Occupation · SOC 33-1021
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
Median wage
$92,430
$53,970–$142,300
Projected growth
+3.4%
Average growth
Annual openings
340
per year
Employed (US)
93,680
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
433 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingMonitoringCoordinationReading ComprehensionService Orientation
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingBuilding and ConstructionAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareAnalytical or scientific softwareHelpdesk or call center softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail software
Representative tasks
Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.Instruct and drill fire department personnel in assigned duties, including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and related subjects.Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.Evaluate the performance of assigned firefighting personnel.Direct the training of firefighters, assigning of instructors to training classes, and providing of supervisors with reports on training progress and status.Perform maintenance and minor repairs on firefighting equipment, including vehicles, and write and submit proposals to modify, replace, and repair equipment.Schedule employee work assignments and set work priorities.Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable.Participate in creating fire safety guidelines and evacuation schemes for nonresidential buildings.Maintain required maps and records.Drive crew carriers to transport firefighters to fire sites.Inspect stations, uniforms, equipment, or recreation areas to ensure compliance with safety standards, taking corrective action as necessary.Evaluate fire station procedures to ensure efficiency and enforcement of departmental regulations.Direct firefighters in station maintenance duties, and participate in these duties.Recommend personnel actions related to disciplinary procedures, performance, leaves of absence, and grievances.Perform administrative duties, such as compiling and maintaining records, completing forms, preparing reports, or composing correspondence.Direct investigation of cases of suspected arson, hazards, and false alarms and submit reports outlining findings.Recommend equipment modifications or new equipment purchases.Supervise and participate in the inspection of properties to ensure that they are in compliance with applicable fire codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, and standards.Inspect and test new and existing fire protection systems, fire detection systems, and fire safety equipment to ensure that they are operating properly.Study and interpret fire safety codes to establish procedures for issuing permits to handle hazardous or flammable substances.Analyze burn conditions and results, and prepare postburn reports.Evaluate size, location, and condition of fires.Maintain knowledge of fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics.Plan, direct, and supervise prescribed burn projects.Recruit or hire firefighting personnel.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Firefighter positioning and strategic assignments — identify correct placement locations under direct supervisor guidance during simulated rescue and suppression drills.Emergency medical and light rescue procedures — perform basic life support tasks and assist with light rescue functions under close supervision at training scenarios.Fire scene size-up fundamentals — recognize indicators of fire extent, building condition, and water supply status when accompanied by a senior officer on scene.Two-way radio communication protocols — transmit and receive fire incident details using standardized terminology under direct oversight in a station or dispatch training environment.Engine or hand crew roles — participate as a crew member under a working leader, following assigned duties within a structured firefighting team of three or more personnel.Fire department drill participation — follow instructed procedures for firefighting, basic medical care, and hazardous materials awareness during department-led training sessions.Suppression equipment inspection basics — check hoses, nozzles, SCBA units, and hand tools for readiness using department checklists under supervisory direction.Personnel performance observation — record observed firefighter behaviors and task completion during drills with guidance from an evaluating officer.Office suite and records software — enter incident data and routine documentation into department databases or office applications with step-by-step instruction.Active listening during incident briefings — demonstrate attentive comprehension of orders and safety briefings delivered by senior officers at the station or incident command post.
developing
Crew positioning at active incidents — assign firefighters to strategic locations to support rescue operations and efficient agent application with limited supervisor input during routine structure fires.Emergency medical and rescue response — deliver emergency medical services and execute light-to-moderate rescue functions independently at vehicle accidents and similar field emergencies.Incident size-up assessment — evaluate fire conditions, structural integrity, exposure risks, and hydrant availability to determine initial crew requirements at single-alarm incidents.Interagency radio communications — relay accurate fire status updates and resource requests to dispatch centers and command superiors using two-way radio systems during active incidents.Working crew leadership — serve as lead supervisor of an engine, hand, or prescribed fire crew, coordinating tasks and maintaining crew accountability throughout routine suppression operations.Firefighter instruction and drill facilitation — lead department drills covering firefighting techniques, hazardous materials response, and medical care for assigned shift personnel.Suppression equipment maintenance program — perform and document periodic equipment inspections and minor maintenance to keep apparatus, SCBA, and tools mission-ready.Firefighter performance evaluation — assess individual crew member performance against department standards and provide structured feedback during routine evaluation cycles.GIS and mapping tools — interpret geographic information system outputs and printed maps to support resource deployment decisions at wildland or structural incidents.Time management under operational pressure — prioritize competing tasks and delegate assignments to crew members effectively during multi-task emergency responses.
proficient
Complex rescue and suppression coordination — direct multi-crew positioning and agent application strategies autonomously at large or technically demanding incidents involving structural collapse or trapped victims.Advanced emergency medical and heavy rescue operations — independently manage heavy rescue functions and advanced medical interventions at mass-casualty or confined-space emergencies.Multi-factor incident size-up and resource forecasting — synthesize fire behavior, building construction data, exposure threats, and water supply analysis to project crew and equipment needs across evolving incident conditions.Cross-agency communications management — coordinate radio traffic flow between crews, dispatch, and mutual-aid partners to maintain shared situational awareness throughout extended operations.Dynamic crew leadership in non-routine environments — lead helicopter, prescribed fire, or mixed-type crews through non-standard tactical scenarios, adapting plans as conditions change.Comprehensive training program delivery — design and instruct multi-topic training curricula covering firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials, and fire prevention for full company personnel.Equipment readiness system oversight — administer a company-level preventive maintenance and inspection schedule, identifying deficiencies and initiating repair actions to sustain operational readiness.Formal personnel performance management — conduct documented performance evaluations, identify development needs, and recommend personnel actions aligned with department standards and labor agreements.Analytical software and project tools — use analytical or scientific software and project management applications to evaluate suppression effectiveness data and plan training or resource allocation projects.Complex problem solving under stress — apply deductive and inductive reasoning to rapidly diagnose tactical failures and revise incident action plans in real-time at dynamic emergency scenes.
advanced
Strategic incident command leadership — direct multi-company or multi-agency suppression operations, establishing command structure, resource priorities, and tactical objectives at major incidents or disasters.Organizational rescue and medical capability development — establish standards and protocols for emergency medical and heavy rescue response capabilities across an entire battalion or division.Department-wide size-up and pre-incident planning — lead development of building pre-plans, resource deployment matrices, and water supply assessments that govern response across an entire jurisdiction.Communications and interoperability policy — design and implement interagency radio communication plans and dispatch center integration protocols to ensure seamless information flow across mutual-aid partners.Cross-functional crew leadership strategy — shape staffing models and crew assignment frameworks for engine, hand, helicopter, and prescribed fire units to optimize departmental operational readiness.Training and professional development program leadership — oversee design, delivery, and evaluation of department-wide training programs, integrating adult learning strategies and regulatory compliance requirements.Fleet and equipment lifecycle governance — establish preventive maintenance schedules, replacement planning criteria, and readiness metrics for all suppression equipment and apparatus across a station or battalion.Personnel management and workforce development — lead performance management systems, mentor emerging supervisors, and align personnel development plans with department succession and retention goals.Data-driven resource and technology strategy — leverage GIS, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software to analyze operational trends and present evidence-based resource recommendations to senior leadership.Organizational culture and resilience leadership — model and institutionalize leadership orientation, stress tolerance, and adaptability norms that sustain crew performance and safety across high-demand emergency operations.
Also known as
109 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
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