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Firefighters

OaSIS code 42101.00

Firefighters carry out firefighting and fire prevention activities, and assist in other emergencies. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

Overview

Also known as

  • Airport firefighter
  • Fire captain
  • Firefighter
  • Firefighter lieutenant
  • Industrial firefighter
  • Shipboard firefighter

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents, bomb threats and other emergencies
  • Rescue victims from burning buildings and accident sites
  • Control and extinguish fires using manual and power equipment, such as axes, water hoses, aerial ladders and hydraulic equipment and various firefighting chemicals
  • Administer first aid and other assistance
  • Ensure proper operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment
  • Prepare written reports on fire incidents
  • Inform and educate the public on fire prevention
  • Train to maintain high level of physical fitness
  • Assist the public, the police and emergency organizations during times of major disasters
  • May participate as members of a trauma or emergency response team and provide paramedical aid to accident victims or ill persons
  • May supervise and coordinate the work of other firefighters
  • May conduct building inspections to ensure compliance with fire code.

Additional information

  • Progression to senior positions such as fire chief is possible with additional training and several years of experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers (40041)
  • Paramedic (in 32102.00 Paramedical occupations)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

4 – Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

TEER

2 – Occupations usually require a college diploma or apprenticeship training of two or more years; or supervisory occupations

Major group

42 – Front-line public protection services and paraprofessional occupations in legal, social, community, education services

Sub-major group

421 – Occupations in front-line public protection services

Minor group

4210 – Occupations in front-line public protection services

Unit group

42101 – Firefighters

Occupational profile

42101.00 – Firefighters

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Assisting and Caring for Others
5 - Highest Level
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
5 - Highest Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
5 - Highest Level
Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
5 - Highest Level
Performing General Physical Activities
5 - Highest Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
3 - About half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
3 - About half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Internal firefighting services of large industrial establishments
  • Municipal, provincial, regional and federal governments

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Explosive Strength
5 - Highest Level
Far Vision
5 - Highest Level
Night Vision
5 - Highest Level
Pattern Identification
5 - Highest Level
Pattern Organization Speed
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Critical Thinking
4 - High Level
Decision Making
4 - High Level
Evaluation
4 - High Level
Monitoring
4 - High Level
Coordinating
3 - Moderate Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Collaboration
5 - Extremely important
Stress Tolerance
5 - Extremely important
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Analytical Thinking
4 - Highly important
Attention to Detail
4 - Highly important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RSE

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Social (S)

Social occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the interaction with others to inform, train, aid, develop, cure, or enlighten. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others, teaching, working or communicating with people.

Enterprising (E)

Enterprising occupations are characterized by the dominance of action-oriented activities to attain organizational or self-interest goals. They frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects, influencing, leading or mobilizing people, making decisions, and sometimes require risk taking and dealing with business.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of a college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field and a period of supervised practical training is usually required.
  • Firefighting and emergency medical care training courses are provided and vary in length depending on the requirements of different fire departments or services.
  • Certification for firefighters is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and Alberta, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
  • Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage.
  • Physical agility, strength, fitness and vision requirements must be met.
  • Several years of experience are required for senior firefighters, such as lieutenants and captains.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Public Safety and Security
3 - Advanced Level
Languages
2 - Intermediate Level
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
2 - Intermediate Level
Business Management
1 - Basic Level
Chemistry
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

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