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Firefighter resume example

A one-page resume for a career firefighter and EMT with six years on the job, written for a lateral move or a promotion list. Fire departments read for certifications first, then the kind of department and call volume, then what you add to the crew beyond showing up.

Firefighter resume example, page 1 of 1Callum FerraroFirefighter and EMTSUMMARYFirefighter and EMT with six years at a career department, assigned to anengine company that runs about 2,800 calls a year. Firefighter I and II,Hazmat Operations and Driver/Operator–Pumper certified, and thestation’s EMS training lead. Calm on scene, careful with equipment and agood person to share a firehouse with.EXPERIENCEFirefighter and EMTApr 2020 – PresentBig Blue Fire Protection District · Kansas City, MO•Respond to structure fires, medical emergencies, vehicle crashes andrescues on an engine company running about 2,800 calls a year,three-quarters of them EMS.•Certified driver/operator: drove and pumped as acting engineer on 60+shifts in 2025 with no apparatus incidents.•Lead monthly EMS training for 18 firefighters at my station, includingcardiac arrest drills that raised our return-of-pulse rate from 24% to31%.•Run the station’s SCBA and hose testing program, with 100% of hosepassing annual tests for 3 years.•Taught hands-only CPR to 600 residents and installed 150 child carseats as a certified technician.Emergency Medical TechnicianJun 2018 – Mar 2020Heartland Ambulance Service · Kansas City, MO•Worked 12-hour shifts on a 911 and interfacility ambulance, with about3,000 patient contacts in 2 years.•Trained 5 new EMTs as a field preceptor.EDUCATIONA.A.S. in Fire Science Technology2016 – 2018Metropolitan Community College · Kansas City, MOCONTACTcallum.ferraro@example.com(816) 555-0161Kansas City, MOCERTIFICATIONSFirefighter I and II (IFSAC)Missouri Division of Fire Safety · 2020Hazardous MaterialsOperationsMissouri Division of Fire Safety · 2020Driver/Operator–PumperMissouri Division of Fire Safety · 2023Emergency Medical TechnicianNREMT and Missouri license · 2018Child Passenger SafetyTechnicianSafe Kids Worldwide · 2024ICS-100, 200 and 700FEMA · 2020SKILLSFire suppressionSearch and rescueVehicle extricationPump operationsLadder and ventilationPatient assessment and BLSHazmat operationsSCBAIncident Command SystemCompany fire inspectionsApparatus maintenancePublic education
FirefighterUse this example

What recruiters look for

  • Certifications: Firefighter I and II, EMT or paramedic, hazmat, driver/operator, and the body that issued them (state, IFSAC or Pro Board).
  • Department and call volume: career, combination or volunteer, the number of calls a year and the mix of fire and EMS.
  • EMS level: many departments now hire paramedics first. Make your EMS license obvious.
  • What you add: training roles, special teams (technical rescue, hazmat), equipment programs, public education.
  • Physical readiness and conduct: CPAT, a clean record and steady attendance. Panels look for people they can trust on a crew.

Writing the summary

State your years, department type and call volume, then your certifications and EMS level. Add one line on what you do beyond your assignment: training, special teams or community work.

The summary in this example

Firefighter and EMT with six years at a career department, assigned to an engine company that runs about 2,800 calls a year. Firefighter I and II, Hazmat Operations and Driver/Operator–Pumper certified, and the station’s EMS training lead. Calm on scene, careful with equipment and a good person to share a firehouse with.

Entry-level firefighter candidate

Firefighter candidate with Firefighter I and II, NREMT EMT and a current CPAT card. Two years as a volunteer firefighter on a combination department running 600 calls a year, and a year on a 911 ambulance. Ready for a career recruit academy.

Firefighter paramedic going for engineer or lieutenant

Firefighter paramedic with eleven years on a busy urban department, certified Fire Officer I and Driver/Operator–Aerial. I serve as acting officer on about 40 shifts a year, run our company’s training plan, and am preparing for the lieutenant’s exam.

Bullet points that work

Strong lines for this role, beyond the ones in the example. Borrow the shape and put in your own numbers.

  • Completed a 22-week recruit academy, finishing first in the class on written exams and second in physical training.
  • Served on the technical rescue team, with 12 confined space and high-angle rescues in 4 years.
  • Performed 200+ company fire inspections a year, finding and following up on 340 code violations.
  • Raised station training compliance from 82% to 100% by building a shared schedule and tracking sheet.
  • Delivered 40 fire safety talks in schools, reaching about 3,000 children.
  • Installed 500 smoke alarms in older homes through a grant-funded program.
  • Worked 30 wildland deployments as part of a state mutual aid strike team.
  • Maintained 2 engines and 1 ladder truck through daily checks; caught a brake problem before a failure.
  • Ran 300+ ALS calls a year as a firefighter paramedic, with a protocol compliance score above 95%.

Skills to list

Hard skills

  • Fire suppression and ventilation
  • Search and rescue
  • Vehicle extrication
  • Pump and aerial operations
  • EMS (BLS or ALS)
  • Hazardous materials response
  • SCBA and equipment maintenance
  • Incident Command System
  • Fire inspection and prevention

Soft skills

  • Teamwork in a crew
  • Calm decisions under stress
  • Physical and mental stamina
  • Respect for chain of command
  • Talking with the public

Certifications and licenses worth listing

  • Firefighter I and II: the core certification, from your state and preferably accredited by IFSAC or Pro Board so it transfers.
  • EMT or paramedic (NREMT and state license): often required at hire; paramedics are in high demand.
  • Hazmat Awareness and Operations: expected for career firefighters.
  • Driver/Operator (pumper or aerial) and Fire Officer I: show you are on the path to promotion.
  • CPAT: list a current card if the department uses the Candidate Physical Ability Test.

Length and format

One page. Put certifications in a clear section with issuing bodies and years, and give your current department three to five bullets. Volunteer firefighting counts as experience and gets the same detail as paid work.

Common mistakes

  • Listing certifications without the issuing body or accreditation, which decides whether they transfer.
  • Bullets that describe the job every firefighter does instead of your volume, roles and results.
  • Leaving out EMS work, which is most of the calls on most departments.
  • Hiding volunteer service. It is real experience and departments respect it.
  • Anything a background check would contradict. Be exact with dates and details.

Questions and answers

Should a firefighter resume include volunteer experience?

Yes. Volunteer and combination department service is often how people get hired. List the department, the years, the call volume and your certifications, just like a paid job.

Do I need to be a paramedic to get hired?

Not everywhere, but many departments prefer or require it, and some pay more. If you are in paramedic school, list it with an expected completion date.

How do I show I am ready for promotion?

List acting officer or engineer shifts, Fire Officer and Driver/Operator certifications, training you lead and any programs you run. Numbers help: shifts, people trained, inspections done.

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