Firefighters
Fire Engineer, Fire Equipment Operator, Fireman, 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 survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
Knowledge
Safety and Government
- public safety and security
Business
- customer service
Transportation
- movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road
Health
- medicine and dentistry
Skills
Basic Skills
- figuring out how to use new ideas or things
- listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
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
Physical Strength
- lift, push, pull, or carry
- use your lower back and stomach
Hand and Finger Use
- hold or move items with your hands
- keep your arm or hand steady
Controlled Movement
- quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
Personality
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
- Initiative
- Self-Confidence
- Adaptability
- Perseverance
- Stress Tolerance
- Self-Control
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 1 of 4)
high school diploma/GED or
certificate after high school
usually needed
certificate after high school
usually needed
Job Outlook
Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
Explore More
- Fire Inspectors & Investigators
- Fire-Prevention & Protection Engineers
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting & Prevention Workers
- Forest Fire Inspectors & Prevention Specialists
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, & Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
You might like a career in one of these industries:
See more details at O*NET OnLine about Firefighters.