33-2011.01 - Municipal Fire Fighters

Updated 2008

Summary Report for:
33-2011.01 - Municipal Fire Fighters

Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.

Sample of reported job titles: Firefighter, Firefighter/EMT (Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician), Firefighter/Paramedic, Fire Engineer, Fireman, Master Fire Fighter, Apparatus Operator, Driver Engineer, Fire Captain, Fire Chief

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites.
Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
Dress with equipment such as fire resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
Move toward the source of a fire using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill.
Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Blocks or pulleys — Block and tackle equipment; Pulleys; Rigging kits

Fire or rescue trucks — Bomb response vehicles; Fire trucks; HAZMAT response vehicles; Pumper trucks

Fire suppression hand tools — McLeod tools; Pick head axes; Pulaski tools; Rubbish hooks

Power saws — Chain saws; Circular saws; K-12 saws; Reciprocating power hacksaws

Pry bars — Halligan bars; Hux bars; Pinch bars

Technology used in this occupation:

Data base user interface and query software — Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSE; Fire incident reporting systems; Microsoft Access

Office suite software — Microsoft Office

Project management software — Incident command system ICS software

Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel

Word processing software — Corel WordPerfect software; Microsoft Word

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Public Safety and Security — Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Medicine and Dentistry — Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.

Chemistry — Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.

Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Physics — Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.

Law and Government — Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Active Listening — Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Equipment Selection — Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Equipment Maintenance — Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Service Orientation — Actively looking for ways to help people.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Instructing — Teaching others how to do something.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Flexibility of Closure — The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Static Strength — The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

Multilimb Coordination — The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression — The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Spatial Orientation — The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.

Speed of Closure — The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.

Inductive Reasoning — The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Work Activities

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Work Context

Deal With External Customers — How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Physical Proximity — To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety — How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Work With Work Group or Team — How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Telephone — How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment — How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Overall Experience	Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include funeral directors, electricians, forest and conservation technicians, legal secretaries, interviewers, and insurance sales agents.
SVP Range	(6.0 to < 7.0)
Education	Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree. Some may require a bachelor's degree.

There are 7 recognized apprenticeable specialties associated with this occupation:
Fire Fighter, Crash, Fire, and Rescue; Fire Fighter; Fire Apparatus Engineer; Fire Engineer; Fire Medic; Fire Fighter Paramedic; Fire Fighter Diver

To learn about specific apprenticeship opportunities, please consult the U.S. Department of Labor State Apprenticeship Information website.

For general information about apprenticeships, training, and partnerships with business, visit the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship website.

Interests

Interest code: RSE

Realistic — Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social — Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Enterprising — Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Styles

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Concern for Others — Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.

Analytical Thinking — Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Social Orientation — Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Related Occupations

33-1021.01	Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
33-1021.02	Forest Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
33-2011.02	Forest Fire Fighters
33-2021.01	Fire Inspectors
33-2022.00	Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
33-3031.00	Fish and Game Wardens
33-3052.00	Transit and Railroad Police
33-9032.00	Security Guards
33-9092.00	Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
53-3032.00	Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Median wages data collected from Fire Fighters.
Employment data collected from Fire Fighters.

Median wages (2008)	$21.28 hourly, $44,260 annual
Employment (2006)	293,000 employees
Projected growth (2006-2016)	Average (7% to 13%)
Projected need (2006-2016)	142,000 additional employees

State & National

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2008 wage data and 2006-2016 employment projections . "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2006-2016). "Projected need" represents job openings due to growth and net replacement.

Summary Report for: 33-2011.01 - Municipal Fire Fighters