Firefighting - Firefighters' Duties

Firefighters' Duties

Firefighters' goals are to save lives, property and the environment. A fire can rapidly spread and endanger many lives; however, with modern firefighting techniques, catastrophe is usually, but not always, avoided. To prevent fires from starting, a firefighter's duties can include public education about fire safety and conducting fire inspections of locations for their adherence to local fire codes.

Because firefighters are often the first responders to people in critical conditions, firefighters may provide many other valuable services to the community they serve, such as:

• Emergency medical services, as technicians or as licensed paramedics, staffing ambulances;
• Hazardous materials mitigation (HAZMAT);
• Vehicle Rescue/Extrication;
• Search and rescue;
• Community disaster support.
• Fire Risk Assessments

Additionally, firefighters may also provide service in specialized fields, such as:

• Aircraft/airport rescue;
• Wildland fire suppression;
• Shipboard and military fire and rescue;
• Tactical paramedic support ("SWAT medics");
• Tool hoisting;
• High Angle Rope Rescue;
• Swiftwater Rescue.
• Trench Rescue
• Confined Space Rescue
• Building Collapse
• Cold Water Rescue
• EMS (Emergency Medical Services)

In the US, firefighters also serve the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as urban search and rescue (USAR) team members.