Profession 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.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Hydraulics

  The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.

• 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.

• Fire safety regulations

  The legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.

• Fire prevention procedures

  The regulations concerning fire and explosion prevention, and the equipment, systems and methods used in it.

Skills

• 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.

• Select hazard control

  Perform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management

• Apply advanced driving techniques

  Being capable to effectively steer a vehicle in extreme situations using defensive, evasive or offensive driving.

• React calmly in stressful situations

  React quickly, calmly, and safely to unexpected situations. Provide a solution that solves the problem or diminishes its impact.

• 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.

• 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.

• Tolerate stress

  Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.

• 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.

• Use different types of fire extinguishers

  Understand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Drive vehicles

  Be able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.

• Manage emergency care situations

  Manage situations in which decision making under time pressure is essential to save lives.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB