Careers in public safety can be dangerous and unpredictable, but also extremely rewarding. Public service workers contribute to the safety of the community. Occupations in this field include police officers, firefighters, parole officers, corrections officers, investigators, and security guards.

The public services industry is expected to grow 41 percent by the year 2005 and job openings are plentiful.

Public safety workers should be decisive, alert, self-disciplined, courageous and dependable. Many occupations also require agility and physical stamina.

Public safety workers should be familiar with the policies, regulations, and operations associated with their particular field. However, some valuable skills for the public services field are the ability to think on one’s feet, to administer first aid, and to defend one’s self if necessary.

The educational requirements that exist vary among occupations and states.

• Corrections officers must pass a written exam. Training academies exist throughout the U.S..
• Firefighters must pass a written exam, medical exam, and tests of physical strength, stamina, coordination, and agility. Workers are usually training by the fire department’s training center or academy, but a number of colleges and universities offer 2- or 4-year degrees in fire engineering or fire science.
• Police officers must pass competitive written exams and meet rigorous physical qualifications. Larger departments require a high school diploma, and most state and federal agencies require a college degree.
• Parole officers usually must have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, corrections, counseling or a related field.
• Security guards must be licensed and have no serious police record.
• Investigators come from a number of backgrounds, but most have previous experience in a related occupation such as military, law enforcement, or government experience.

For many public safety workers, work hours and conditions depend on the job and assignment. However, many of the occupations can place the worker in stressful and even life-threatening situations.