First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

What the work involves

• Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
• Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
• Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
• Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.
• Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
• Instruct and drill fire department personnel in assigned duties, including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and related subjects.
• Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.

What to study

The fields of study the Department of Education links to this occupation, most widely taught first.

• Environmental/Natural Resources Management and PolicySee 99 colleges that teach it
• Fire ProtectionSee 52 colleges that teach it

Who it suits

O*NET scores every occupation on six interest dimensions. This one leans hardest on these three.

• Leading and persuading

• Hands-on and practical

• Organised and precise

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