Chapter 2 Fire Protection Career Opportunities

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Chapter 2Fire Protection Career Opportunities
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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

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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

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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

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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 FirefighterProbationary
• Definition
• Assists in fire suppression, learns functions of
  the department, related work as required
• Cont.

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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Learning Objective 3 Duties of Firefighter/Paramed
ic

• 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

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Learning Objective 3 Duties of Firefighter/Paramed
ic

• 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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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.

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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

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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