- Assisted in station maintenance and equipment cleaning after incidents
- Participated in weekly training drills to develop skills in fire suppression and emergency medical services
- Supported senior firefighters during structure fires and vehicle extraction operations
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science
Portland Community College, Portland, OR (2017)
Certifications:
- Firefighter I & II (NFPA 1001)
- Hazardous Materials Operations & Awareness
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B)
- Vehicle & Machinery Rescue Technician
- Wildland Firefighter Type 2 (S-130/S-190)
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Confined Space Rescue (completed Sept 2022)
SKILLS
- Fire Suppression Tactics
- Emergency Medical Services
- SCBA Operations & Maintenance
- Vehicle Extrication
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- High-angle Rescue Techniques
- Fire Safety Inspections
- Pump Operations
- Hydraulic Calculations
- Public Education & Outreach
- Radio Communications
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Physical Fitness: Maintain top physical condition; completed Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge 2022 (ranked 14th overall)
Community Service: Volunteer youth basketball coach at East Portland Community Center (2019-present)
Senior / Experienced Firefighter Resume Example
MICHAEL TORRES
Portland, OR • (503) 555-8764 • mtorres.fire@email.com • linkedin.com/in/michaeltorres
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated Fire Captain with 11+ years of firefighting and emergency medical response experience. Skilled in managing complex emergency situations and leading teams through high-pressure incidents. Trained 23 new firefighters and implemented station safety protocols that reduced on-duty injuries by 37%. Committed to community education and fire prevention initiatives while maintaining excellent physical and mental readiness.
EXPERIENCE
Fire Captain – Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland, OR
April 2019 – Present
- Lead a crew of 8 firefighters on Engine 12, handling 1,900+ emergency calls annually including structure fires, medical emergencies, hazmat incidents, and technical rescues
- Developed and implemented a new rapid-deployment protocol that reduced response time by 46 seconds on average
- Coordinate with battalion chiefs and incident commanders during multi-alarm fires to manage personnel assignments and safety protocols
- Conduct weekly equipment inspections and maintenance checks to ensure 100% operational readiness
- Serve as department’s technical rescue specialist, training 15+ firefighters in rope rescue techniques
Firefighter/Paramedic – Portland Fire & Rescue, Portland, OR
September 2015 – March 2019
- Responded to approximately 2,700 emergency calls including structure fires, vehicle accidents, and medical emergencies
- Administered advanced life support care to critical patients, maintaining a 89% successful stabilization rate
- Conducted 75+ fire safety inspections for local businesses and multi-family dwellings
- Assisted in development of community CPR training program that certified 340+ residents
- Participated in “Get Alarmed” smoke detector campaign, installing 520+ detectors in vulnerable neighborhoods
Firefighter – Gresham Fire Department, Gresham, OR
July 2012 – August 2015
- Responded to fire and medical emergency calls in a suburban community serving 110,000+ residents
- Performed search and rescue operations, ventilation, and fire suppression tactics at structure fires
- Maintained and operated pumper truck equipment including hoses, ladders, and hydraulic tools
- Conducted station tours for local schools, reaching approximately 600 children annually
EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS
Associate of Applied Science, Fire Science – Portland Community College, 2012
Certifications:
- Fire Officer II (National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications)
- Paramedic License (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians)
- Hazardous Materials Technician
- Confined Space Rescue Technician
- Swift Water Rescue Technician
- Rope Rescue Technician Level II
- Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
- Fire Inspector I
SKILLS
- Incident Command System (ICS)
- Fire suppression tactics
- Emergency medical services
- Team leadership
- Technical rescue operations
- SCBA operations & maintenance
- Fire code enforcement
- Crisis communication
- Vehicle extrication
- Public education & outreach
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Physical Fitness: Maintain top-tier fitness levels, completed Portland Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge 3 years running
Volunteer: Youth mentor with Camp Blaze, a firefighting camp for young women interested in fire service careers
How to Write a Firefighter Resume
Introduction
Landing a firefighter job is competitive—sometimes with hundreds of applicants for a single position. Your resume isn't just paperwork; it's your first chance to show why you belong on that engine. Having reviewed countless firefighter applications while helping candidates get hired at departments across the country, I've seen what works (and what gets tossed). This guide will walk you through creating a resume that stands out for all the right reasons.
