Puerto Rico: How to Become a Firefighter

Firefighters always have a vital role to play. The brave members of the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps are responsible for keeping fires under control and minimizing the damage they cause. They put their own lives at risk on a regular basis to save other people as well as their property.

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If you harbor any aspirations of becoming a firefighter in Puerto Rico, there are a few steps to be followed which are outlined in this guide. Read on to understand what you need to do for a long and successful career as a Puerto Rico firefighter.

Career Path of a Puerto Rico Firefighter

  • Firefighter
  • Sergeant
  • Lieutenant
  • Station Captain
  • District Chief
  • Battalion Commander (Operational Area Chief)
  • Vice Chief
  • Fire Chief

Puerto Rico Firefighter Requirements

Following are the mandatory requirements for firefighters in Puerto Rico.

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must have cleared high school at least
  • Must be a valid Puerto Rico driving license holder
  • Must not have a criminal record of any kind, whether in Puerto Rico or any mainland American territories
  • Must qualify the written test designed to evaluate reading and writing capabilities, mechanical reasoning, ability to utilize logic, spatial awareness and sharpness of memory.
  • Must pass the physical evaluation. Many fire departments in Puerto Rico are likely to accept the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test) score. So, in case your preferred local fire department accepts a CPAT score, try to score as high on it as you can.
  • As first responders to many emergencies and situations of public endangerment, firefighters often have to provide initial medical care to the affected people until the arrival of the paramedics. For this purpose, many Puerto Rico fire departments make it mandatory for their staff to hold medical certifications like CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) and EMT (Emergency Medical Technician).

Time Taken to Become a Firefighter in Puerto Rico

Normally it takes about 6 to 7 months to become a firefighter in Puerto Rico. The initial screening and selection process of the Puerto Rico Firefighters Corps takes a few months. So, it will take you between 8 to 12 months to become a firefighter in Puerto Rico. The amount of time will be increased if you decide to go for a degree in fire science.

How Much Does a Puerto Rico Firefighter Make?

As per the information available on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics website, Puerto Rican firefighters made $25,100 in annual mean wages in May, 2018.

Firefighting Career Outlook in Puerto Rico

In the USA, firefighting jobs are expected to grow by 5% from 2018 to 2028. You can expect a similar growth pattern in Puerto Rico with increasing population and infrastructure.

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