# Tasks & work activities — fire commissioner

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 33-1021.00 (First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers).

## Task statements

- **[Core]** Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
- **[Core]** Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
- **[Core]** Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
- **[Core]** Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.
- **[Core]** Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
- **[Core]** Instruct and drill fire department personnel in assigned duties, including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and related subjects.
- **[Core]** Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.
- **[Core]** Evaluate the performance of assigned firefighting personnel.
- **[Core]** Direct the training of firefighters, assigning of instructors to training classes, and providing of supervisors with reports on training progress and status.
- **[Core]** Perform maintenance and minor repairs on firefighting equipment, including vehicles, and write and submit proposals to modify, replace, and repair equipment.
- **[Core]** Schedule employee work assignments and set work priorities.
- **[Core]** Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable.
- **[Core]** Participate in creating fire safety guidelines and evacuation schemes for nonresidential buildings.
- **[Core]** Maintain required maps and records.
- **[Core]** Drive crew carriers to transport firefighters to fire sites.
- **[Core]** Inspect stations, uniforms, equipment, or recreation areas to ensure compliance with safety standards, taking corrective action as necessary.
- **[Core]** Evaluate fire station procedures to ensure efficiency and enforcement of departmental regulations.
- **[Core]** Direct firefighters in station maintenance duties, and participate in these duties.
- **[Core]** Recommend personnel actions related to disciplinary procedures, performance, leaves of absence, and grievances.
- **[Core]** Perform administrative duties, such as compiling and maintaining records, completing forms, preparing reports, or composing correspondence.
- **[Core]** Direct investigation of cases of suspected arson, hazards, and false alarms and submit reports outlining findings.
- **[Core]** Recommend equipment modifications or new equipment purchases.
- **[Core]** Supervise and participate in the inspection of properties to ensure that they are in compliance with applicable fire codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, and standards.
- **[Supplemental]** Inspect and test new and existing fire protection systems, fire detection systems, and fire safety equipment to ensure that they are operating properly.
- **[Supplemental]** Study and interpret fire safety codes to establish procedures for issuing permits to handle hazardous or flammable substances.
- **[nan]** Analyze burn conditions and results, and prepare postburn reports.
- **[nan]** Evaluate size, location, and condition of fires.
- **[nan]** Maintain knowledge of fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics.
- **[nan]** Plan, direct, and supervise prescribed burn projects.
- **[nan]** Recruit or hire firefighting personnel.

## Detailed work activities

- Administer first aid.
- Assess characteristics of fires.
- Communicate situation details to appropriate personnel.
- Determine operational procedures.
- Develop fire safety or prevention programs or plans.
- Direct criminal investigations.
- Direct employee training programs.
- Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.
- Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.
- Evaluate employee performance.
- Hire personnel.
- Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
- Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.
- Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.
- Locate fires or fire danger areas.
- Maintain fire fighting tools or equipment.
- Maintain operational records.
- Maintain professional knowledge or certifications.
- Monitor environmental conditions to detect hazards.
- Monitor operational procedures in technical environments to ensure conformance to standards.
- Operate firefighting equipment.
- Perform forest firefighting activities.
- Prepare activity or work schedules.
- Prepare operational reports.
- Recommend improvements to increase safety or reduce risks.
- Recruit personnel.
- Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
- Request emergency personnel.
- Rescue people from hazardous situations.
- Supervise employees.
- Train employees in proper work procedures.
- Write operational reports.
