The Public Safety Industry
Public safety is a critical part of any society. This industry includes the first responders who come to the rescue like firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and police officers. It also includes investigators and scientists who use research techniques to identify evidence. People in this industry often perform very physical and dangerous work. Strong interpersonal and communication skills are necessary.
JRTI has two programs to prepare you for working in the Public Safety field. You will learn about these programs in the next two lessons.
Who Works in Public Safety?
Example Job Titles
- Firefighter
- EMT
- Health Care Provider
- Fire Officer
- Fire Investigator
- Military Firefighter
- Paramedic
- Safety Officer
- Haz-Mat Specialist
- Police Officer
- State Trooper
- Game Warden
- Detective
- Crime Scene Investigator
- FBI Special Agent
- DEA Agent
- Secret Service Special Agent
- Border Patrol Agent
- Correctional Officer
Education Requirements
Although many people enter this industry without a college degree, most job listings will state that a four-year Bachelors Degree is required. A certificate from a technical school or a two-year Associates Degree can get your career started. However, higher levels of education can increase the opportunities you will have. Even if you plan to attend college, studying this field in high school can give you the foundational skills that will make your college experience easier.
Example College Programs
- Fire Prevention and Safety Technology – Blue Ridge CTC, Martinsburg, WV
- Fire Science / Fire-fighting – Kaplan University, Hagerstown, MD
- Occupational Safety – Fairmont State University, Fairmont, WV
- Safety Management – WVU, Morgantown, WV
- Criminology – WVU, Morgantown, WV
- Criminal Justice – Blue Ridge CTC, Martinsburg, WV
- Administration of Justice – HCC, Hagerstown, MD
- Criminal Justice – Marshall University, Huntington, WV
- General Law – George Mason University, Arlington, VA
Frequency of Skills Used in this Field
| Skill Categories | Very Often | Often | Occasionally | Rarely |
| Hands-on/operate equipment and tools | X | |||
| Critical thinking/creative problem solving | X | |||
| Basic math problem solving | X | |||
| Advanced math problem solving | X | |||
| Computers & technology | X | |||
| Written communication | X | |||
| Interpersonal and social | X |