Firefighter Artwork is the the kind of art that is dedicated to the brave professional firefighters. This kind of art is usually done to lift up the spirits of firefighters. It depicts the various situations in which the firefighters sometimes find themselves in.

One kind of this art depicts four heroes entering the wall of fire. They courageously and tirelessly struggle until the overcome their common enemy that is the dragon. This kind is available in a mahogany or cherry wood frame that is double-matted. ‘Deliverance’ is the title of of a firefighter artwork. This art depicts a child being liberated from the fire by a person who fights fires. It is available in shades of gray and black core behind acrylic. Its frame is mostly double matted and metallic.

This kind of art is sometimes done in memory of the people who lost their lives while fighting fires. An example would b those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attack. Part of the proceeds from the rummage sales of this kind of art is donated to those who fought fire, the children and the police who perished in that attack.

Firefighter artwork will always depict the various scenes and situations that these brave people find themselves in. These may include; wild land fires, fires started by terrorists, situations of invisible assistance or power and many others. They help keep the memories of those who lost their lives while fighting fires and also lift the spirits of those who are still fighting on.

The fire service is a very, very competitive field. Candidates must do everything within their power to make a lasting first impression in an interview. This article will provide essential tips and guidelines for anyone who’s preparing for a fire service interview. Here are some general guidelines to follow:

First, candidates need to prepare themselves mentally. Walking into an interview unprepared will undoubtedly show. If you are nervous, relax. If you have obtained an interview from a fire department, it means that you’ve done something right already. Perhaps you scored well on the written portion. Regardless of the reason for being there, you have to genuinely believe in yourself. Fire departments want to see confidence. So, the first step in interview preparation is to mentally prepare. Visualize yourself being in the interview long before the day comes. Imagine yourself confidently answering their questions. This is key. You have to believe that you are the BEST candidate for the position.

Another pre-interview step is to thoroughly research the department that is interviewing you. Know how many personnel they have, how many stations, what type of emergencies they respond to. How big is there response area? Are they staffed by full-time firefighters or are they a combination department? Don’t know? Find out. Do your homework here. It is paramount that you have some background on the department you desire to work for. They will be impressed.

Next, dress for success. You don’t need a thousand dollar suit but if you have a tie, wear it. No jeans. Public servants such as firefighters are constantly in the eye of the public, so be clean-shaven and well groomed. Appearance is the first thing they will look at.

When you walk into the interview room, greet everyone with a smile and be polite and courteous. Show enthusiasm. Tell them that you are excited to be there and thank them for the opportunity. Right off the bat, this will impress them as well. They are wanting to see some attributes in you that are customer service oriented.

Take a few deep breaths as they begin the interview and again, relax. This is your dream chance. Believe in yourself. Listen carefully to each question and pause briefly before answering. Be sure that you make good eye contact with the interviewer(s) as you answer and try not to ramble. Concise, relevant answers are key here.

As the interview wraps up, there are a few things to remember. Again, thank the interviewers for the opportunity and shake each of their hands. Smile. Be friendly and sincere. You’ve worked hard to get to this point and your positive attitude as you leave allows for one final chance to impress upon them.

In summary, dress professional, do your homework before hand and radiate positive, genuine interest in the fire service. Effectively mastering these tips should ensure a quality interview and place you high on the candidate list. Good luck. It’s a great career!

A worker assigned to the fire division whose main duties are engagement in the fighting and extinguishing of fires and the protection of life and property and who is purposely selected or styled as such by the leading body or city manager is known as fireman.

This is truly a job of helping innocent people in their time of need. There are very few jobs where service is endlessly for people in their most serious time of need .Whether it is rescuing public from a blazing building, caring for their medicinal needs, extinguishing fires in a residence or in a large commercial building, this profession is all about serving others. The satisfaction fireman get from this job is unparalleled by any other profession on this planet.

Firefighting needs top level of commitment and professionalism for those who wish choose it as a profession of career. Possessing the bravery and endurance to danger their lives for the sake of others is something that goes with the territory. They must also lesson long hours and go through wide periods of preparation to become successful and well-organized professional fireman

Tests for becoming a fireman

1) theory and physical exams
2) Health check up, drug screening and background inquiry
3) Psychological exams and polygraph
4) Oral interview
5) Certified First Responder with Defibrillation (CFR-D)

Requirements

1)21 years of age with a high school diploma or common equivalency diploma (GED).
2) Citizen of the country you applying for
3) Good physique
4) Valid motor vehicle driver’s license

Getting a job as a firefighter is a very competitive process these days. Firemen work as part of a team. They deal with unexpected situations and in very tricky environments. They must have very Good communication skills and high level of self-disciplined. The job is very physically and mentally demanding and fireman cope with heavy lifting, working in small and confined areas and in high temperature.

