Firefighter Resume Sample

1. Use a firefighter resume objective

Grab your prospective employer’s attention right away with a resume objective.

This section is a three-sentence intro that summarizes your professional experience and highlights the best of what you have to offer.

The must-haves in your first sentence are your job title, years of experience, and broad description of duties.

Example:

• Dedicated firefighter and paramedic with 5+ years of experience in fire suppression and emergency care services

The next part of this section can be one or two sentences depending on how much you want to say. This is where you state what you want to accomplish in the role and how you can make it happen with your particular skills and experience.

Example:

• Skilled in deploying aid efficiently and effectively during high-risk situations. Seeking to apply my knowledge, training, and experience to ensure the safety of the greater Los Angeles community

While the candidate in the example used two sentences, it can easily be condensed into one using the “Seeking to use ABC to accomplish DEF” format. The important thing is to include what you are aiming to achieve:

• Seeking to…ensure the safety of the greater Los Angeles community

And what skills you offer to fulfill that goal:

• Skilled in deploying aid efficiently and effectively during high-risk situations

The last sentence should list your education and special training, licenses, or certificates.

Example:

• Graduate of CAL FIRE Academy and holder of California Paramedic License and HAZMAT Technician certification

Now that you’ve asserted your qualifications, relevant skills, and professional ambitions, you’ve caught the hiring manager’s eye and given them a reason to keep reading.

2. Show you care about the community

People look to firefighters as beacons of safety and strength. They’re relied upon not just for their services, but for their position in the community.

Make an effort in your resume to show how you give back to your community through outreach programs or volunteer work.

Example:

• Expanded Fire Safety and Prevention program from 5 to 12 annual community events

Another way to show your involvement is through volunteer experience. Not only will this demonstrate your commitment to the people, but it will display the skills that you practice off-the-clock.

The majority of firefighter responses these days are to medical emergencies rather than actual fires. It should come as no surprise then, that medical volunteer work looks sharp on your resume. Having this experience suggests that you’re dedicated to cultivating your skills in patient interaction and medical practices, and that you’re prepared to handle any emergency that arises.

Another great example of volunteer work to list on your resume is training experience. Have you led or assisted in a training exercise? Mention that in your resume skills section.

Example:

• Volunteer Fire Safety trainer
• Volunteer CPR trainer

Leadership is an especially important quality for firefighters. Show that you can lead and teach others, regardless if they are fellow industry personnel or civilians.

As a firefighter, you won’t just be getting hired by a station. You’ll be getting hired by a community. Use your resume to show how you will be a valuable member of both.

3. Quantify your experience

What are the most important qualities for a firefighter to have and the most important duties for a firefighter to perform? When you’ve come up with answers to these questions, don’t just write them on your resume. Show them.

Your Professional Experience section should demonstrate how you have put a firefighter’s most valuable attributes and abilities to use.

Instead of writing:

• Vehicle and equipment management

Write:

• Ensured maximum emergency response preparation by maintaining organization, cleanliness, and functionality of vehicles and equipment, reducing maintenance-related errors by 3%

The second bullet point packs even more of a punch because it uses quantification to show the effect of the candidate’s actions. When possible, highlight positive results using numbers. Here are some suggestions of quantifiable units for your resume:

• Team members led
• Volunteers trained
• Acreage maintained
• Percentage land saved
• People evacuated/saved/assisted
• Errors reduced
• Money saved

4. Express a knack for communication and collaboration

A firefighter’s work is never accomplished alone. You need to demonstrate an ability to work productively with other individuals and institutions like local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, medical personnel, members of the community, and your team.

Example:

• Lead training seminars to inform and update recruits on response and treatment procedures

This example hits two elements of the perfect firefighter resume — it shows leadership initiative, and it also demonstrates commitment to the team.

Public service is a selfless endeavor. Let that mentality shine through your resume to assure your future employer that you’re willing to go above and beyond for the greater good.

Ready to put these tips into action and land the job? Check out our FREE downloadable resume templates so you can put yours together today.

Then again, if you want the job done fast and hassle-free, use our resume builder to get it done in minutes!