A Michigan Jobs & Career Portal service.

Job Duties 

Fire Fighting Supervisors may:

Establish a plan of action for fire fighters answering calls in fire, salvage, and rescue operations

Evaluate a fire scene and report to superiors and subordinates using a two-way radio

Direct inspections of commercial buildings to ensure compliance with fire and safety regulations

Coordinate the distribution of fire prevention promotional materials

Plan the acquisition of new equipment and the use of new techniques in rescue, first aid, and fire fighting operations

Evaluate the performance of personnel and recommend awards for superior service

Compile equipment and personnel reports, including accident reports

Enforce departmental regulations by inspecting fire stations, equipment, personnel, and records at assigned fire stations

Inspect and order repair or replacement of firefighting equipment

Materials, equipment, and work aids used by Fire Fighting Supervisors, depending on employment location, may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Fire Fighting Supervisors differ by rank, scope of responsibility, and function supervised. They may specialize in these areas:

373.167-010 BATTALION CHIEFS direct the fire fighting activities of a battalion of fire companies in a district or city.

373.134-010 FIRE CAPTAINS supervise the fire fighting activities of a company of fire fighters. They train personnel in the use of equipment and the methods for putting out various types of fires and compile reports on each fire call, including estimated damages and probable cause.

373.167-014 FIRE-PREVENTION BUREAU CAPTAINS coordinate the fire prevention activities of a municipality by directing building inspections, arson investigations, and the distribution of fire prevention promotional material.

452.134-010 SMOKE JUMPER SUPERVISORS supervise airborne fire fighting crews that put out forest fires. By aerial observation and radio communication, they coordinate the placement of fire fighters and equipment. Sometimes Smoke Jumper Supervisors parachute into major fire areas to oversee fire fighting activities.

373.167-018 FIRE MARSHALS supervise and coordinate activities of firefighting personnel of industrial establishments. They inspect equipment and the premises of the establishment to ensure that others stick to fire regulations. They also issue permits for storage and use of hazardous or flammable materials.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Fire Fighting Supervisors usually work under the general supervision of a fire chief. Most Fire Fighting Supervisors head the on-site team of fire fighters. Fire fighting units have a para-military structure with each member's duties being clearly defined yet flexible upon commands from the Supervisor.

They usually perform administrative duties indoors in a well lighted, well ventilated office or station house. They are exposed to many weather conditions as well as dangers from gas and chemical fumes, flames, smoke, heat and collapsing buildings or trees when directing fire fighting operations.

Fire Fighting Supervisors work various shifts. Most Supervisors work between 40 and 60 hours per week. Fire Fighting Supervisors must work nights, weekends, and holidays. They may have to work overtime during emergencies.

Fire Fighting Supervisors may contribute money to a common fund for food eaten at the fire station.

Uniform allowances are paid to most Fire Fighting Supervisors. The department provides protective equipment such as boots, coats, and helmets.

Depending on the employer, some may be required to join the International Association of Fire Fighters (AFL-CIO) or other local unions. Members must pay periodic dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities involving contact with others

• Activities concerned with communicating information to people

• Activities which bring recognition or appreciation by others

• Activities involving machines, processes, or methods

You Should Be Able To:

• Work well under pressure in critical or unexpected situations

• Plan and direct an entire activity or the activities of others

• Rate information by using personal judgment

• Deal effectively with people beyond giving and receiving instructions

• Perform a variety of duties which may often change

• Use reason and logic

• Understand words and ideas, and present information effectively

• Visualize flat drawings or pictures as three-dimensional objects

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If the average fire requires 2 fire fighters per 200 square feet, how many fire fighters will you send to a house that is 1300 square feet?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Electrical appliances are tagged or stamped with their power ratings. Either the voltage and power requirements or the voltage and current requirements are given.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining the probable reason for a given fire.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to look at a fire and decide the best way to extinguish it.

Fire Fighting Supervisors are usually employed under local civil service regulations. Most Fire Fighting Supervisors have been promoted through the ranks from fire fighters. At their time of hire, they have to meet age and physical requirements and pass written and medical exams. Many applicants are required to undergo a background investigation and pass a physical performance test. For promotion to Fire Fighting Supervisor, applicants must meet certain seniority requirements, pass written exams, have positive performance evaluations, and successfully complete oral interviews. A 240-hour course in fire fighting methods, available through the Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council, is required by most cities for full-time fire fighters.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or an Associate Degree (two years of study beyond High School) or a Bachelor's Degree (four years of study beyond High School) may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1000 COMPUTERS , 2200 MATH , 2900 SCIENCE , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

There are no Vocational Education Programs related to this MOIScript

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

062 FIRE SCIENCE

Programs in Fire Science provide opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment as Fire Fighters, arson investigators, or Fire Fighting Supervisors.

