Firefighter resume example. Plus the keywords recruiters search for.
A firefighter resume that shows fireground skill, steady EMS care and a crew that can count on you — with the Firefighter I and II, EMT and incident command keywords fire departments screen for.
Reviewed by Nazir Elmurodov · Updated
/ The example
Firefighter resume example.
Ryan Kowalski
Firefighter/EMT
Mesa, AZ · ryan.kowalski@email.com · (480) 555-0166
Summary
Firefighter/EMT with 5 years on an engine company and 2 years on a 911 ambulance before that. I work fireground and EMS calls with the same care, keep the rig ready and spend my off-call time training and teaching fire safety in schools.
Experience
Firefighter/EMT, Saguaro Flats Fire Department · Mar 2021 – Present
- • Respond to 12–18 calls per 24-hour shift on a busy engine company; most are EMS calls, with structure fires, vehicle crashes and hazmat calls
- • Perform fire suppression, search and rescue, forcible entry and ventilation on interior attack crews wearing SCBA
- • Operate hydraulic rescue tools for vehicle extrication and provide BLS patient care until transport
- • Complete daily apparatus, SCBA and equipment checks, and taught fire safety and hands-only CPR to 1,200+ students in school visits
EMT, Copper Basin Ambulance · Jun 2019 – Feb 2021
- • Ran 8–12 calls per shift on a BLS ambulance in a 911 system and gave structured handoffs to emergency department staff
- • Completed ePCR documentation for every call before going back in service
- • Moved patients safely with stair chairs and stretchers, with no lifting injuries to me or my partners
Education & certifications
A.A.S. Fire Science, Superstition Mountain Community College, 2020 · Firefighter I and II (NFPA 1001, IFSAC) · EMT (NREMT) · Hazardous Materials Operations · ICS-100, ICS-200 and IS-700 (FEMA) · CPAT
Skills
Fire suppression · Search and rescue · Forcible entry · Ventilation · SCBA · Vehicle extrication · Hydraulic rescue tools · BLS patient care · Hazmat operations · Incident Command System · Apparatus checks · Public education
Ryan Kowalski
Firefighter/EMT
ryan.kowalski@email.com · Mesa, AZ
(480) 555-0166
Summary
Firefighter/EMT with 5 years on an engine company and 2 years on a 911 ambulance before that. I work fireground and EMS calls with the same care, keep the rig ready and spend my off-call time training and teaching fire safety in schools.
Experience
Firefighter/EMT — Saguaro Flats Fire Department
Mar 2021 – Present
• Respond to 12–18 calls per 24-hour shift on a busy engine company; most are EMS calls, with structure fires, vehicle crashes and hazmat calls
• Perform fire suppression, search and rescue, forcible entry and ventilation on interior attack crews wearing SCBA
• Operate hydraulic rescue tools for vehicle extrication and provide BLS patient care until transport
• Complete daily apparatus, SCBA and equipment checks, and taught fire safety and hands-only CPR to 1,200+ students in school visits
EMT — Copper Basin Ambulance
Jun 2019 – Feb 2021
• Ran 8–12 calls per shift on a BLS ambulance in a 911 system and gave structured handoffs to emergency department staff
• Completed ePCR documentation for every call before going back in service
• Moved patients safely with stair chairs and stretchers, with no lifting injuries to me or my partners
Education
Superstition Mountain Community College
A.A.S. Fire Science · 2020
Certifications
Firefighter I and II (NFPA 1001, IFSAC)
EMT (NREMT)
Hazardous Materials Operations
ICS-100, ICS-200 and IS-700 (FEMA)
CPAT
Skills
Fire suppression, Search and rescue, Forcible entry, Ventilation, SCBA, Vehicle extrication, Hydraulic rescue tools, BLS patient care, Hazmat operations, Incident Command System, Apparatus checks, Public education
Why it works
The certifications are listed with the standards behind them, call volume and the EMS share are stated honestly, and the bullets cover fireground work, EMS care, readiness and community education — the full job, not just the fire part.
