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A firefighter resume should show more than courage — it must prove your training, quick decision-making, and impact in high-pressure situations.
This guide will show you how to draft the best possible resume, and create a cover letter that together highlight your readiness to serve and protect.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- ↪ 7 free firefighter resume samples you can use for inspiration
- ↪ Tips and tricks to avoid the most common resume mistakes
- ↪ How to stand apart from the competition in 2026 with measurable achievements
Why this resume works
- Your firefighter resume should include quantitative metrics (numbers).
- Don’t worry if you haven’t included metrics yet. Our resume tips can show that it’s easier to do than you might think!
Why this resume works
- If you opt to include a summary on your wildland firefighter resume, make sure it’s customized. In fact, it will require some rewriting for every job application you submit!
Why this resume works
- Your volunteer firefighter resume should be flawless. Just because it’s a volunteer position, don’t think there won’t be competition.
- Lastly use our free resume checker to ensure you’ve covered the bases of perfect grammar, action words, and sufficient metrics.
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Why this resume works
- A well-crafted firefighter paramedic resume should contain a variety of skills in using different software to contain fire breakouts and provide medical aid.
- List down all instances of when you’ve used a particular skill for training, streamlining communication between teams, or providing medical assistance.
Why this resume works
- Being an EMT means you’re the go-to person for any emergency cases. This is exactly what your firefighter EMT resume should also entail—experience with handling critical patients.
- Ensure that you clearly highlight and state any past experiences of dealing with medical emergencies like “first-aid and CPR assistance for 17+ medical emergencies.”
Why this resume works
- It’s pretty tough to write your entry-level firefighter resume when you’ve never worked as a firefighter. Relevant experience can help you stand out, like an EMT position, paramedic, or volunteer SARS worker.
- If you lack this kind of expertise, though, don’t worry. Everyone starts somewhere, and employers are usually willing to look at relevant experience, which you explain its relevant further in your firefighter cover letter.
Why this resume works
- One of the least appreciated but most important parts of your senior firefighter resume is your resume skills section.
- Your skills section may include both hard and soft skills.
Related resume guides
How to Write a Firefighter Resume
A firefighter resume should line up both hard and soft skills, job-relevant certifications, and prove your impact from the past.
Summary
Use your emergency training certs, experience, and firefighting skills to craft a resume that gets the alarm bells ringing (in a good way!)
When you present your experience clearly and back it up with measurable results, employers can quickly see why you’re a strong candidate.
So, where does one start? These are what we’re going to cover today:
- The most effective structure and format for a firefighter resume
- How to showcase training, certifications, and essential skills
- Using numbers and results to demonstrate real achievements
- Practical ways to stand out from other applicants in 2026
Contact information: Keep it clean
This is the first part of your resume, and one you cannot get wrong. Remember, firefighters are professionals, and rightfully so, should not use any nicknames. Just be clear and accurate.
Typically, here’s all the basic details you’ll need to add:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Email Address
- Location (City, State)
- LinkedIn (if asked)
The image below also shows the appropriate format for listing your contact information:
Take charge using a compelling career statement
Depending on your level of experience, you can either write a resume summary or an objective. Firefighters with more than ten years of experience should use summaries whereas entry level candidates or those changing careers should craft an objective.
If you’re someone who’s not a newcomer, but still hasn’t spent a decade as a firefighter, you can skip this section entirely.
As a rule of thumb, always keep your objective/summary within 3–4 lines and keep it to the point. Mention your passion for the industry and lead into your best skills. Towards the end, include any projects/career highlights.
Here’s what a good career objective looks like:
“Aspiring firefighter with volunteering background in providing quick assistance in wildfires. Looking to join the Boston Fire Department and use my collaboration and fire mitigation skills in to assist the team during emergencies.”
Similarly, you can write a summary in this format:
“Diligent wildland firefighter serving 11 years in firefighting and wildland work within San Diego. Motivated to aid the most fire-prone areas of California at the CAL Fire Red Mountain station, where my experience in equipment maintenance and fire containment will reduce the risk of escalation and prevent wildfires.”
Show how you’ve responded to alarm bells with strong work experiences
The best way to prove your agility and proactiveness in responding to fires is listing down your best work experiences in a reverse-chronological format. Start from your latest job and work your way down.
Avoid being random and include 2–3 of your best work experiences. If you’re a rookie, try including cadet programs or volunteering stints. While filling this section, quantify as many bullet points as you can.
We’ll show how you can quantify bullet points for both real-life jobs and any volunteering experience.
Bullet Point Examples for Job Experience:
- Led 62 controlled burns before the start of the annual wildfire season, decreasing seasonal wildfire reports by 39%.
- Maintained 18 types of equipment and machines, including chain saws, tractors, and fire engines.
- Cut down 41 invasive eucalyptus trees in high fire risk areas, reducing the risk of fire spread by 27%.
Bullet Point Examples for Volunteer Work:
- Answered a minimum of 92 calls per day to guide callers in emergency situations and dispatch emergency personnel.
- Attended 17 hours of optional training sessions to increase knowledge of emergency preparedness.
- Retrieved caller data within 49 seconds, decreasing the average emergency personnel response time by 3 minutes.
Notice how each bullet point also starts with a strong action word. This instantly gives employers an idea of the kind of impact your fire safety work has had previously. If you’re facing trouble, using a resume rewriter can help you improve your bullet points.
Create a comprehensive skills list
Creating a strong skills list will tell recruiters everything they need to know about your ability to respond to emergencies. The best practice is to read the job description and include skills that overlap with your own profile, but don’t let it stop you from building a comprehensive list.
Here’s a short list of many skills you can include:
- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus
- Extrication & Stabilization
- Conflict Resolution
- Equipment Maintenance
- Power Tools
- Fire Prevention
- Emergency Vehicle Operation
Your certifications and licenses are non-negotiable
When it comes to your education section, it’s completely fine to mention a high school diploma. If possible, add any firefighter academy courses to show how long you’ve been taking professional training.
Below your education, you’ll need to add your certifications and license. While you won’t always need them, including at least one shows your dedication to the role, especially if you add a cert/license directly mentioned in the job description. If you’re looking to get certified, try pursuing the following:
- Basic Life Support (American Heart Association)
- Emergency Medical Technician (National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians)
- Firefighter I (National Fire Protection Association)
- Certified Fire Inspector (National Fire Protection Association)
If you’re wondering how to present all this information, refer to the image below:
Key takeaways
Here’s what you learned:
- Choose a simple, professional layout
- List certifications, training, and essential skills
- Back up your experience with numbers and clear results
- Keep descriptions short and relevant
- Adjust your resume to match each job posting
A Quick salary guide for US firefighters
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for firefighters is $59,530, whereas the hourly median wage is $28.62.
Below, we’ve listed 10 states with the highest mean wages for firefighters:
| State | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| California | $98,200 |
| New Jersey | $87,710 |
| Washington | $87,240 |
| New York | $86,680 |
| District of Columbia | $80,320 |
| Colorado | $78,560 |
| Illinois | $76,650 |
| Massachusetts | $73,130 |
| Connecticut | $72,090 |
| Maryland | $72,070 |
Firefighter Resume FAQs
If you read through the Occupational Outlook Handbook of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, you’ll find that fire stations today expect to see at least a diploma and emergency services training. It is also recommended that an emergency medical technician certificate be obtained along with any other continuing education credentials.
A good career objective for a firefighter resume should show your passion for the role and any previous experience with emergency training. Even if they’re only projects/volunteering programs, add them in! Also, briefly mention any hazardous equipment that you’re skilled at using.
