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Introduction to Fire Protection3rd Edition

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Chapter 2

Fire Protection Career Opportunities

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Objectives

• Identify fire protection jobs in the public and private fire service

• List duties and requirements of firefighter trainee and firefighter

• List duties and requirements of firefighter/paramedic

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Objectives (con’t.)

• List duties and requirements of the position of fire heavy equipment operator

• List duties and requirements of the position of firefighter forestry aid

• Give examples of fire service jobs other than firefighter

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Introduction

• Fire protection jobs – Firefighter and non-firefighter positions– Public and private sectors

• Promotions available with advanced training

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Public Fire Protection Careers

• Firefighter jobs– Firefighter trainee - fire department– Firefighter - fire department– Firefighter - fire department federal– Firefighter paramedic– Fire heavy equipment operator– Forestry aid

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Firefighter Trainee - Fire Department

• Less pay and fewer benefits than regular firefighter

• Works under close supervision in a learning capacity

• Attends drills and classes• May operate equipment• Promoted to probationary status after

specified time and completion of training

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Firefighter – Fire Department

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Firefighter - Fire Department

• Standard entry level position• Responds to fire alarms and other

emergency calls• Assists in equipment maintenance• Administers first aid• May act as relief for driver/operator or

company officer– Can test for these positions after meeting

prerequisites

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Firefighter Fire Department Federal

Firefighter - Fire Department Federal

• Works at federal installations– Mostly at military bases

• Job description, requirements, and promotional opportunities much like firefighter fire department municipal

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Paramedic

Firefighter Paramedic

• Requires advanced medical training• Has increased medical responsibility• Responds in ambulance or special squad

vehicle• May include pay incentives• Provides opportunity for lateral transfer to

another department

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Heavy Equipment Operator

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Fire Heavy Equipment Operator

• Works primarily in departments that provide fire protection in Wildland areas

– Mostly in southwestern United States

• Operates bulldozers and other heavy equipment

• Constructs and maintains fire breaks and roads

• Usually a one-class position

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Safety Section Retirement

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Safety Section Retirement

• Provided for extremely dangerous and stressful occupations

• Primarily includes fire and police• Includes – Higher levels of benefits– Higher percentage at retirement

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Firefighter (Forestry Aid) Wildland GS3

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Firefighter (Forestry Aid) Wildland GS3

• Seasonal jobs for entry level personnel – Summer job for many college students

• Works in forest environment, often in extreme conditions

• Learns fuel management and fire suppression techniques

• Performs resource management tasks• Can lead to more specialized positions

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More Public Fire Protection Careers

• Non-firefighting jobs– Fire prevention specialist– Fire hazardous materials program specialist– Fire department training specialist– Public fire safety/Education specialist– Dispatcher/Tele-communicator

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Fire Prevention Specialist

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Fire Prevention Specialist

• Requires knowledge of codes and ordinances

• Performs routine field checks of fire prevention systems

• Assists in inspections and gathering statistical data

• Writes reports and assists in record keeping

• Provides hazardous materials disclosure information

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Fire Hazardous Materials Program Specialist

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Fire Hazardous Materials Program Specialist

• Requires chemistry or related degree• Evaluates potential hazards of unused

hazards and related materials• Analyzes and maintains inventory of

hazardous materials• Serves as technical advisor to fire

department • Interprets laws and provides information to

emergency personnel and the public

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Fire Department Training Specialist

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Fire Department Training Specialist

• Requires education in instruction and evaluation

• Plans, develops, and produces training, information, and educational materials

• Presents training programs to fire department and general public

• Reviews training programs, standard operating procedures, and member ability

• Researches and recommends new programs

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Public Fire Safety/Education Specialist

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Public Fire Safety/Education Specialist

• Ability to teach all age groups (see Figure 2-8)

• Provides public education within the community for all aspects of fire safety

• Coordinates community programs• Organizes fund-raising activities

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Dispatcher Tele-communicator

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Dispatcher Tele-communicator

• Requires computer knowledge, typing proficiency, and communication skills

• Firefighter position in some departments• Receives calls and dispatches equipment• Deals with emergency and non-emergency

calls• May be trained in Emergency Medical

Dispatch

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Private Fire Protection Careers

• Firefighter• Insurance companies representative• Industry• Fire protection systems engineer• Fire protection system maintenance

specialist• Inventors

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Private Fire Protection Careers

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Firefighter

• Plant protection for industrial facilities– Example: Northrop Grumman

• Wildland firefighting companies– Provide apparatus and crews– May also deal with structural protection and

hazardous materials

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Insurance Companies

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Insurance Companies

• Require fire technology personnel in loss prevention

– Inspectors– Emergency plan developers– Claims adjusters– Investigators

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Industry

• Employs firefighters, loss prevention specialists, and safety consultants

– Inspect properties for fire and other hazards– Develop and present employee training

programs

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Fire Protection Systems Engineer

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Fire Protection Systems Engineer

• Requires advanced degree• Designs fire protection systems• Plans the installation of systems• Designs specialized systems for system

operations

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Fire Protection System Maintenance Specialist

• Sells, installs, and maintains fire protection equipment

• Services fire extinguishers annually• Inspects and maintains fixed protection

systems and equipment– Sprinklers; systems to protect computer

rooms, etc.

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Invention and Innovation

• Firefighters respond to need for new tools and techniques

– George Smith (FDNY) invented fire hydrant– Edward Pulaski (USFS) invented Pulaski tool– Firefighters developed FIRESCOPE Incident

Command System (see Chapter 13)– Captain Scott Park aided in development of

Searchcam tool

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Summary

• Fire technology degrees provide opportunities in public and private sectors

• There is stiff competition for firefighter positions

• Education and experience are assets• Firefighting requires a wide range of

specialties to perform duties• Can work in a related field if medical

requirements are not met