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33-2011.00 · Task explorer

Firefighters: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

Control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

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This source lists 30 tasks, including 29 marked Core and 1 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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30 tasks shown

Core · Task 22961 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.

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Core · Task 22987 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22962 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22964 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22967 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22965 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22989 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Search to locate fire survivors.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22988 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22971 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22986 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.

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Core · Task 22976 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22970 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22972 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22990 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Train new employees to control and suppress fires.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22969 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22966 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22975 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22963 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22968 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22973 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22985 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22977 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22979 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.

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My example, evidence or question

Core · Task 22984 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.

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Core · Task 22974 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.

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Core · Task 22981 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.

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Core · Task 22983 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.

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Core · Task 22980 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.

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Core · Task 22978 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.

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Supplemental · Task 22982 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Download before leaving this page. Unsaved writing remains only in the page and is cleared on refresh. Notes and learning actions are not sent to a server. This guide describes an occupation and supports study planning; it does not provide clinical, legal or equipment-operating procedures.

Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.