Firefighter Resume Sample

Whether you are a professional or beginner firefighter, in order to land a job, you will need to provide potential employers and recruiters with a killer resume that shows what a great laborer you are and encourages them to recruit you.

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But how to craft a winning resume that will help you jump-start your career or take it to the next level? We’ve got you covered!

This guide was compiled by experts from SkillHub who’ve got plenty of experience in the resume writing business. Here, you’ll find your perfect firefighter resume writing sample and actionable steps to writing your own resume.

Best Format for a Firefighter Resume

To write a winning resume sample firefighter, you will need to find ways to present your strongest personal traits, past experiences, key skills, and accomplishments in such a way that drives the recruiter’s attention and gets you employed.

But, first things first. Before you move on to writing the body of your resume, you will have to identify the right firefighter resume format that will work best for you. And we are here to help.

The perfect firefighter resume should follow a clear and consistent format. Here are the core tips to consider:

• Pick the reverse-chronological firefighter resume template. It’s the best pick since this layout puts your best features forward, making them easy to notice for a hiring manager.
• Use white space to your benefit to make your fire department resume look not too bulky and make it easy to navigate through.
• To make it look appealing to the eye, be sure to use clear fonts and headings consistently throughout the entire document.
• Stick to a PDF file. Almost every recruiter will find it most appropriate. Use it unless otherwise is stated in a description of a particular job you are planning to apply for.

Firefighter Resume Objective or Resume Summary

An objective or summary both perform the same function - to drive the attention to your job application, engage the hiring managers, and deliver your best points across first. It’s like an introduction to your resume. And it should be there to make you stand out.

Now, let’s look at the differences.

• A firefighter resume objective is an intro that shows passion. It works ideally for job seekers who are switching professions or for beginners.
• A resume summary, on the contrary, communicates your biggest achievements and highlights your professionalism. It’s perfect if you are an applicant with plenty of relevant work experience.

Firefighter Resume Summary [Examples]

Find below two firefighter resume samples of a summary.

❌ Wrong: Experienced and highly-skilled firefighter. Possess 5 years of experience handling various responsibilities and duties at the San Antonio Fire Department. Have strong leadership skills and experience in pump operation.

✅ Right: Certified, safety-oriented firefighter with 5 years of experience. Looking to leverage proven leadership and firefighting skills and knowledge at [fire station you’re applying to] to support excellence and show outstanding performance. Helped control and eliminate 50+ fire cases and have a 100% success rate in rescuing trapped people and providing pre-hospital first aid. 10 times the employee of the month.

Firefighter Resume Objective [Examples]

If you don’t have much experience yet, here are two examples of a firefighter resume objective.

❌ Wrong: Result-oriented graduate of a Massachusetts Firefighting Academy (MFA) striving to save lives and help people. Possess thorough knowledge of pump operation. Have a valid and 100%-clean driver’s license. Looking to grow professionally and develop within the [fire station you’re applying to].

✅ Right: Hard-working and dedicated EMS1 paramedic and firefighter seeking to work at the [fire station you’re applying to]. As a volunteer at a local fire department helped with managing supplies and reduced supply costs by 15% by finding more promising vendors.

Firefighter Resume: Tailoring Experience Section to a Job Description

One thing you should keep in mind is that the job description always has everything you need to create a job-winning resume and make the best impression. That’s why we encourage you to carefully study the job offer before writing your firefighter resume.

The core function of every firefighter is to protect the public in different emergency situations, which include not only fires but also car accidents, flooding, chemical spills, etc. A typical firefighter job description can include the following responsibilities:

• Using rescue and firefighting equipment
• Maintaining equipment
• Inspecting compliance with fire safety
• Performing practice drills
• Cooperating with ambulance and police
• Promoting fire safety through training, talks, etc.

Based on these responsibilities, the requirements to this position include being physically fit, possess strong leadership, teamwork, and communication skills, knowledge of special equipment, and being able to work under pressure. And that’s what you need to focus on when writing your resume.

Firefighter Resume Examples [Experience]

To write a great sample firefighter resume experience section, use the reverse-chronological layout. This way you will put your latest experience first.

The basic details to include are:

• Job title
• Place of work
• Years of work

Additionally, add a few points to highlight core skills and achievements. And don’t hesitate to quantify them to catch attention.

Here is a well-written experience section for a firefighter resume sample:

Firefighter/Rescuer

San Antonio Fire Department

2015-2018

• Closely collaborated with the police and ambulance
• Trained 5 recruits on department procedures and policies
• Helped the local police department increase fire safety by 30% through intensive training

A Resume for Firefighter With No Experience

What if you don’t yet have relevant experience? Don’t worry! The good news is that you can write a resume for firefighter with no experience and still land a job.

To get employed without professional experience, you need to shift the focus of recruiting firms to your transferable skills and accomplishments from other jobs. It can be anything that highlights vital firefighter qualities such as:

• Honesty
• Physical fitness
• Teamwork
• Strong work ethics

Also, it will be wise to emphasize your education (if any) and additional activities, such as volunteering. Things like that will show recruiters that you’ve got all the skills and traits needed for the job.