Training

After qualifying and passing all tests the next is local fire department’s training program. Numerous municipal fire departments include a two- to four-month course of classroom training and practical training covering fire-fighting techniques, fire avoidance, dangerous materials and urgent situation medical events. Department’s trial period of service, can last from three to six months, depending on the methods of selection. This will then conclude the eligibility to develop into a firefighter with firefighting department.

Work

Firemen functioning at an airport are different from firemen working for municipalities, even though the basic task remains the similar. Firemen who work at airport are employed by the Airports Company Ltd Through legislation the airfield fire service has its own area of influence, which extends outside the airport boundary. Therefore the airport firemen perform duties at road accidents and buildings surrounded by their chosen area.

Firemen work both indoors as well as outdoors. It is necessary to have firemen on duty at all times, and therefore firemen work in shifts. Each shift lasts eight hours. The benefits of being a fireman depend on the exact employer and may contain uniforms, medicinal aid plan and pension fund, annual leave and many more.

This job is not as easy as it looks but the kind of satisfaction it gives is incomparable with any other job. That’s why it is one of the most wanted jobs in the world.

FIREFIGHTER PARTY

What child doesn’t look up to the brave firefighters? Let your birthday boy or girl get a chance to imitate their hero. You and your guests will put out fires, rescue babies and enjoy some refreshments when your work is done. What a hot party!

INVITATIONS

You will need white, red, and orange construction paper, glue and a red marker. Cut out orange and red construction paper in the shape of a fire. Glue them on the bottom of the invitation. Across the top write the words: Where’s the Fire? It’s at ____’s Firefighter Birthday Party. Include the date and time of the party, your address, and R.S.V.P. and your phone number.

DECORATIONS

Hang red and orange “fire” streamers from the ceiling. Use red plastic fire hats as place settings at the table. (You might be able to get these from a local fire station). Print the name of a different guest on each hat. The Fire Engine cake can be the centerpiece of the table.

Dalmatian Dog Place Mats

You will need black and white construction paper. Cut white construction paper into a large circle. Using a black marker, draw a face of a Dalmatian dog onto the paper. Cut out black ears and black spots to glue onto your dog’s face. Put a small piece of pink paper for the tongue.

MENU

Serve “Fire House Dogs” (recipe below) with potato chips and a fruit plate. For the grand finale, serve “Put out the Fire Punch” and Fire Engine Cake.

Fire House Dogs

Use 2 packages of refrigerated crescent roll dough and 2 packages hot dogs. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Wrap each hot dog in a crescent roll and place on a cookie sheet. Bake for 14 to 16 minutes. Serve with ketchup and mustard.

Put out the Fire Punch

Mix 2 liters of ginger ale with one pint of strawberry ice cream.

Fire Engine Cake

Bake a sheet cake using your favorite mix. Frost the cake with white icing. Using red cake decorator icing from a tube, draw the outline of a fire engine on the cake. Oreo cookies can be used for the wheels.

ACTIVITIES

Save the Baby

Time children as they race through the obstacle course to save a baby (doll). This can be set up in the backyard. Children can climb a ladder and go down a slide then climb through a tunnel (empty box set on its side) then they will use the hose to pretend to put the fire out before they save the baby. The little firefighter that completes the obstacle course in the shortest time will win a small prize.

Hot Potato

Have children stand in a circle. Set a kitchen timer for a minute or two. Use a stuffed Dalmatian dog to play the game of Hot Potato. Children will toss the animal around the circle until the timer goes off. The child holding the animal when the timer goes off must sit down. Continue playing until only one child is standing. Give a prize to the winner.

Stop, Drop and Roll

Divide the children into two teams. This game is to be played outside in a yard. An adult calls out “Fire, Fire. Stop, drop and roll.” The first child from each team will lie on their side and roll down a hill until they get to a designated spot. They stand up and call out the same thing to their next team member, who then rolls down the hill. This continues until all of the children have finished the race. The first team to have all of their members down the hill wins the relay. This will also reinforce the important concept of stop, drop and roll.

Dalmatian Dog Mask

Copy a picture of a Dalmatian dog from coloring book pages onto thick paper. Have children color masks with crayons or markers. Help them cut the masks out. Be sure to cut out holes for the eyes. Punch a hole on each side of the mask with a hole puncher. Measure off two pieces of string that are eight inches long. Tie one piece of string through each hole. Place the mask over the child’s face and tie behind their head. Children can pretend to be Dalmatian dogs.

