What does a firefighter do?
A firefighter puts out fires, but most days they rescue people and animals, check smoke alarms, teach fire safety, and practice with hoses and ladders so they're ready the moment the alarm rings. They work as a team from a fire station, where they also cook, clean the truck, and wait.
A day in the life of a firefighter
Firefighters don't fight fire all day. They wash the truck. They cook lunch. They visit schools. They practice. And practice. And practice. "So when the bell rings," said Captain Rosa, "our feet already know the way."
Tools a firefighter uses
- Hose and nozzle
- Ladder
- Axe and Halligan bar
- Helmet with face shield
- Air tank and mask
- Radio
Real firefighter words (explained for kids)
- Turnout gear
- The heavy coat, pants and boots that keep a firefighter safe from heat.
- Hydrant
- The short metal post on the sidewalk where the hose gets its water.
- Engine
- The fire truck that carries the water and the hose.
- Ladder truck
- The fire truck with the giant ladder that reaches high windows.
- Drill
- Practicing the job over and over so your feet know the way.
- Dispatch
- The people who take the 911 call and tell the station where to go.
How do you become a firefighter?
- Finish high school and stay strong and healthy — the gear is heavy!
- Learn first aid; most firefighters are trained EMTs too.
- Go to a fire academy, where you practice with real hoses, ladders and drills.
- Pass the tests and join a station — then keep practicing your whole career.
Questions to ask a real firefighter
- What's the heaviest thing you carry?
- What do you do while you wait for a call?
- How does your family feel when you're at work?
Questions parents ask
What do firefighters do when there is no fire?
They train. Firefighters practice with hoses, ladders and rescues almost every day, check and wash the truck, visit schools, and cook meals at the station so they're ready the second the alarm sounds.
How do you explain a firefighter's job to a 4 year old?
Say: firefighters are helpers who keep people safe from fire. They have a big red truck, a long hose that sprays water, and a tall ladder. When someone needs help, they hurry to help — and the rest of the time they practice.
How long does it take to become a firefighter?
Usually one to two years after high school: EMT training, a fire academy of a few months, then tests. Many firefighters keep training their whole career.
Is Maya's Firefighter Day a good book for kindergarten career day?
Yes. It's a ten-minute read-aloud with a refrain kids shout along to, and the Big Kid Pages give real firefighter words, tools, and three questions to ask a visiting firefighter.
Are the facts in the book checked?
Yes. The Big Kid Pages are checked against the U.S. Fire Administration and the Bureau of Labor Statistics and read by a working firefighter before printing.
Read the story: Maya's Firefighter Day
The book that finally answers 'what do firefighters do when there's no fire?'
See the book Free printable: Design Your Own Fire Helmet + Station 12 Truck Checklist