CAREERS IN FIRE SERVICES

Increasing urbanisation, mounting industrial activity, the use of electrical devices, appliances in all types of houses and offices, heating and cooling systems etc. contribute to enhance fire hazards. Fire Services have to keep abreast with fresh and increasing demands. Each state government maintains a fire department to look after preventive and precautionary aspects of fire safety. Moreover, not only for fire safety but in all kinds of national calamities like earthquake, flood etc. the only organisation that is remembered is fire service.
In the protective role the fire service advises and assists various organisations in taking protection against fire hazards.
PERSONALITY TRAITS :
Being a technical profession a scientific bent of mind is obviously required. Other qualities required include a sense of self discipline and responsibility, peak physical condition, presence of mind to handle crises, calmness of mind under potentially dangerous circumstances, the ability to lead men, motivate them, supervise and guide them to discharge their duties. Ability to plan for all eventualities in advance.
Available Careers :
Fire Fighter, Sub-Officer, Station Officer, Assistant Divisional Officer, Divisional Officer, Dy. Chief Fire Officer, Chief Fire Officer.
Training/Course :
National Fire Service College, Nagpur is the leading institute offering training courses in fire services.
Every course has just 30 seats and admission is based on performance of the candidate in written test which is usually conducted in the month of May-June every year at Mumbai, Kolkata, Madras, Nagpur and New Delhi.
The written entrance examination is normally of the objective type, held in two sessions. The Physics paper is followed by the Chemistry paper and the level of knowledge tested is of the Bachelor’s degree in Science. The papers are given in both Hindi and English. Candidates declared passed/qualified in the written examination are called for a viva voce and final selection is made on the combined performance in both these tests. Since peak physical condition is a pre-requisite for the profession the College expects the applicants to be physically fit.
Physical Standard :
Height: 165 cms. Weight: 50 kgs. Chest: 81 cms with 5 cms on expansion.
Course
Educational Qualification
Physical Standards
Age
Duration (years)
Remarks
B.E. (Fire Engineering)
B.Sc.P/C/M/
Height 165 cms Weight 50 kg Chest 81 cms with 5 cms expantion
19-23
3 and half years
Advertisement in leading Newspapers in May/ June every year.
Certificate (Sub-Officer)
10+2
As above
18-23
25 weeks
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Diploma (Station Officer)
10+2 , Preferably Science & 3 years experience as a leading Fireman/ Sub-Officer
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Not more than 45 years
22 weeks
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Diploma (Divisional Officer)
10+2 with Diploma (Fire) 3 years experience as Station Officer with Heavy Driving Licence.
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23-45
22 weeks
Prospects/Placements :
The professionally trained people qualify for placement in the managerial/officer cadre in Fire Service usually in the government/public sector. Fire Stations all over the country employ Fire Engineers. Due to urbanisation in cities skyscrapers have come up and for the basis requirement of fire safety employing fire service personnel is a must. Therefore, the private sector has also opened ample job opportunity for fire engineers.
N.B.: Given dates are subjects to change.