Use this as your starting point
Opens in the editor with every section filled in. Swap in your own details and download a PDF or Word file free.
Start from this exampleSample resume. Names, companies and figures are illustrative.
/ Summary examples
Three summary examples. Pick the one closest to you.
Two or three lines: your level, your field and one result.
- Entry level
Fire academy graduate with Firefighter I and II, EMT (NREMT) and Hazardous Materials Operations. CPAT passed and 2 years of 911 ambulance experience.
- Experienced
Firefighter/EMT with 5 years on an engine company. I run 12–18 calls per 24-hour shift, work interior attack and extrication, and teach fire safety in schools.
- Senior
Fire engineer with 12 years of service. I drive and pump the engine, act as company officer when needed and lead my shift's hose and ladder training.
More for other jobs and situations (no experience, career change, senior): resume summary examples.
/ Bullet points
Bullet point examples. From duty to result.
Turn duties into results: what you did, how, and what changed.
Call volume
Instead of: Went on calls
Write: Responded to 12–18 calls per 24-hour shift, mostly EMS, plus structure fires, crashes and hazmat calls
Fireground
Instead of: Fought fires
Write: Performed fire suppression, search and rescue, forcible entry and ventilation on interior attack crews
Rescue
Instead of: Did extrications
Write: Operated hydraulic rescue tools for vehicle extrication and gave BLS care until transport
Readiness
Instead of: Checked equipment
Write: Completed daily apparatus, SCBA and equipment checks at the start of every shift
Community
Instead of: Did school visits
Write: Taught fire safety and hands-only CPR to 1,200+ students in school visits
EMS
Instead of: Worked on an ambulance
Write: Ran 8–12 calls per shift on a 911 BLS ambulance and completed every ePCR before going back in service
/ Keywords
Keywords and skills for firefighters.
These come up often in firefighter job posts. Include only the ones you can back up in an interview, and use the exact wording from the post you're applying to.
- Fire suppression
- Search and rescue
- Forcible entry
- Ventilation
- SCBA
- Vehicle extrication
- Hydraulic rescue tools
- BLS patient care
- Hazmat operations
- Incident Command System
- Apparatus checks
- Public education
- ePCR
- Firefighter I and II
- EMT (NREMT)
- CPAT
/ ATS tips
ATS tips for firefighters.
List certifications with the standard behind them
Firefighter I and II are built on NFPA professional qualification standards and are usually issued by your state with IFSAC or Pro Board accreditation. Write who issued yours.
Be honest about the call mix
Most calls in many departments are EMS. Saying so, with your volume, shows you understand the job.
Show EMS as a real skill
Your EMT or paramedic certification, call volume and handoffs matter as much as fireground work to most departments.
Include incident command training
ICS-100, ICS-200 and IS-700 from FEMA are common requirements. List the courses you've completed.
Add community work
School visits, smoke alarm installs and public education show the side of the job that builds trust with the community.
How does your firefighter resume compare?
Free ATS score, missing keywords and fixes in about 10 seconds.
/ Questions
Firefighter resume FAQ.
Writing the cover letter too? See Ryan's cover letter, annotated
How should I list Firefighter I and II?
Name the level, the issuing agency and the accreditation, such as "Firefighter I and II, state fire training, IFSAC." The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has folded NFPA 1001 into a consolidated standard, NFPA 1010, so newer certificates may cite that instead.
Do firefighters need EMT certification?
Many departments require EMT at hire or within a set time after, and some require paramedic. List your National Registry and state EMS credentials with expiration dates if the posting asks.
Should I include the CPAT?
Yes, if you've passed it and it's current for the department you're applying to. Some departments use a different physical ability test, so check the posting.
What should a new firefighter put on a resume?
Your academy, certifications, EMT and any ride-alongs, volunteer firefighting, wildland work or EMS jobs. Jobs that show teamwork and staying calm under pressure count too.
How long should a firefighter resume be?
One page for most firefighters. Put certifications near the top, then one or two jobs with call volume and the skills you use most.