Firefighters
What is a Firefighter?
A firefighter is a trained professional responsible for responding to emergencies involving fires, explosions, and other hazardous situations. Their primary duty is to extinguish fires and rescue individuals trapped by smoke or flames. Beyond firefighting, they also engage in fire prevention activities, educating the public about fire safety, and conducting inspections to ensure compliance with fire codes. Firefighters work in various environments, from urban to rural settings, as part of a fire department or emergency services team. The role often requires them to work irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, due to the nature of emergencies. Firefighters are trained in the use of specialized equipment and techniques, enabling them to operate effectively under dangerous conditions. They must also maintain physical fitness and undergo ongoing training to stay current with advancements in firefighting tactics and safety measures.
Tasks
- Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
Technology Skills
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Data base user interface and query software
- Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSE
- Fire incident reporting systems
- Microsoft Access
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
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Office suite software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Microsoft Office software
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Tools Used
- Fire suppression hand tools
- Fire hoses or nozzles
- Power saws
- Ladders
- Fire extinguishers
Knowledge
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Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Skills
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
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Service Orientation
Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Abilities
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Oral Comprehension
The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
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Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Far Vision
The ability to see details at a distance.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Some college, no degree
Work Activities
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Assisting and Caring for Others
Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
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Making Decisions and Solving Problems
Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
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Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
Detailed Work Activities
- Rescue people from hazardous situations.
- Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
- Locate fires or fire danger areas.
- Assess characteristics of fires.
- Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$31600.0 - $93720.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.