What type of education do you need..??

To become a firefighter, applicants must pass rigous Written, Oral, Physical, and medical tests including vision, hearing, and fitness assessments.These tests determine agility, strength, manual dexterity, and in some cases, fear of heights and enclosed spaces. Completetion of high school, or equivalent, is required. Completion of college is not always required but it helps you obtain a higher score on the written exam and the interview.

Firefighting programs are offered at colleges and vocational and technical institutes across the country. Most programs are 2 years in length and lead to an associate degree, others take less time to complete and result in a certificate. A few schools offer 4-year bachelor’s degrees in firefighting. Some fire departments have formal apprenticeship programs, the programs combine on-the-job training with in-class technical instruction. Apprenticeships typically take about 4 years to complete, but the advantage of these programs is that students get to earn a wage while they learn.

Once a future firefighter has been hired they generally have to complete a training and probationary period.
The initial training period usually lasts for several weeks, while the probationary period can last up to a year. During this time they are thoroughly trained, tested, and drilled to ensure they can cope with the demands of the job.