Firefighters as we know them today are considered highly trained, trusted and respected individuals in every community on the planet. They are known to put their lives in danger for the safety of others. The occupation known as firefighting has been around as long as civilization has existed, and as long as civilization exists there will always be a need for firefighters. However, firefighters have not always been the organized, highly trained professionals we know today. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original EssayOne of the first uses of organized, professional firefighters was in ancient Rome due to extensive fires that became uncontrollable and devastated Rome. Rome's response was to develop a fire department of nearly 7,000 men paid to be firefighters. These men not only acted as firefighters, but also acted as a kind of police as they patrolled the streets and could impose corporal punishment on anyone who violated fire prevention regulations. In the early days of the United States (when it was still just a colony) that wasn't quite the case. The first recorded fire in the New World occurred in 1608, in the Jamestown colony, just a year after its discovery. Fire posed a real threat to colonial America, but firefighting techniques changed little in the centuries that followed. In the late 17th century many fire companies were usually just volunteers who usually fought other volunteers over who could put out a fire. This was due to the fact that insurance companies only paid the brigades that put out the fire, so some firefighters were recruited not only for their firefighting skills but for their actual fighting skills to protect equipment and fight other stations . The image of the Dalmatian dog running alongside a fire engine is also based on historical facts. Dalmatians were chosen as firemen's andirons due to the strong bond they formed with the firefighters and the horses that pulled the steamers but also because they had the task of protecting the equipment from theft or damage. It was only in the late 19th and early 20th centuries that many firefighters began to use steam and later gas powered fire appliances, taking on the more professional role we know them for today. Throughout history, every civilization has noticed or experienced the destructive power of fire when it rages uncontrollably. It can turn even the largest of cities into nothing but dirt and ash, leaving an entire population homeless and with nowhere else to go. Even though our modern cities use stronger building materials than ever before, fires can and continue to pose a huge threat to many cities and towns. The need for an intervention team to control and extinguish these fires has always been present. Firefighters, whether volunteers or professionals, are held in high regard due to the risk they take in protecting citizens from the ravages of an uncontrolled fire or any other emergency, not to mention saving millions of dollars annually in property damage. For me, being a firefighter means giving back to the community in terms of giving your life to others and facing death if it means saving innocence. Being a firefighter means being ready to spring into action at a moment's notice because disaster has no set schedule. However, times have changed since the days of standing in a line and passing a bucket of water over the fire. Becoming a firefighter inToday's world has many more requirements that must be strictly met. When it comes to learning how to become a firefighter, it's best to simply go to your local fire station and ask. Many will tell you that one of the first steps to becoming a firefighter is first volunteering for the profession (FireScience Online). Before asking, most stations require you to be at least 18 years old (some stations require you to be 21 years old) and at most 35 years old. Volunteering usually means you'll help at the station, participate in community service, or set up a table at a community fair. While you may not save cats from trees or immediately put out fires, it helps build vital professional contacts in the field and will help you familiarize yourself with the firefighting community, which can be a factor when you're trying to move up the ranks. In addition to local departments, firefighters are also hired through state fire organizations, construction companies, fire equipment manufacturers/suppliers, and even natural firefighting agencies. When it comes to education requirements, you must have your high school diploma or GED. While each firefighting organization has different hiring requirements, a common denominator for most is that you must also earn a bachelor's degree in fire science. It is also recommended that candidates obtain CPR certification, but many departments even require that you obtain EMT certification. You must also be in good physical shape as you will be required to pass the CPAT. The CPAT or Candidate Physical Ability Test is the recognized standard for measuring an individual's ability to handle the demands of a firefighter (FCTC). Participants must be able to effectively tackle eight tests over a period of 10 minutes and 20 seconds in a closed course. Tests are usually stair climbing, hose resistance, equipment carrying, ladder lifting and extending, forcible entry, search, rescue resistance, and ceiling breaking and pulling . To simulate the gear a firefighter would carry, CPAT candidates must wear a helmet along with gloves and a 50-pound weighted vest. For the climb test candidates must also apply an additional 25 pound weight representing a pack of hose that a firefighter would carry during a high-rise fire. In addition to the physical exam, you must also pass a written exam, an oral interview, a baseline investigation, and a drug screening. The written exam covers mathematics, problem solving, written and oral communication, mathematics, memory and reasoning. You will also undergo a psychological exam covering personality traits along with a medical exam covering hearing, vision, blood pressure, blood and urine (FireScience Online). When responding to an emergency, firefighters are usually equipped with a fire helmet made of durable, heat-resistant materials to protect from heat and falling objects. There were also turnout pants and a jacket made from a two-layer fabric designed to repel heat. They usually feature bright colors such as orange or yellow reflective stripes to make firefighters more visible through smoke. In addition to the helmet and rescue clothing, they are also equipped with a self-contained breathing apparatus connected to an air tank worn on the firefighters' back which provides the firefighter with breathing air for 30 minutes. They also wear leather gloves and thick rubber boots which allow them to work well on wet surfaces and grip materials. 2020].