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Firefighting Occupations
Nature of the Work
Every year, fires take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of
dollars. Firefighters help protect the public against this danger. This report gives
information only about career firefighters; it does not cover the many thousands of volunteer
firefighters in communities across the country.
During duty hours, firefighters must be prepared to respond to a fire and handle any
emergency that arises. Because firefighting is dangerous and complicated, it requires
organization and teamwork. At every fire, firefighters perform specific duties assigned by
an officer such as a lieutenant, captain, or chief. They may connect hose lines to hydrants,
operate a pump, or position ladders. Their duties may change several times while the
company is in action. They may rescue victims and administer emergency medical aid,
ventilate smoke-filled areas, operate fire apparatus, ambulances, emergency rescue
vehicles, and fireboats.
Most fire departments also are responsible for fire prevention. They provide
specially trained personnel to inspect public buildings for conditions that might cause a fire.
They may check building plans, the number and working condition of fire escapes and fire
doors, the storage of flammable materials, and other possible hazards. In addition,
firefighters educate the public about fire prevention and safety measures. They frequently
speak on this subject before school assemblies and civic groups, and, in some
communities, they inspect private homes for fire hazards.
Between alarms, they have classroom training, clean and maintain equipment,
conduct practice drills and fire inspections, and participate in physical fitness activities.
Working Conditions
Firefighters spend much of their time at fire stations, which usually have facilities for
dining and sleeping. When an alarm comes in, firefighters must respond rapidly, regardless
of the weather or hour. They may spend long periods at fires and other emergencies on
their feet and outdoors, sometimes in adverse weather.
Firefighting is one of the most hazardous occupations. It involves risk of death or
injury from sudden cave-ins of floors or toppling walls and from exposure to flames and
smoke. Firefighters also may come in contact with poisonous, flammable, and explosive
gases and chemicals.
In some cities, firefighters are on duty for 24 hours, then off for 48 hours, and receive
an extra day off at intervals. In other cities, they work a day shift of 10 hours for 3 or 4 days,
a night shift of 14 hours for 3 or 4 mights, have 3 or 4 days off, and then repeat the cycle.
On average, firefighters work 50 hours a week. In addition, firefighters often work extra
hours at fires and other emergencies. Fire lieutenants and fire captains work the same
hours as the firefighters they supervise. Duty hours may include some time when
firefighters are free to read and study.
Employment
Firefighters held about 296,000 jobs in 1990. More than 9 out of 10 worked in
municipal fire departments. Some very large cities have several thousand firefighters, while
many small towns have only a few. Some firefighters work in fire departments on Federal
and State installations, including airports. Private firefighting companies employ a small
number.
Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement
Applicants for municipal firefighting jobs may have to pass a written test, a medical
examination, and tests of strength, physical stamina, and agility. These examinations are
open to persons who are at least 18 years of age and have a high school education or the
equivalent. Those who receive the highest scores have the best chances for appointment.
Extra credit usually is given for military service and education. Experience as a volunteer
firefighter or in the Armed Forces and completion of community college courses in fire
science also may improve an applicant's chances for appointment. In fact, in recent years
an increasing proportion of entrants to this occupation have some postsecondary education.
As a rule, beginners in large fire departments are trained for several weeks at the
department's training center. Through classroom instruction and practical training, the
recruits study firefighting techniques, fire prevention, local building codes, and emergency
medical techniques; also, they learn how to use axes, saws, chemical extinguishers,
ladders, and other firefighting and rescue equipment. After completing this training, they
are assigned to a fire company where they are evaluated during a probationary period.
A small but growing number of fire departments have accredited apprenticeship
programs lasting 3 to 4 years. These programs combine formal, technical instruction with
on-the-job training under the supervision of experienced firefighters. Technical instruction
covers subjects such as firefighting techniques and equipment, chemical hazards
associated with various combustible building materials, emergency medical techniques, and
fire prevention and safety.
