Protective Service
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
Also called: Battalion Chief, Engine Boss, Fire Battalion Chief, Fire Captain
US median pay
$93,530
per year, 2025
Job growth 2025–35
+3.7%
about average or slower
Openings a year (US)
6,600
101,600 employed
Typical entry education
Postsecondary nondegree award
Preparation 3/5 · Medium preparation
What this job is
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of workers engaged in firefighting and fire prevention and control.
What they do day to day
- Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.
- Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.
- Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.
- Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.
- Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.
- Evaluate size, location, and condition of fires.
- Instruct and drill fire department personnel in assigned duties, including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and related subjects.
- Recruit or hire firefighting personnel.
- Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.
- Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable.
Skills and knowledge that matter most
Skills
- Management of Personnel Resources3.9/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.8/5
- Time Management3.6/5
- Social Perceptiveness3.6/5
- Instructing3.6/5
- Coordination3.6/5
- Complex Problem Solving3.6/5
- Service Orientation3.5/5
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service4.8/5
- Education and Training4.2/5
- Public Safety and Security4.0/5
- Personnel and Human Resources3.8/5
- Building and Construction3.8/5
- English Language3.7/5
Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).
Education and preparation
Preparation level 3 of 5 — Medium preparation. Usually vocational training, an associate's degree or an apprenticeship.
Typical entry education (BLS): Postsecondary nondegree award, plus less than 5 years of related work experience.
Who this job suits
Mostly Enterprising
Leading, persuading and starting things
Realistic
Hands-on work with tools, machines, plants or animals
Conventional
Organising data, details and procedures
Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.