CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmark Job Summary and Competencies

Municipal Fire Fighters

The Benchmark Job Description below represents the specific Position Characteristics of the job used in the Salary Survey. Benchmark Job Descriptions should be inspected carefully to review the degree of matching between an organizations' Job and the Salary Survey Benchmark. Matching internal Jobs to Salary Survey Benchmark Jobs should not be done on Job Title alone. A thorough comparison of Salary Survey Benchmark to Internal Job Descriptions is recommended. A good overlap should exist on any comparisons used on critical Job Dimensions and Competencies.
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
Summary Job Description Tasks
Control and extinguish municipal fires, protect life and property and conduct rescue efforts. Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons.
 
Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites.
 
Search burning buildings to locate fire victims.
 
Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
 
Dress with equipment such as fire resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
 
Move toward the source of a fire using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
 
Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.
 
Take action to contain hazardous chemicals that might catch fire, leak, or spill.
 
Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.
 
Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
 
Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.
 
Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.
 
Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.
 
Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.
 
Lay hose lines and connect them to water supplies.
 
Protect property from water and smoke using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.
 
Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.
 
Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.
 
Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.
 
Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.
 
Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.
 
Establish firelines to prevent unauthorized persons from entering areas near fires.
 
Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.
 
Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.
 
Participate in courses, seminars and conferences, and study fire science literature, to learn firefighting techniques.
 
Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.
 
Spray foam onto runways, extinguish fires, and rescue aircraft crew and passengers in air-crash emergencies.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
Important Knowledge Competencies Competency Description
Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Mechanical Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 
Building and Construction Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 
English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 
Administration and Management Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
 
Transportation Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 
Law and Government Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 
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.
 
Medicine and Dentistry Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
 
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.
 
Mathematics Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 
Telecommunications Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 
Chemistry Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
 
Physics Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
Important Skill Competencies Competency Description
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.
 
Critical Thinking Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
 
Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
 
Operation Monitoring Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
 
Monitoring Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
 
Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
 
Operation and Control Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
 
Speaking Talking to others to convey information effectively.
 
Instructing Teaching others how to do something.
 
Judgment and Decision Making Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
 
Reading Comprehension Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
 
Learning Strategies Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
 
Social Perceptiveness Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
 
Complex Problem Solving Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
 
Writing Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
 
Active Learning Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
 
Equipment Maintenance Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
 
Troubleshooting Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
 
Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
 
Negotiation Bringing others together and trying to reconcile differences.
 
Systems Analysis Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
 
Persuasion Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
 
Quality Control Analysis Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
 
Systems Evaluation Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
Important Ability Competencies Competency Description
Problem Sensitivity The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
 
Reaction Time The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
 
Arm-Hand Steadiness The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
 
Manual Dexterity The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
 
Multilimb Coordination The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
 
Response Orientation The ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
 
Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
 
Deductive Reasoning The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
 
Rate Control The ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
 
Static Strength The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
 
Speech Recognition The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
 
Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
 
Flexibility of Closure The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
 
Control Precision The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
 
Stamina The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
 
Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
 
Inductive Reasoning The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
 
Information Ordering The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
 
Visualization The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
 
Selective Attention The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
 
Dynamic Strength The ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time. This involves muscular endurance and resistance to muscle fatigue.
 
Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
 
Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
 
Depth Perception The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
 
Auditory Attention The ability to focus on a single source of sound in the presence of other distracting sounds.
 
Speech Clarity The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
 
Time Sharing The ability to shift back and forth between two or more activities or sources of information (such as speech, sounds, touch, or other sources).
 
Speed of Limb Movement The ability to quickly move the arms and legs.
 
Gross Body Coordination The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
 
Gross Body Equilibrium The ability to keep or regain your body balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
 
Far Vision The ability to see details at a distance.
 
Written Comprehension The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
 
Speed of Closure The ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
 
Perceptual Speed The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
 
Spatial Orientation The ability to know your location in relation to the environment or to know where other objects are in relation to you.
 
Finger Dexterity The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
 
Written Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
 
Visual Color Discrimination The ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
 
Category Flexibility The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
 
Hearing Sensitivity The ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
 
Fluency of Ideas The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
 
Originality The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
 
Peripheral Vision The ability to see objects or movement of objects to one's side when the eyes are looking ahead.
 
Glare Sensitivity The ability to see objects in the presence of glare or bright lighting.
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
Prerequisite Qualification Category Education and Experience Level
Related Work Experience None
 
On-the-Job Training Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
 
Required Level of Education Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
 
Required Level of Education Some College Courses
 
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
Alternate Job Title(s)
Apparatus Operator
Crash Crew
Crash, Fire, and Rescue Fire Fighter
Driver Engineer
Fire Alarm Operator
Fire Apparatus Engineer
Fire Captain
Fire Chief
Fire Chief's Aide
Fire Engineer
Fire Equipment Operator
Fire Fighter
Fire Fighter/EMT
Fire Hydrant Operator
Fire Lieutenant
Fire Medic
Fireboat Operator
Firefighter
Firefighter/EMT
Firefighter/EMT (Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician)
Firefighter/Medic
Firefighter/Paramedic
Fireman
Hazmat Technician
Ladder Operator
Ladderman
Marine Fire Fighter
Master Fire Fighter
Municipal Firefighter
Oil Fire Specialist
Plugman
Rescue Worker
Safety Officer
Tail Board Man
Tail Board Worker
Tiller Man
Tiller Worker
Truck Operator
Volunteer Fire Fighter
Volunteer Firefighter
 
CompGeo Occupation Group: Protective Services
Job Family: Fire Service
Benchmark Title: Municipal Fire Fighters
 
 
.
 
CompGeo Professional Salary Survey and Total Compensation Forecast Options
 
Professional Total Compensation Forecast Library
Regional Online Access Subscription Options. Online Salary Survey Forecast Library Subscriptions include Access To All 23 CompGeo Salary Survey Career Occupation Groups covering thousands of Salary Survey Benchmarks with Salary and Compensation Forecasts over a eight year time period - an unmatched feature in the Salary and Compensation Forecast Business Realm.. Direct Pay, Fringe Benefit Costs and Total Compensation Forecasts included. Compensation Forecasts are present for all CompGeo Salary Survey Benchmarks along with Salary Survey Aging Factors for ea ch Projection Date. All Salary Survey Forecast Reports include a Companion Excel Salary Survey Forecast Data Sheet.
 
CompGeo Professional Salary Survey Report and Forecast Samples
CompGeo Salary Survey Report Samples
Samples and Pricing for all CompGeo Online Professional Report and Online Forecast Library Subscription Options.
 
 
 
Copyright © 1995 - 2023 International Compensation Technologies and The Clayton Wallis Company.
All Rights Reserved World Wide ictcw.com
Member, WorldatWork - Formerly American and Canadian Compensation Associations (ACA/CCA)