A Firefighter is responsible for using their physical stamina and compassionate nature to combat fires and other hazardous situations while ensuring the safety of others. Their duties include using equipment to extinguish fires, rescuing members of the public from dangerous conditions and providing cleanup services to law enforcement at the scene of a car accident or natural disaster.
A Firefighter should be able to fulfill various duties and responsibilities. The following are some duties and responsibilities a Firefighter should be able to execute:
- Preventing, combating and extinguishing fires with the goal of protecting lives, the environment and property
- Operating tools and equipment used for firefighting safely and effectively
- Providing appropriate medical care within their scope of knowledge in emergency situations
- Analyzing hazardous situations and thinking of quick solutions and actions
- Teaching and participating in training classes and drills
- Performing general maintenance on firefighting equipment
A competitive Firefighter will have certain skills and qualifications, including:
- The physical demands of firefighting are significant. The equipment is very heavy, and immense strength is necessary for getting through certain obstacles during firefighting and carrying individuals out of danger.
- It’s common for Firefighters to be on call for 24 hours then off for two or three days. With a 24-hour shift, Firefighters need to have extensive stamina that allows them to address dangerous situations effectively on a moment’s notice at any time.
- Firefighting is a team effort, so firefighters need to be able to communicate with each other and victims effectively. Applicants must excel at both conveying ideas and listening to instructions.
- Firefighters have to operate an extensive amount of equipment during the job, so any applicant must have technical expertise in all the tools at their disposal including hoses, breaching tools and the fire truck itself.
