FIREFIGHTER SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, AND JOB REQUIREMENTS
Updated: Jun 13, 2025 - The Firefighter has experience in aircraft rescue firefighting and a detailed understanding of airport terrain, including runways, hydrants, and emergency routes. This role requires applying firefighting theories in real-world scenarios, working flexible shifts, and meeting health and safety compliance standards. The firefighter also possesses strong communication skills, holds a paramedic certification, and performs effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments with strong attention to detail.
Essential Hard and Soft Skills for a Firefighter Resume
- Life Support
- Emergency Transport
- Vehicle Operation
- Preventive Maintenance
- Equipment Cleaning
- Firefighting Equipment
- Safety Inspections
- Rescue Operations
- Pump Operation
- System Inspection
- Report Preparation
- Policy Compliance
- Communication Skills
- Public Education
- Fire Prevention
- Work Procedures
- Security Patrols
- Rescue Planning
- Operations Planning
- Administrative Duties
Summary of Firefighter Knowledge and Qualifications on Resume
1. BS in Emergency Management with 3 years of Experience
- Good communicator and calm under pressure
- Able to work as part of a team
- Able to adjust between quiet and busy periods
- Capable of typing and has good keyboard skills
- Must have the IFSAC Firefighter 1 certificate or equivalent
- Must have Hazmat Awareness and Operations certificate or IFSAC equivalent
- Must have a copy of the active paramedic license
- Excellent communication skills and a friendly, approachable personality
- Able to show subject-matter expertise in the Firefighter Exam
- Excellent presentation skills and are comfortable interacting with groups
2. BS in Disaster and Emergency Management with 5 years of Experience
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing
- Ability to give clear, concise directions or information, be easily understood and record and generate reports accurately
- Ability to function calmly and stay focused in crisis or emergencies
- Ability to perform tasks in difficult and hazardous situations.
- Ability to lift heavy loads, pull hoses, climb ladders, work at heights and in confined spaces
- Ability to maintain and drive emergency vehicles and operate equipment, such as defibrillators, used in the execution of duties
- Proficient in firefighting skills and EMT skills relevant to National and Arizona State certification levels
- Must maintain an EMT-B certification, which is nationally recognized
- Must maintain a valid AZ Health Division EMT certification
- Strong knowledge of aircraft emergency response
- Ability to administer first aid treatment or life support care to sick or injured persons in a non-hospital setting
3. BS in Fire Administration with 6 years of Experience
- Experience in crash and structural firefighting
- Must possess and hold certifications for the following Department of Defense (DoD) International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) training, including Firefighter II, Airport Firefighter, Driver/Operator ARFF, Driver/Operator Pumper and Hazardous Materials Operations
- Must meet eligibility requirements to obtain and maintain the required government Top Secret security clearance and access to work locations
- Communication skills, including maintaining ability to provide life-saving information under high stress, emergency conditions
- Must be able to perform assigned duties while wearing a self-contained-breathing-apparatus (SCBA), with minimal loss of effectiveness and efficiency
- Able to work in a station or an office environment, maintaining vehicles, equipment and firefighting apparatus
- Ability to provide outstanding customer and personal services while comforting and reassuring patients
- Ability to work in a team environment, multitask efficiently and maintain positive working relationships
- Able to speak, read, understand and write English proficiently
- Demonstrated experience in aircraft firefighting
4. BS in Safety Management with 4 years of Experience
- Experience in Aircraft Rescue Firefighting
- Detailed understanding airport vicinity terrain including airfield buildings, hydrants, runways, taxiways, exit gates, routes, roads and streets, and the shortest, most accessible route to any emergencies on or off the airport
- Must know about Firefighting, theories and concepts in the field and their practical applications to problems and situations ordinarily encountered
- Must be willing and able to work any shift
- Must be able to pass annual firefighter Occupational Health Exam and SCBA Fit Testing IAW NFPA 1582 and 1583
- Experience as a full-time, part-time or volunteer Firefighter
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Must have National Registry Paramedic certification
- Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong detail-oriented with great organizational skills
5. BS in Public Safety Administration with 6 years of Experience
- Firefighter experience working on a DOD installation.
- Must have IFSAC or Pro-Board Certification to these levels, including Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations, Fire Fighter II, Driver Operator Pumper
- Airport Firefighter certification received within six months of hire date
- Airport Firefighter and ARFF Driver Operator certification
- Ability to demonstrate firefighter knowledge and skills professionally.