Resume Structure and Format
Keep your firefighter resume clean and organized—just like the station. Aim for 1-2 pages depending on your experience level. Rookie? One page is plenty. Veteran with 15+ years? Two pages max.
- Use a professional, readable font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman in 11-12pt)
- Include clear section headers with proper spacing
- Stick with reverse chronological format (most recent experience first)
- Save as a PDF unless specifically asked for another format
- Name your file professionally (JohnSmith_Firefighter_Resume.pdf)
Remember: Many fire departments still use paper applications or print digital submissions. Avoid fancy graphics, columns, or text boxes that might not print properly or confuse ATS systems.
Profile/Summary Section
Your profile should be brief (3-5 lines) and pack a punch. Think of it as your 30-second introduction at the station. Include your certification level, years of experience, and 1-2 key strengths that make you valuable to the department.
Example: "Certified Firefighter II with 6 years of structural and wildland firefighting experience. EMT-Advanced with specialized training in technical rescue operations. Known for quick decision-making during high-stress incidents and strong mechanical aptitude for apparatus maintenance."
Professional Experience
This is where you prove you can do the job. For each position, include:
- Department name and location
- Your rank/position
- Dates of service (month/year)
- 4-6 bullet points highlighting achievements and responsibilities
Focus on specifics: types of calls responded to, specialized roles on scene, training provided to others, equipment operated, and community outreach. Numbers tell a story—include them whenever possible.
- Weak: "Responded to emergency calls"
- Strong: "Responded to 1,200+ emergency calls annually including structure fires, MVAs, hazmat incidents, and medical emergencies across a 47-square-mile district"
Education and Certifications
Firefighting is credential-heavy. List all relevant certifications with their expiration dates (if applicable). Include your education, fire academy training, and specialized courses.
- Firefighter I & II
- EMT/Paramedic credentials
- Hazmat Operations/Technician
- Vehicle Extrication
- Driver/Operator certifications
- ICS training (100, 200, 700, 800)
- Technical rescue specialties (rope rescue, confined space, etc.)
Keywords and ATS Tips
Many departments use Applicant Tracking Systems to screen resumes before human eyes see them. Include terminology from the job posting—but don't just copy/paste. Naturally incorporate terms like "emergency response," "incident command," "fire suppression," and "patient care" throughout your resume.
Industry-specific Terms
Show you speak the language of the firehouse. Use accurate terminology for equipment, procedures, and roles. Mention specific apparatus you're qualified on (Engine, Truck, Rescue, etc.), SCBA experience, hose deployment techniques, or forcible entry methods when relevant to your experience.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using general terms instead of fire service-specific language
- Omitting volunteer experience (it counts!)
- Focusing only on emergency response (departments value prevention, education, and maintenance duties too)
- Including irrelevant personal details (your bench press max or marathon time unless specifically relevant)
- Typos and grammatical errors (attention to detail is life-or-death in this field)
Before/After Example
Before: "Helped put out fires and assisted with medical calls."
After: "Served as nozzle operator on first-due engine company, establishing initial fire attack at 75+ structure fires. Administered BLS care to 400+ patients annually, maintaining scene safety while coordinating with ALS providers."
Your resume should demonstrate not just what you did, but how well you did it. Stay safe out there—and good luck with the job hunt!
Related Resume Examples
Soft skills for your Firefighter resume
- Calm decision-making under extreme pressure – able to assess situations quickly while maintaining composure when others might panic
- Team-first mentality with experience guiding newer crew members through high-stress incidents
- Clear radio communication during chaotic situations (developed after the Jenkins St. apartment fire where standard protocols broke down)
- Adaptability to rapidly changing conditions – comfortable adjusting tactics mid-response
- Conflict resolution among station personnel during extended shifts and close-quarters living
- Physical and mental stamina management – knowing personal limits and recognizing fatigue in teammates
Hard skills for your Firefighter resume
- NFPA 1001 Firefighter I & II Certification
- Technical Rope Rescue Operations (TRRO)
- Hazmat Operations & Technician Level Response
- Swift Water Rescue Techniques
- Pumper/Tanker Operation (Type 1 Engine)
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B or EMT-P)
- FireHouse Software & Records Management
- Wildland Fire Suppression (S-130/S-190 certified)
- Forcible Entry & Ventilation Tactics