EMT

FIREFIGHTER
By: Andrew Jakubowsky & Jerard Evans
Job Description
GENERAL PURPOSE
Protect life and property by performing fire fighting,
emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention
duties. Maintain fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities.
Responsibilities & Duties
OBJECTIVE
To provide emergency fire fighting, rescue and paramedic
level medical care to residents of the community
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES
Responds to emergency fire, rescue and medical incidents;
provides support functions, including vehicle and equipment
maintenance, emergency responses, records and reporting
duties.
Provide medical treatment including but not limited to medical
emergencies, trauma emergencies and inter facility
transports plans, organizes, directs and controls fire/rescue
and medical service functions within rules and regulations.
Examples of Everyday Life
Medical Call: The Fire District provides the emergency
response and transportation on medical calls.
Alarm Activation: A unit is dispatched to locations where a
fire or sprinkler water flow alarm is set off.
Carbon Monoxide: A unit is dispatched when a CO detector
activates.
Rescue: Fire District personnel extricate victims in accidents
including those that result from vehicle entrapment.
Water Rescue: District personnel respond to incidents where
a victim is in danger in a body of water.
Technical Rescue: The District responds to incidents
requiring high-angle or confined-space rescues.
Examples of Everyday Life
Search and Rescue: The first priority at a fire scene is to
search for and rescue any potential victims in the involved
structure.
Fire Suppression: After confirming that human life is not
endangered, firefighters work to extinguish the fire while
stopping its spread.
Salvage Operations: Firefighters attempt to minimize damage
to personal property from fire, water and smoke by using tarps
and removing valuable items if possible.
Ventilation: To reduce smoke and heat so that the fire may be
located and extinguished more quickly, firefighters may ventilate
the structure by cutting holes in the roof or breaking windows.
Requirements to be a Firefighter
To be a firefighter, you usually need a high school diploma
and a college program in fire protection technology or a
related program. You must pass physical agility, strength,
fitness, and vision requirements. Previous experience as a
volunteer firefighter may also be an advantage.
An EMT course is also required to become an EMT
firefighter.
Steps in Becoming a Firefighter
1. Have a high school diploma or its equivalent.
2. Receive a driver's license
3. Have a clean record
4. Get EMT training
5. Get an associates or a bachelor's degree in Math,
Chemistry, or Communications. (not required)
6. Become a licensed paramedic
7. Apply for the job and volunteer around the community
8. Pass the CPAT (Candidate Physical Ability Test)
History of Occupation
evidence of fire-fighting machinery in use in Ancient Egypt,
including a water pump in third century BC.
The Roman emperor Augustus is credited with instituting a
corps of fire-fighting watchmen in 24 BC. Regulations for
checking and preventing fires were developed.
Fire-alarm systems came into existence with the invention of
the telegraph in 1794.


International Association of Fire
Fighters
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is a
labor union representing professional firefighters in the
United States and Canada. The IAFF was formed in 1918
and is affiliated with the AFL-CIO in the United States and the
Canadian Labour Congress in Canada. The IAFF is
headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has some 300,000
members in more than 3,200 locals and affiliates in every
U.S. state and in Canada
According to the U.S. Fire Administration professional fire
fighters protect about 85 percent of the United States'
population
\
Full name
International Association of Fire
Fighters
Founded 1918
Members 300,000 (2012)
Country United States, Canada
Affiliation AFLCIO, CLC
Key people Harold A. Schaitberger, president
Office location Washington, D.C.
Website iaff.org
Salaries
Average starting salary: $41,000
Average salary: $55,000
Senior Chief salary: $91,000

EMT Firefighters who work in highly populated cities tend to
earn more than rural workers.

Firefighters receive benefits such as health care and pension
plans

Outlook
Employment of EMT Firefighters is projected to grow 23
percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for
all occupations.
Competition for jobs will likely be intense. Physically fit
applicants with high test scores should have the best job
prospects.

Interview of Jason Collins MFD
Why do you want to work in this industry?
I have always appreciated and admired those who put their
lives on the line to protect our community. My interest really
piqued in firefighting however after I witnessed a post-crash
rescue. I heard the calling as I watched the first response
team pull the civilians to safety and out of harms way. It was
then I knew that this is what I was meant to do.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years Id like to have an even better understanding of
fire and rescue. Also, I really enjoy being the first to a scene.
I work very well under pressure. Ultimately, Id like to be in a
commander-type position, where I can use my organizational
skills and industry knowledge to benefit the people working
with me, and those we are there to help.



Interview Contd
When were you most satisfied in your job?
Im a people person. I was always happiest and most
satisfied when I was interacting with community residents,
making sure I was able to meet their needs and giving them
the best possible comfort in a tough situation. It was my
favorite part of the job, and it showed. Part of the reason Im
interested in this job is that I know Id have even more
interaction with the public, on an even more critical level.
What motivates you?
Ive always been motivated by the challenge in my last
role, I was responsible for training our new recruits and
having a 100% success rate in passing scores. I know that
this job is very fast-paced and Im more than up for the
challenge. In fact, I thrive on it.


Summary
An EMT Firefighters duties are to provide emergency fire
fighting, rescue and paramedic level medical care to
residents of the community.
To become an EMT Firefighter you need to have a high
school diploma, take an EMT course, and be physically fit for
the position.
Firefighting has been dated back to the days of ancient
civilizations and has improved to become what it is now.