Fire Fighters
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Fire Fighters respond to fire alarms and emergency calls, control and extinguish fires, and protect life and property.
Specialisations: Fire Engineer (Army), Fire Prevention Officer, Leading Firefighter.
Completing a recruit training program with the relevant state or territory fire authority is needed to work as a Fire Fighter.
Tasks
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Attends the scene of fires and other emergencies.
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Rescues and evacuates people stranded or trapped in dangerous situations.
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Operates pumps, sprays water, foam and chemicals from hoses, portable extinguishers and other appliances to extinguish fires and to disperse or neutralise dangerous substances.
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Cuts openings in buildings and crashed vehicles to free occupants.
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Maintains site security systems.
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Administers first aid.
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Attends and participates in training activities, rescue classes, drills, demonstrations and courses in emergency and fire-fighting techniques.
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Trains recruits in emergency procedures and practices.
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Visits buildings and potential fire hazards to study access points and locations of hydrants.
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Maintains tools and equipment.
Characteristics
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Informal or on-the-job
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Practical
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Helping
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Sedentary
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Light
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Medium
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Heavy
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Very Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Fire and Emergency Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
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Around 94% of people employed as Fire Fighters work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 28 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
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Most Fire Fighters work in the Public administration and safety industry.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Fire Fighters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 32.1 | 31.6 |
VIC | 24.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 19.4 | 20.0 |
SA | 7.2 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.4 | 10.8 |
TAS | 2.8 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.1 | 1.0 |
ACT | 2.0 | 1.9 |
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Around 48% of Fire Fighters live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
The regions with the largest share of workers are:
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
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The median age of Fire Fighters is 44 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 45 to 54 years.
Females make up 6% of the workforce. This is 42 percentage points below the all jobs average of 48%.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Fire Fighters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.2 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 2.5 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 21.2 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 28.9 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 29.1 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 12.2 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 4.4 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 1.4 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 44 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
Completing a recruit training program with the relevant state or territory fire authority is needed to work as a Fire Fighter.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Public Safety VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Fire Fighters | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 4.6 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 14.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 20.6 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 42.3 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 11.6 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 2.6 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 4.3 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Fire and Emergency Workers who have strong interpersonal skills, can communicate clearly and have strong attention to detail.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
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54%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
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52%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
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50%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
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50%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
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50%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
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48%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
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48%
Serving othersLooking for ways to help people.
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48%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
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48%
SpeakingTalking to others.
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46%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
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45%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
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45%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
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45%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
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43%
Learning strategiesFiguring out the best way to teach or learn something new.
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43%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
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43%
NegotiationBringing people together and trying to sort out their differences.
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43%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
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43%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
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41%
Equipment maintenanceMaintaining equipment and deciding what maintenance will be needed in the future.
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41%
TroubleshootingFiguring out why a machine or system went wrong and working out what to do about it.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
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79%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
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67%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
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64%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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59%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
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52%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
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47%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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47%
Law and governmentHow our laws and courts work. Government rules and regulations, and the political system.
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46%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
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46%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
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45%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
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45%
PsychologyHuman behaviour; differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; research methods; assessing and treating disorders.
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44%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
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44%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
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40%
Therapy and counsellingDiagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and career counselling and guidance.
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39%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
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38%
Medicine and dentistryDiagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities, including preventive health-care measures.
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38%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
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37%
TelecommunicationsTransmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
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32%
Communications and mediaMedia production, communication, and dissemination. Includes written, spoken, and visual media.
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32%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
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61%
Reaction timeQuickly move your hand, finger, or foot when a sound, light, picture or something else appears.
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61%
Dynamic strengthExercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
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61%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
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57%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
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55%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
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55%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
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55%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
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55%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
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54%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
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54%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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54%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
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52%
Response orientationQuickly choose the right movement of the hand, foot, or other body part when there are two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures).
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52%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
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52%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
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50%
Auditory attentionPay attention to a certain sound when there are other distracting sounds.
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50%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
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50%
Flexibility of closureSee a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) hidden in other distracting material.
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50%
Rate controlChange when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
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50%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
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50%
StaminaExercise for a long time without getting winded or out of breath.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
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85%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
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84%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
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83%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
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78%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
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73%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
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70%
Building good relationshipsBuilding good working relationships and keeping them over time.
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69%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
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68%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
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68%
Communicating with the publicGiving information to the public, business or government by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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68%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
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68%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
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68%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
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67%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
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66%
Working with the publicGreeting or serving customers, clients or guests, and public speaking or performing.
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63%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
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63%
Documenting or recording informationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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58%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
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58%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
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56%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
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55%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
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100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
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76%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
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52%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
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33%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
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19%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
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19%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
Values
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86%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
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76%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
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71%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
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67%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
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67%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
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62%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
Demands
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90%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
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87%
In an enclosed vehicle or equipmentWork in a closed vehicle (e.g., car).
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86%
Physically close to peopleWork physically close to other people.
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84%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
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84%
Outdoors, exposed to weatherWork outdoors, exposed to the weather.
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83%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
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83%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
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82%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
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82%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
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81%
Contact with the publicWork with customers or the public.
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81%
TelephoneTalk on the telephone.
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80%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
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79%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
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78%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
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76%
Dangerous conditionsWork near dangers like high voltage electricity, flammable material, explosives or chemicals.
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76%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
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76%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
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76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
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75%
Lead or coordinate a teamLead others to do work activities.
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75%
Consequence of errorWork where mistakes have serious consequences.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 33-2011.01 - Municipal Firefighters.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
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Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.