Entry Level Firefighter Resume [No Experience]

Let’s compare these two firefighter resume examples:

❌ Wrong

Firefighter Experience: Seeking to land the first job

Other Experiences:

• Sales specialist
• Construction worker

See how this example has absolutely nothing to do with the job you are applying for? That’s something you don’t want.

✅ Right

Volunteer at San Antonio Fire Department

2013-2015

• Helped with managing supplies and reduced supply costs by 15%
• Received commendations for being a team player and taking initiative at the workplace

Now, in the second case, the applicant still doesn’t have actual work experience, but they make an emphasis on relevant volunteering experience. Similarly, other experiences can also look relevant if you highlight the right skills.

How to Make Your Education Section Flawless

It doesn’t matter if you are applying for entry level firefighter jobs or already possess lots of relevant experience, in any case, you will have to showcase your education and you should make this section flawless.

When putting the education section on a firefighter resume, include the following details:

• The name and location of your school
• Years of study
• Acquired degree

Additionally, you can add a few bullet points with big accomplishments that can be relevant to the position you’d like to occupy. For example, it can be relevant coursework, academic projects, memberships, and even GPA if it’s truly impressive, etc.

Firefighter Resume Examples [Education]

Look at these firefighter education entries to nail it:

❌ Wrong

Whitehall High School

2009-2013

• Graduated with degree
• GPA 3.0

Madison Fire Department

2013-2014

• Completed the Recruit Training program

✅ Right

Madison Fire Department Recruit Training Academy

2013-2014

• Graduated with honors
• Received commendations for outstanding performance during practice

Whitehall High School

2009-2013

• Class president 2 years in a row
• Football team captain
• President of a student CrossFit club

Pro Tip: College degree isn’t always the education needed to be a firefighter. Often, a high-school diploma is enough. But, even if that’s all you have, be sure to put education on a resume.

Skills on a Resume for a Firefighter

Simply stating that you’re a skilled professional isn’t enough to make someone want to employ you. 

To land an interview, you have to show what you’ve got and prove it. That’s when you can use your skills to your benefit if you use them right.

Basically, there are three places to put skills on firefighter resume samples:

• Skills section - list the most relevant skills in bullet points;
• Summary or objective - use 1-2 skills to drive attention immediately;
• Experience section - use bullet points with skills to indicate professional achievements.

Now, how to put firefighter resume skills the right way? Here are the main tips:

1. Check the job description first to identify what the employer is looking for.
2. Mix soft and hard skills for the best impression.
3. In the summary/objective and experience sections add some rough numbers to quantify your skills and accomplishments.
4. Use targeted keywords to bypass the applicant tracking system.

Firefighter Resume Sample [Skills]

Now that you know how to put your firefighter skills on a resume, you’re probably wondering what exactly to include.

If you are not sure what skills to put on your firefighter resume samples, here’s a list of some of the most sought-after skills (both hard and soft ones). The list is also stuffed with resume keywords to help you get through the ATS system:

• Vehicle maintenance
• Strong work ethic
• Supplies ordering
• Honesty
• Pump operation
• Listening
• Electrical work
• Teamwork
• Computer skills
• Physically fit
• Custodial skills
• Sprinkler specialist
• Trustworthiness
• Valid driver’s license
• Interpersonal skills
• Light carpentry
• Problem-solving
• Swiftwater rescue
• Communication
• Leadership

Best Tips to Outbeat the Competition

If you want to get more interviews, you need to ensure that your firefighting resume stands out among other applications if not just edit resume according to this tips.

You may have just the right level of qualification. But, other candidates may have it too. Then how do you prove that you are the best employee? 

Employers are first of all looking to hire humans. They want to know who you are. Don't forget to manage your linkedin page too. To show this, use additional firefighter resume sections! It can be pretty much anything, including certifications, languages, volunteering experience, and even hobbies and interests, as long as it highlights the vital qualities of a firefighter that you possess.

Firefighter Resume Examples [Other Sections]

Including additional sections in your professional firefighter resume can give plenty of benefits, but only if you do it right.

Here’s what you should not do:

❌ Wrong

Additional Activities

• Listening to jazz music
• Outdoor activities with my dog

Here’s what you should do instead:

✅ Right

Additional Activities

• Member of NFPA
• Regular participation in running, CrossFit, and weight training
• Volunteering as a weekend dog-walker at the animal shelter

Note how in the second example all additional activities somewhat go in line with the values and responsibilities of firefighters. If you organize it this way, it will complement your resume for firefighter jobs.

The Bottom Line

Hopefully, after reading our comprehensive guide, you know how to become a firefighter with ease.

Now, let’s recap the main points that you should keep in mind when writing your own firefighter resumes:

1. Start with a summary or objective to drive attention instantly.
2. Quantify your professional achievements in the experience section.
3. If you don’t have experience, make an emphasis on transferrable skills and achievements and volunteering.
4. Always include the education section in your resume.
5. Tailor the skills section to the job description.
6. Add extra sections to stand out from the crowd.
7. Also it would be great if you read about what is cv.

Follow these essential tips to create a flawless resume! As an option you can always turn to a professional executive resume writing service online! You'll get clear, engaged and brief resume with no hassle!