A fire captain’s responsibilities vary depending on the size of the station, but they typically include managing the station, performing fire safety inspections, and training new firefighters. Equipment checks and ordering new equipment may also fall under the purview of fire captains. A fire captain is expected to assess the fire on the scene in order to determine how the firefighters should respond.
A fire captain is responsible for his or her individual station and typically reports directly to the fire chief, much like a fire chief is responsible for the entire fire department. A fire captain is usually the station’s most senior officer. A fire captain’s responsibilities are typically narrower in larger stations, as he or she will have more staff. Fire captains in smaller stations are typically in charge of everything from management to firefighting.
Managing a fire station typically entails a large amount of territory, and whether or not a fire captain has staff to assist, the responsibilities are significant. Fire captains are usually in charge of ensuring that all firefighting equipment is in working order. They do this inspecting equipment such as hoses, trucks, and ladders on a regular basis. They are usually in charge of following up to ensure that any issues discovered are quickly resolved.
A captain is the person who, on the scene of a fire, makes a quick assessment of how the fire should be handled and then directs the firefighters to respond appropriately. Aside from the danger to people, fires frequently endanger the structures around them. On the scene of a fire, the captain usually determines how many nearbuildings are at risk and has the authority to order evacuations accordingly.
Fire captains frequently collaborate with other government firefighters. Fire captains may be responsible for inspecting commercial buildings for fire safety hazards in some cities, but if hazards are discovered, they are typically reported to fire inspectors for further investigation. Furthermore, while fire captains are usually in charge of evaluating the performance of their subordinates, fire chiefs are more often in charge of hiring and firing.
Firefighters are usually required to participate in ongoing training programs, which are usually organized and overseen their captain. Captains may also be in charge of conducting fire drills to ensure that their station is prepared to respond quickly to any fire emergency. Because the readiness of any given fire station can often mean the difference between life and death, a fire captain must have a thorough understanding of fire and how it spreads.