To be a Firefighter, you must be ready to get your hands dirty. It is part of the job description for Firefighters to rush to the scene of an emergency and lend aid. Oftentimes, their job is to help other emergency responders rescue anyone in distress; this includes rescuing stroke or heart attack victims and getting them to paramedics. Whenever the need arises and a fire breaks out, it is a Firefighter’s duty to respond to the scene and utilize his or her knowledge to contain and extinguish that fire. It may be necessary to perform rescues for people or animals trapped in burning buildings.
Not every aspect of a Firefighter’s job is fraught with peril, though. During down times, a Firefighter is expected to maintain his or her equipment and vehicles to make sure that they will be in working order should they be necessary. Most of the average workday of a Firefighter will be spent at his fire station doing basic maintenance and preparation. Firefighters also need to maintain their own bodies and minds. Not only do they need to be adequately fit to handle any situation that comes up, but they need to know the appropriate way to fight fires and how best to help during an emergency. Knowledge of how fires behave, rope use, fire hose use, pump operation, and fire truck operation are essential. In addition to all of that, Firefighters protect the public, so they need to know how to administer oxygen or aid to someone who has inhaled too much smoke or who has sustained burns.
It is necessary for a Firefighter to have a high school education or equivalent. They will also need certification from a reputable certification board, such as the International Fire Service Accreditation. Basic leadership and administration skills are a huge boon to a Firefighter.
Fire Fighter Tasks
- Monitor, examine, and repair machinery.
- Read and interpret gauges and correct steam pressure or water levels.
- Maintain steam boilers, chillers, and auxiliary equipment.
- Maintain status logs and perform ad hoc maintenance duties.