FAVORS

Guests can take hoe the red plastic firefighter hats they wore during the party. Other ideas are squirt guns, fireball candy, and fire safety coloring books, which you can get from a fire station.

Becoming a firefighter starts with a commitment.  To land a full-time job in this competitive field requires, education, persistence and belief in yourself.

First off, do your homework.  Research fire departments that you are interested in and review job descriptions.  Is this career for you?  Firefighting is very demanding, dangerous and strenuous work and is not for everyone.  But, if you want it bad enough, you can achieve your dream of landing a career position in a fire organization of your choice.

Secondly, start testing.  Find out where and when departments in your area are testing.  Usually, fire departments test annually and select top applicants as recruits.  There are some great study guides out there to help you prepare for the testing process. 

Third, don’t get discouraged.  I tested multiple times at different agencies before landing my current full-time position.  Experience leads to eventual success and the fire service is very competitive nationwide.  If you fail to advance in the testing process, figure out your weaknesses and improve. 

Fourth, volunteer.  No matter where you live, there are great volunteer fire departments near you that would welcome aspiring firefighters and launch your career.  Starting out, there is so much to learn.  Being a volunteer for a period of time will open up many doors to your future as well as allow you to get your feet wet learning the basics.  If there is an opportunity for you to obtain Emergency Medical training do so.  Although most fire departments ultimately train from within, any education you can get in emergency medicine will show your commitment to the profession. 

I can’t say enough how much being a firefighter means to me.  I work a 24 (hr) on 48 (hr) off schedule and get to help people every day.  My department provides me with great benefits and I love to go to work each shift.  It is not easy, but if you work hard enough, you can become a firefighter.  Good luck. 

The first fire engines actually predate the automobile; steam-powered fire engines were first used in the mid-nineteenth century. Fire engines were actually quite commonplace before the introduction of the mobile fire truck.

By the turn of the century, fire trucks took the form of horse-drawn or automobile versions with hand water pumps mounted on the back. The first fire engine was in fact used by the Cincinnati fire department in the 1850’s. These represented a big shift from earlier methods of fighting fires, including bucket lines. Still, they looked nothing like modern fire trucks or even those that would appear by 1900. Most fire engines of this era were found in urban cities Because of limited demand, fire trucks from 1900-1960 were usually limited to unique designs from local manufacturers.

Not only were there countless fire truck manufacturers, but there were also many competing fire departments in most cities of this early era. Until professional fire departments were developed, these volunteer brigades often fought against each other, trying to outdo each other by obtaining the biggest and best fire engines. Because red was the most expensive paint color, most crews ended up painting their trucks red, a tradition that stuck. The color red was also chosen because of the stark contrast with most early cars, which were black.

By the turn of the century, fire trucks became more and more necessary as many towns switched from volunteer to professional fire departments. Crowded cities required newer technology with efficient water pumps that were more mobile than previous steam-driven fire engines. Still, many smaller fire departments continued to use steam powered fire engines until as late as 1920. In fact, the term “fire truck” did not come to replace the earlier “fire engine” or “fire apparatus” until the 1930’s. However, by 1910 to 1920 motorized fire trucks became commonplace in most cities.

Many small companies still took part in the development of fire trucks once they were no longer steam-powered. By 1913, the Ahrens-Fox Manufacturing Company of Cincinnati became well-known for replacing horse-drawn fire engines with fire trucks. However, perhaps the most famous manufacturer of fire trucks is Mack Trucks, a company that began building fire trucks around 1911. With a characteristic snub-nosed hood, the Mack fire truck earned the name “Bull Dog” for its performance. Mack fire trucks were produced in one form or another all the way until 1990, making them one of the most recognizable types of vintage fire trucks.

By 1960, the roots of the modern fire truck could clearly be seen. 1950’s and 1960’s trucks came standard with modern water pumps. The 1930’s to the 1960’s also saw the development of an aerial ladder for reaching tall buildings. The longest aerial ladders have reached a height of 150 feet, sometimes even requiring their own trucks. Also during the 1960’s, the first diesel fire trucks were developed. Although the firefighters using most early fire trucks sat on the sides of the engines or even on the rear, modernized fire trucks included fully enclosed seats for the crew.

Unlike buying a Dodge off the lot, purchasing a Fire Engine requires a committee designated to the design process because each truck is hand built to specifications. The committee designs the truck around what equipment will be placed on the truck.

