Firefighters are essential in keeping communities safe, and volunteer firefighters make a vital contribution to the fire department. As a volunteer firefighter, you can gain valuable experience which can be beneficial for all walks of life. The first step in applying for a volunteer firefighter role is to create a fantastic resume, showing the hiring manager all the attributes you possess that make you an ideal candidate.
Resume.io’s volunteer firefighter resume example and writing guide are here to help. Here’s what we’ll cover in the coming chapters:
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Volunteer firefighters support fire departments by responding to emergencies and fighting fire outbreaks, including by applying fire spread reduction methods and distinguishing fires directly. They also administer first aid and often support search and rescue teams.
As volunteers, these firefighters do not receive a salary, although they may be entitled to other benefits such as tax benefits, scholarships or other education incentives. Volunteer firefighters come from various professions. A high level of commitment and physical fitness are required for the role.
There are 1,064,100 active firefighters in the US, with over half (54%) being volunteer firefighters. There is a continuous demand for firefighters, with a growth of 8% expected from 2020 to 2030.
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When writing your volunteer firefighter resume, you should follow the standard structure for most CVs, which looks like this:
Volunteer firefighters with previous experience should opt for the reverse chronological resume format which contains an employment history section where you can list your related roles and the duties and skills involved. Since this is a volunteer position, you may include jobs in other fields they may have prepared you to become a firefighter.
Volunteer firefighters may also opt for the hybrid resume format which focuses on skills at the start of the resume before moving onto an abbreviated employment history section. The functional resume format should be avoided since it is not preferred by hiring managers.
The summary for your volunteer firefighter resume is a round-up of your key skills and experience that are relevant to the role. If you have worked as a volunteer firefighter before, then this will be straightforward. Otherwise, you can summarize your transferable skills and experience in 3-5 sentences. Below you’ll find the summary from our adaptable resume sample.
Dedicated volunteer firefighter committed to protecting and serving the community, as well as supporting team members. Adept in all firefighting, EMT and fire-prevention duties with an expansive breadth of volunteer firefighting experience and a passion for helping others.
The employment history section is where you state your experience. You can use bullet points and focus on the primary duties. Try to offer different skills and achievements in each previous role to highlight a range of expertise. See our employment history resume sample below.
Volunteer Firefighter, Tallahassee Fire Station #3, Tallahassee
Apr 2017 - Present
Volunteer Firefighter, Leon County Fire Station #11, Centerville
Jan 2010 - Dec 2016
Athletic Director, Tallahassee Episcopal School, Tallahassee
Sep 2007 - Present
Volunteer firefighters need to have excellent communication skills, the ability to work as a team and have dedication and commitment. They also need to be extremely reliable.
Don’t worry if you don’t have experience as a volunteer firefighter; you can use your transferable skills from other roles in this CV section. Find out what the hiring manager is looking for, and make sure you include these on your CV. See the skills section from our resume example below.
You do not need any specific qualifications to work as a volunteer firefighter. Therefore, you insert the education section after your experience. Your most recent qualifications should be at the top. If you have any relevant firefighting qualifications, enter them here. Check out the education section from our resume sample below.
Central Florida Fire Academy, Florida Firefighter Certificate, Oak Ridge
Jun 2008 - Apr 2009
University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Sports Management, Gainesville
Sep 2005 - May 2007
You may consider the resume layout and design to be an afterthought, but it can actually make the difference in a hiring manager giving your resume a second glance on a busy day. Make sure to choose an attractive and organized design. There’s no need to go over the top with color or fancy details. A simple, easy-to-read resume template can make all the difference.