- Ability to work effectively with fellow employees and management personnel at all levels to include multinational staff and military officials.
- Strong ability to exercise professional discretion and good judgment, and to understand the effect of decisions made.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate in English both verbally and in writing
- Good computer skills in MS-Word, MS-Excel, and MS-Outlook.
6. BS in Environmental Science with 3 years of Experience
- Experience working in fire/rescue services
- Be able to obtain and maintain a baseline security clearance.
- Military firefighting experience
- Valid heavy vehicle operator license in the country of origin and ability to obtain equivalent in the United Arab Emirates
- Proficient in Microsoft Office and computer-based dispatch/control systems
- Exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment that requires handling multiple tasks at a given time and rapidly adapting to changing priorities and schedules.
7. BS in Fire Science with 4 years of Experience
- DOD, IFSAC, or Pro Board Fire Fighter I or Fire Fighter II
- Must hold a valid and current Virginia EMT Certification
- Must hold a valid and current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers Certification (CPR) through either the American Heart Association or the American Red Cross
- Must hold a valid and current Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) or International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) Certification
- Must maintain an unrestricted Driver's License issued in the United States with a driving record consistent with company policy
- HazMat Awareness and Operations
- Must maintain state-mandated continuing education requirements, including current American Heart Association (AHA) certification in Basic Life Support (BLS)
- Knowledge of the Microsoft Office Suite
8. BS in Fire and Emergency Services with 2 years of Experience
- Valid Medical Examiner’s Card, as well as CPR with AED, and EMT
- Physical Fitness (Initial Hire and Annually)
- Certificate of completion for a Firefighter 1 Academy or NWCG FFT2 (S-130, S-190, I-100, L-180) or meets Requirements for NFPA 1001 or military firefighter equivalent
- Part-time experience with a recognized all-risk Volunteer Fire Department/(Minimum of 25 shifts) or full-time experience with a professional department
- An ability to be innovative and be an agent for change
- Cross-cultural sensitivity with an international perspective.
- Ability to become an active and functioning member of a team.
- Ability to be innovative and be a change agent.
- Expert communication skills to facilitate and disseminate information.
9. BS in Paramedicine with 5 years of Experience
- Experience controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department.
- Trained IAW TO 00-105-E-9 for aircraft shutdown and exterior fires/not including interior fires or egress for aircraft and NFPA Code 1003.
- Experience controlling or extinguishing fires as a member of an organized military, industrial, volunteer, or governmental fire department or brigade
- Certified Firefighter I/II (DoD, PROBOARD, or IFSAC)
- Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations (DoD, PROBOARD, or IFSAC)
- Certified Driver Operator - Pumper (DoD, PROBOARD, or IFSAC)
- Certified Driver Operator - ARFF (DoD, PROBOARD, or IFSAC)
- Certified Driver Operator - Mobile Water Supply (MWS) (DoD, PROBOARD, or IFSAC)
- Certified Airport Firefighter (DoD, PROBOARD, or IFSAC)
- FEMA/NIMS 100, FEMA/NIMS 200, FEMA/NIMS 700, and FEMA/NIMS 800
- Experience operating various types of firefighting vehicles.
- Dexterity in the use and manipulation of tools and equipment used in firefighting operations.
- Basic Microsoft computer program skills
- Specific vision abilities, including the ability to discern colors, contrast, and depth.
10. BS in Homeland Security with 7 years of Experience
- Successful completion of Fire Department pre-employment testing.
- Subject to psychological and physical health screenings.
- Successful completion of approved recruit school and obtaining NFPA 1001 firefighter certification.
- NIMS certifications (ICS 100, 200, 700, 800) completed within 60 days of hire.
- Health License as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or higher
- Must have current CPR/AED Certification
- Must pass physical and Fit Test required for Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
- Must obtain and maintain annual Hazardous Materials Technician Certification (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120)
- Must obtain and maintain annual Confined Space and Rope Rescue Certification (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.146)
- Must possess or be able to obtain any additional state requirements for a firefighter EMT
- Display exceptional customer service and communication skills
- Intermediate computer skills to operate innovative, wireless technology at client-specific sites
- Ability to handle crises at the client site, calmly and efficiently
- Safely respond to emergency incidents, fight fires, mitigate hazardous material incidents, rescue trapped persons in confined spaces, and administer basic life support (BLS) treatment.
- Able to perform firefighting duties including advancing hose lines, fire apparatus pump operations, safely operate power tools, climb ladders, and wear firefighter protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) weighing approximately 70 pounds.