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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