Municipal Firefighters :: Job Description

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Municipal Firefighters

Careers / Municipal Firefighters

Summary Description


	Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Apparatus Operator

2.	Crash Crew

3.	Crash, Fire, and Rescue Fire Fighter

4.	Driver Engineer

5.	Fire Alarm Operator

6.	Fire Apparatus Engineer

7.	Fire Captain

8.	Fire Chief

9.	Fire Chief's Aide

10.	Fire Engineer

11.	Fire Equipment Operator

12.	Fire Fighter

13.	Fire Fighter/EMT

14.	Fire Hydrant Operator

15.	Fire Lieutenant

16.	Fire Medic

17.	Fireboat Operator

18.	Firefighter

19.	Firefighter/EMT (Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician)

20.	Firefighter/Medic

21.	Firefighter/Paramedic

22.	Fireman

23.	Hazmat Technician

24.	Ladder Operator

25.	Ladderman

26.	Marine Fire Fighter

27.	Master Fire Fighter

28.	Municipal Firefighter

29.	Oil Fire Specialist

30.	Plugman

31.	Rescue Worker

32.	Safety Officer

33.	Tail Board Man

34.	Tail Board Worker

35.	Tiller Man

36.	Tiller Worker

37.	Truck Operator

38.	Volunteer Fire Fighter

39.	Volunteer Firefighter

Job Tasks

	Search burning buildings to locate fire victims. Rescue people from hazardous situations.

	Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites. Rescue people from hazardous situations.

	Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons. Administer first aid.

	Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.

	Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment. Operate firefighting equipment.

	Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties. Locate fires or fire danger areas.

	Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents. Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.

	Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios. Assess characteristics of fires. Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.

	Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures. Operate firefighting equipment. Rescue people from hazardous situations.

	Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters. Operate firefighting equipment.

	Lay hose lines and connect them to water supplies. Prepare hoses or water supplies to fight fires.

	Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses. Operate firefighting equipment.

	Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls. Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.

	Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill. Protect property from fire or water damage.

	Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires. Prepare hoses or water supplies to fight fires.

	Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.

	Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents. Prepare investigation or incident reports.

	Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness. Participate in physical training to maintain fitness.

	Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques. Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.

	Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger. Examine debris to obtain information about causes of fires.

	Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus. Maintain fire fighting tools or equipment.

	Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary. Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations. Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.

	Inform and educate the public on fire prevention. Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.

	Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants. Protect property from fire or water damage.

	Establish firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas near fires. Block physical access to restricted areas.

	Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke. Protect property from fire or water damage.

	Spray foam onto runways, extinguish fires, and rescue aircraft crew and passengers in air-crash emergencies. Operate firefighting equipment. Rescue people from hazardous situations.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

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

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 of materials.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

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

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

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.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Firefighters
	Firefighters control and put out fires, and respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk.

	Read More >>

Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Firefighters
	When on the scenes of fires and other emergencies, the work can be very dangerous. When not on the scene of an emergency, firefighters spend their time at fire stations, where they sleep, eat, and remain on call during shifts that often last 24 hours. Many work more than 40 hours per week.

	Read More >>

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