How much do firefighters in the UAE get paid?

Firefighting is such a ‘cool job’ so we all believed as kids. Although this job is all about the heat of the moment, it just couldn’t get any cooler in so many movies and TV shows as we saw a superhero walk through the flames and pick up an unconscious child or a dizzy lady in his arms as the crowds cheered outside.
 
James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, did it in Quantum of Solace, where he saves the day (and the Bond girl) from a burning, explosive building.
 
It happens in Watchmen, when superheroes Nite Owl and Silk Spectre II are called to save victims from a burning building. Then we have Spiderman, who does it every now and them. The list of such men and superheroes in the movies showing extreme valour and heroic powers is quite extensive.
 
Out of the world of movies, however, glorified the job may seem on the screen, not many would easily opt for the job of a firefighter. It is not an easy task to save somebody from a burning building. For any firefighter, police officer or an average citizen, it is a matter of life and death, sans any special effects.
 
If you have it in you and would not shy away when it comes to helping others on ground, you have an option of making this as a career with many companies scouting for professionals in this field.
 
The UAE aims to ensure the country has the world's best firefighting response possible in an emergency, whatever the circumstances, as per the country’s Civil Defence.
 
There are enough positions of firefighters that need to be filled in the country. The demand for firefighters is particularly high in the oil & gas industry as well as the construction business in the UAE.
 
To become a firefighter, it is very important that you are physically fit for the job. Candidates with any physical challenges may not be accepted and most companies insist only on male candidates.
 
As per www.payscale.com “not every aspect of a firefighter’s job is fraught with peril, though. During down times, a firefighter is expected to maintain his or her equipment and vehicles to make sure that they will be in working order. It is necessary for a firefighter to have a high school education or equivalent. They will also need certification from a reputable certification board, such as the International Fire Service Accreditation. Basic leadership and administration skills are a huge boon to a firefighter,” says the website.
 
The website states that popular industries for firefighters include firstly the Fire Department and Oil & Gas. For those applying for a job in the Fire Department can expect a salary range of Dh43785 to Dh193135 whereas in Oil & Gas it ranges from Dh78331 to Dh216404.
 
The most popular benefits include paid sick leave, paid holidays, private medical insurance, gym /health club/fitness membership and life insurance/disability.
 
Different companies have their own set of criteria when it comes to hiring firefighters. For example, Emirates Fire and Rescue Company (EFRC), requires the candidates to have in-depth knowledge and capability of all tasks of a firefighter according to the German Firefighting System (FWDV 3). This includes knowledge of equipment and vehicles usually employed and capability to employ those with exemplary knowledge of the dangers of fire grounds and other mission sites as well as physical capabilities according to the rule G 26 (full SCBA and CPS) among other requirements.
 
At Emirates Fire and Rescue Company, the monthly salary offered to firefighters is not less than Dh11,750 and a 3 per cent of the monthly salary (as per the UAE labour law ) will initially be kept and paid in a lump sum when the employee leaves.

MUST READ:

Win AED 600 Air Arabia vouchers EVERY DAY!

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.