Will AI Replace Firefighters?

Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Dress with equipment such as fire-resistant clothing and breathing apparatus.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Assess fires and situations and report conditions to superiors to receive instructions, using two-way radios.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Move toward the source of a fire, using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using axes, chisels, crowbars, electric saws, or core cutters.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect fire sites after flames have been extinguished to ensure that there is no further danger.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Position and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Select and attach hose nozzles, depending on fire type, and direct streams of water or chemicals onto fires.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Operate pumps connected to high-pressure hoses.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain contact with fire dispatchers at all times to notify them of the need for additional firefighters and supplies, or to detail any difficulties encountered.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Collaborate with other firefighters as a member of a firefighting crew.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Patrol burned areas after fires to locate and eliminate hot spots that may restart fires.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Collaborate with police to respond to accidents, disasters, and arson investigation calls.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Participate in fire drills and demonstrations of fire fighting techniques.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Prepare written reports that detail specifics of fire incidents.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Maintain knowledge of current firefighting practices by participating in drills and by attending seminars, conventions, and conferences.

Complex problem-solving, strategic leadership, or high-empathy task requiring human judgment.

Participate in physical training activities to maintain a high level of physical fitness.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Protect property from water and smoke, using waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inform and educate the public on fire prevention.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Salvage property by removing broken glass, pumping out water, and ventilating buildings to remove smoke.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Orient self in relation to fire, using compass and map, and collect supplies and equipment dropped by parachute.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Clean and maintain fire stations and fire fighting equipment and apparatus.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances, testing and checking smoke alarms and fire suppression equipment as necessary.

Semi-structured cognitive task involving analysis, inspection, or monitoring.

Take action to contain any hazardous chemicals that could catch fire, leak, or spill.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Extinguish flames and embers to suppress fires, using shovels or engine- or hand-driven water or chemical pumps.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Administer first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation to injured persons or provide emergency medical care such as basic or advanced life support.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Search to locate fire survivors.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.

Train new employees to control and suppress fires.

Semi-structured task combining routine and non-routine responsibilities.