Description
Operate, drive, and maintain fire apparatus to support fire suppression and emergency response. Position vehicles, establish water supply, control pumps and aerial devices, perform hydraulic calculations, and ensure equipment readiness and crew safety. Assist with fire attack, rescue support, EMS, hazardous materials response, training, and public safety activities.
- • Safely drive, navigate, and position fire apparatus to incidents in accordance with laws and SOPs.
- • Set wheel chocks and stabilize apparatus; deploy outriggers for aerial devices.
- • Establish water supply by connecting to hydrants, performing hose lays, or drafting from static sources.
- • Operate pumps and governors; calculate and set pump discharge pressures and flows.
- • Supply and manage handlines, standpipes, sprinklers, and master streams.
- • Operate aerial ladders/platforms and water towers to support rescue and fire attack.
- • Monitor intake and residual pressures and prevent cavitation; manage relay and tanker shuttle operations.
- • Operate and proportion foam and compressed air foam systems as needed for specific fire types.
- • Position and power ventilation fans, lighting, and generators to support interior crews.
- • Select and attach appropriate hose, appliances, and nozzles; ensure correct tip sizes and flow rates.
- • Coordinate apparatus placement for scene safety, access, and egress, considering collapse and overhead hazards.
- • Maintain continuous radio contact with dispatch and command; report apparatus and water supply status.
- • Perform daily apparatus inspections; check fluids, tires, lights, pumps, and safety systems.
- • Inspect, test, and maintain hoses, ladders, SCBA, and small tools; document results.
- • Conduct hydrant inspections and flow tests; update maps and preplans for water supply.
- • Keep detailed logs and reports of apparatus use, maintenance, pump hours, and incident operations.
- • Rehabilitate apparatus after incidents; reload hose, refill water and foam, service equipment, and restock supplies.
- • Wear appropriate PPE and SCBA; operate within accountability and safety systems.
- • Support search, rescue, and interior operations by maintaining water supply, lighting, and accountability; assist as assigned.
- • Provide basic emergency medical care within certification level and assist EMS crews.
- • Deploy salvage covers and control water runoff; help protect property and shut off utilities.
- • Assist with hazardous materials responses by setting up decontamination and supplying water or foam lines.
- • Participate in driver/operator, pump, and aerial training; maintain required certifications.
- • Instruct and mentor firefighters in apparatus operations, pump hydraulics, and hose deployment.
- • Collaborate with police and other agencies to manage traffic control and access around apparatus.
- • Patrol for and extinguish hot spots by supplying water and foam during overhaul and mop-up.
- • Clean and maintain the station, apparatus bays, and equipment.
- • Participate in physical fitness training to meet job demands.
- • Support public education and pre-incident planning related to hydrant access, apparatus clearance, and fire protection systems.
- • Adhere to departmental SOPs and applicable NFPA standards for driving, testing, and maintenance.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