On-the-job training requirements include a minimum of 66-hours of classroom instruction to become a volunteer Fire Fighter and 240 hours of classroom instruction to become a full-time professional Fire Fighter. Experienced Fire Fighters with demonstrated ability and training may become Fire Fighting Supervisors.

Course content may include:

  Search for a College and/or Instructional Program  

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript  

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Programs related to this MOIScript

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Opportunities for experience include summer jobs with government employers, like the National Park and Forest Service, or with private employers, such as manufacturing companies. Experience can be gained through postsecondary programs in fire science. Part-time volunteer work as a fire fighter is another means to gain experience.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Fire Fighting Supervisor employer

internships

volunteer work with a Fire Fighting Supervisor employer

community service work with an agency

Methods of entering the fire fighting field include direct application to local civil service commissions and other employers. Assistance may be available from high school or college placement offices, local unions, and Michigan Works! offices. Job openings may be listed in newspaper want ads.

Michigan Talent Bank (http://www.michworks.org/mtb/user/MTB_EMPL.EntryMainPage)

Classifieds Employment (http://www.classifieds2000.com)

Michigan Department of Career Development (http://www.michigan.gov/mdcd)

Michigan Works! (http://www.michiganworks.org)  

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Fire Fighting Supervisors vary according to employer, rank, geographic location, experience, and individual qualifications.

Nationally, Fire Fighting Supervisors had annual median salaries of $53,040 (2001). The median yearly earnings of  "all" workers in the U.S. were $31,044 in 2001.  Fire Fighting Supervisors in Michigan employed by the following city governments had annual salaries of (early 2002):

Fire and Safety Supervisors employed by the State of Michigan earned between $30,861 and $51,427 per year (mid 2002).

Most Fire Fighting Supervisors receive paid vacations and holidays; life, hospitalization, and disability insurance; retirement plans; sick leave; and death duty payments (special benefits paid to the families of Supervisors who die on the job). Fire Fighting Supervisors may also receive dental, prescription, and/or optical benefits. Some Fire Fighting Supervisors may retire at half pay at age 55 with 25 years of service. Injured Supervisors may also be paid compensation equal to their pay. Most fire departments pay a uniform allowance.

Fire Fighting Supervisors are generally fire fighters who have been promoted through the ranks. A possible career ladder may be: lieutenant, fire captain or Fire Prevention Bureau Captain, Battalion Chief. Battalion Chiefs may advance to assistant chief or, eventually, to fire chief. Advancement opportunities depend on the employer and on other factors such as seniority, demonstrated ability to perform increasingly more responsible work, ratings by supervisors and scores on written and/or oral examinations.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, there were approximately 61,700 Fire Fighting Supervisors employed in 2000. Employment of fire officers is expected to increase more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2010. Nearly all fire fighting supervisors were employed by local governments. Others were employed by the state governments. Some opportunities should be available as communities change from volunteer to full-time, paid fire departments. The greatest employment opportunities will occur in private industry.  

Approximately 1,225 Fire Fighting Supervisors are employed in Michigan. Little or no change in employment is expected for Fire Fighting Supervisors in Michigan through the year 2008. An average of 40 annual openings is expected during this period, mostly due to the replacement of Supervisors who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Few openings will occur due to Supervisors changing jobs or occupations. Budget cutting by many local governments has reduced the number of civil service employees in Michigan. However, citizens seem extremely reluctant to reduce the amount of public safety protection to their communities. As a result, small employment growth is expected over the short term for Fire Fighting Supervisors.  

MICHIGAN'S AREA EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2008  

EMPLOYMENT                             NUMBER                  PERCENT                 PROJECTED YEARLY  REGION                                         EMPLOYED             GROWTH                  JOB OPENINGS  

Ann Arbor Area                               25                              3.7                               1

Battle Creek Area                            30                              0.0                               1

Benton Harbor Area                        35                              2.8                               1

Central Michigan                             15                              7.1                                0

Detroit MSA                                   460                            1.5                               16

East Central Michigan                      15                              0.0                                0

Flint Area                                       105                            -2.8                               4

Grand Rapids Area                        150                              6.1                               6

Jackson Area                                  35                               3.0                               1

Kalamazoo Area                             30                               6.7                               1

Lansing MSA                                  50                               4.2                               2

Muskegon Area                              40                              12.2                              2

Northeast Lower Peninsula             15                                6.7                              1

Northwest Lower Peninsula            30                               3.4                               1

Saginaw MSA                                50                               6.1                               2

Thumb Area                                   25                               8.7                               1

Upper Peninsula                             55                               7.3                               2

West Central Michigan                   15                               0.0                               0

MSA designates a Metropolitan Statistical Area

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Fire Fighting Supervisor can be summarized by the following:

Copyright © 2003 Michigan Department of Career Development