Introduction to Fire
Protection
3rd 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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•
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•
•
•
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
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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
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•
•
•
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
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