1. Introduction to Fire Protection 3rd Edition

2. Fire Protection Career Opportunities
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

9. 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

10. Firefighter
Fire Department Federal

11. Firefighter - Fire Department Federal
Works at federal installations
Mostly at military bases
Job description, requirements, and promotional opportunities much like firefighter fire department municipal 11

12. Paramedic

13. 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 13

14. Heavy Equipment Operator

15. 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

16. Safety Section Retirement

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

18. Firefighter (Forestry Aid) Wildland GS3

19. 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

20. 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/Tele-communicator

21. Fire Prevention Specialist

22. 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

23. Fire Hazardous Materials Program Specialist

24. 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

25. Fire Department Training Specialist

26. 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

27. Public Fire Safety/Education Specialist

28. 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

29. Dispatcher Tele-communicator

30. 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

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

32. Private Fire Protection Careers

33. 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

34. Insurance Companies

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

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

37. Fire Protection Systems Engineer

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

39. 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.

40. 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

41. 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