Oregon Labor Market Information System
Occupational Information Center
Occupational Report for Fire Fighters (33-2011) , Oregon Statewide
Occupational Description

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 management.

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Fire Fighters
Employment Outlook for Fire Fighters
Statewide Employment Analysis 2006 employment is estimated to be larger than the statewide average This occupation is expected to grow at about the statewide average. Total job openings are projected to be somewhat higher than the statewide average.

Reasonable employment opportunities exist.

Data Sources and Limitations
Current Job Openings for Fire Fighters There are 13 current openings for this occupation. Openings 1 through 13 are listed below.
Job Title Date Posted Location Wage Offered
Various Fire/Forestry Positions 2/8/10 Warm Springs $11.74/hr
Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist (Entry) - Wildland Fire Fighter 2/5/10 Wallowa $12.78/hr DOE
Wildland Fire Suppression Specialist - Wildland Fire Fighter 2/5/10 Wallowa $14.88/hr DOE
Engine Boss 2/3/10 Enterprise $350.00/day
Lead Wildland Firefighter (Forestry Technician) 1/12/10 Crater Lake
Wildland Firefighter (Range/Forestry Aid/Technician) 1/12/10 Crater Lake
Qualified Crew Bosses, Engine Bosses And Squad Bosses For The 2010 Wildfire Season 1/8/10 Various Locations In Pac Nw $11.00/hr to $18.00/hr DOE
Srb-E Engine Boss/ Handpiler/Thinner 1/5/10 Hines $14.82/hr to $18.93/hr DOE
Forestry Technician 12/18/09 Chemult $34,300/yr
Wildland Firefighter (Range Or Forestry Aid/Technician) 12/4/09 Hines
Wildland Firefighter (Range Or Forestry Aid/Technician) 12/4/09 Lakeview
Wildland Firefighter (Range Or Forestry Aid/Technician) 12/4/09 Klamath Falls
Wild Land Fire Engine Or Crew Bosses 10/19/09 Eugene/Springfield DOE, Neg.
State of Oregon License Information for Fire Fighters
License License Authority Web Site
Fire Service Professional oregon.gov/DPSST/FT/index.shtml
Wages for Fire Fighters
Region ---------------- 2009 Wages ----------------
Percentiles (hourly wages) Avg
Hourly
($/hr)
Avg
Annual
10th 25th 50th
(median)
75th 90th
Oregon Statewide $12.54 $19.62 $24.00 $29.90 $36.15 $24.25 $50,437
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 16.68 20.30 23.12 25.77 29.99 22.90 47,640
Multnomah / Washington 17.98 21.31 24.80 29.99 35.37 25.63 53,311
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 19.11 21.53 24.33 28.79 31.66 24.75 51,481
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 15.06 18.57 24.85 30.90 37.42 24.98 51,942
Lane 18.34 20.75 22.64 24.52 28.17 22.93 47,711
Douglas 22.68 25.63 29.16 32.64 37.97 29.28 60,899
Jackson / Josephine 10.29 17.15 27.71 33.44 38.48 25.34 52,721
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 11.27 14.12 22.64 30.83 37.21 22.98 47,782
Data Sources and Limitations
Regional Employment Projections for Fire Fighters
Region Employment Change % Change Projected Annual Openings
2006 2016 Growth Replacement Total
Oregon Statewide 3,421 3,830 409 12.0% 41 105 146
Multnomah / Washington 1,106 1,177 71 6.4% 7 33 40
Marion / Polk / Yamhill 317 355 38 12.0% 4 10 14
Crook / Deschutes / Jefferson 273 332 59 21.6% 6 9 15
Clackamas 234 267 33 14.1% 3 7 11
Benton / Lincoln / Linn 232 258 26 11.2% 3 7 10
Lane 226 249 23 10.2% 2 7 9
Jackson / Josephine 186 208 22 11.8% 2 6 8
Morrow / Umatilla 184 201 17 9.2% 2 6 7
Baker / Union / Wallowa 88 100 12 13.6% 1 3 4
Clatsop / Columbia / Tillamook 85 96 11 12.9% 1 3 4
Klamath / Lake 83 92 9 10.8% 1 3 3
Coos / Curry 80 88 8 10.0% 1 2 3
Gilliam / Hood River / Sherman / Wheeler / Wasco 76 85 9 11.8% 1 2 3
Grant / Harney / Malheur 68 73 5 7.4% 1 2 3
Douglas 55 61 6 10.9% 1 2 2

