High School

Recommended classes for aspiring wildland firefighters include mathematics, physics, chemistry, and physical education classes. English and speech courses are also recommended because firefighters need to be able to communicate effectively with team members, write reports (if they are supervisors or managers), and educate the public about fire protection and careers in the field.

Postsecondary Education

You do not need a college degree to work as a wildland firefighter. Some people enter the field after receiving on-the-job training that educates them about fire behavior fundamentals, incident command, prevention and suppression techniques, the use of firefighting equipment and gear, safety issues, and other topics.

Some firefighters train for the field by earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in fire science or a specialized degree in wildland firefighting. Students in these programs take classes such as History and Ecology of Wildfires, Engine and Dozer Training, Wildfire Fitness Prep, Wildland Firefighting and Prevention Techniques, and Geographic Positioning Systems and Map Use. They also obtain hands-on experience fighting forest fires or conducting prescribed burns. The International Fire Service Accreditation Congress offers a list of accredited degree programs at its Web site, https://ifsac.org.

Some wildland firefighters train via informal or formal apprenticeship programs. They earn while they learn, and their pay gradually increases as they obtain more experience.

Certification

Certificate programs in fire science, wildland firefighting, and related fields are provided by colleges and universities, professional associations, and private organizations. For example, Lake Superior College in Minnesota offers a wildland firefighting certificate to students who complete the following classes: Fire Fighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Operations, Wildland Firefighting, Wildland Portable Pumps and Water Use, and Wildland Fire Chain Saws.

Earning a certificate is an excellent to “try out” an area of study without making a large financial investment that is required to earn a degree. Additionally, some wildland firefighters earn certificates in specialty areas to improve their knowledge base and skills—which makes them more attractive to employers.

Other Education or Training

Throughout their careers, wildland firefighters continue to learn about new tools and equipment, as well as evolving fire prevention and firefighting techniques. They obtain this training through their employers, technical colleges, private training providers, and professional associations.

Certification or Licensing

Wildland firefighters do not typically need to be certified before they are hired, but certification is recommended. Certification is typically offered through a state's fire academy, fire-service training board, fire-service certification board, or other agency that regulates fire and public safety personnel. Certification programs are accredited by the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress, which provides a listing of states offering the Firefighter I and Firefighter II designations. To become certified, candidates must pass practical and written tests.

Applicants must pass a medical exam and a work capacity test (also known as a pack test), which assesses their physical ability to do the work. Those who pass this test receive an incident qualification card, which they present to potential employers to prove that they are qualified for the position.

Wildland firefighters typically receive training during their postsecondary education (technical college, apprenticeship, etc.), as well as on the job after they are hired.

This career will not be a good fit for those who do not work well with others, have poor communication skills, and who are unwilling to follow directions. Wildland fire fighting is an extremely dangerous and physically demanding occupation. As a result, you need to be in excellent physical shape and be calm and decisive under pressure. Other important traits for wildland firefighters include a strong work ethic, good critical thinking skills, and a confident personality.

In most instances, wildland firefighters must be at least 18 years of age and meet height and weight requirements. Applicants are required to have good vision, no physical impairments that could keep them from doing their jobs, and excellent physical stamina. Applicants must also pass a drug test.