Firefighter
Respond to emergencies where you'll save people and property from fires or other dangers.
Also known as: firewoman, fireman
About the job
What it's like
As a firefighter, you'll keep people and property safe from fires or other dangers. You'll respond to emergencies and rescue people from life-threatening situations.
You’ll need to react quickly and remain calm in dangerous settings. Firefighters inspire the public’s confidence in rapidly changing situations. Self-discipline, teamwork and following safety regulations are crucial.
In the other side of the job, prevention, you'll help avoid incidents by advising people about fire safety. This may involve you giving talks and presentations to schools or other community groups.
Your tasks might include:
putting out fires in homes, vehicles, wildland and industrial settings
rescuing people from burning buildings, vehicles and other emergencies
working to save casualties and manage hazards after a road traffic collision
helping with flood rescue missions and chemical spills
checking and maintaining fire engines, hoses, ladders and personal protective equipment (PPE) – making sure they're ready for when you need them
visiting people's homes, schools, community groups and businesses to raise awareness of fire safety
Sometimes, you'll inspect buildings to make sure they meet fire safety regulations. When new buildings are being constructed, you may advise on fire safety measures.
If you reach senior officer rank, you’ll write detailed reports of incidents alongside management and policy-based tasks.
You'll usually work for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. But airports and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) also employ firefighters.
Explore more information about this job
Here are some useful links to learn more about this career:
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service – learn about working as a firefighter in Scotland
Like the sound of this career?
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Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- social conscience
- cooperating
- verbal communication
- attention to detail
- risk taking
- making decisions
- reflecting
- resilience
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
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Care
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PE (Physical education)
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Science
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Skills for Work: Uniformed and Emergency Services
You don't need any specific qualifications to become a firefighter in Scotland – but entry is very competitive.
Direct application
There are eight stages in the application process to be a firefighter with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
1. An online application – you'll submit your personal details, qualifications, work history and motivation for applying.
2. Online tests – your assessments could include a situational judgement test (SJT), numerical reasoning test, verbal reasoning test or literacy test.
3. Fitness or physical tests – these will assess your physical capability to do the job.
4. Interview – this'll be a competency-based panel interview.
5. Medical assessment – which tests your general health, hearing and eyesight, lung function and fitness.
6. Disclosure and references – the employer will check for criminal convictions and contact your referees.
7. Offer and pre-employment checks – at this stage, you'll be offered a job as a firefighter.
8. Initial training course – this'll usually be 14 to 16 weeks of full-time residential training.
Firefighter vacancies within airports or at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) will have different application processes.
College
Getting qualifications at college, such as an HNC or HND, could boost your application for firefighter jobs. Useful subjects include:
Fire Engineering
Applied Science
Public Services
Emergency Services Operations
Use the My World of Work course search to find HNCs and HNDs.
Apprenticeships
Modern Apprenticeships (MAs) mean you learn on the job. You get paid and work towards a qualification at the same time. You might want to consider an MA in Firefighting.
Getting work experience in a relevant role can help you build the skills and experience you’ll need to become a firefighter. Search for opportunities on Volunteer Scotland.
There are uniformed service preparation courses available. You'll have to do an interview to get into the course and, although it's valuable, it does not guarantee you a firefighting job.
All firefighters must be aged 18 or older.
You have to be legally entitled to work in the United Kingdom.
Find the right course for you
Browse courses in Scotland related to 'Firefighter'
