What Do Forest Firefighters Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

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Job Description, Daily Responsibilities, and Work Life

Forest Firefighters

Forest Firefighters control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land.

Salary
$56360
Becoming One
Easy
Education
No degree required
Job Satisfaction
Job Growth

Personality
Interest Match



Job Description

Job Description

Forest Firefighters control and suppress fires in forests or vacant public land. They also rescue fire victims, and administer emergency medical aid.

Other tasks include:

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.
  • Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.
  • Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear, and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.

We asked Forest Firefighters how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

Job satisfaction

83%

How meaningful is this job

88%


83% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 88% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.



Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Forest Firefighters participate in physical training to maintain high levels of physical fitness. They serve as fully trained lead helicopter crewmember and as helispot manager.

  • Maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters.
  • Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear, and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.
  • 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.
  • Perform forest maintenance and improvement tasks, such as cutting brush, planting trees, building trails, and marking timber.
  • Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.

We asked some Forest Firefighters a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job? 37% said yes
How important is it to work in a team in this job? 85% said very important
Do you have group discussions everyday in this job? 82% said yes
Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job? 47% said yes
Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job? 18% said yes
Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job? 71% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Forest Firefighters also maintain fire equipment and firehouse living quarters. They may also establish water supplies, connect hoses, and direct water onto fires.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Forest Firefighters Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences. They might also Participate in physical training to maintain high levels of physical fitness.

In addition, they Test and maintain tools, equipment, jump gear, and parachutes to ensure readiness for fire suppression activities.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.

To some Forest Firefighters, it is also their responsibility to Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.


Working life

Working hours

More than 40 hours per week

Working schedule

Irregular work schedule that changes depending on weather conditions, customer demand or contract duration.

In a typical work week as a Forest Firefighter, you can expect to work more than 40 hours per week.

Do Forest Firefighters work in an office-style work environment?

Once a month
38%


Every day
24%


Do Forest Firefighters work outdoors?

Every day
55%


Once a week
27%



Is this right for me

Best personality for this career

The Builders and The Helpers

People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..

They also like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others.

You can read more about these career personality types here.



Learn more about Forest Firefighters

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Related to Forest Firefighters Job Description

Forest Firefighters job description, what do Forest Firefighters do, typical day for Forest Firefighters, what is it like to work as a Forest Firefighter, how many hours do Forest Firefighters work, day to day work of a Forest Firefighter

Additional resources

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/protective-service/firefighters.htm
http://www.iaff.org/
http://www.i-women.org/
http://www.nfpa.org/


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