Firefighter Connection Newsletter

January 9, 2025

Roger Waters
January 09, 2025

NEWS; How much do Firefighter Make?

The average pay of a firefighter as of Jauary 1, 2025 according to Salary.com is approximately $71,896!

Firefighter salaries in the United States vary based on factors such as location, experience, and department size.

Read about the pay and benefits of a Career Firefighter.

HIRING: Each week we will focus on a different state.

Texas Opportunities:

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection regularly updates a comprehensive list of firefighter job openings across the state. Positions are available in various departments, including:

City of Grapevine: Firefighter/EMT positions with salaries ranging from $72,212.52 to $93,187.11 annually.
Refinery Terminal Fire Company in Corpus Christi: Firefighter positions with beginning base pay of $45,898.78, increasing to $55,922.54 upon successful completion of Recruit School training.
City of Selma: Firefighter/EMT positions.
City of Texarkana: Firefighter Entrance Examination applications are being accepted.
City of Big Spring: Firefighter-EMT/Firefighter Cadet positions with salaries ranging from $46,055 to $61,833.
City of College Station: Firefighter positions.
City of Houston: Certified Firefighter & Emergency Medical Technician Trainee positions with salaries ranging from $52,627.90 to $56,863.04 annually.

For a complete and up-to-date listing of available positions, please visit the Texas Commission on Fire Protection's Job Postings.

HEALTH AND FITNESS: Get fit for the 2025 test season!

Firefighters are among the most physically and mentally demanding professions. They face intense physical challenges, including heavy lifting, exposure to toxins, irregular sleep patterns, and high-stress situations. Maintaining optimal health and fitness is not just beneficial but critical for their safety and effectiveness on the job.

NEW HIRE TESTING SUPPORT

Adherence to established testing standards ensures that firefighters possess the necessary skills and physical abilities required for the job. The NFPA 1582 provides guidelines for physical fitness assessments, including aerobic capacity, strength, and endurance evaluations. These standards are designed to match the physical demands of firefighting, ensuring personnel can perform their duties safely and effectively.

GEAR AND TECHNOLOGY

Fire departments have largely been conservative in adopting new technologies. But as populations expand, emergency calls increase and more data flows in, emergency services are also finding themselves shorthanded and in need of digital tools to help them do more with less. Thankfully, new technologies that leverage data can make operations more efficient, leading to faster response times and quicker resolution of emergencies. Here are some key data-driven technologies that are bringing firefighting and emergency dispatching into the modern day.