Firefighter Skills Chapter 1 - Roles Within The Department

Question 1

Fire fighter

Answer 1

• Assigned to any task from placing hose lines to extinguishing fires.
• Generally not responsible for command functions or supervising personnel

Question 2

Driver/operator

Answer 2

• Responsible for getting the fire apparatus to the scene safely, setting up, and running the pump or operating the aerial ladder.
• Full time in some departments, rotated in others.

Question 3

Company officer

Answer 3

• Usually a lieutenant or captain who is in charge of an apparatus. This person leads the company both on scene and at the station.
• Responsible for initial firefighting strategy, personnel safety, and the overall activities of the fire fighters on their apparatus.

Question 4

Safety officer

Answer 4

• Watches the overall operation for unsafe practices.

- Has the authority to halt any firefighting activity.

Question 5

Training officer

Answer 5

• Responsible for updating the training of current fire fighters and for training new fire fighters.
• Must be up to date on most current fire fighting/EMS techniques.

Question 6

Incident commander (IC)

Answer 6

• Responsible for management of all incident operations.

- Focuses on overall strategy of the incident and is often assumed by battalion/district chief.

Question 7

Fire marshal/fire inspector/fire investigator

Answer 7

• Inspects businesses and enforces public safety laws and fire codes.
• May investigate the cause of a fire
• May have full police powers to investigate and arrest suspected arsonists and people causing false alarms

Question 8

Fire and life safety education specialist

Answer 8

-Educates public about fire safety and injury prevention and presents juvenile fire safety programs.

Question 9

9-1-1 dispatcher/telecommunicator

Answer 9

-Takes calls from the public, sends appropriate units to the scene, assists callers with emergency medical information, and assists the IC with obtaining needed resources.

Question 10

Fire apparatus maintenance personnel

Answer 10

• Repair, service, and keep fire and EMS vehicles ready to respond to emergencies.
• Usually trained by equipment manufacturers to repair vehicle engines, lights, and all parts of the fire pump and aerial ladders.

Question 11

Fire police

Answer 11

• Usually fire fighters who control traffic and secure the scene from public access.
• Many are sworn peace officers.

Question 12

Information management

Answer 12

-Fire fighters or civilians who take care of a department’s computer and networking systems.

Question 13

Public information officer

Answer 13

-Liaison between the IC and the news media.

Question 14

Fire protection engineer

Answer 14

• Reviews plans and works with building owners to ensure that their fire suppression and detection systems will meet code and function as needed.
• Some design the systems, most hold and engineering degree.