The Fire Truck Committee needs to know what the truck is utilized for, ie: a rescue truck, engine pumper, ladder truck, wildland truck, where the tools should be placed to be effective and efficient, the right size pumps, what types of gauges are needed and where the gauges need to be placed. It requires working with the manufacturers throughout the entire process to see it through. The design of the fire truck needs to be made to meet the specific needs of that fire department.

Ken Carpenter, Fire Engineer, in Boulder Colorado, works with the folks at Sutphen Fire Trucks, Pierce and other fire truck manufacturers to design the trucks for Rocky Mountain Fire. Through years of experience working on the engines as a mechanic with the City of Boulder, Ken knows what it takes to design a good fire engine. “By engine, I don’t just mean the motor itself” says Ken. The Fire Engine consists of pumps to spray water, gauges to run the pumps, different nozzles and adapters to attach hoses, tools for breaking apart cars to save people who’ve been in accidents and breaking into burning houses to put out the fire. All of these are organized in such a manner so that they are quickly accessible because to a firefighter, time is not money, it is someone’s life.

“The most satisfying aspect of my job is helping people, says Ken. I like to take what is out of control and help get it back into control.” Ken began his fire career as a volunteer in January of 1995. At the time, he was employed as a mechanic for the City of Boulder . He enjoyed his volunteer work so much that in August of 1999, he was hired on as a full-time firefighter. He quickly was promoted to Engineer and is currently in charge of maintaining the fire trucks. With 15 engines, that is no small job.

Ken has always been mechanically inclined. He took apart his bicycles as a kid. He then moved on to taking apart cars and motorcycles. His process now originates in his head, with mechanical ideas. He then moves onto paper and working with the manufacturer, implements the designs to work on the Fire Engines. This process is what he likes most about his job.

The most challenging part of Ken’s job is keeping up with all the younger guys. At 45 years young, he is considered one of the older firefighters. It requires high physical stamina to fight a fire. While in a fire, firefighters work at their peak Level of performance, under high stress for many hours. Good physical and mental health is essential to deal with the stress because you often get a call in the middle of the night, taking you from sleeping to emergency mode in 60 seconds. This makes firefighting one of the top five most stressful jobs. In addition to being one of the top ten most dangerous jobs, it puts firefighters at a high risk for heart attack.

The most frustrating part of Ken’s job is dealing with the public who are not involved in the accident and who don’t move out of the way for the fire truck to get through. Personal vehicles are now manufactured with improved sound sealing which, in addition to people talking on cell phones, listening to loud stereos and/or their kids, they don’t notice that you are running “emergent” and they simply keep driving.

Fire tools are basically used to rescue people who have been in an accident. Just ask Tools of the Trade Editor, Rick Schwolsky what that is like.

Ken’s favorite tool is the Fire Truck itself but here is a list to show you just what’s on it:

1. Jaws of Life - Hydraulic Spreader by Hurst - this is used to pry doors off of a vehicle that has been crushed in an accident - to extricate victims.

2. Hydraulic Ram - used to take off the steering wheel or floor of a vehicle

3. Hydraulic Cutters - used to cut the frame of a car or remove the roof.

4. Stihl Utility Chain Saw

5. Stihl Gas-powered Circular saw

6. Stihl Gas-powered Rescue Saw for cutting through roofs.

7. Various Axes, Pike poles and prying and Cutting Tools - Ken’s idea was to put it on a swing out rack

8. SCBA’s - Self contained breathing apparatus

9. Nozzles, adaptors - tools to spray large amounts of water

10. Pump - 1500 gpm ‘Waterous’ from St. Paul, Minnesota

11. Intake pump to get water from ponds

12. Ice and Water rescue equipment including climbing helmets and a boogie board for water rescue.

13. Station tools include battery operated Makita drills, Craftsman air compressor and various hand tools.

and of course: Ladders

If you’ve spent hours searching for a great gift for a firefighter, you’ve come to the right article. Is your firefighter about to graduate from he USFA or IAFF programs? How about reaching a critical anniversary, or that big promotion? For important moments such as these, ordinary gifts just won’t cut it. Have you tried the shopping malls and search engines only to find cheap teddy bears and knock off badges? Unfortunately, this is the experience for everyone trying to find a great gift. That’s the bad news.

