Forest Fire Fighters

Career Description: Control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.

Industry: Protective Service

Other Job Titles for Forest Fire Fighters:

• Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
• Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
• Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
• Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
• Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
• First Interest High-Point: Primary-Rank Descriptiveness
• Second Interest High-Point: Secondary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness
• Third Interest High-Point: Tertiary-Cutoff/Rank Descriptiveness

• Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.
• Rescue fire victims, and administer emergency medical aid.
• Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.
• Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.
• Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels, or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.
• Fell trees, cut and clear brush, and dig trenches to create firelines, using axes, chainsaws or shovels.
• Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
• Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
• Participate in physical training to maintain high levels of physical fitness.
• Establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.
• Maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters.
• Inform and educate the public about fire prevention.
• Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.
• Organize fire caches, positioning equipment for the most effective response.
• Transport personnel and cargo to and from fire areas.
• Participate in fire prevention and inspection programs.
• Perform forest maintenance and improvement tasks such as cutting brush, planting trees, building trails and marking timber.
• Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.
• Observe forest areas from fire lookout towers to spot potential problems.
• Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.
• Serve as fully trained lead helicopter crewmember and as helispot manager.
• Drop weighted paper streamers from aircraft to determine the speed and direction of the wind at fire sites.
• Collect fees for permits and licenses.
• Serve meals, distribute commissary items, and dispense prescribed medication to prisoners.
• Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.
• Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment such as a computer.

Emerging Tasks

• Coordinate efforts with other organizations, such as law enforcement agencies.
• Escort prisoners to and from courthouse, and maintain custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
• Maintain court docket.
• Provide security by patrolling interior and exterior of courthouse and escorting judges and other court employees.
• Screen persons entering courthouse using magnetometers, x-ray machines, and other devices to collect and retain unauthorized firearms and other contraband.
• Screen, control, and handle evidence and exhibits during court proceedings.

• Analyzing Data or Information: Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Assisting and Caring for Others: Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Coaching and Developing Others: Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Communicating with Persons Outside Organization: Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates: Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others: Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams: Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies: Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Documenting/Recording Information: Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment: Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships: Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
• Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information: Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
• Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards: Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
• Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates: Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Interacting With Computers: Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others: Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People: Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems: Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings: Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources: Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work: Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• Performing Administrative Activities: Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public: Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Processing Information: Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• Provide Consultation and Advice to Others: Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment: Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others: Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• Scheduling Work and Activities: Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Selling or Influencing Others: Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Staffing Organizational Units: Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Thinking Creatively: Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Training and Teaching Others: Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge: Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Detailed Work Activities

• communicate technical information
• control and extinguish municipal or forest fires
• determine best method for attacking fire
• estimate size or characteristics of fire
• judge terrain conditions for vehicle or equipment operation
• move or fit heavy objects
• observe fire to note changing conditions
• operate emergency fire or rescue equipment
• operate telecommunications equipment in law enforcement or fire or emergency setting
• parachute from aircraft
• patrol or guard area or premises
• read maps
• use chain saws
• use emergency medical equipment
• use fire suppression equipment
• use fire suppression techniques
• use forest fire protection methods
• use hand or power tools
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use rescue procedures
• use two-way radio or mobile phone
• work as a team member
• manage community relations for law enforcement agency
• manage detailed records or files in law enforcement setting
• measure catch to ensure compliance with legal size
• operate cameras
• operate helicopters
• operate vehicles in law enforcement or security setting
• oversee work progress to verify safety or conformance to standards
• patrol or guard area or premises
• pilot aircraft
• prepare reports
• read maps
• recognize public safety hazards
• ride horses during law enforcement work
• search for overdue aircraft
• serve arrest, search or seizure warrants
• testify in court for accident and criminal cases
• use arrest, search, or seizure legal statutes
• use firearms
• use interviewing procedures
• use knowledge of geographic coordinates
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques
• use knowledge of investigation techniques
• use oral or written communication techniques

Overall Experience
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a teller might benefit from experience working directly with the public, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be a teller with little difficulty.

Job Training
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Education
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Examples
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, pharmacy technicians, salespersons (retail), and tellers.

• n/a

• Projected growth (2006-2016): 12.06%
• Projected need (2006-2016): 35,313
• Employment (2006): 292,876

• Fallers
• Fire Inspectors
• Municipal Fire Fighters
• Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators
• Riggers
• Sailors and Marine Oilers
• Security Guards
• Transit and Railroad Police
• Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation
• Transit and Railroad Police