What is the job of a firefighter?
Q: What is the job of a firefighter?
A: The job of a firefighter is to extinguish fires and rescue people from various types of emergencies, such as vehicle accidents, collapsed buildings, hazardous atmospheres, entrapment, disabled elevators and more. They also typically respond to HazMat incidents.
Q: Where do firefighters work?
A: Firefighters are based at and respond from a building called a fire station (also known as a firehouse or fire hall).
Q: What type of vehicle do firefighters use when responding to an incident?
A: Firefighters drive a vehicle called a fire engine or fire truck, which is also referred to as a fire apparatus, to the incident scene. These vehicles are appropriately equipped for the emergencies they respond to and typically can pump water and foam to put out fires.
Q: What type of equipment do firefighters carry on their vehicles?
A: Fire engines carry ladders, cutting tools and lots of different types of rescue equipment. Most carry first aid kits to help people who are injured or hurt. Another type of common fire apparatus is known as a “ladder truck” which has some variation of an articulating and telescoping ladder assembly that can be strategically positioned for access or egress at an incident scene.
Q: What kind of clothing do firefighters wear when fighting fires?
A: Firefighters wear heavy clothing called bunker gear or turnout gear in order protect them from the heat when they are fighting a fire. They also wear self-contained breathing apparatus and masks in order to protect themselves from smoke and super hot air/gasses.
Q: What skills does one need in order to become a firefighter?
A: Becoming a firefighter requires bravery, strength, quick thinking, level-headedness, and knowledge about how best handle different types of emergency situations.
