Life As a Municipal Firefighter
Position Description Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.
Daily Life Of a Municipal Firefighter
- Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
- Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
- Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
- 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
Below is a list of the skills most Municipal Firefighters say are important on the job.
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.
Types of Municipal Firefighter
- Tail Board Worker
- Fireman
- Apparatus Operator
- Fire Equipment Operator
- Rescue Worker
Is There Going to be Demand 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.
Municipal Firefighter Average Salary
Municipal Firefighters make between $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 each U.S. state?
| 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 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 do I Become a Municipal Firefighter?
What kind of Municipal Firefighter requirements are there?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Municipal Firefighter?
Where Municipal Firefighters Work
The table below shows the approximate number of Municipal Firefighters employed by various industries.
Related Careers
Are you already one of the many Municipal Firefighter in the United States? If you’re thinking about changing careers, these fields are worth exploring:
References:
Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Sergio A. Gamboa via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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