Marine firefighter
Also known as: marine fire technician, harbour firefighter, ship's firefighter, vessel firefighter, engineer,firefighter, shipboard firefighter
About this occupation
Marine firefighters are responsible for emergency response in case of a fire outbreak or other hazardous situations in marine environments. They actively respond to contain fires and the outbreak of other hazardous on vessels, docks and other marine facilities. They ensure the marine installation complies with health and safety regulations. They also regulate the clean-up of the scene and assess the damage.
A specialisation of firefighter.
Essential skills and knowledge
- evacuate people from buildings
- investigate maritime accidents
- fire-fighting systems
- operate marine communication systems
- fire prevention procedures
- manage major incidents
- first aid
- select hazard control
- health and safety regulations
- perform search and rescue missions
- fire safety regulations
- use different types of fire extinguishers
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Firefighters (O*NET 33-2011.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
- Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.
- Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.
- Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.
- Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.
- Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Conventional, Social
Top skills: Coordination, Active Listening, Critical Thinking, Active Learning, Speaking, Monitoring
US median pay: US$59,280 a year (2025), 345,990 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.3)
- Media StudiesO*NET: Communications and MediaImportant (3.2)
- WoodworkO*NET: Building and ConstructionImportant (3.1)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Fire Inspectors and Investigators
- Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Emergency Medical Technicians
- Paramedics
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Forest and Conservation Workers
- Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.