Chapter 2 Careers in Fire Protection

1. Chapter 2Careers in Fire Protection

2. Introduction • CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • Many different jobs are available in the fire protection field • Both public and private sectors • Some avenues of promotion require advanced training in the fire science field

3. Learning Objective 1 • Jobs in the Public and Private Fire Service • OPPORTUNITIES IN PRIVATE SECTOR (FIREFIGHTER) • Large corporations • Hire own firefighters for plant protection • In-house fire brigades • Private wildland firefighting companies • Contract with public agencies • Provide engines, apparatus, and crews

4. Learning Objective 1 • Jobs in the Public and Private Fire Service • OPPORTUNITIES IN PRIVATE SECTOR (FIRE SCIENCE) • Insurance companies • Industry • Fire protection systems engineer • Fire protection system maintenance specialist • Invention and innovation

5. Learning Objective 2 • Duties of Firefighter Trainee and Firefighter • FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE─FIRE DEPARTMENT • General information • Typically receives less pay and fewer benefits • Will be promoted to Firefighter–Probationary • Definition • Assists in fire suppression, learns functions of the department, related work as required • Cont.

6. Learning Objective 2 • Duties of Firefighter Trainee and Firefighter • FIREFIGHTER TRAINEE─FIRE DEPARTMENT • Typical tasks • Responds to alarms and emergency incidents • Performs duties of significant learning value • May drive fire engines • and similar equipment • Participates in training

7. Learning Objective 2 • Duties of Firefighter Trainee and Firefighter • FIREFIGHTER─FIRE DEPARTMENT • General information • Standard entry-level position for fire department • May or may not require Firefighter I certification • Definition • Responds to fire alarms and emergency incidents, protects life and property, related work as required • Cont.

8. Learning Objective 2 • Duties of Firefighter Trainee and Firefighter • FIREFIGHTER─FIRE DEPARTMENT • Typical tasks • Performs salvage operations after fires • Maintains and cares for fire apparatus • Makes residential and business inspections • Participates in continuing training • May train auxiliary firefighters

9. Learning Objective 2 • Duties of Firefighter Trainee and Firefighter • FIREFIGHTER─FIRE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL • Federal government has numerous positions for firefighters at federal installations • Mostly located at military bases • Job descriptions, requirements, and promotional opportunities similar to those of municipal firefighters

10. Learning Objective 3 • Duties of Firefighter/Paramedic • FIREFIGHTER/PARAMEDIC RESPONSIBILITIES • Definition • Delivers advanced life support in addition to firefighter duties • Typical tasks • Provides medical aid • May respond as part of engine crew or ambulance

11. Learning Objective 3 • Duties of Firefighter/Paramedic • INCREASED RESPONSIBILITIES • Employment standards • Must meet the standards of a firefighter • Must be able to acquire paramedic certification • Advantage • Firefighter/paramedics are in great demand • Increased responsibility has a pay incentive

12. Learning Objective 4 • Duties of Heavy Equipment Operator • LIMITED TO WILDLAND AREA PROTECTION • Definition • Operates heavy motorized equipment in fire control work; constructs and maintains fire breaks and roads • Typical tasks • Operates bulldozer, grader, and other equipment • Maintains record of work accomplished • Assists in roadside burning and clearing fire breaks • Cont.

13. Learning Objective 4 • Duties of Heavy Equipment Operator • LIMITED TO WILDLAND AREA PROTECTION • Assists in making mechanical repairs • Works with or supervises on fire line • Employment standards • High school diploma or GED • Experience in operating heavy motorized equipment

14. Learning Objective 5 • Duties of Firefighter Forestry Aid • FORESTRY AID─WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER • General information • Performed in forest environment • Temperatures are frequently extreme • Smoke and dust conditions are severe • Considered entry level; training may be provided • Cont.

15. Learning Objective 5 • Duties of Firefighter Forestry Aid • FORESTRY AID─WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER • Typical tasks • Performs fire suppression techniques and practices • Uses various tools and power saws • Chops, carries, and piles logging slash • Patrols fire line to extinguish flare ups • Fire line construction • Cont.

16. Learning Objective 5 • Duties of Firefighter Forestry Aid • FORESTRY AID─WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER • Employment standards • Knowledge of forest practices and techniques • Working knowledge of fire behavior • Skills in the use of hand tools • Knowledge of safety practices • Meets physical requirements

17. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST • Definition • Performs a variety of routine fire prevention, training, and hazardous materials disclosure functions • Typical tasks • Conducts routine checks of fire prevention systems • Participates in training and education programs • Gathers and correlates hydrant information • Cont.

18. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST • Assists in hazardous material disclosure program • Correlates statistical information • Assists with office coverage • Employment standards • Determined by the • employing jurisdiction

19. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • FIRE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROGRAM SPECIALIST • Definition • Evaluates potential hazards of chemicals, serves as technical advisor, related work as required • Typical tasks • Maintains and updates list of hazardous materials • Assists in development of area emergency plan • Reviews completed disclosure forms • Cont.

20. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • FIRE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS PROGRAM SPECIALIST • Provides information and assistance to industries • Conducts on-site inspections • Writes reports based on notes • Employment standards • Knowledge of effects of hazardous materials • Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations

21. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • FIRE DEPARTMENT TRAINING SPECIALIST • Definition • Plans, develops, and produces training materials; participates in presentation of multimedia materials • Typical tasks • Assesses training through testing and evaluation • Evaluates training programs • Maintains record-keeping system • Cont.

22. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • FIRE PREVENTION SPECIALIST • Reviews standard operating procedures • Prepares training budget • Researches and recommends new procedures • Employment standards • College-level study in instruction and evaluation • Ability to organize and schedule training

23. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • PUBLIC FIRE SAFETY/EDUCATION SPECIALIST • Definition • Provides public education in community, coordinates awareness programs, fosters community relations • Typical tasks • Investigates and evaluates community needs • Presents programs to segments of the community • Provides instruction regarding escape planning • Cont.

24. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • PUBLIC FIRE SAFETY/EDUCATION SPECIALIST • Prepares press releases • Compiles and prepares reports • Assists in budget preparation • Employment standards • College-level study in fire science, public relations, communication, or education • Ability to communicate effectively

25. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • DISPATCHER/TELECOMMUNICATOR • Definition • Receives telephone and radio calls, dispatches equipment, operates computer dispatch system • Typical tasks • On shift, receives calls and acts upon incidents • Operates communication equipment • Keeps fire officers advised of situations • Cont.

26. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • DISPATCHER/TELECOMMUNICATOR • Continually monitors the status of fire units • Logs all departmental emergency activity • Prepares and types reports • Employment standards • High school diploma or GED • Basic knowledge of communication equipment

27. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • EMERGENCY SERVICES PLANNER/MANAGER • Definition • Responsible for operational concepts and orders, coordinating heads of departments and agencies • Typical tasks • Formulates plans for the organization • Plans for mobilization of personnel • Completes studies and inventories of resources • Cont.

28. Learning Objective 6 • Fire Service Jobs Other Than Firefighter • EMERGENCY SERVICES PLANNER/MANAGER • Supervises public informational broadcasts • Conducts tests to determine preparedness • Supervises county-wide shelter program • Employment standards • College degree in business administration, public administration, or closely related field

29. Summary • There are opportunities for motivated and qualified individuals in both public and private sectors • Many provide good pay and benefits as well as a satisfying career • Pursuing a fire science degree shows employers your ability to learn and complete a course of study