Most experienced firefighters continue to study to improve their job performance and
prepare for promotion examinations. To progress to higher level positions, firefighters must
acquire expertise in the most advanced firefighting equipment and techniques and in
building construction, emergency medical techniques, writing, public speaking,
management and budgeting procedures, and labor relations. Fire departments frequently
conduct training programs, and many colleges and universities offer courses such as fire
engineering and fire science that are helpful to firefighters. Many fire captains and other
supervisory personnel have college training.
Among the personal qualities firefighters need are mental alertness, courage,
mechanical aptitude, endurance, and a sense of public service. Initiative and good
judgement are extremely important because firefighters often must make quick decisions
in emergency situations. Because members of a crew eat, sleep, and work closely together
under conditions of stress and danger, they should be dependable and able to get along
well with others in a group. Leadership qualities are assets for officers, who must establish
and maintain discipline and efficiency as well as direct the activities of firefighters in their
companies.
Opportunities for promotion are good in most fire departments. As firefighters gain
experience, they may advance to a higher rank. After 3 to 5 years of service, they may
become eligible for promotion to the grade of lieutenant. The line of further promotion
usually is to captain, then battalion chief, assistant chief, deputy chief, and finally to chief.
Advancement generally depends upon scores on a written examination, performance on
the job, and seniority.
Job Outlook
Firefighters are expected to face considerable competition for available job openings.
Firefighting attracts many people because a high school education is sufficient, earnings
are relatively high, a pension is guaranteed upon retirement, and promotion is possible to
progressively more responsible positions on the basis of merit. In addition, the work is
frequently exciting and challenging and affords an opportunity to perform a valuable public
service. Consequently, the number of qualified applicants in most areas generally exceeds,
the number of job openings, even though the written examination and physical
requirements eliminate many applicants. This situation is expected to persist through the
year.
Turnover of firefighter jobs in unusually low, particularly for an occupation that
requires a relatively limited investment in formal education. Nevertheless, most job
openings are expected to result from the need to replace those who retire, transfer from the
occupation, or stop working for other reasons.
Layoffs of firefighters are not common. Fire protection is an essential service, and
citizens are likely to exert considerable pressure on city officials to expand or at least
preserve the level of fire-protection coverage. Even when budget cuts do occur, local fire
departments usually cut expenses by postponing equipment purchases or the hiring of new
firefighters, rather than by laying off staff.
Earnings
According to a 1990 survey by the International City Management Association,
entrance salaries for beginning full-time firefighters averaged about $20,500 a year.
Nonsupervisory firefighters had a median salary of about $26,000 a year, but their earnings
varied considerably depending on city size and region of the country. Average earnings
ranged from $24,225 in the smallest cities to $32,650 in the largest cities and from $22,375
in the South to $30,475 in the West. Fire lieutenants and fire captains may earn
considerably more.
The law requires that overtime be paid to those firefighters who average 53 or more
hours a week during their work period--which ranges from 7 to 28 days.
The majority of career firefighters are members of the International Association of
Fire Fighters (AFL-CIO).
Related Occupations
Firefighters work to prevent fires and to save lives and property when fires do occur.
Related fire protection occupations include fire rangers and fire protection engineers who
identify fire hazards in homes and work places and design prevention programs and
automatic fire detection and extinguishing systems. Other occupations in which workers
respond to emergencies include police officers and emergency medical technicians.
Sources of Additional Information
Information on obtaining a job as a firefighter is available from local civil service
offices of fire departments.
Information about a carer as a firefighter may be obtained from:
International Association of Fire Chiefs, 1329 18th St. NW., Washington, D.C.
20036.
International Association of Fire fighters, 1750 New York Ave. NW.,
Washington, D.C. 20006.
Information about firefighter professional qualifications may be obtained from:
National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, Mass.
02269.
Additional information on the salaries and hours of work of firefighters in various
cities is published annually by the International City Management Association in its
Municipal Yearbook, which is available in many libraries.
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