Career Overview
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.
Also Known As
- Fire Engineer
- Fire Equipment Operator
- Firefighter
- Wildland Firefighter
Alternate Job Titles
- Airport Firefighter
- Apparatus Operator
- Crash Fire Firefighter
- Fire Alarm Operator
- Fire Apparatus Engineer
- Fire Chief's Aide
- Fire Engine Pump Operator
- Fire Engineer
- Fire Equipment Operator
- Fire Fighter
- Fire Hydrant Operator
- Fire Management Specialist
- Fire Medic
- Fire Suppression Technician
- Fire Technician (Fire Tech)
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Rescue survivors 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.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- Building and Construction
- English Language
- Mechanical
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Telecommunications
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
- Service Orientation
- Judgment and Decision Making
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Oral Expression
- Far Vision
- Deductive Reasoning
- Static Strength
- Near Vision
- Stamina
- Multilimb Coordination
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Self-Control
- Stress Tolerance
- Dependability
- Cooperation
- Adaptability
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Recognition
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: 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.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable wrenches
- Aerial lifting apparatus
- Aerial trucks
- Air bag lifting systems
- Air chisels
- Air purifying respirators
- Air samplers
- All terrain vehicles ATV
- Aluminum ladders
- Ambu bags
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Automatic blood pressure cuffs
- Aviation snips
- Backboards
- Backfiring fusees
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Contact With Others
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
- Physical Proximity
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,490 |
| Median | $59,530 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $101,330 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 332,240
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $92,430
Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $52,380
Fire Inspectors and Investigators
Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Median Salary: $78,060
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $109,660
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Education: Less than a High School Diploma
Median Salary: $33,720
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.