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Transport & StorageISCO 8332

Fire service vehicle operator

A fire service vehicle operator is a person who drives the fire service's emergency vehicles, such as fire appliances. The operator specialises in driving under emergency conditions and supports the firefighting operations, and sees that all the material carried is properly stowed in the vehicle, transported and ready for use.

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Check yourself in a minute: fire service vehicle operator

Rate 5 of the 22 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

provide first aid

perform risk analysis

select hazard control

manage major incidents

drive firetruck under emergency conditions

About fire service vehicle operator

Driving is the specialised skill and it is not ordinary driving. An appliance is heavy, tall and carries a large volume of water that moves when the vehicle does, and it is being driven quickly through traffic that is reacting to it unpredictably. The operator drives the appliance in emergency conditions, which is a trained discipline with its own rules about speed, priority and what is never done.

The load is the operator's responsibility. Everything the crew will need on arrival is in the vehicle, and it has to be stowed so it stays put on the way and can be reached immediately on arrival. The operator sees that the material is stored, transported and ready, and carries out risk analysis on what the vehicle is being taken into.

The operator is also a firefighter on the scene. The operator uses different types of fire extinguisher, operates the specialist emergency equipment and the emergency gear, and provides first aid and emergency care.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (22)

fire safety regulationsfire safety regulationsThe legal rules to be applied for fire safety and fire prevention in a facility.hydraulicshydraulicsThe power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.fire prevention proceduresfire prevention proceduresThe regulations concerning fire and explosion prevention, and the equipment, systems and methods used in it.fire-fighting systemsfire-fighting systemsThe devices and systems used to extinguish fires; the classes and chemistry of fire.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.first aidfirst aidThe emergency treatment given to a sick or injured person in the case of circulatory and/or respiratory failure, unconsciousness, wounds, bleeding, shock or poisoning.provide first aidprovide first aidAdminister cardiopulmonary resuscitation or first aid in order to provide help to a sick or injured person until they receive more complete medical treatment.perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify 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.select hazard controlselect hazard controlPerform appropriate selection of hazard control measures and risk management.ensure public safety and securityensure public safety and securityImplement 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.manage major incidentsmanage major incidentsTake immediate action to respond to major incidents that affect the safety and security of individuals in private or public places such as road accidents.drive firetruck under emergency conditionsdrive firetruck under emergency conditionsDrive 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.perform search and rescue missionsperform search and rescue missionsAssist in fighting natural and civic disasters, such as forest fires, floods and road accidents. Conduct search-and-rescue missions.use different types of fire extinguishersuse different types of fire extinguishersUnderstand and apply various methods of firefighting and various types and classes of fire extinguishing equipment.manage emergency care situationsmanage emergency care situationsManage situations in which decision making under time pressure is essential to save lives.operate specialised equipment in emergencyoperate specialised equipment in emergencyOperate equipment such as external defibrillators and bag-valve mask resuscitators, spinal and traction splints and intravenous drips in advanced life-support environments, taking electrocardiograms w...operate emergency equipmentoperate emergency equipmentUtilise emergency equipment and tools such as fire extinguishers, wheel chocks, pocket lamps, and warning signs.tolerate stresstolerate stressMaintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.apply advanced driving techniquesapply advanced driving techniquesBeing capable to effectively steer a vehicle in extreme situations using defensive, evasive or offensive driving.react calmly in stressful situationsreact calmly in stressful situationsReact quickly, calmly, and safely to unexpected situations; provide a solution that solves the problem or diminishes its impact.drive vehiclesdrive vehiclesBe able to drive vehicles; have the approapriate type of driving license according to the type of motor vehicle used.extinguish firesextinguish firesChoose the adequate substances and methods to extinguish fires depending on their size, such as water and various chemical agents. Use a breathing apparatus.
Optional (9) — show
contain firescontain firesTake the appropriate measures to prevent fires from spreading.use different communication channelsuse different communication channelsMake use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.use geographic information systemsuse geographic information systemsWork with computer data systems such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS).relay messages through radio and telephone systemsrelay messages through radio and telephone systemsPossess the communication abilities to relay messages through a radio and telephone system.evacuate people from buildingsevacuate people from buildingsEvacuate a person from a dangerous building or situation for protection purposes, ensuring the victim reaches safety and is able to receive medical care if necessary.perform minor repairs to equipmentperform minor repairs to equipmentConduct routine maintenance on equipment. Recognise and identify minor defects in equipment and make repairs if appropriate.educate public on fire safetyeducate public on fire safetyDevelop and execute educational and promotional plans to educate the public on fire prevention knowledge and methods, fire safety such as the ability to identify hazards and the use of fire safety equ...organise fire drillsorganise fire drillsOrganise emergency procedures, practices and actions that should be performed to safely leave a building in case of fire.maintain safety systemsmaintain safety systemsPerform activities for the maintenance of fire fighting and related safety systems.

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Frequently asked questions

What does a fire service vehicle operator do?

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.

What skills does a fire service vehicle operator need?

A fire service vehicle operator needs 22 essential skills, including fire safety regulations, hydraulics, fire prevention procedures, fire-fighting systems, health and safety regulations.

Will AI replace fire service vehicle operator jobs?

The AI disruption score for fire service vehicle operator is 16/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: health and safety regulations, fire safety regulations, relay messages through radio and telephone systems. Most resilient: tolerate stress, evacuate people from buildings, contain fires.

Quick Facts

SectorTransport & Storage
ISCO GroupDrivers and mobile plant operators
Essential Skills22

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