Municipal Firefighters

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

Median Annual Wage: $45,970

Education: Some college, no degree (31%); Post-secondary certificate (31%); High school diploma or equivalent (26%)

Projected Growth: Slower than average (3% to 7%)

Related Job Titles: Firefighter/EMT (Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician); Firefighter/Paramedic; Fireman; Fire Chief; Fire Captain; Firefighter; Fire Fighter; Fire Engineer; Fire Fighter/EMT

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Municipal Firefighters.

More Protective Service Careers

  • Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
  • Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
  • Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
  • Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
  • 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.
  • Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
  • Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
  • Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
  • Lay hose lines and connect them to water supplies.
  • Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
  • Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
  • Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill.
  • Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
  • Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
  • Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
  • Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
  • Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques.
  • Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
  • 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.
  • Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
  • Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
  • Establish firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas near fires.
  • Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Municipal Firefighters.

  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Municipal Firefighters.

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