Replacement openings are caused by existing workers permanently leaving their occupation. Many additional job openings occur due to job changes within occupations.
Data Sources and Limitations
Industries of Employment for Fire Fighters
Industry
Click links to view infoUSA employers
Ownership 2006
Employment
Total, All Industries All 3,421
Total, All Industries Private 51
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services Private 50
Administrative and Support Services Private 50
Other Support Services Private 33
Total, All Industries Local 3,074
Public Administration Local 3,051
Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support Local 1,741
Justice, Public Order, and Safety Activities Local 1,310
Total, All Industries Tribal 264
Public Administration Tribal 264
Educational Requirements for Fire Fighters Workers must have long-term on-the-job training to gain the necessary skills for this occupation. However, those with an associate degree have a competitive advantage in this labor market.
Skills for Fire Fighters
  • Administer Fire Regulations
  • Apply Emergency Medical Procedures
  • Apply Fire Suppression Techniques
  • Apply Knowledge Of Fire Codes
  • Apply Knowledge Of Hazardous Disposal Techniques
  • Apply Knowledge Of Ventilation Systems
  • Apply Knowledge Of Water Systems
  • Apply Map Reading Techniques In Wilderness Areas
  • Apply Survival Techniques
  • Dig Trenches, Ditches Or Holes With Hand Tools
  • Direct Fire Suppression Activities
  • Follow Hazardous Materials Specifications
  • Inspect Structures To Ensure They Meet Safety Regulations
  • Maneuver Heavy Objects
  • Operate Emergency Fire And Rescue Equipment And Vehicles
  • Operate Emergency Vehicles
  • Operate Motor-Driven Boats
  • Operate Two-Way Radio
  • Operate Two-Way Radio In Law Enforcement, Fire Or Emergency Setting
  • Parachute From Aircraft
  • Practice Emergency Fire Fighting And Rescue Preparedness Procedures
  • Process Records And Maintain Forms And Files
  • Promote Fire Prevention
  • Provide First Aid
  • Read Maps
  • Understand, Use, And Communicate Technical Information
  • Use And Maintain Emergency Medical Equipment
  • Use And Maintain Fire Suppression Equipment
  • Use Forest Fire Protection Methods
  • Use Rescue Procedures
  • Work As A Team Member
Schools and Training Providers for Fire Fighters The training providers listed below offer one or more of the following programs:

Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr NE
Salem, OR 97305
Phone: (503) 399-5000
Programs of Training:
Linn-Benton Community College
6500 Pacific Blvd SW
Albany, OR 97321
Phone: (541) 917-4999
Programs of Training:
Central Oregon Community College
2600 NW College Way
Bend, OR 97701
Phone: (541) 383-7500
Programs of Training:
Southwestern Oregon Community College
1988 Newmark Ave
Coos Bay, OR 97420
Phone: (541) 888-2525
Programs of Training:
Portland Community College
12000 SW 49th Avenue
Portland, OR 97219
Phone: (503) 244-6111
Programs of Training:
Umpqua Community College
1140 College Rd.
Roseburg, OR 97470
Phone: (541) 440-4600
Programs of Training:
Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome Ave
Astoria, OR 97103
Phone: (503) 325-0910
Programs of Training:
Career Pathway Roadmaps for Fire Fighters These Oregon community colleges have defined career pathway roadmaps to facilitate entry into this occupation:

Clackamas Community College
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Related Occupations The scores listed below indicates how closely the skills for Fire Fighters matches the occupation in the list. A score of 100% means the occupations have identical skill sets. A maximum of 10 occupations are displayed below.
Occupation Skill Overlap
Fire Inspectors And Investigators 40%
Supervisors And Managers Of Fire Fighting And Prevention Workers 39%
Forest Fire Inspectors And Prevention Specialists 30%