This chapter discusses various career opportunities in fire protection in both the public and private sectors. In the public sector, common firefighter roles include firefighter trainee, firefighter, firefighter paramedic, fire equipment operator, and firefighter forestry aid. Non-firefighting public sector roles include fire prevention specialist, hazardous materials specialist, fire department trainer, and dispatcher. Private sector roles cover working for insurance companies, industries, or as a fire protection systems engineer or technician. The chapter provides brief descriptions of the duties and requirements for several of these key roles.

1. Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd Edition

2. Chapter 2 Fire Protection Career Opportunities

3. 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

4. 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

5. Introduction Fire protection jobs Firefighter and non-firefighter positions Public and private sectors Promotions available with advanced training

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. Firefighter - Fire Department Federal Works at federal installations Mostly at military bases Job description, requirements, and promotional opportunities much like firefighter fire department municipal

10. 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

11. Figure 2-2 Firefighter paramedic checking infant for injuries

12. 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

13. Safety Section Retirement Provided for extremely dangerous and stressful occupations Primarily includes fire and police Includes Higher levels of benefits Higher percentage at retirement

14. 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

15. 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/Telecommunicator

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Dispatcher / Telecommunicator 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

21. Private Fire Protection Careers Firefighter Insurance companies representative Industry Fire protection systems engineer Fire protection system maintenance specialist Inventors

22. 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

23. Insurance Companies Require fire technology personnel in loss prevention Inspectors Emergency plan developers Claims adjusters Investigators

24. Industry Employs firefighters, loss prevention specialists, and safety consultants Inspect properties for fire and other hazards Develop and present employee training programs

25. Fire Protection Systems Engineer Requires advanced degree Designs fire protection systems Plans the installation of systems Designs specialized systems for system operations

26. 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.

27. 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

28. 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 Summary