Municipal Firefighters

• Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
• Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
• Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
• Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
• Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
• Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
• Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
• Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
• Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
• Lay hose lines and connect them to water supplies.
• Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
• Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
• Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill.
• Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
• Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
• Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
• Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
• Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques.
• Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
• Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
• Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.
• Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
• Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
• Establish firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas near fires.
• Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Municipal Firefighters.

• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• 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.
• Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Municipal Firefighters.