Municipal Firefighters
Did You Know:
- Firefighting involves hazardous conditions and long, irregular hours.
- About nine out of 10 firefighters were employed by local governments.
- Applicants generally must pass written, physical and medical examinations, and candidates with some postsecondary education are increasingly preferred.
- Keen competition for jobs is expected because this occupation attracts many qualified candidates.
Industry Areas
- Local Government (OES Designation)
- Other Support Services
- Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation)
Day-to-Day Tasks
- Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites.
- Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
Overall Kind of Work
Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters help protect the public against these dangers by responding to fires an...
Work Environment
Military
Firefighters work indoors and outdoors while fighting fires. They are exposed to the smoke, heat, and flames of the fires they fight.
Status
What is the difference between enlisted and officer?
Enlisted:Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.
Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
Officer
Enlisted
Military Breakdown
The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.
10,670 Municipal Firefighters in the military
Service Branches
Firefighters work in the following services:
Type of Work
The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.
Data: 
People: 
Things:
Skills at a Glance
The levels of different skills helpful in this career.
Verbal skills:
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving:
Equipment Operation & Maintenance:
Math & Science Skills:
Technology Design & Control:
Leadership:
Workplace at a Glance
The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.
Responsibility:
Exposure to Job Hazards:
Physical Activity:
Decision Making:
Repetitiveness: 
Level of Competition:
Time Pressure: