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Career Exploration

Firefighters

Also called: 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.
On the job, you'll need:

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

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

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

Realistic

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

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

Data base user interface and query software

  • Fire incident reporting systems
  • Microsoft Access

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $51,680

Education

High school diploma/GED or certificate after high school is usually needed.