If you are interested in a career in the fire service and/or emergency medical services (EMS), below is information that will be useful to follow that will help guide you on your path to obtaining one of these careers.

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GUIDE TO GET HIRED

Obtain an approved CPR certification for Healthcare Providers
           - This is usually a four hour to eight hour class.  This certification is required by every fire
             department, as well as AZ-DHS to become an EMT.  PVCC offers this class (EMT101 or
             HCC109) on campus each semester. Please check the class schedule for availability.

Obtain EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Certification
           - In order to become a firefighter, you must have at least an EMT certification. EMT104
             is a 9 credit course offered each semester, and upon successful completion of the course,
             PVCC will approve you to take the NRT exam to become certified. PVCC offers multiple
             class sections of EMT104 each Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Please check the
             class schedule for availability.

Start pursuing an Associate's Degree/Professional Certificates by enrolling in Fire Science and EMT
         classes today!
           - This day and age, fire departments are putting more emphasis on having a Fire Science
             and EMT education background.  PVCC offers degree and professional certificate programs
             consisting of numerous fire science and EMT classes.  These courses range from Emergency
             Cardiac Care and Pharmacology to Intro to Fire Service Selection, Fitness & Conditioning for
             Firefighters, CPAT, Technical Rescue, Hazardous Materials, Fundamentals of Fire Prevention,
             Intro to Fire Suppresion, Firefighter Operations Academy, and much more.
             See our Advising & Degrees page for more information on degrees and certificates.

Start Testing with Various Fire Departments
           - It’s never too early or too late to test. Getting to know the testing process will only benefit you. 
             Don't settle yourself short by testing with just one department.  There are numerous fire
             departments in Maricopa County alone and that number is only going to grow since the
             Phoenix-Metropolitan area is the second fastest growing metropolitan in the United States.

Obtain Firefighter I & II State Certification
           - The Firefighter Operations Academy, also referred to as the Firefighter I & II Academy, is a
             great way to gain experience and knowledge of what it takes to become a firefighter. The
             academy exposes you to the physical demands of a firefighter, such as live burns, vehicle
             extrication, hose lays, ventilation, and more, as well as introduces you to fire department
             culture within the fire service.

Network
           - Just like in any other job, you will need to build a reputation and get to know more about your
             future employer.  Here are some ways to help with that:
                       ♦ Volunteer with the Union - Contact your local fire department for information on their union.
                       ♦ Join a Firefighter Mentorship Organization -
                              • Emerald Society
                              • Firefighters for Christ
                              • JW Robinson Society
                              • Los Bomberos
                       ♦ Volunteer within the Fire Department -
                              • CR Van
                              • Cadet Program
                       ♦ Do Ride-a-Longs - Contact your local fire department to setup a ride-a-long.

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