Control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.

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.

1. 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.

2. Rescue fire victims, and administer emergency medical aid.

3. Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.

4. Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.

5. Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels, or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.

6. Fell trees, cut and clear brush, and dig trenches to create firelines, using axes, chainsaws or shovels.

7. Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.

8. Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.

9. Participate in physical training to maintain high levels of physical fitness.

10. Establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.

11. Maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters.

Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

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.

Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.

Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Geography - Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Personnel and Human Resources - Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

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.

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

The college search results are undergraduate programs associated with Forest Fire Fighters. Further education may also be required to pursue this career.

The training search results include both short and long-term programs associated with Forest Fire Fighters, and may be more appropriate for adult and non-traditional students. Further training may also be required to pursue this career.

In NY the average wage for this occupation was:

$47,050 for entry level workers, and $61,850 for experienced workers.

Based on the total number of annual openings and its growth rate, the employment prospects for this occupation are described as Favorable.

During 2006, there were approximately 292,876 Forest Fire Fighters employed in US.

We estimate that in 2016 there will be 328,189  employed in US. This represents an increase of 60 job(s) each year, and a total of 520 job openings each year.

Firefighting occupations - Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.

Municipal Fire Fighters - Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts.

Fire Inspectors - Inspect buildings and equipment to detect fire hazards and enforce state and local regulations.

Transit and Railroad Police - Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.

Security Guards - Guard, patrol, or monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules.

Fallers - Use axes or chainsaws to fell trees using knowledge of tree characteristics and cutting techniques to control direction of fall and minimize tree damage.

Riggers - Set up or repair rigging for construction projects, manufacturing plants, logging yards, ships and shipyards, or for the entertainment industry.

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators - Operate railroad track switches. Couple or uncouple rolling stock to make up or break up trains. Signal engineers by hand or flagging. May inspect couplings, air hoses, journal boxes, and hand brakes.

Sailors and Marine Oilers - Stand watch to look for obstructions in path of vessel, measure water depth, turn wheel on bridge, or use emergency equipment as directed by captain, mate, or pilot. Break out, rig, overhaul, and store cargo-handling gear, stationary rigging, and running gear. Perform a variety of maintenance tasks to preserve the painted surface of the ship and to maintain line and ship equipment. Must hold government-issued certification and tankerman certification when working aboard liquid-carrying vessels.

Transportation Vehicle, Equipment and Systems Inspectors, Except Aviation - Inspect and monitor transportation equipment, vehicles or systems to ensure compliance with regulations and safety standards.