Firefighters

fire safety realistic interests equipment emergency problem property care water

Fire Engineer, Fire Equipment Operator, Firefighter, Wildland Firefighter

What they 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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security
  • law and government

Business

  • customer service
  • management

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Engineering and Technology

  • building and construction

Skills

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • figuring out how to use new ideas or things

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Social

  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Endurance

  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking

Physical Strength

  • lift, push, pull, or carry
  • exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Stress Tolerance
  • Dependability
  • Self Control
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Data base user interface and query software

  • Fire incident reporting systems
  • Microsoft Access Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about firefighters.