Fire Chiefs and Senior Firefighting Officers
(NOC 0432)
in All ManagementFire chiefs and senior firefighting officers oversee firefighting operations and fire prevention activities in fire departments. Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers work for municipal and federal governments and industrial businesses with firefighting services.
Job Outlook
Undetermined
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Compared to: All Management
This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. With a moderate percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to contribute somewhat to employment opportunities over the coming years. Fire Chiefs and Senior Firefighting Officers most commonly work full-time hours.
Hourly Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumCompared to: All Management
Hourly Pay
$16.70
Minimum$45.17
Median$58.17
MaximumAnnual Pay
$10,632
Minimum$55,002
Median$124,014
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers oversee firefighting operations and fire prevention activities in fire departments. Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers work for municipal and federal governments and industrial businesses with firefighting services.
Job duties
Fire chiefs and senior firefighting officers:
- Develop, implement and evaluate policies and procedures for the management of a municipal fire department, a district fire region or an industrial firefighting service.
- Plan, direct and coordinate firefighting strategies for fire departments.
- Evaluate the type of fire, the extent of damage to buildings and the danger to nearby businesses.
- Direct activities at the scene of a fire.
- Determine damage estimates and investigate the potential causes of a fire after extinguished.
- Develop and oversee the completion of security and fire prevention campaigns.
- Represent the fire department in communications with government, the media and the public.
- Direct the training of staff in firefighting methods.
- Coordinate and monitor budget and departmental resources.
Sample job titles
- deputy fire chief
- fire chief
- fire department chief
- fire department duty officer
- industrial fire chief
- senior firefighting officer
Skills
You must be in excellent health and physical condition. Mental alertness, courage, and mechanical ability are necessary. You must be able to perform under stress, react quickly, and be willing to take risks. Leadership and problem-solving skills are needed, as well as the ability to cooperate in a team effort.
Job requirements
- High school.
- A college program in fire protection technology, fire science or a related field.
- A provincial or municipal firefighters training course.
- A minimum of ten years of experience as a firefighter is usually required before becoming eligible for a senior officer position.
Other considerations
Firefighting is one of the most hazardous jobs, involving risk of injury and death. Most paid employment exists in the more heavily populated areas of the province, while smaller communities rely more on volunteer firefighters. Experience as a volunteer firefighter may be an advantage for entry to paid positions.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Management
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
Cape Breton
Annapolis Valley
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Public administration
What is the age of Employment?
45-54
55-64
35-44
Compared to: All Management
45-54
35-44
55-64
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
High school
N/ACollege Diploma
N/ABachelor
N/ACompared to: All Management
Bachelor
$71,875 median annual incomeHigh school
$42,294 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$50,256 median annual incomeMaster
$93,261 median annual incomeApprenticeship
$44,396 median annual incomeEducation & training
Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs focus on applying the incident command system model to formulating and implementing effective response to natural and man-made disasters. They include courses in contingency planning, hazard and risk assessment, joint operations, law and ethics, emergency response and recovery, event mitigation, emergency rescue and medical operations, incident command, terrorism and national security issues, law enforcement, relief administration, volunteer and citizen coordination, public relations and applications to specific types of incidents.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Fire Science/Firefighting
College or Trades ProgramThese programs prepare students for the duties of firefighters. They include courses in firefighting equipment operation and maintenance, principles of fire science and combustible substances, methods of controlling different types of fires, hazardous material handling and control, fire rescue procedures, public relations and applicable laws and regulations.
Institutions providing this program
Waverley, NS
Fire Services Administration
College, Trades, or University ProgramThese programs prepare students to structure, manage, direct and control fire departments, fire prevention services, fire inspection and investigation offices and ancillary rescue services.
Institutions providing this program
Intercultural/Multicultural and Diversity Studies
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the dynamic social relations between and among majority and minority groups and different minority groups, and ways to promote mutual tolerance, inter-group cooperation, and the leadership and management of diverse groups and diversity issues in family, educational, recreational, and work settings. They include courses in ethnic and cultural studies, group psychology, sociology, anthropology, conflict resolution, human services and resources, and applications to various functional environments.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
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Additional resources
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