Firefighter Career Assessment
Fighting fires and responding to emergencies
Welcome
Firefighters put out fires, rescue people, and respond to medical calls and car crashes.
Most North Dakota towns are covered by volunteer firefighters. The big cities have paid crews. You will explore whether this work fits you.
This takes about 15 minutes.
What is a Firefighter?
A firefighter responds when someone calls 911 for a fire, a crash, or a medical emergency. They put out fires, pull people out of danger, give first aid, and check buildings for fire hazards. Most also work as EMTs.
The Reality: This is dangerous work. You can get hurt, and when everyone else is running away from a fire or a crash, you will be running toward it. You will see people on the worst day of their lives. Hiring is strict: background check, drug screen, polygraph, psychological exam, and a hard physical test. Ask the fire department what would rule you out before you spend money on training.
Your Responsibilities:
- Respond to fire, crash, and medical calls
- Put out fires with hoses and tools
- Search burning buildings for people
- Give emergency medical care as an EMT
- Cut people out of wrecked cars
- Check and clean trucks and equipment
- Train and practice every shift
- Teach fire safety to the public
You show up when people need help the most.
A Day in the Life
7:00 AM — Shift change. Check your gear, air pack, and the engine.
8:30 AM — Medical call: an older man fell at home. You check him and help the ambulance crew.
10:00 AM — Training: ladder drills behind the station.
12:00 PM — Lunch with the crew at the station.
1:30 PM — Car crash on the highway. You control traffic and help free a driver.
3:30 PM — Fire safety talk at an elementary school.
6:00 PM — Supper, then clean the station.
11:00 PM — Alarm at 11 PM. Kitchen fire in an apartment. Out in 20 minutes.
Long shifts of waiting, training, and sudden emergencies.
Training in North Dakota
North Dakota certifies firefighters through the ND Firefighter's Association. Many people start as a volunteer with a small-town department, which trains you for free. Paid departments hire you first and then send you to training.
Training Pathways:
- Volunteer first: Join your town's volunteer department. They train you and pay for your certification. This is how most ND firefighters start.
- College program (1–2 years): Earn Firefighter I and II certificates or a Fire Science degree before you apply.
- Hired first, trained after: Cities like Fargo hire people with no experience and pay them to earn Firefighter I, Firefighter II, and EMT.
Where to Train in North Dakota:
- ND State College of Science (Wahpeton) — Fire Science, AAS; Firefighter I Certificate; Firefighter II Certificate; hands-on live fire and extrication training (ndscs.edu/program/fire-science)
- Bismarck State College (Bismarck) — Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certificate, 7 credits, accelerated 16-week block; free tuition has been offered (bismarckstate.edu/academics/programs/emt)
- Bismarck State College — Paramedic Technology, AAS, for those who want to go further in EMS
- Bismarck State College TrainND — Wildland Firefighter course, 45.5 hours, about $35, leads to the Pack Test and Red Card (bismarckstate.edu/wildlandfirefighter)
- ND Firefighter's Association — state fire school and certification testing for volunteer and paid firefighters (apps.nd.gov/NDFA)
Before You Start: High school diploma or GED. A valid driver's license. Good physical condition. Sound health and eyesight. You must be able to read and understand English. Most departments want or require an EMT certificate.
Tip: Start with financial aid, scholarships, and any help an employer offers — that is where the money starts. After that, ask a career counselor or Job Service North Dakota whether WIOA or other programs can help with what is left over, like training, tools, work boots, or exam fees. What can be paid for depends on the program and on your own situation, so ask before you sign up rather than after. Registered apprenticeships let you earn a paycheck while you learn — see jobsnd.com/job-seeker/apprenticeships for ND programs.
Certification & Licensing
Certification comes through the ND Firefighter's Association. The NDFA runs North Dakota's certification system. It is accredited by the Pro Board (not IFSAC). Certification follows the national NFPA standards.
Certification Levels in ND:
- Hazardous Materials Awareness and Operations — usually the first step
- Firefighter I — entry level, NFPA 1001; you must be at least 16 and an NDFA member
- Firefighter II — builds on Firefighter I
- Fire Instructor I and Fire Officer I — for teaching and leading
- Technical Rescuer — rope, confined space, collapse, and trench rescue
- EMT — a separate certificate; many paid departments require it
The Exams: Each level has a written test (70% to pass) and a hands-on skills test. You have 12 months to finish both.
Cost: NDFA sets fees and they change. Volunteer departments usually pay for their members. Call the NDFA at 701-222-2799 for current costs.
Keeping It Current: Certifications are kept through your department. Departments require ongoing training all year, and EMT certification must be renewed.
Salary & Job Outlook
North Dakota Firefighter Pay (May 2025):
- Starting out (bottom 10–25%): $19.09–$22.88/hour ($39,700–$47,590/year)
- Middle (median — half earn more, half earn less): $26.48/hour ($55,080/year)
- Experienced (top 25–10%): $34.58–$37.27/hour ($71,930–$77,530/year)
What that means: ND pay is below the national median for firefighters. Volunteer firefighters are paid little or nothing, but they get free training that can lead to a paid job. Paid city departments pay overtime for extra shifts.
Jobs in North Dakota: About 770 people do this work in ND today. By 2034, that should be about 820 (about 7% growth). Expect about 60 job openings every year in ND from growth and people retiring or changing jobs. Across the U.S., the change is about 3% growth — average.
Outlook: Good. About 60 openings a year in ND, and ND is growing about twice as fast as the country. Paid full-time jobs are mostly in Fargo, Bismarck, Grand Forks, Minot, West Fargo, and Williston.
Who Hires in ND: City fire departments, rural and small-town volunteer departments, airports, the ND National Guard, federal and tribal fire crews, and wildland fire agencies.
Work Setting: Fire stations with 24-hour shifts, plus burning buildings, highways, and open country. Outdoor work in North Dakota cold, wind, and smoke.
Physical Demands: Very high. You carry 50 or more pounds of gear, drag hose, raise ladders, and lift people. Departments give a timed physical test you must pass.
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Dakota, May 2025 (SOC 33-2011); North Dakota and U.S. long-term employment projections 2024–2034, via O*NET OnLine. Numbers are rounded.
Where This Leads
Path 1: Firefighter/EMT — The standard career job.
Path 2: Paramedic — Advanced medical care.
Path 3: Driver/Engineer — Drive and run the pumps.
Path 4: Fire Inspector or Investigator — Check buildings and find fire causes.
Path 5: Fire Officer — Lead a crew as a Lieutenant or Captain.
Path 6: Wildland Firefighter — Seasonal work on grass and forest fires.
The Real Talk
What's Great:
- Real meaning — you save lives
- Strong crew and teamwork
- 24-hour shifts mean days off
- Free training as a volunteer
- Good benefits and pension in cities
- Respected in every ND town
What's Hard:
- Real risk of injury — this is dangerous work
- Hard things you cannot unsee
- Strict background check, drug screen, and polygraph
- A felony or a domestic violence conviction can end your chances at many departments
- Very demanding physical test
- Nights, weekends, and holidays away from family
- Few paid jobs outside the biggest cities
Be Honest: Departments set their own hiring rules, and they are strict. A felony record, a domestic violence conviction, recent drug use, or failing the psychological exam or polygraph can disqualify you at most departments, and some rules are permanent. Some other records can be worked through. Certain health conditions can also stop you from passing the medical exam or wearing an air pack. Before you spend money on training, call the department you want to work for and ask them directly what would rule you out. Volunteering first is a low-cost way to find out if this fits you.