forestry-inspector/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — forestry inspector

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 33-2022.00 (Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists).

Task statements

• [Core] Relay messages about emergencies, accidents, locations of crew and personnel, and fire hazard conditions.
• [Core] Direct crews working on firelines during forest fires.
• [Core] Estimate sizes and characteristics of fires, and report findings to base camps by radio or telephone.
• [Core] Administer regulations regarding sanitation, fire prevention, violation corrections, and related forest regulations.
• [Core] Extinguish smaller fires with portable extinguishers, shovels, and axes.
• [Core] Locate forest fires on area maps, using azimuth sighters and known landmarks.
• [Core] Maintain records and logbooks.
• [Core] Examine and inventory firefighting equipment, such as axes, fire hoses, shovels, pumps, buckets, and fire extinguishers, to determine amount and condition.
• [Core] Direct maintenance and repair of firefighting equipment, or requisition new equipment.
• [Core] Restrict public access and recreational use of forest lands during critical fire seasons.
• [Core] Patrol assigned areas, looking for forest fires, hazardous conditions, and weather phenomena.
• [Core] Compile and report meteorological data, such as temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and velocity, and types of cloud formations.
• [Core] Inspect camp sites to ensure that campers are in compliance with forest use regulations.
• [Core] Inspect forest tracts and logging areas for fire hazards such as accumulated wastes or mishandling of combustibles, and recommend appropriate fire prevention measures.
• [Core] Conduct wildland firefighting training.
• [Core] Educate the public about fire safety and prevention.

Detailed work activities

• Assess characteristics of fires.
• Block physical access to restricted areas.
• Direct fire fighting or prevention activities.
• Educate the public about fire safety or prevention.
• 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 inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
• Maintain operational records.
• Monitor environmental conditions to detect hazards.
• Operate firefighting equipment.
• Patrol natural areas to ensure safety or enforce regulations.
• Provide educational information to the public.
• Provide safety training.
• Recommend improvements to increase safety or reduce risks.
• Record information about environmental conditions.
• Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios.
• Train employees in proper work procedures.
• Train personnel on proper operational procedures.
• Train personnel to enhance job skills.