What does a Firefighter/Paramedic do?
A firefighter/paramedic is a person who combats and contains fires and provides emergency medical aid. People in this role also take steps to prevent fires and to educate the public about fire prevention. The firefighter/paramedic is responsible for operating and maintaining firefighting and other emergency equipment and facilities, ensuring optimal performance in protecting life and property.
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Working as a Firefighter/Paramedic
- Responding to emergency calls and search and rescue operations
- Remaining on-call as needed, including nights, weekends and holidays
- Performing cleaning and maintenance on emergency vehicles, equipment and station
- Administering emergency medical aid as needed
- Performing frequent strenuous physical activity
How much does a Firefighter/Paramedic make in the United States?
Average base salary
The average salary for a firefighter/paramedic is $67,726 per year in the United States. 706 salaries reported, updated at September 19, 2023
Where can a Firefighter/Paramedic earn more?
Compare salaries for Firefighters/Paramedics in different locationsHow much do similar professions get paid in United States?
Firefighter/Emt
Job openingsAverage $54,575 per year
Emergency Medical Technician
Job openingsAverage $20.10 per hour
Wildland Firefighter
Job openingsAverage $24.19 per hour
Firefighter
Job openingsAverage $52,795 per year
Volunteer Firefighter
Job openingsAverage $19.43 per hour
Common questions about for a Firefighter/Paramedic
How are firefighter/paramedics affected during COVID-19?
Due to COVID-19, firefighter/paramedics are expected to take greater precautions when attending to emergency incidents. Most fire departments have made adjustments to their operations, such as screening calls for COVID-19 symptoms, which will then be relayed to the responding unit to ensure they are equipped with the appropriate protective gear.
Can firefighter/paramedics work from home?
The nature of a firefighter/paramedic's work requires them to be at the scene of any emergency incident therefore working from home is not a viable option.
What are the age requirements for becoming a firefighter/paramedic?
In the United States, firefighter/paramedics must meet the minimum age requirement of 18 years. There is often a maximum age requirement as well, usually 28–35 years, depending on the department.