Firefighter Resume Example & Writing Guide
Build a professional firefighter resume. Includes fire service examples, EMT skills, and tips for showcasing certifications and emergency response experience.
Firefighter Resume Example
Here's a professional firefighter resume example that you can use as a reference. This example highlights the key sections and content that hiring managers look for.
Alex Johnson
Firefighter
New York, NY | alex.johnson@email.com | (555) 123-4567 | linkedin.com/in/alexjohnson
Professional Summary
Certified Firefighter/EMT with 5+ years of experience in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials operations. Responded to 2,000+ emergency calls while maintaining peak physical fitness and firefighting proficiency. Nationally registered EMT with additional training in technical rescue and wildland firefighting.
Work Experience
Senior Firefighter
2022 – Present
ABC Corporation, New York, NY
- •Responded to 2,000+ emergency calls including structure fires, medical emergencies, and motor vehicle accidents
- •Performed primary search and rescue operations in 50+ structure fires, safely evacuating 30+ civilians
- •Maintained EMT certification with 99% protocol compliance across 1,200+ patient contacts
Firefighter
2019 – 2022
XYZ Company, Chicago, IL
- •Conducted 100+ fire prevention inspections and 30+ public education presentations annually
- •Completed 500+ hours of continuing education in technical rescue, hazmat, and wildland firefighting
Skills
Fire Suppression • Emergency Medical Response (EMT) • Hazardous Materials Operations • Search & Rescue • Incident Command System (ICS) • Technical Rescue • Fire Prevention & Inspection • Equipment Operation (Aerial/Pump) • Patient Assessment • Public Education • Physical Fitness • Apparatus Maintenance • Report Writing • Team Leadership • Radio Communications
Education
Fire Science Technology Certificate
Associate Degree in Fire Science
Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration
Firefighter Resume Summary Examples
Your resume summary is the first thing hiring managers read. Here's a strong example for afirefighter with 5+ years of experience:
“Certified Firefighter/EMT with 5+ years of experience in fire suppression, emergency medical response, and hazardous materials operations. Responded to 2,000+ emergency calls while maintaining peak physical fitness and firefighting proficiency. Nationally registered EMT with additional training in technical rescue and wildland firefighting.”
“Hardworking firefighter looking for a challenging position where I can utilize my skills and experience. I am a team player with excellent communication skills.”
Why the first example works: It includes specific years of experience, quantified achievements, technical skills, and certifications — all things ATS systems and hiring managers look for.
Work Experience Bullet Points
Here are powerful, metrics-driven bullet points for a firefighter resume. Notice how each one starts with an action verb and includes specific numbers:
- Responded to 2,000+ emergency calls including structure fires, medical emergencies, and motor vehicle accidents
- Performed primary search and rescue operations in 50+ structure fires, safely evacuating 30+ civilians
- Maintained EMT certification with 99% protocol compliance across 1,200+ patient contacts
- Conducted 100+ fire prevention inspections and 30+ public education presentations annually
- Completed 500+ hours of continuing education in technical rescue, hazmat, and wildland firefighting
Pro Tip: Use the formula: Action Verb + Task + Quantified Result. For example: “Managed” + “team of 12 engineers” + “delivering project 20% under budget.”
Key Skills for a Firefighter Resume
Include these skills on your firefighter resume to pass ATS screening and impress hiring managers:
ATS Keywords for Firefighter Resume
These are the most important keywords that Applicant Tracking Systems scan for in firefighter resumes. Include them naturally throughout your resume:
Important: Don't stuff keywords. Use them naturally in your summary, experience, and skills sections. ATS systems can detect keyword stuffing and may flag your resume.
Education & Certifications
Education
- Fire Science Technology Certificate
- Associate Degree in Fire Science
- Bachelor of Science in Fire Administration
Certifications
- Firefighter I & II (NFPA 1001)
- EMT-Basic/Paramedic
- Hazardous Materials Operations (NFPA 472)
- Incident Command System (ICS 100/200/700/800)
- Technical Rescue Awareness
Expert Tips for Your Firefighter Resume
Include all NFPA certifications and state/national registrations
Quantify calls responded to and patient contacts
Show both fire suppression and EMS experience
Highlight specialized training (hazmat, technical rescue, wildland)
Include physical fitness test scores if competitive
Firefighter Salary & Job Outlook
Entry Level
$38K
Median Salary
$57K
Experienced
$85K
Job Outlook
4% growth (2022-2032), about as fast as average
Source: BLS 2024
Frequently Asked Questions
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