Firefighter : Job description

Firefighters respond to emergency situations and rescue people and property from all types of accident and disaster. They also make an area safer by minimising the risks, including the social and economic costs, caused by fire and other hazards.

Firefighters work closely with the local community to increase their level of fire safety awareness in order to help prevent fires and accidents occurring in the first place. They promote fire safety and enforce fire safety standards in public and commercial premises by acting and advising on all matters relating to the protection of life and property from fire and other risks. Lectures, exercises, practice drills and other forms of training are an integral and ongoing part of the job.

Typical work activities

Typical activities include:

• responding immediately and safely to emergency calls and requests for assistance;
• attending emergency incidents including fires, road accidents, floods, bomb incidents, spillages of dangerous
• substances, and rail and air crashes;
• rescuing trapped people and animals;
• minimising distress and suffering, including giving first aid before ambulance crews arrive;
• safeguarding their own and other people's personal safety at all times;
• responding quickly to unforeseen circumstances as they arise;
• cleaning up and checking the site after dealing with an incident;
• taking time to become familiar with local streets, roads and buildings around their own and nearby fire stations in
• order to respond to emergency calls with the utmost speed and efficiency;
• inspecting and maintaining the appliance (fire engine) and its equipment, assisting in the testing of fire hydrants and checking emergency water supplies;
• undertaking drills and physical training and taking part in training on techniques, use of equipment and related matters; maintaining the level of physical fitness necessary to carry out all the duties of a firefighter;
• maintaining links with the local community and educating and informing the public to help promote fire safety, e.g. giving talks in schools and to local organisations, and home visits to offer advice.

For fire officers in charge, additional activities include:

• assessing situations quickly and deciding on the best course of action;
• directing the crew;
• writing full incident reports.