Individuals who install and repair systems that alert people when a fire has been detected are known as fire alarm technicians. These professionals inspect these systems on a regular basis or respond to emergencies involving fire alarms that aren’t working properly. A person who wants to work as a fire alarm technician must first complete high school, though two more years of college will increase his or her employment opportunities. To have the best chance of succeeding in this field, he or she must also gain real-world experience and obtain industry certification. This person must have excellent manual dexterity, be detail-oriented, and enjoy problem-solving.
If you want to work as a fire alarm technician, you’ll need to earn an associate’s degree in electronics, which usually takes two years. To enroll in this type of training program, you must submit your high school transcript and complete an enrollment application at the school of your choice. You must also be prepared to provide the college admissions team with your standardized exam results as well as your high school diploma or equivalent certification. Although some employers only require job candidates to have completed high school training, most employers prefer people who have completed college.
Electrical training courses will equip you with the fundamental skills you’ll need to succeed in this field. You’ll need to learn how to set up electronic systems and how to keep them running smoothly. This is crucial if you want to work as a fire alarm technician, as this job entails installing and testing fire detection systems. Because the systems use circuits, understanding how electricity travels is required.
Field experience allows you to apply what you’ve learned in the classroom to real-life situations. You can request assistance from your school’s career services department in finding local companies that are willing to work with interns. You’ll need to get used to using industry tools to troubleshoot fire alarm system issues during your internship. If you want to work as a fire alarm technician, you’ll also need to practice creating design plans to develop systems, programming setups correctly, and reading blueprints.
Certification in this field makes you even more appealing to potential employers. Institutes in the engineering technology field offer a fire alarm certification. When you become a fire alarm technician, you must pass an examination and meet continuing education requirements to keep your certification. Certification essentially shows companies that you are knowledgeable about the industry and that you are willing to stay current in it.