DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA
33-2011 Firefighters
Occupational Description:
Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.| Percentiles | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geography | Employment | Emp SE* | Mean | Mean SE* | 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
| Southwest Balance of State | 680 | 121 | $15.12/hr | $1.51/hr | $10.29/hr | $10.30/hr | $13.40/hr | $17.69/hr | $24.16/hr |
| Minnesota | 7,390 | 687 | $19.28/hr | $0.66/hr | $11.26/hr | $13.07/hr | $16.51/hr | $23.48/hr | $31.67/hr |
| U S | 324,620 | 2,922 | $26.74/hr | $0.27/hr | $12.51/hr | $16.87/hr | $24.89/hr | $33.78/hr | $45.03/hr |
| *SE = Standard error, a measure of the statistical reliability of the estimate. | |||||||||
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| Occupation (click title for details) | OES | Projections | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employment | Median Wage | % Change - | |
| Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer | 2,970 | $21.97/hr | N/A |
| Security Guards | 230 | $16.25/hr | N/A |
| First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Riggers | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Tasks for Firefighters
- Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
- Protects property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
- Creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using ax, chisel, crowbar, electric saw, or core cutter.
- Selects hose nozzle, depending on type of fire, and directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire.
- Administers first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons and those overcome by fire and smoke.
- Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls.
- Sprays foam onto runway, extinguishes fire, and rescues aircraft crew and passengers in air-crash emergency.
- Inspects buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances.
- Participates in courses in hydraulics, pump operation, and fire fighting techniques.
- Participates in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
- Maintains fire fighting equipment and apparatus, vehicles, hydrants, and fire station.
- Drives and operates fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Establishes firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering area.
- Assesses fire and situation, reports to superior, and receives instructions, using two-way radio.
- Fells trees, cuts and clears brush, and digs trenches, to contain fire, using ax, chain saw, or shovel.
- Packs parachutes.
- Parachutes from aircraft and guides direction of fall toward clear landing area near scene of fire.
- Orients self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collects supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.
- Works as member of fire fighting crew.
- Patrols burned area after fire to watch for hot spots that may restart fire.
- Ascertains best method for attacking fire, and communicates plan to airplane or base camp, using two- way radio.
- Extinguishes flames and embers to suppress fire, using shovel, or engine or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