The good news is that you don’t have to settle for cheap knock offs and meaningless junk; there are some great gifts and collectibles available. The criteria I had for choosing these items are as follows:

• The item must be of very high quality. No plastic toys or cheap t-shirts with iron on graphics.
• You must be able to customize the item. This allows the gift to be unique and very personal
• Nothing cheesy. No engraved flasks or firefighter mini-kegs allowed

Unique Firefighter Gift #1 - Firefighter Award Plaques

A plaque or statue with a personal message is a great gift. I particularly like the serve and protect plaque available on firecatalog.com. This award shows a firefighter carrying a child down a ladder on top of a maltese cross with the words to serve and protect engraved on it. There is a plaque below which allows for 3 lines of text, each 40 characters wide.

Unique Firefighter Gift #2 - A Customized Firefighter Journal

Firefighters spend lengthy hours around the station. A great gift idea is a journal where they can write down their thoughts and experiences. There are a plethora of personalized leather journals available online. I recommend taking a look at the Monachorum Leather Journal on JenniBick.com

Unique Firefighter Gift #3 - Embroidered Leather Jacket

Everyone loves leather jackets, and they can be tastefully personalized in many ways. Some of the options I researched include:

• Embroidering the firefighters badge on the right lapel, and last name on the left lapel
• Sewing the fire departments patch, or any other patches on one of the sleeves
• Embroider or design a patch with the fireman’s prayer
• Embroider or design a patch with their engine company’s motto

Unique Firefighter Gift #4 - Engraved Firefighter Watch

Watches are always a great gift. If you’re shopping for a fireman, a watch might be his only piece of jewelry. Just about every watch you can find can have the underside engraved, and, depending on your budget and taste, just about any nice watch will do. If you’re looking for a watch design that includes elements of firefighting, I found this stainless steel fireman’s watch with a Maltese cross face on PersonalCreations.com

Unique Firefighter Gift #5 - A Custom Maltese Cross Pendant

The Maltese cross is the symbol of firefighting. Originally given to the original firefighters, the Knights of St. John, and an award of courage and valor for saving their fellow crusaders from the Saracens fire.

Custom jewelry is always a great gift. FiredogJewelry.com offers custom Firefighter Maltese Cross Pendants in solid (not plated) silver, white and yellow gold, and platinum. The pendants are custom made to order and can be personalized with details such as department name, ladder unit number, firefighter name, St. Florian, firefighter scramble, IAFF number, and more.

Entry level fire fighter associates degrees, bachelors fire science degrees, and masters in fire science and occupational safety or public safety degrees are all hot and available online. More and more firefighters and employers are realizing the need for further education in fire science. Climbing the fire service career ladder will require formal education programs that can be obtained online.

According to the US Bureau of Labor the need for firefighter will increase into at least 2014. Entry-level firefighters with associates degrees generally earn $46,000. Fire Chiefs and officers in large cities often earn up to $80,000. A person with a bachelors or masters degree may work in the private sector for large corporations making even more.

An associates degree will provide the student with the knowledge base similar to that obtained in a fire academy. Fire behavior, fire suppression, scene preservation, fire prevention, pump operations, and search and rescue operations are included in the curriculum.

Bachelors and masters fire science programs include fire inspection, fire investigation, strategic management, internal processes, public safety and administration classes. Often students can focus on chemistry, engineering, or occupational safety for positions in the private sector.

Fire fighting positions generally include significant benefits such as retirement accounts, medical insurance, liability insurance, generous vacation and sick time, and shift or overtime differential.

Fire fighting education has become more formalized and specialized requiring those who want to advance up the career ladder to obtain more advanced careers. An online program is ideal for the firefighter who has work obligations because it allows the student to work on class work anytime. The flexibility of an online program is a perfect match for the aspiring or employed firefighter.

Firefighter Artwork is the the kind of art that is dedicated to the brave professional firefighters. This kind of art is usually done to lift up the spirits of firefighters. It depicts the various situations in which the firefighters sometimes find themselves in.

One kind of this art depicts four heroes entering the wall of fire. They courageously and tirelessly struggle until the overcome their common enemy that is the dragon. This kind is available in a mahogany or cherry wood frame that is double-matted. ‘Deliverance’ is the title of of a firefighter artwork. This art depicts a child being liberated from the fire by a person who fights fires. It is available in shades of gray and black core behind acrylic. Its frame is mostly double matted and metallic.

This kind of art is sometimes done in memory of the people who lost their lives while fighting fires. An example would b those who lost their lives in the September 11th terrorist attack. Part of the proceeds from the rummage sales of this kind of art is donated to those who fought fire, the children and the police who perished in that attack.

Firefighter artwork will always depict the various scenes and situations that these brave people find themselves in. These may include; wild land fires, fires started by terrorists, situations of invisible assistance or power and many others. They help keep the memories of those who lost their lives while fighting fires and also lift the spirits of those who are still fighting on.