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 PerceptivenessSpeakingService OrientationReading ComprehensionMonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationTime ManagementInstructingComplex Problem SolvingWritingActive LearningPersuasionNegotiationLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationOperations MonitoringSystems AnalysisOperation and ControlQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesTroubleshootingEquipment SelectionEquipment MaintenanceRepairingManagement of Financial ResourcesTechnology DesignProgrammingOperations AnalysisScienceInstallation
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingBuilding and ConstructionAdministration and ManagementEnglish LanguageMechanicalLaw and GovernmentPersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministrativeMedicine and DentistryPsychologyChemistryTransportationMathematicsTelecommunicationsPhysicsComputers and ElectronicsCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingEngineering and TechnologyGeographyEconomics and AccountingSociology and AnthropologyDesignSales and MarketingBiologyProduction and ProcessingPhilosophy and TheologyForeign LanguageHistory and ArcheologyFood ProductionFine Arts
Technology & tools
Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSEBIO-key FireRMSBehavePlusComputer aided dispatch softwareCorel WordPerfect Office SuiteESRI ArcViewEmail softwareFARSITEFire incident reporting systemsFlamMapGeographic information system GIS softwareGeographic information system GIS systemsIBM Lotus 1-2-3Incident command system ICS softwareMapping softwareMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordPlume modeling softwareResource Ordering and Statusing System ROSSWeb browser softwareWildland Fire Assessment System WFAS
Representative tasks
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAssisting and Caring for OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsGetting InformationOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesTraining and Teaching OthersDocumenting/Recording InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkCoaching and Developing OthersResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsScheduling Work and ActivitiesHandling and Moving ObjectsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesProcessing InformationMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationStaffing Organizational UnitsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersControlling Machines and ProcessesThinking CreativelyInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentAnalyzing Data or InformationWorking with ComputersSelling or Influencing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
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
42 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Battalion ChiefCaptainChiefCrew BossCrew ChiefDamage Prevention CoordinatorDeputy Fire MarshalDistrict Fire Management OfficerDivision ChiefEngine BossEngine CaptainFire Battalion ChiefFire CaptainFire ChiefFire CoordinatorFire Department Battalion ChiefFire Department CaptainFire LieutenantFire MarshalFire Prevention Bureau CaptainFire Prevention CaptainFire Prevention ChiefFire Prevention OfficerFire SupervisorFire Suppression CaptainForest Fire Management OfficerForest Fire Specialist SupervisorHotshot SuperintendentIncident CommanderLieutenantLieutenant FirefighterMunicipal Fire Fighting and Prevention SupervisorOperations ChiefPrevention CoordinatorSection Forest Fire WardenShift CommanderSingle Resource BossSmoke Jumper SupervisorSquad BossState Fire Marshal