First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers

Professionals in this role directly coordinate and oversee the activities of firefighting and fire prevention personnel. Daily tasks require strong decision-making and problem-solving abilities, especially when managing emergencies or working directly with the public. Supervisors must inspect equipment and structures, operate vehicles, and monitor surroundings to ensure safety. They also spend time training and teaching others, communicating with their teams, and assisting those in need.

Success in this field relies on key skills like active listening, critical thinking, personnel management, and judgment. Supervisors need a strong foundation in public safety, customer service, administration, and education. Because the work is highly demanding, individuals must display leadership, stress tolerance, self-control, and dependability. This career strongly appeals to people with enterprising interests who enjoy leading teams and taking initiative.

To enter this career, individuals typically need a postsecondary certificate. The occupation generally requires medium preparation, which often includes vocational training, an associate degree, or related work experience. Students preparing for this path frequently choose college majors such as fire protection or environmental and natural resources management and policy.

In addition to formal education, gaining hands-on experience in firefighting is a common way to prepare for supervisory roles. Professionals in this field may also pursue relevant credentials to demonstrate their expertise. For example, they can earn the Fire Plans Examiner certification from the International Code Council.

In 2025, the median annual pay for these supervisors was $93,530. Earnings can vary significantly based on experience and location; the lowest 10 percent of workers earn less than $53,430, while the highest 10 percent earn more than $140,010.

There are 99,140 people employed in this occupation. Between 2025 and 2035, employment is projected to grow by 3.7 percent, which is as fast as the average for all occupations. About 6,600 job openings are expected to become available each year.