Occupation Details
Firefighters
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.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Enterprising
Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Work Values
Achievement
Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$59,190.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$83,750.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$86,740.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
15,240
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
17,450
+221 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,425
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
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.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Coordination
Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Public Safety and Security
Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Stress Tolerance
Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- 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
- Backpack pumps
- Block and tackle equipment
- Body harnesses
- Bolt cutters
- Bomb blankets
- Bomb response vehicles
- Carbon dioxide CO2 fire extinguishers
- Ceiling hooks
- Chain saws
- Channel lock pliers
- Charged fire hoses
- Chemical detection testers
- Chemical protection footwear
- Chemical protection gloves
- Circular saws
Technology
- Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSE
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Email software
- Fire incident reporting systems
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Incident command system ICS software
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- Plume modeling software
- Spreadsheet software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- estimate size or characteristics of fire
- estimate size or characteristics of fire
- conduct fire hazard inspections
- inspect buildings to detect violations of fire codes
- communicate technical information
- communicate technical information
- judge terrain conditions for vehicle or equipment operation
- judge terrain conditions for vehicle or equipment operation
- maintain or repair cargo or passenger vehicle
- work as a team member
- work as a team member
- operate emergency fire or rescue equipment
- operate emergency fire or rescue equipment
- operate telecommunications equipment in law enforcement or fire or emergency setting
- use two-way radio or mobile phone
- use two-way radio or mobile phone
- use chain saws
- use fire suppression equipment
- use fire suppression equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use hand or power tools
- use emergency medical equipment
- use emergency medical equipment
- use emergency medical procedures
- use fire suppression techniques
- use fire suppression techniques
- use hazardous materials information
- use knowledge of fire, building or other codes
- use hazardous disposal techniques
- use knowledge of ventilation systems
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use oral or written communication techniques
- follow police or emergency radio regulations
- use first aid procedures
- use forest fire protection methods
- use rescue procedures
- use rescue procedures
- patrol or guard area or premises
- observe fire to note changing conditions
- observe fire to note changing conditions
- read maps
- read maps
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- move or fit heavy objects
- move or fit heavy objects
- practice emergency firefighting or rescue preparedness procedures
- control and extinguish municipal or forest fires
- control and extinguish municipal or forest fires
- parachute from aircraft
- authorize entry or exit of individuals
- determine best method for attacking fire
- determine best method for attacking fire
- drive emergency rescue or firefighting vehicles
- drive truck with capacity greater than 3 tons
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.
- Search to locate fire victims.
- Train new employees to control and suppress fires.
- 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.
- 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.
- Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
- Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
- Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
- Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
- Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
- Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.
- Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.
- Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
- Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
- Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
- Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
- Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
- Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
- Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
- Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.
- Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.
- Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
- Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.
- Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.
- Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Firefighting occupations
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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