First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Engine Boss
Fire Battalion Chief
Fire Captain
Fire Chief
Fire Lieutenant
Fire Marshal
Fire Prevention Chief
Fire Suppression Captain
Forest Fire Specialist Supervisor
Section Forest Fire Warden

What is a First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers are responsible for overseeing the activities of firefighters and other employees engaged in firefighting, fire prevention, and related emergency services. They ensure that their teams are well-prepared and equipped to handle emergencies, coordinate responses to fires and other incidents, and maintain standards of safety and efficiency within their units. These supervisors typically monitor the training of new and existing personnel, evaluate team performance, and enforce safety procedures. They may also be involved in administrative duties, such as budgeting, reporting, and liaising with other emergency services and government agencies. Their leadership is critical in both emergency responses and preventive measures, fostering a culture of safety while effectively managing resources and operational procedures.

Career Assessment
Career Assessment

Tasks

  • Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
  • Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
  • Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
  • Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.
  • Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.

Technology Skills

  • Data base user interface and query software
    • Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSE
    • Fire incident reporting systems
    • Microsoft Access
    • Wildland Fire Assessment System WFAS
  • Presentation software
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Analytical or scientific software
    • BehavePlus
    • FARSITE
    • FlamMap
    • Plume modeling software
  • Geographic information system
    • ESRI ArcView
    • Geographic information system GIS software
    • Geographic information system GIS systems
  • Spreadsheet software
    • IBM Lotus 1-2-3
    • Microsoft Excel

Knowledge

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Administration and Management

    Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Skills

  • Active Listening

    Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

  • Critical Thinking

    Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

  • Social Perceptiveness

    Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

  • Coordination

    Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

  • Judgment and Decision Making

    Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Abilities

  • Oral Expression

    The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

  • Oral Comprehension

    The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

  • 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.

  • Near Vision

    The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Deductive Reasoning

    The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?

  • High school diploma or equivalent
    29 %

    or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate

  • Associate's degree
    24 %
  • Post-secondary certificate
    19 %

    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)

Work Activities

  • Assisting and Caring for Others

    Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems

    Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

    Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

  • Getting Information

    Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

    Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.
  • Request emergency personnel.
  • Administer first aid.
  • Rescue people from hazardous situations.
  • Assess characteristics of fires.

Work Interests

  • Enterprising

    Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

  • 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.

  • Conventional

    Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

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Job Outlook

Projected salary and job growth

$49910.0 - $135050.0

New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average

Assessment

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