Fire Protection Career Opportunities
Course
Principles of
LPSCS
Unit VI
Fire Protection
Services
Essential
Question
What career
opportunities are
available in the
fire service?
TEKS
§130.292(c)
(12)(A)(B)
Prior Student
Learning
Review local
area fire service
job descriptions
and availability.
Estimated Time
6 hours
Rationale
The fire service has many career opportunities available to the student.
There are careers in public and private sectors, as well as the military, and
state and federal governments. This lesson will help students make an
informed decision about those choices.
Objectives
The student will be able to:
1. Identify career opportunities in public and private fire service sectors.
2. Explain the duties and responsibilities of firefighting jobs in the fire
service.
3. Explain the duties of non-firefighting jobs in the fire service.
Engage
Use the following questions for class discussion. What is the mission of the
fire service? Is there anyone in the class who is related to or has met a
firefighter? What are some examples of other fire service jobs besides
firefighter? Use the Discussion Rubric for asessement.
Key Points
I. Public Sector Jobs:
A. Firefighter Trainee – personnel being closely supervised in a
learning environment, and working towards firefighter certification;
typically receives less pay and fewer benefits than a regular
firefighter
B. Probationary Firefighter – personnel, having completed
certification requirements, being observed for a prescribed
probationary period prior to standard entry-level employment with
a fire department
C. Firefighter (municipal) – standard entry-level position with a fire
department
D. Firefighter (federal) – standard entry-level position with a fire
department
E. Driver/Engineer/Fire Suppression Technician – fire personnel
tasked with the responsibility of getting fire apparatus to and from
an emergency scene, as well as operating the pumping and aerial
systems built into the apparatus
F. Company Officer – supervises a company in the station and at
fires and other emergencies
G. Firefighter Paramedic – provides advanced life support (ALS) for
the victims of accidents, fires, or illnesses
H. Wildland Firefighter – responds to fires in outdoor vegetation such
as mountains, deserts, and national forests
I. ARFF Firefighter – performs general duties related to airport
operations and aircraft safety
J. Hazardous Materials Specialist – handles hazardous materials
and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, or explosive
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(CBRNE) emergencies
II. Non-firefighting Jobs:
A. Fire Prevention Specialist – checks building plans to ensure
compliance with national, state, and local fire and life safety
codes and ordinances
B. Dispatcher/Telecommunicator – Under supervision, receives
emergency and nonemergency telephone and radio calls,
dispatches equipment, and operates computer-aided dispatch
systems, and does other dispatch related work
C. Fire Inspector – inspects occupancies to ensure compliance with
national, state, and local fire and life safety codes and ordinances
D. Investigator (cause/origin/arson) – investigates fires and makes
judgments based on physical evidence at the fire scene to
determine the cause and origin of a fire; further investigates fires
determined to be arson
E. Training Officer/Training Chief – administers all fire department
training activities
F. Fire Safety Educator – makes presentations and conducts
classes for targeted audiences to inform them about fire hazards,
fire causes, precautions, and actions to take during a fire
III. Private Sector Jobs:
A. Firefighter – employed by private sector employers for plant
protection. Oftentimes, they are not employed primarily as
firefighters. They may receive training in SCBA and basic fire
service methodology and perform firefighting duties when
required.
B. Industry – fire service employment as loss prevention specialists
and safety consultants conducting property inspections and
employee training programs
C. Fire Protection Systems Engineer – designs system specifications
and installation standards. These jobs typically require advanced
degrees, usually a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
D. Fire Protection System Maintenance Specialist – conducts annual
fire extinguisher inspections and service requirements. They also
inspect and maintain fixed fire protections systems and
equipment, including sprinkler systems, standpipe systems,
computer room applications, and other special system needs.
E. Inventors and Innovators – design and invent innovative
equipment and techniques to meet the needs of the fire service.
A background in firefighting or fire technology can help an
inventor assess the needs of the industry.
Activities
1. Have students research the career pathways in the fire service. This can
be done with a web search or by contacting local fire protection service
employers for information. Then have students create computer-based
presentations of the results. Use the Presentation Rubric for assessment.
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2. Take a field trip to a public or private sector fire service employer, such
as a military base, municipal fire department, or local industry. Have
students take notes and then discuss the experience afterward. Use the
Discussion Rubric for assessment.
Assessments
Firefighter Career Opportunities Quiz and Key
Discussion Rubric
Presentation Rubric
Materials
Firefighter Career Opportunities computer-based presentation
Internet access
College and career planning guides (career cruising)
Firefighter professional journals and magazines
Computer-based presentation software
Resources
1418001775, Introduction to Fire Protection (3rd edition), Klinoff, Robert
Accommodations for Learning Differences
For reinforcement, students will participate in peer teaching (mentoring) and
team learning; participate in guided research and note taking; keep journals
(key words and definitions).
