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In the modern workplace environment, examples of classic heroism prove largely elusive. The classic virtue of heroic nobility persists, however, in public service occupations such as firefighter and fire chief. Firefighting work demands selfless bravery that regularly saves lives and valuable property.

If high-pressure situations and frequent tests of courage describe your ideal job environment, you could be well-suited to a firefighting occupation. Be prepared, however, for long and irregular hours; most firefighters work 50-hour weeks in odd patterns of 24 hours on, 48 hours off, and receive extra days off at predetermined intervals. Firefighters must respond immediately to fires and other emergencies and may remain on scene for several days at a time. In addition to putting out fires, firefighters also respond to traffic accidents and medical emergencies. They must maintain strict levels of physical fitness and practice complex drills involving organization and teamwork.

Career Training and Degrees in Firefighting and Fire Science

Fire science associate's degree programs expose recruits to simulated disaster scenarios, such as burning high-rise buildings, aircraft catastrophes, and even hazardous material spills. An associate's degree from an accredited college represents the same high standard of excellence as municipal fire academies.

Public safety professionals can prepare themselves to earn higher salaries by pursuing a bachelor's degree in a specialized area of fire science. Many schools now offer targeted concentrations on terrorism incident management, natural disaster relief, and arson investigation.

Students can lay the groundwork for a career as a fire chief by completing courses in management and personnel administration. Other professionals use their exposure to classes in chemistry and engineering to launch careers as fire prevention specialists, working with contractors and architects to design safer buildings.

Most aspiring firefighters elect to supplement their degrees with Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-Basic) or paramedic certification, qualifications increasingly required by fire departments.

Job Outlook for Fire Fighters

The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that, for such an essential occupation, firefighters often endure relatively low pay and poor working conditions. Still, steady growth for this profession is expected over the 2006-2016 decade. Applicants with superior physical fitness and mechanical aptitude will enjoy the greatest advantages.

Fire science degree holders can qualify for more specialized jobs in local public safety agencies or in government administration. While fire prevention specialists and code inspectors often earn median annual salaries of about $46,000, fire chiefs and lieutenants in larger cities can earn upwards of $80,000 per year.