Firefighters

Also Called: Fire Engineer, Fire Rescue Technician, Fire Technician, Firefighter

What Firefighters do

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

  • Rescue victims 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.
Industry Areas:

Renewable Resources and Energy

Training Program Areas:

Forestry Conservation & Firefighting

Expand For Additional Details

Work Context

  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others
  • Work With Work Group or Team
  • Responsible for Others' Health and Safety
  • Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Tools

  • Fire suppression hand tools
  • Fire or rescue trucks
  • Fire hoses or nozzles
  • Power saws
  • Ladders

Technology

Office suite software
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Microsoft Office
Data base user interface and query software
Fire incident reporting systems
Microsoft Access
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Active Listening
  • Monitoring
  • Coordination
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Critical Thinking

Knowledge

Safety and Government
public safety and security
law and government
Engineering and Technology
building and construction
mechanical
Business
customer service
management
Education and Training
teaching and course design

Experience

Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Self Control
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cooperation

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Achievement

Abilities

  • Controlled Movement
  • Endurance
  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Verbal

This is what Firefighters across the country typically make.

$15.19 / hour
$31,600 /year

Entry Level

$27.46 / hour
$57,120 /year

Median Level

$45.06 / hour
$93,720 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Bright

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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