Fire Watch Job Description (Duties, Salaries And Jobs)

Updated 10 March 2023

The Indeed Editorial Team comprises a diverse and talented team of writers, researchers and subject matter experts equipped with Indeed's data and insights to deliver useful tips to help guide your career journey.

Fire watch personnel provide surveillance to eliminate or reduce the potential for fires. This includes projects like welding or patrolling in hot work areas. If you are interested in pursuing a career in fire safety, it is essential to know their duties and responsibilities. In this article, we discuss the fire watch job description, review the responsibilities of fire safety personnel, list the skills and education required for the job and highlight their work environment and advancement opportunities.

Fire Watch Job Description

As part of the fire watch job description, fire watchers are responsible for alerting firefighters if there is a fire, ensuring fire fighting equipment is at hand and maintaining safety standards at the workplace. They work in a wide variety of environments, including industrial plants, stores, hospitals, schools and construction sites. Some primary duties include:

Inspecting all work areas for flammable vapours or liquids
Monitoring the workspace and keep flammable materials away from ignition sources
Alerting the firefighters in the event of a fire
Notifying emergency services in the event of a fire and become familiar with emergency alarm systems
Having fire-extinguishing equipment readily available and being well-trained in its use
Practicing operating extinguishers, hydrants, monitors and hose carts
Following the conditions and requirements specified on the safety permit

Skills And Education Required

Fire watch personnel require a variety of skills to protect people, property and environment in highly risky situations. Some skills and educational qualifications include:

Education

Most businesses require fire prevention officers to have a bachelor's degree. A two-year college degree or a high school diploma or equivalent may be necessary for some fire safety officers. If you plan to pursue a degree, you may choose to major in criminal justice, business or fire science and protection.

Skills

Several skills can be helpful when pursuing a career as a fire safety officer. Businesses often need their fire safety personnel to have extensive experience with fire safety and prevention. Some essential skills include:

Awareness of health and safety basics
Ability to reassure others
Ability to stay calm in stressful situations
Ability to explain procedures simply and clearly
Communication skills with people at multiple experience levels
Planning skills
Observation skills

Work Environment Of Fire Safety Personnel

Work environments can vary largely for fire watch positions. Most personnel work in fire brigade stations and work in 24-hour shifts. Fire safety officers might work long shifts, which includes working during weekends and holidays occasionally. It is also their responsibility to educate the public on fire safety measures. Physical fitness is also essential for professionals in this field.

Work as a fire safety officer can include long periods of standing or walking. It may also require staying in one designated area for long periods of time. Other companies might ask their fire safety officers to have the physical capability for heavy lifting, rigorous movements and responsiveness in case of emergency situations.

Salary Information Of Fire Watch Personnel

The national average salary for fire watch for fire safety officers is ₹20,584 per month. Based on their experience and skills they may work in senior positions such as fire marshal or other fire safety positions. Their salaries can also depend on factors such as the employer, location, experience and skills.

Advancement Opportunities Within The Field

General fire safety personnel may find various opportunities to advance in their careers as fire safety directors, forestry fire lookout, firefighters or fire engineers. Some responsibilities for these positions include:

Fire safety director

Fire safety directors make sure that buildings follow all the necessary fire safety precautions, plans and emergency equipment they might need. These professionals may work for private companies, hotels, security firms or work in high-occupancy buildings. Other responsibilities of a fire safety director include:

Creating evacuation plans and running fire drills to educate occupants on how to prepare for emergencies
Maintaining and upgrading safety equipment within the business, including suppression systems, alarms and evacuation infrastructure
Training fire watch personnel in safety protocols
Overseeing other safety duties or systems in the building
Managing video surveillance operations and elevator controls
Entering daily information into a logbook
Working with insurance companies during audits to ensure compliance with standards
performing payroll, equipment training, purchasing equipment and employee reviews
Maintaining records required by law
Reviewing work permits from contracted work to ensure they meet requirements
Evacuating occupants during fires
Testing fire control and alarm systems
Responding to emergencies in accordance with emergency procedures

Forestry fire lookout

A forestry fire watcher lives and works near remote lookout towers. Usually employed by forestry services, they search for wildfires. If they detect smoke, they record the location and report any fires with light signals or radio. Other responsibilities might include:

Sounding the alarm in case of an emergency
Monitoring hazardous hot work
Finding and extinguishing small fires
Inspections of various areas and any work sites before their shifts
Removing combustible materials
Setting up and inspecting fire extinguishing equipment
Using their knowledge of weather systems and fire behaviour to keep forests safe
Using binoculars, topographic maps and compasses to identify the location, size and characteristics of fires
Reading thermometers, anemometers and other weather instruments to create daily record reports of temperature, wind speed, wind direction and other conditions
Using two-way radios or cell phones to communicate with rangers, dispatchers and fellow lookouts
Maintaining lookout equipment by making minor adjustments and repairs
Performing routine administrative tasks
Giving forest and fire prevention information to hikers who visit the tower

Firefighter

Firefighters are first responders who handle fire emergencies and rescue people during fire hazards in their local communities. They also conduct safety training drills and promote fire safety practices. Other responsibilities include:

Extinguishing fires
Performing rescues
Containing chemical spills
Preventing fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards
Preparing citizens to prevent fire damage through educational and training program
Ensuring availability of water at the scene of a fire by testing hydrants, requesting and verifying repairs
Minimising fire damage by responding to alarms
Driving and operating equipment
Regulating water pressure while combating and extinguishing fires
Providing support to people who have been through an emergency
Completing preventative maintenance by following manufacturer instructions and troubleshooting malfunctions
Evaluating new equipment and techniques
Maintaining operations by following proper policies and procedures
Reporting needed changes and repairs
Performing minor medical care and emergency services

Fire engineer

A fire engineer provides fire safety advice on both new construction and renovations to buildings. Fire safety engineers help safeguard life, property and the environment from fire risks, making sure projects adhere to industry codes and legislation. As part of a multidisciplinary project team, fire engineers work closely with a fire risk assessor, architect and building services engineer. Some of their duties include:

Assessing potential fire risks and reducing or eliminating them
Designing emergency exits and fire alarms with fire safety procedures to minimise the risk of injuries and fatalities
Designing, calculating, sketching and drawing diagrams using modelling software to prevent fires and fire spreads
Recommending materials for construction or renovation
Staying up-to-date on regulations and legislation
Providing advice on the installation and implementation of designs at construction sites
Assisting in decisions regarding building occupancy levels and fire evacuation plans
Planning fire strategies and writing reports about them
Assisting local authorities, architects and contractors
Providing expert testimony in court cases and judicial proceedings, if necessary

Salary figures reflect data listed on Indeed Salaries at time of writing. Salaries may vary depending on the hiring organisation and a candidate's experience, academic background and location.