"I am proud to be a firefighter. I think this is one of the most honorable and courageous things a person could do. It's like being part of a very exclusive club. The people I work with are my extended family. We not only live together part of the week, but we help and support each other's families. We have a bond and camaraderie that very few will understand. You literally trust each other with your life. And we know that people trust us with theirs. It can be scary, but it's also a rush. It can be risky, but it's also rewarding.

I have definitely found the best of myself in this job."

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Job Description

SOC Code: 33-2011

Firefighters 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.*

*Source: This information is based on O*NET™ data. O*NET is a trademark registered to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.

Top Job Skills:

• Administer CPR
• Administer first aid
• Dispatch information
• Climb ladders
• File documents

General Work Activities:

• Mental Processes
  • Select tools, equipment, or technologies for use in operations or projects
  • Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge
• Interacting With Others
  • Rescue people from hazardous situations
  • Relay information about incidents or emergencies to personnel using phones or two-way radios
  • Respond to emergencies to provide assistance
  • Request emergency personnel
  • Collaborate with law enforcement or security agencies to respond to incidents
  • Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use
• Work Output
  • Locate fires or fire danger areas
  • Operate firefighting equipment
  • Prepare hoses or water supplies to fight fires

Source: SC Works Online Services (SCWOS)

*All data is factual, but names, images, and quotations have been adapted to protect the identity of employees and businesses

Job Statistics

Examples of Workforce Areas with Job Openings

• Waccamaw
• Midlands
• Worklink
• Lower Savannah
• Greenville
• Upstate

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Examples of Employers with Job Openings

• City of Anderson, SC
• City of North Myrtle Beach, SC
• Georgia Forestry Commission
• Horry County Government
• Lexington County, SC
• Orangeburg County, SC

Source: SC Works Online Services. Ask an SC Works representative for more information about postings in your area

Related Occupations

• Fire Inspectors/Investigators
• First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
• Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
• Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists

NOTE: All data based on state averages. Information may vary depending on region, experience, and specific employment situation. Last Updated: 2024

Learn More With SCWOS

SC Works Online Services (SCWOS) is the state’s largest job database and provides all of South Carolina's job postings from all major sites, including Monster and Career Builder, in one resource. SCWOS has thousands of positions listed by employers all over the state. To access SCWOS, visit jobs.scworks.org.

Find in-depth breakdowns of occupational statistics such as necessary job certifications, job skills and abilities, current job openings, overview of general work activities, and more by visiting O*NET.org.