What Does a Firefighter Do?

Firefighters are first responders who protect life and property. They also participate in prevention efforts, rescue animals and people from confinement, and assist with disaster response and recovery. The job can be highly physically demanding and hazardous, involving exposure to extreme heat and toxic materials. A firefighter can be a male or female, and is often referred to as a “fireman.”

Most people think of firefighters as the guys who fight fires, but the modern fire service has become a Swiss Army Knife of community services, including rescue operations, emergency medical treatment, disaster preparedness training, and many other tasks that help make communities safer. Firefighters are also highly trained professionals, and most of them work hard to keep up with the demands of their profession.

When a call comes in, firefighters must immediately assess the situation and determine what steps to take. They may be dispatched to a scene by radio, or they might arrive at their station to take roll call, discuss today’s incidents and receive instructions from the command staff. They are responsible for inspecting and maintaining their vehicles and equipment, as well as performing routine maintenance tasks.

In most departments, firefighters are organized into companies, which consist of a major vehicle and its firefighting or EMS personnel. Each company is led by a lieutenant or captain. The firefighter rank structure is based on the military, with advancement requiring passing written and physical exams. After years of service, a firefighter may be promoted to engineer, then to lieutenant, captain, battalion chief, deputy chief and finally, chief. Some firefighters eventually become fire inspectors or investigators.

The majority of firefighters’ time is spent outside the station, responding to emergency calls. They must be able to operate various pieces of heavy equipment, such as fire engines, ladders, and pumps, in addition to operating emergency medical vehicles. They are usually required to have a high school diploma or equivalent, and they must pass a physical exam before joining the department. In some countries, firefighter candidates must pass a psychological test as well.

While fighting fires, firefighters are required to use various chemicals and flammable liquids to extinguish the flames and prevent them from spreading. They also must remove smoke from structures, protect undamaged items, and clean up the site after an incident. Firefighters must be able to remain calm in stressful situations, as they may need to communicate with panicked or injured people or evacuate them from an area.

Most of the work that firefighters do is dangerous, and they are at risk for injury or death. The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation reports that firefighters are three times more likely to commit suicide than other professionals. This is because of the mental stress that this career can cause, as well as the long hours and strenuous work under difficult conditions.