Fire service vehicle operator

Fire service vehicle operators drive and operate emergency fire service vehicles such as firetrucks. They specialise in emergency driving and assist firefighting operations. They ensure that all material is well stored on the vehicle, transported and ready for usage.

The following job titles also refer to fire service vehicle operator:

fire and rescue service truck operator
crew manager
emergency fire service vehicle operator
fire appliance operator
fire engine driver
fire engine operator
fire and rescue service vehicle operator
fire appliance driver

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a fire service vehicle operator. A medical exam, drug screening, and a driver’s license are also necessary for to be hired in this position.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Fire service vehicle operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to fire service vehicle operator.

marine firefighter
pump operator
industrial firefighter
firefighter
crossing guard

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of fire service vehicle operator. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of fire service vehicle operator with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

fire protection technician
fire inspector
fire safety tester
aeronautical information service officer
aviation data communications manager

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of fire service vehicle operator.

• Fire safety regulations: The legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.
• Hydraulics: The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.
• Fire prevention procedures: The regulations concerning fire and explosion prevention, and the equipment, systems and methods used in it.
• Fire-fighting systems: The devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.
• Health and safety regulations: Necessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.
• First aid: The emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.

These skills are necessary for the role of fire service vehicle operator.

• Operate specialised equipment in emergency: Operate equipment such as external defibrillators and bag-valve mask resuscitators, spinal and traction splints and intravenous drips in advanced life-support environments, taking electrocardiograms when required.
• Provide first aid: Administer cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.
• Perform risk analysis: Identify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation’s functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.
• Select hazard control: Perform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management
• Drive vehicles: Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.
• Extinguish fires: Choose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.
• Operate emergency equipment: Utilise emergency equipment and tools such as fire extinguishers, wheel chocks, pocket lamps, and warning signs.
• Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
• React calmly in stressful situations: React quickly, calmly, and safely to unexpected situations. Provide a solution that solves the problem or diminishes its impact.
• Work as a team in a hazardous environment: Work together with others in a dangerous, sometimes noisy, environment, such as a building on fire or metal forging facilities, in order to achieve a higher degree of efficiency while heeding the co-workers’ safety.
• Manage major incidents: Take immediate action to respond to major incidents that affect the safety and security of individuals in private or public places such as road accidents.
• Drive firetruck under emergency conditions: Drive and operate firetruck in response to emergency situations, at a safe and controlled speed, complying with laws, regulations and standards for this type of activity.
• Perform search and rescue missions: Assist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.
• Apply advanced driving techniques: Being capable to effectively steer a vehicle in extreme situations using defensive, evasive or offensive driving.
• Use different types of fire extinguishers: Understand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.
• Tolerate stress: Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.
• Manage emergency care situations: Manage situations in which decision making under time pressure is essential to save lives.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of fire service vehicle operator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Maintain safety systems: Perform activities for the maintenance of fire fighting and related safety systems.
• Contain fires: Take the appropriate measures to prevent fires from spreading.
• Use different communication channels: Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
• Use geographic information systems: Work with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).
• Relay messages through radio and telephone systems: Possess the communication abilities to relay messages through a radio and telephone system.
• Evacuate people from buildings: Evacuate a person from a dangerous building or situation for protection purposes, ensuring the victim reaches safety and is able to receive medical care if necessary.
• Perform minor repairs to equipment: Conduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.
• Educate public on fire safety: Develop and execute educational and promotional plans to educate the public on fire prevention knowledge and methods, fire safety such as the ability to identify hazards and the use of fire safety equipment, and to raise awareness on fire prevention issues.

8332 – Heavy truck and lorry drivers

References

1. Fire service vehicle operator – ESCO
2. Featured image: Photo by Terence Burke on Unsplash