A career in fire protection might be right for you if you enjoy working with your hands, doing work that makes a difference, and have an interest in figuring out how things work.  Jobs in fire protection are often rewarding in many ways, especially when considering that the work you do can save lives. It’s also a highly accessible career choice, as many fire protection companies offer on-the-job training for roles involving designing, building, inspecting, testing, and maintaining fire alarm, detection, and suppression systems. 

You’ll find that most fire protection companies offer competitive pay, compelling benefits, and only require a high school diploma to get started.

Easily Accessible

Careers in the fire protection industry typically only require a high school diploma for employment. While many employers focus on education level as hiring criteria, fire protection companies commonly value years of experience over college degrees. This experience does not necessarily have to be in fire protection, experience in electrical work can count towards this number.

Technician positions often provide employees with on-the-job training. However, if you wish to take your knowledge a step further, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET) offer additional training courses that can help you take your career to the next level. A few examples of programs offered by NFPA include:

  • NFPA 13 – Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
  • NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code training
  • Certified Fire Protection Specialist (CFPS) Certification
  • Certified Fire Inspector I (CFI) Certification

Some companies, like Fire Systems, Inc., will pay for certain employee certification programs.

Benefits and pay

A career in fire protection can come with many perks like company vehicles, work phones, benefits, and competitive pay. You may see benefits such as:

  • 401k matching
  • 100% paid insurance
  • Discretionary bonuses
  • Paid holidays, sick days, and bereavement
  • Training expenses

Many fire protection companies tend to invest a lot of time into training their employees and want to make sure that they’re satisfied in their careers and want to stay employed long term.

Get started

To get started with a career in fire protection, you’ll need to make sure you have a high school diploma or GED and a valid driver’s license. While not often a requirement for employment, becoming NICET I certified will help your resume stand out to potential employers. 

Because experience is so valued in the fire protection industry, having a background in security system installation (or similar electrical work) is excellent preparation for a career in fire protection.

Gaining familiarity with hand tools and low voltage electronics will give you a leg up on the training you’ll receive on the job.

Fire Systems, Inc.

Fire Systems, Inc. is the Atlanta area’s one-stop shop for all fire protection services. Family-owned and operated since 1986, we take pride in attracting and retaining the best folks in the industry. 

Interested in joining our team? We are currently hiring for the following positions:

  • Fire Alarm Technicians
  • Sprinkler Fitters
  • Inspectors and Helpers
  • Sales Positions

To apply, email your resume to Employment@FireSystems.net. We look forward to hearing from you!