Role of a Firefighter

To be a successful firefighter, you need a wide range of skills, knowledge and abilities.

Role of a Firefighter

Our organisation seeks intelligent, fit, community-minded people from all backgrounds who are looking for a unique challenge. To be a successful firefighter, you need a wide range of skills, knowledge and abilities. ACT Fire & Rescue firefighters are ACT Public Sector (ACTPS) employees and we seek to employ people who reflect our professionalism and values, along with the diversity of our society.

A successful recruit will have the following skills and attributes:


  • Personal resilience and an ability to work effectively in challenging situations.
  • Appreciation of the need to critically evaluate risk and adhere to safe work practices in
    situations that at times can be inherently dangerous.
  • Effective and appropriate written and verbal communication skills.
  • A commitment to service and help others, and an interest and ability to engage with members of the public.
  • The ability to work shiftwork including nights, weekends and public holidays, flexibility in work
    locations within the ACT and an interest in ongoing development.
  • The ability to demonstrate respect toward your colleagues, the community and all others, regardless
    of individual differences.
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills and the capacity to work within, and contribute positively
    to, a small team working in close proximity.
  • The ability to exercise self discipline and use sound judgement in ensuring assigned tasks are
    completed to required standards and within tight timeframes.
  • A capacity to acquire new skills and demonstrated problem solving abilities.

The environments firefighters are required to work in include:


  • Working at heights
  • Working in enclosed spaces
  • Working outdoors
  • Getting wet during your work
  • Working in situations where you may see seriously injured people and/or fatalities
  • Working with a diverse range of people e.g. different ages, ethnic backgrounds etc.
  • Getting hot/cold whilst working
  • Carrying and operating equipment
  • Working 10 or 14 hour shifts

ACT Fire & Rescue may, as part of their duties, be required to:


  • Respond to Structure Fires
  • Respond to Hazardous Materials Incidents
  • Respond to Bushfires
  • Respond to Chemical, Biological and Radiological Incidents
  • Respond to Vehicle Fires
  • Assess Fire Engineered Building Solutions
  • Undertake Motor Vehicle Accident Rescue
  • Ensure Fire Safety Compliance in Buildings
  • Undertake Confined Space Rescue
  • Conduct Fire Hazard Inspections
  • Undertake Trench Rescue
  • Provide Community Education
  • Respond to Building Collapses
  • Provide Emergency Medical Assistance
  • Undertake Animal Rescues
  • Coordinate Community Fire Units
  • Conduct Fire Investigations
  • Conduct Community Events Planning
  • Provide Storm Damage Assistance
  • Conduct Community Safety Planning
  • Respond to Automatic Fire Alarms
  • Provide Communications Support to Emergency Agencies
  • Provide Assistance at Community events and to Community organisations