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Firefighter Job Description

What does a Firefighter do?

A firefighter is responsible for responding to and extinguishing fires, rescuing people and animals from danger, and providing emergency medical care. Their duties include operating fire engines and pumps, using firefighting equipment to fight fires, inspecting buildings for fire hazards, and conducting fire safety drills and education programmes for the public. Firefighters also work closely with other emergency services such as police and ambulance services to provide support during major incidents. They work in shifts that often include weekends, evenings and public holidays, and are expected to maintain a high level of physical fitness and mental alertness at all times.

Our Firefighter job description includes the Firefighter responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.

Firefighter Example


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If you need an example job description for a Firefighter download the one below, alternatively we have many other Public Sector job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.

What does a Firefighter do?

A Firefighter is responsible for responding to emergency situations, such as fires, road traffic accidents and other hazardous situations, as well as providing a range of non-emergency services. Firefighters must be physically fit and have the skills to handle hazardous materials, operate firefighting equipment and provide life-saving first aid. They must also be able to work as part of a team, in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment. Firefighters are highly trained professionals and are required to adhere to the highest standards of safety, performance and professionalism.

Firefighter Role Purpose

The purpose of a Firefighter is to protect lives and property by responding to and extinguishing fires, rescuing people from hazardous situations, and providing fire safety advice to the public. Firefighters also respond to and handle a variety of other emergency situations, including road traffic accidents, chemical and environmental hazards, and other medical emergencies.

Firefighter Role

Firefighters are responsible for responding to emergency situations where there is a risk to life or property, such as fires, road traffic accidents, chemical spills and flooding. They work in a team to put out fires, rescue people and animals, and provide emergency medical assistance.

Firefighter Duties

  • Attend emergency call outs
  • Operate pumps, ladders and hoses
  • Carry out rescues
  • Climb ladders and roofs
  • Extinguish fires
  • Provide first aid assistance
  • Advise on fire safety
  • Carry out drills and training sessions

Firefighter Requirements

  • Be physically fit and able to work in hazardous environments
  • Be willing to work long and irregular hours
  • Be able to work as part of a team
  • Be able to work on own initiative
  • Have good communication skills

Firefighter Skills

  • Ability to work as part of a team
  • Good physical fitness
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to stay calm under pressure
  • Ability to work in hazardous conditions

Firefighter Personal Traits

  • Physically fit
  • Able to work in a team
  • Courageous
  • Able to work under pressure
  • Good communication skills

How to write a Firefighter Job Advert

Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.

A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.

Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.

How to write a Firefighter Job Description

To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.

Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Firefighter Job Specification

The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.

Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Firefighter Job Specification

When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:

Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.

Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.

Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.

Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.

The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.

Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth. 

Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources. 

Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.

Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.

Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.

How to Hire a Firefighter

Once you have selected your Job Description download it or convert it to a Job Advert. From here you can post/advertise your job across our network of job boards. If you wish to use the job description for a CV Template click through for advice and Convert to a CV

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