Careers in emergency services no doubt play significant and critical roles in society. Keeping communities safe and being prepared for emergency and crisis situations are among the primary jobs of those who choose to work in emergency services. Often challenging and demanding roles, both physically and mentally, jobs in emergency services are also incredibly rewarding and can provide a platform for you to use your talents and skills to help others.
While there are some specific jobs that most likely come to mind when one thinks about emergency services, there are far more roles and careers behind the scenes that you might not be aware of. The ones who coordinate, manage, and organize emergency services are the ones who make it possible for the responders on the frontlines to reach an emergency quickly and to be equipped with everything they need to handle the situation accordingly.
Whether you are considering a job in emergency services that you are already fairly familiar with or if you want to learn more about what goes on behind the scenes, you will surely be able to find a position that suits your talents and specific skillset. With that in mind, here are five different jobs in emergency services that you can consider pursuing.
1. Police Officer
One of the most well-known jobs that a person can have in emergency services is that of a police officer. Police officers and those who work in law enforcement play a crucial role in society as the ones who help to maintain order and keep the members of a community safe from harm. Whether a person has been involved in an accident of sorts or if there is a crisis situation unfolding that could result in physical or mental harm, police officers are there on the scene to help set things right.
Becoming a police officer can be a challenging path. You need to possess certain physical capabilities and have extensive practical knowledge about the laws that exist in your community and the manner in which those laws are to be enforced. Education, training, and experience are all part of becoming a police officer.
Although it isn’t entirely necessary to earn a university degree to become a police officer, it is really the only way these days to ensure that you are as prepared for the demands of the job as possible. If you aspire to rise in the ranks of the police force, a university degree in law enforcement is going to be your best course to take.
With your degree in hand, you can apply to join the local police force in your community and go through the specific process that they have in place in order to become a fully-qualified law enforcement officer.
2. Paramedic
Another type of professional who works in emergency services that is widely recognized by the public is the paramedic. Paramedics and those who work in ambulance services are responsible for being the first on the scene in the event of a medical crisis or emergency.
Paramedics are able to administer emergency medical care directly from their ambulance. They are then charged with the safe and efficient transport of a patient from the scene of the medical emergency to a hospital. A high-pressured and challenging job, paramedics play a vital role in the healthcare system.
In order to become a paramedic, you will need to earn a diploma from an accredited college. You will then need to pass all the necessary certification and licensing exams that are in place. With your license and certification in hand, you can then apply to work for a particular hospital system or for an ambulance service.
3. Emergency Planning
First responders, police officers, and the like are not the only ones who work in emergency services. In fact, their jobs wouldn’t even be possible if not for the efforts of those who work in emergency planning behind the scenes.
Those who work in emergency planning are responsible for understanding the legal and practical aspects of responding to an emergency situation. They are the ones who coordinate the equipping of first responders and officers with everything that they need to serve the public. From training to organizing to researching the latest innovations, emergency planning professionals have important and complex jobs to do.
If you feel that you would prefer a career that is more in the background, but that is no less significant in the realm of emergency services, a career in emergency planning is worth considering. It gives you the chance to work with those who put their lives on the line each day in order to ensure that they are as protected and prepared as possible to respond to a crisis within the community.
4. Fire Services
Working in the fire services is another career path to consider if your goal is to work in emergency services. Firefighters are the ones who stand by at the ready in the event of a fire. With specialized equipment and the need to maintain certain physical standards, firefighters are always ready to answer the call if a fire breaks out.
Similarly to police officers, firefighters put their lives on the line in order to save others from fires. They are also there on the scene of car accidents and the like in order to help remove victims of accidents from harm. Other emergencies that firefighters might be required to help respond to include bomb threats and floods.
Furthermore, the job of a firefighter involves a degree of community education. The best way to prevent fires and similar emergencies is to teach people, especially children, how to respond in the event of an emergency. Giving presentations in schools and in local communities is all part of the job when you choose to become a firefighter. Ultimately, the prevention of emergencies and the handling of emergency situations all fall under the umbrella of responsibility for a member of the local fire brigade.