Life As a Municipal Firefighter
Job Description & Duties Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.
List of Municipal Firefighter Job Duties
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
- Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Rescue victims from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.
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Skills Needed to be a Municipal Firefighter
When polled, Municipal Firefighters say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Rescue Worker
- Ladder Operator
- Apparatus Operator
- Oil Fire Specialist
- Fireboat Operator
Job Opportunities for Municipal Firefighters
There were about 327,300 jobs for Municipal Firefighter in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 7.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 23,600 new jobs for Municipal Firefighter by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 24,300 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Municipal Firefighter are Utah, Texas, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Maryland, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Salary for a Municipal Firefighter
The salary for Municipal Firefighters ranges between about $25,170 and $88,920 a year.
Municipal Firefighters who work in New York, New Jersey, or Washington, make the highest salaries.
How much do Municipal Firefighters make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,740 |
| Alaska | $51,110 |
| Arizona | $45,150 |
| Arkansas | $37,800 |
| California | $81,580 |
| Colorado | $61,160 |
| Connecticut | $63,630 |
| Delaware | $48,800 |
| Florida | $53,340 |
| Georgia | $38,060 |
| Hawaii | $62,670 |
| Idaho | $40,490 |
| Illinois | $56,710 |
| Indiana | $49,460 |
| Iowa | $43,970 |
| Kansas | $37,930 |
| Kentucky | $33,520 |
| Louisiana | $30,600 |
| Maine | $36,750 |
| Maryland | $61,780 |
| Massachusetts | $60,080 |
| Michigan | $45,440 |
| Minnesota | $37,690 |
| Mississippi | $30,370 |
| Missouri | $51,100 |
| Montana | $49,230 |
| Nebraska | $47,880 |
| Nevada | $66,830 |
| New Hampshire | $48,640 |
| New Jersey | $76,530 |
| New Mexico | $36,590 |
| New York | $73,710 |
| North Carolina | $35,500 |
| North Dakota | $42,980 |
| Ohio | $46,310 |
| Oklahoma | $43,450 |
| Oregon | $66,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $56,090 |
| Rhode Island | $55,240 |
| South Carolina | $36,300 |
| South Dakota | $44,710 |
| Tennessee | $40,280 |
| Texas | $52,520 |
| Utah | $37,960 |
| Vermont | $37,070 |
| Virginia | $51,510 |
| Washington | $73,850 |
| West Virginia | $36,820 |
| Wisconsin | $40,310 |
| Wyoming | $43,810 |
What Tools & Technology do Municipal Firefighters Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Municipal Firefighters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Email software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Geographic information system GIS software
- Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
- Fire incident reporting systems
- Incident command system ICS software
- Plume modeling software
- Affiliated Computer Services ACS FIREHOUSE
How to Become a Municipal Firefighter
Learn what Municipal Firefighter education requirements there are.
What work experience do I need to become a Municipal Firefighter?
Where Municipal Firefighters Are Employed
Below are examples of industries where Municipal Firefighters work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Career changers with experience as a Municipal Firefighter sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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