Being a police officer and firefighter are both noble and respectable jobs that allow you to serve your community. They give you a powerful position in society and come with good pay and many job benefits. In addition, both careers have a similar paramilitary structure built around order and discipline. While they have similar occupational goals and requirements, they are significantly different career-wise. Learning about the differences will help you understand which job is best suited for you.

We help candidates prepare for civil service jobs, including the Suffolk County Police Exam and NYC Firefighter Exam. The Civil Service Success team comprises an experienced team of former police officers and firefighters who have shared some useful information in this blog to help guide your professional journey.

Overview of A Firefighter’s Job

Firefighters’ jobs aren’t limited to combating and extinguishing fires. As first responders, they also have to work as paramedics, offering emergency care to those who get injured or sick during a fire.

Besides fire incidents, firefighters also have to act as first responders in any state of emergency. This requires specialization in emergency care or EMT-certified training. Firefighters also teach the general public or volunteers about fire safety and prevention, using safety equipment, emergency response actions, etc.

Responsibilities of a Firefighter

• Operating and maintaining fire safety equipment such as hoses, extraction tools, and truck extensions
• Taking care of critical cases before EMTs arrive
• Teaching communities about fire safety and offering training
• Operating fire trucks and other vehicles during fire emergencies
• Navigating buildings to prevent structural collapse or saving civilians

Overview of Suffolk Police Job

Police officers are safety professionals who protect people and their belongings, manage crime, apprehend criminals, etc., to maintain order and peace. Their responsibilities vary according to rank and experience, but all police officers have to handle law-related duties and write reports to maintain records.

Responsibilities of a Police Officer

• Visiting crime scenes and evaluating data
• Investigating crime by working with other industry professionals
• Handling medical and criminal-related emergencies
• Making necessary arrests using different strategies
• Mitigating threats and criminal activities
• Documenting eyewitness accounts, preparing case hearings, recording interviews, and maintaining accurate and organized records of all data
• Prepare evidence for court in some cases

Differences to Consider Between Both Careers

Salary

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median salary for firefighters is $50,700, and police officers and detectives make around $66,020 a year. This shows that you’ll get paid more as a police officer.

Danger Level

While both jobs revolve around danger, the nature of the danger is completely different. As a police officer, you’ll have to deal with criminals, people with firearms, domestic violence disputes, and other potentially dangerous individuals and situations. On the other hand, firefighters have to deal with various kinds of fires, collapsing buildings, and hazardous fumes.

No matter which job you choose, you’ll be risking your safety and life. However, when compared, the job of a police officer is more dangerous because you have to deal with firearms and threatening situations regularly. Statistics show that there are 70 line-of-duty firefighter deaths yearly, whereas 176 line-of-duty police officers died this year.

Career Opportunities

Firefighter jobs offer limited career advancement opportunities; you can become a captain in your department and then seek other specialties. However, police officer jobs involve many ranks and responsibilities. For example, if you’re a detective, you can become a part of the drug specialist crew or the federal police. As your rank increases, you get away from the front lines and deal with high-level criminal cases. For every promotion, you’ll have to take a Suffolk Police County Exam.

A police career is also age-friendly. As your body ages, it will be challenging to keep up with the physical demands of a firefighter or police officer job. But as a police officer, you can move to a position that doesn’t require many rigorous activities and spend your time conducting investigations.

Educational Requirements

The minimum educational requirement for both firefighter and Suffolk Police job applications is a high school diploma. But due to the huge number of candidates, having additional qualifications will improve your chances of selection.

For a police officer job, besides a high school diploma, having a bachelor’s degree in criminology or sociology will put you in a good position. After getting selected, you’ll receive training at the police academy before starting your job.

EMT certification and volunteer firefighting experience can help improve your selection chances for a firefighter’s job. In addition, taking a community college course in fire science will increase your chances even further.

Shift Hours

Shift hours are a crucial factor in deciding any career as it determines the amount of work you put in each day.

Police officers have standard shift hours every weekday; sometimes, they have to work on weekends or other events on demand. However, firefighters have to work a 24-hour shift with a 48-hour break or a 48-hour shift with a 96-hour break. They must sleep and eat in the firefighter headquarters to be available for emergencies. During emergencies, they sometimes have to work more hours than their shift time.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking for a long-term stable job with good pay and standard working hours, you should go for a law enforcement career. A firefighting job is great for younger individuals who don’t mind spending 24–48 hours at work and have the required physical abilities.

Both jobs serve a higher purpose and strive for society’s betterment. No matter your career, you’ll get many rewarding benefits and respect from the community.

Apply for the Upcoming Suffolk County Police Exam

If you’re considering becoming a police officer, now is the time to start. The Civil Service Commission has announced the next exam date, i.e., June 17, 2023, and is currently accepting applications.

You can fill out the Suffolk Police application and start preparing today. At Civil Service Success, we offer a comprehensive Suffolk Police Exam Course to help individuals learn everything they need to land the Suffolk County Police job. Join our email list to get notified about the classes, or contact us for details.