How To Become A Firefighter [Infographic]

By Claire Kaufman

Firefighters are the nation's heroes, from the local volunteer fire brigade to the brave FDNY force who rushed into the burning Twin Towers on September 11, 2001. Despite the dangers of the job, firefighting attracts many more applicants than there are positions available. The career is poised for rapid 19 percent job growth in the 2008-2018 period, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But competition will heat up as more and more apply to serve their communities and earn such job perks as a flexible schedule and generous pension.