Firefighter degree | 90 credits | 1,5 years
A firefighter in need is a friend indeed
Learn a profession where humanity and relevance are at the very core. The Firefighter degree programme lasts for 1.5 years and confers eligibility for positions as a firefighter or a firefighter-ambulance driver.
Contact teaching takes place at the Emergency Services Academy in Kuopio, where the instruction, accommodation, and meals will be provided for the student free of charge. The studies include plenty of practical instruction on the Emergency Services Academy training ground. Instruction is primarily provided as contact teaching where the student is obliged to be present.
Firefighter job description
Firefighters are multi-skilled rescue service professionals. They participate in pre-emptive safety and security work, extinguish fires, rescue people in accidents, provide emergency care in first response and basic-level emergency medical services, and participate in the maintenance of alarm preparedness in fire station services.
The work of firefighters also includes more and more activities related to safety guidance, education, and counselling.
Firefighter’s profession
In the firefighter’s profession, the physical and mental functioning capacities form a whole. Firefighters must annually demonstrate their physical functioning capacity. Firefighters must keep their skills and knowledge up to date and maintain their physical fitness through continuous practice throughout their careers. For this reason, firefighters must be motivated and strongly committed to their work.
Working as a firefighter
Firefighters must be ready to serve under command and submit to group discipline. Rescue operations and emergency medical care situations often generate great mental pressure. In these situations, firefighters are required to have the creativity and ability to apply their knowledge and skills not only quickly and efficiently, but also sensibly.
The most common professional titles of firefighters are firefighter and firefighter-paramedic.
Firefighter pin
The firefighter pin is an emblem of professional knowledge and skills as well as professional competence. The fire helmet in the pin symbolises the organised nature of rescue services. The fire axe reflects the professional skills of firefighting and rescue operations. The snake wrapped around the axe describes the firefighter’s skills in emergency care. Those who have completed the Firefighter degree are entitled to carry the firefighter pin.
Firefighters in emergency medical services
Rescue services have for a long time been a significant emergency medical service provider. The Health Care Act enables rescue services to maintain a strong role in service provision.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health decree on emergency medical services enables firefighters to partner with healthcare professionals in basic-level or care-level emergency medical service units.
Admission criteria
The applicant must have passed a physical fitness test and a medical examination at a test site designated by the Emergency Services Academy by the end of the application period at the latest.
The applicant must have turned 18 before the start of the studies.
The applicant must have completed the general upper secondary school syllabus, matriculation examination, a vocational upper secondary qualification or a further vocational qualification. The applicant must have obtained the official diploma they wish to use to apply for the programme by the end of the application period.
In a discretionary procedure, an applicant without any of the qualifications described above may also be admitted to the degree programme if, according to the assessment of the Emergency Services Academy, the applicant has obtained the knowledge and skills required for the studies in some other way.The applicant must have the state of health and other qualities required for the proper performance of work duties.
The admitted applicants must have obtained a driving licence for category C vehicles by the start date of the studies (driving licence for category C1 vehicles will not suffice).
Application procedure
The tuition is provided in Finnish. You can view the application procedure instructions on the Finnish website.
The goal of the Firefighter degree is for the graduates to
have understood the set of values of rescue services and healthcare as well as the preconditions for working as a firefighter, and are prepared to develop their work and their professional skills and careers in the changing and developing operating environment,
know and understand the social significance of the rescue department’s goal-oriented accident prevention work, know how to plan and implement education, advice, and safety training and guidance for citizens, and know how to carry out fire inspections in residential buildings and small properties if needed,
know the basics of rescue operations, know how to work as members of the rescue team in accidents, and are familiar with the principles of commanding the rescue team,
are able to apply the knowledge and skills they have acquired in basic-level emergency care and know how to apply the principles of the staggered primary care system and other social welfare and healthcare services in patient care,
know the basics of self-directed preparedness and general civil defence,
know the basics of the operations of voluntary fire brigades and are prepared for good cooperation with voluntary and part-time personnel and other stakeholders.
Why become a firefighter?
• The focus is on helping people
• The work is versatile and carries a lot of responsibility
• Good employment opportunities
• Average monthly salary approx. EUR 3,300
The Firefighter degree confers eligibility for positions as a firefighter or a firefighter-ambulance driver.
Content of studies
The aim is to train multi-skilled rescue service experts who, after completing the programme, have strong knowledge and skills for duties in line with the rescue department’s strategic policies. Their tasks include accident prevention, education and counselling, rescue operations, emergency care, and crew-level civil defence duties. Practical manual skills are also needed in the firefighter’s profession, and based on the training received, the firefighter must be able to choose the right and most appropriate rescue methods for saving patients or property and protecting the environment.
Degree breakdown by study units (90 credits / 1.5 years)
- Basic studies 14 credits
- Vocational studies 76 credits
- Accident prevention 10 credits
- Rescue operations 37 credits
- Emergency care 29 credits
More detailed course descriptions are outlined in the curriculum.
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Find out more
Opintotoimisto
Student Affairs Office:
Mon–Thu 8–14, Fri 8–13.
The Student Affairs Office is located in Building A, to the right of the entrance hall.
Degree programmes
Pirjo Paldanius
Student Affairs Secretary
Tel. 0295 453 490
tutkintokoulutus@pelastusopisto.fi
