Occupation · SOC 33-2011
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.
Median wage
$59,530
$34,490–$101,330
Projected growth
+3.4%
Average growth
Annual openings
1,180
per year
Employed (US)
332,240
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
432 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationService OrientationActive ListeningSpeakingActive LearningMonitoring
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingBuilding and ConstructionEnglish Language
Technology & tools
Data base user interface and query softwareOffice suite softwareElectronic mail softwareGeographic information systemProject management software
Representative tasks
Rescue survivors 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-wa
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Personal protective equipment — don and inspect fire-resistant clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus under direct supervision during station drills.Fire apparatus response — ride to incident scenes and assist senior crew members with equipment deployment under close direction.Radio communication protocols — transmit basic scene reports and condition updates to supervisors using two-way radios during supervised training exercises.Fire behavior fundamentals — recognize common fire types and identify associated hazards under the guidance of an officer on a residential structure fire.Forcible entry tools — handle axes, crowbars, and electric saws safely to create openings for ventilation under direct crew supervision.Survivor rescue basics — assist credentialed personnel in removing trapped occupants from burning structures during structured training scenarios.Post-fire site inspection — follow a senior firefighter through an extinguished fire scene to identify remaining hot spots and hazards under direct oversight.Hose line management — connect, advance, and control charged hose lines with crew support during live-fire training evolutions.Building construction awareness — identify common construction types and materials that affect fire spread while completing on-the-job orientation tours.Emergency response protocols — follow standard operating procedures when responding to automobile accidents and industrial incidents alongside experienced crew.
developing
Fire suppression operations — advance hose lines and apply appropriate extinguishing agents independently during structure and vehicle fires with minimal officer guidance.PPE and SCBA maintenance — inspect, service, and correctly don breathing apparatus and protective gear according to department standards before each shift.Incident radio reporting — assess evolving fire conditions and relay accurate, timely radio reports to incident command during active emergency responses.Tactical ventilation — create effective ventilation openings using saws, axes, and core cutters based on fire progression and building layout at commercial and residential scenes.Vehicle and apparatus operation — drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and associated pumping equipment safely to and on emergency incident scenes.Technical rescue assistance — perform water, vehicle extrication, and structural collapse rescues with reduced oversight following department rescue protocols.Fire site post-control inspection — conduct systematic post-extinguishment surveys to confirm full suppression and identify re-ignition risks without direct supervision.Building navigation under smoke — apply knowledge of building materials, floor plans, and construction design to move toward a fire source efficiently in low-visibility conditions.Crew coordination — coordinate tasks with fellow firefighters during multi-unit responses, adjusting assignments in familiar emergency scenarios as conditions change.Basic medical aid — provide first-responder-level patient assessment and care at accident scenes pending arrival of advanced medical personnel.
proficient
Incident size-up and command — independently assess complex fire and rescue scenes, report comprehensive conditions to incident command, and recommend tactical priorities.Advanced rescue operations — lead survivor extraction from burning buildings, water hazards, and industrial accident sites, adapting techniques to non-routine hazards.Full apparatus operation and troubleshooting — operate, troubleshoot, and direct the use of fire fighting vehicles and specialized equipment across diverse incident types.Hazardous materials recognition — identify chemical and industrial fire hazards using chemistry and public-safety knowledge and apply appropriate suppression strategies autonomously.Complex ventilation strategy — determine and execute vertical, horizontal, or positive-pressure ventilation tactics to support suppression and occupant safety in non-standard structures.Multi-agency coordination — communicate and collaborate with law enforcement, EMS, and utility crews at large-scale incidents using effective speaking and active-listening skills.GIS and technology application — use geographic information systems and database tools to analyze hydrant locations, access routes, and pre-incident building data for operational planning.Post-incident investigation support — conduct thorough fire-site inspections after extinguishment, document findings, and contribute evidence to fire cause and origin determinations.Crew critical thinking leadership — apply deductive reasoning and complex problem-solving to resolve rapidly changing fire ground situations without supervisory guidance.Time-critical decision making — prioritize life safety, property preservation, and crew protection simultaneously during high-stress, multi-hazard emergency incidents.
advanced
Departmental training program leadership — design, deliver, and evaluate firefighter training curricula aligned with NFPA standards and organizational needs across all experience levels.Strategic incident command — assume incident command at large or complex emergencies, directing multi-company operations and allocating resources to achieve scene objectives.Policy and procedure development — author and implement standard operating procedures, safety protocols, and emergency response guidelines for the entire department.Organizational performance management — use analytical and project management software to monitor department-wide response metrics, identify gaps, and drive continuous improvement.Community risk reduction leadership — develop and lead public education and fire prevention programs that reduce occupancy risk across the jurisdiction.Cross-agency partnership development — establish and sustain mutual-aid agreements, joint training exercises, and inter-agency communication frameworks with regional safety organizations.Budget and resource planning — oversee apparatus procurement, equipment lifecycle management, and staffing allocation to maintain operational readiness within fiscal constraints.Mentorship and career development — coach developing and proficient firefighters through structured feedback, individualized learning plans, and progressive assignment opportunities.Legal and regulatory compliance oversight — ensure department operations conform to law, government standards, and occupational health regulations through audits and policy updates.Organizational resilience strategy — lead after-action review processes, integrate lessons learned from major incidents, and advance a culture of safety and adaptability throughout the department.
Also known as
47 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Fire Technician (Fire Tech)Fire Suppression TechnicianFirefighter DiverFireboat OperatorFire Equipment OperatorFire Apparatus EngineerForestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech)Wildland Fire Fighter SpecialistOn-Scene SupporterFire Chief's AideLaddermanForest Fire Suppression SpecialistForest-Fire FighterSmoke ChaserTail Board ManFire EngineerFire FighterCrash Fire FirefighterFiremanFire Hydrant OperatorMunicipal FirefighterOil Fire SpecialistFirefighterApparatus OperatorRescue WorkerFire Management SpecialistWildland Specialist FirefighterTail Board WorkerWater and Fire Technician (Water and Fire Tech)Fire Fighter, Crash, Fire, and RescueTiller ManPlugmanWildland FirefighterVolunteer FirefighterForest FirefighterLadder OperatorHot ShotTiller WorkerSmoke EaterWildland Firefighter Specialist