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Firefighters - 33-2011.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Fire Engineer
  • Fire Equipment Operator
  • Fire Fighter
  • Fire Management Specialist
  • Fire Technician (Fire Tech)
  • Firefighter
  • Forest Fire Suppression Specialist
  • Forestry Fire Technician (Forestry Fire Tech)
  • Hot Shot
  • Wildland Firefighter

SOC Occupation Groups

33-0000 Protective Service Occupations
33-2000 Firefighting and Prevention Workers
33-2010 Firefighters
33-2011.00 Firefighters

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.
  • Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
  • Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
  • Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.
  • Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
  • Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
  • Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
  • Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
  • Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
  • Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
  • Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.
  • Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
  • Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
  • Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
  • Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
  • Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
  • Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.
  • Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
  • Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
  • Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.
  • Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
  • Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
  • Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
  • Rescue victims from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
  • Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
  • Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.
  • Search to locate fire victims.
  • Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
  • Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.
  • Train new employees to control and suppress fires.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Assess characteristics of fires.
  • Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.
  • Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents.
  • Communicate with other workers to coordinate activities.
  • Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
  • Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.
  • Examine debris to obtain information about causes of fires.
  • Implement advanced life support techniques.
  • Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
  • Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.
  • Locate fires or fire danger areas.
  • Maintain fire fighting tools or equipment.
  • Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
  • Operate firefighting equipment.
  • Participate in physical training to maintain fitness.
  • Patrol natural areas to ensure safety or enforce regulations.
  • Prepare hoses or water supplies to fight fires.
  • Prepare investigation or incident reports.
  • Protect property from fire or water damage.
  • Provide first aid or rescue assistance in emergencies.
  • Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
  • Request emergency personnel.
  • Rescue people from hazardous situations.
  • Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
  • Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects.
  • Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
  • Treat medical emergencies.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Air Operations Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aircraft Director (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aircraft Handling (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Fuels (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Launching and Recovery Equipment (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cavalry Scout (Army - Enlisted)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) (Army - Commissioned Officer only)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Warrant Officer (Army - Warrant Officer only)
  • Combat Engineer (Army - Enlisted)
  • Combat Medic Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Conversion NEC ABH Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Aircraft Handling) (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Conversion NEC DC Damage Control Basic (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Crash and Salvage Fire Fighter (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Damage Control (DC) Journeyman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Damage Controlman (Coast Guard - Enlisted)
  • Damage Controlman (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Electromagnetic Aircraft Launching System (EMALS) Operator/Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Expeditionary Firefighting and Rescue (EFR) Specialist (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Fire Fighter (Army - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Apprentice (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Helper (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Journeyman (Space Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Manager (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fire Protection Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Firefighter (Army - Enlisted)
  • Firefighter (Marine Corps - Enlisted)
  • Flight Deck Officer (Navy - Commissioned or Warrant Officer)
  • Fuels (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fuels Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fuels Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fuels Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fuels Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Fuels Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-135 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Apprentice, KC-46 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-135 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Craftsman, KC-46 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman, KC-10 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman, KC-135 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Journeyman, KC-46 (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • In-Flight Refueling Specialist Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Infantryman (Army - Enlisted)
  • M1 Armor Crewman (Army - Enlisted)
  • Marine Safety Specialist Engineer (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Material Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard - Warrant Officer only)
  • Military Police (Army - Enlisted)
  • Ship Survivability Systems Maintainer (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Ship Survivability Systems Technician (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Shipboard Aircraft Rescue, Firefighting and Salvage Specialists (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Shore Base Airport and Aircraft Firefighter (Navy - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Special Reconnaissance Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) Superintendent (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Unit Supply Specialist (Army - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Fire Apparatus Engineer
  • Fire Engineer
  • Fire Fighter
  • Fire Fighter Diver
  • Fire Fighter Paramedic
  • Fire Fighter Specialist Wildland
  • Fire Fighter, Crash, Fire
  • Fire Medic
  • Fire Suppression Technician

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Fire Apparatus Engineer
  • Fire Chief's Aide
  • Fire Engineer
  • Fire Fighter
  • Fire Fighter, Crash, Fire, and Rescue
  • Fire Medic
  • Forest-Fire Fighter
  • Smoke Jumper
  • Wildland Fire Fighter Specialist