For enrichment, students will compare and contrast public and private sector
fire careers using Venn diagrams; interview a firefighter or other fire
protection service employee about their career choice and experience.
State Education Standards
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Career and Technical Education
130.292 Principles of Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security (One-Half
to One Credit)
(12) The student identifies the roles and functions of fire protection services.
The student is expected to:
(A) identify the career opportunities in fire protection services
(B) explain the duties and responsibilities of firefighter
College and Career Readiness Standards
English Language Arts
III. Speaking
B. Develop effective speaking styles for both group and one-on-one
situations.
3. Plan and deliver focused and coherent presentations that
convey clear and distinct perspectives and demonstrate solid
reasoning.
3
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Name__________________
Date____________________
Fire Protection Career Opportunities Quiz
1. _____An employee working in this capacity typically receives less pay and fewer benefits
than a regular firefighter.
a. Firefighter Paramedic
b. Firefighter Trainee
c. Driver/Operator
d. Fire Heavy Equipment Operator
2. _____The primary responsibility of this fire service employee is to operate the pumping or
aerial apparatus that he or she is assigned to.
a. Firefighter Paramedic
b. Firefighter Trainee
c. Driver/Operator
d. Fire Heavy Equipment Operator
3. _____Which of the following fire service professions is most likely to do a routine field
check on a fire sprinkler system or conduct a hydrant flow test?
a. Hazardous Materials Specialist
b. Fire Department Training Specialist
c. Public Fire Safety/Education Specialist
d. Fire Prevention Specialist
4. _____This fire service employee provides public education in all aspects of fire safety,
including instruction in prevention and escape planning, for the community in which they
work.
a. Hazardous Materials Specialist
b. Fire Department Training Specialist
c. Public Fire Safety/Education Specialist
d. Fire Prevention Specialist
5. _____Three of the following fire service-related jobs may not involve actual firefighting.
Which remaining job normally requires firefighting duties?
a. Dispatcher
b. Arson Investigator
c. Driver/Operator
d. Fire Inspector
6. _____Which of the following firefighter positions requires knowledge of the principals of
physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry?
a. Hazardous Materials Specialist
b. Fire Paramedic
c. Training Specialist
d. Driver/Operator
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7. _____Which of the following would be a job task associated with a Fire Prevention
Specialist?
a. Gathering hydrant information
b. Operating aerial apparatus
c. Operating pumping apparatus
d. Developing a computer-based presentation for a training program
8. _____Which of the following fire service careers services fire extinguishers annually, as
required by law?
a. Fire Technologist
b. Fire Prevention Specialist
c. Fire Protection Engineer
d. Fire Protection Systems Maintenance Specialist
9. _____This fire service professional is responsible for operating bulldozers over rough
terrain to establish fire control lines.
a. Firefighter/Paramedic
b. Wildland Firefighter
c. Salvage Officer
d. Fire Heavy Equipment Operator
10. _____A Driver/Operator might also be known as:
a. Engineer
b. Lieutenant
c. Fire Heavy Equipment Operator
d. Resource router
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Fire Protection Career Opportunities Quiz Key
1. B
2. C
3. D
4. C
5. C
6. A
7. A
8. D
9. D
10. A
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Name_______________________________________
Date_______________________________
Discussion Rubric
Objectives
4 pts.
Excellent
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Participates in group discussion
Encourages others to join the
conversation
Keeps the discussion progressing
to achieve goals
Shares thoughts actively while
offering helpful recommendations to
others
Gives credit to others for their ideas
Respects the opinions of others
Involves others by asking questions
or requesting input
Expresses thoughts and ideas
clearly and effectively
Total Points (32 pts.)
Comments:
7
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Name:____________________________________
Date:_____________________________
Presentation Rubric
4 pts.
Excellent
Objectives
3 pts.
Good
2 pts. Needs Some
Improvement
1 pt. Needs Much
Improvement
N/A
Pts.
Topic/Content
 Topic discussed completely and in-depth
 Includes properly cited sources (if used)
Creativity/Neatness
 Integrates a variety of multimedia effects
to create a professional presentation
(transition and graphics) or appropriate
visual aid used
 Title slide, table of contents, bibliography
are included, using acceptable format
Mechanics
 Grammar, spelling, punctuation, and
capitalization are correct
 Image and font size are legible to the
entire audience
Oral Presentation
 Communicates with enthusiasm and eye
contact
 Voice delivery and projection are
dynamic and audible
Audience Interaction
 Presentation holds audience’s attention
and relates a clear message
 Clearly and effectively communicates the
content throughout the presentation
Total Points (20 pts.)
Comments:
8
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