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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Fire Patrol

💰 $ - $

🎯 Role Definition

The Fire Patrol (Fire Watch) officer is responsible for proactively preventing and responding to fire hazards in construction sites, industrial facilities, commercial buildings, and special events. This role conducts continuous inspections, monitors hot work activities, enforces fire safety regulations, maintains detailed incident and daily logs, and acts as the first-on-scene fire response until local fire services arrive. Ideal candidates demonstrate practical knowledge of NFPA guidance, hot work permit processes, effective communication with contractors and site leadership, and the ability to operate basic fire suppression equipment and emergency lighting systems.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Security Guard with construction/industrial site experience
  • Volunteer or paid Firefighter/Firefighter Trainee
  • Safety Assistant or Site Safety Representative

Advancement To:

  • Fire Safety Supervisor / Fire Watch Supervisor
  • Fire Protection Technician or Fire Alarm Technician
  • Construction Site Safety Manager / Health & Safety Officer
  • Fire Marshal or Fire Prevention Officer (municipal)

Lateral Moves:

  • Emergency Response Coordinator
  • Facilities / Building Maintenance Supervisor
  • Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Conduct continuous and scheduled patrols of assigned areas (construction zones, mechanical rooms, roof spaces, storage yards, and confined spaces) to detect ignition sources, combustible materials, overheated equipment, and non-compliant hot work conditions, documenting findings in daily patrol logs.
  • Stand fire watch during all authorized hot work (welding, cutting, brazing, grinding) and enforce hot work permit requirements, verifying that permits are valid, controls are in place, and combustible materials are protected or removed.
  • Monitor and test assigned fire detection and alarm systems, emergency lighting, standpipes, hydrants, and fire extinguishers; report deficiencies and coordinate immediate corrective action with site management or maintenance teams.
  • Immediately respond to fire alarms, smoke detections, or any signs of fire; perform initial incident assessment, implement temporary fire suppression measures with portable extinguishers or hose lines if trained and safe to do so, and maintain scene control until emergency services arrive.
  • Coordinate and communicate directly with municipal fire departments, on-site contractors, and site management during incidents, providing accurate status updates, site plans, and access point information to expedite external response.
  • Implement and enforce evacuation procedures, direct building or area evacuations, verify safe assembly points, and conduct roll-call/accountability checks; assist in re-entry protocols after clearance from authorities.
  • Inspect hot work setups prior to work commencement, verify fire watches are assigned, ensure isolation of ignition sources, and confirm availability of fire suppression equipment and water sources.
  • Maintain clear, timely, and accurate incident, inspection, and patrol reports (paper and electronic), including photographs, times, corrective actions taken, and follow-up recommendations for site safety improvements.
  • Conduct pre-shift briefings and handovers to ensure continuity of fire watch coverage, highlight outstanding hazards, and review required permits, work scopes, and special hazards for the shift.
  • Enforce site-specific fire safety policies, "No Smoking" zones, safe storage of flammable liquids and gases, and barricading of high-risk areas; issue non-compliance reports and escalate repeat violations to supervisors.
  • Perform routine maintenance and functional checks on portable fire extinguishers, fire hoses, fire blankets, and breathing apparatus; log maintenance findings and schedule replacements or repairs as needed.
  • Work with contractors and project managers to review hot work and confined-space permits, identify necessary fire prevention controls, and ensure compliance with NFPA 51B (hot work) and applicable local codes.
  • Conduct periodic walkthroughs and formal inspections of temporary structures, scaffolding, tarps, and flammable material staging areas to ensure safe separation, labeling, and fire-resistant treatments where required.
  • Provide basic first aid, CPR, and initial casualty management for injured persons until EMS arrives; assist with triage and coordination during multi-casualty events.
  • Support post-incident investigation by preserving scene integrity, documenting conditions, collecting witness statements, and preparing preliminary reports for internal review and regulatory compliance audits.
  • Operate and maintain fire pumps, hose reels, and hydrant connections during drills and in operational scenarios; ensure clear vehicle and apparatus access to hydrant locations and emergency routes.
  • Monitor temporary heating systems, generators, heaters, and electrical distribution for overheating, improper fuel storage, and safe clearances; advise corrective measures to site electricians or contractors.
  • Maintain and inspect barricades, signage, and temporary lighting to minimize fire risks during night operations and low-visibility conditions.
  • Conduct targeted training and toolbox talks for on-site workers and subcontractors on fire prevention, extinguisher use, hot work safety, and evacuation routes; document attendance and training effectiveness.
  • Assist in coordinating and executing fire drills, full-evacuation exercises, and site-specific emergency response rehearsals; capture lessons learned and track corrective actions to completion.
  • Maintain chain-of-custody, labeling, and secure storage of flammable and combustible materials; verify compliance with material safety data sheet (MSDS) requirements and site storage plans.
  • Support contractor pre-qualification and safety onboarding by reviewing fire safety plans, hot work procedures, and fire watch staffing needs prior to mobilization.
  • Use handheld detection equipment (thermal imagers, gas monitors) where provided to detect hidden hot spots, gas leaks, or oxygen-deficient atmospheres; escalate readings above thresholds immediately.
  • Maintain professional appearance, wear required PPE (high-visibility clothing, flame-resistant clothing where required), and enforce PPE use among site workers during fire watch duties.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist safety and EHS teams with special projects such as permit-to-work system improvements, contractor safety audits, and risk assessments related to combustion hazards.
  • Support inventory control for fire safety supplies and PPE; place orders and track deliveries to sustain uninterrupted fire watch capability.
  • Provide input into site fire safety plans, emergency response plans, and business continuity documentation to enhance resiliency and regulatory compliance.
  • Participate in after-action reviews, incident debriefs, and root-cause analyses to recommend systemic changes that reduce fire risk.
  • Liaise with facilities and maintenance teams to prioritize and schedule corrective repairs for identified fire protection deficiencies.
  • Support security functions during incidents, including access control, perimeter security, and coordination of vehicle movements to ensure clear emergency lanes.
  • Prepare documentation and assist with regulatory inspections and audits from authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ), third-party auditors, and insurance representatives.
  • Maintain training records and certifications for fire patrol duties; coordinate refresher training and certification renewals for the fire watch team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Certified Fire Watch / Fire Patrol training, or equivalent documented experience in stand-by fire watch roles.
  • Proficiency with hot work permit procedures (NFPA 51B familiarity) and permit-to-work systems.
  • Experience operating and inspecting portable fire extinguishers (A-B-C, K classifications), hose lines, and basic fire suppression equipment.
  • Working knowledge of local fire codes, NFPA standards, and OSHA regulations applicable to construction and industrial hot work.
  • Ability to perform and document functional checks of fire alarm systems, emergency lighting, hydrants, fire pumps, and standpipe systems.
  • Competence using basic detection tools: thermal imaging cameras, combustible gas detectors, and multi-gas monitors.
  • Skilled in incident reporting and digital logbook entry (mobile apps, spreadsheets, or facility management systems).
  • Basic first aid and CPR certification; preferred: Firefighter I or equivalent medical response training.
  • Confined space awareness and ability to recognize hazardous atmospheres; familiarity with lockout/tagout principles.
  • Experience in conducting fire drills, evacuation exercises, and emergency response coordination.
  • Familiarity with hazardous materials signage (GHS/MSDS) and safe storage/handling of flammable liquids and gases.
  • Competent in reading site plans, building layouts, and emergency egress diagrams to direct responders effectively.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational skills with high attention to detail for hazard recognition and proactive mitigation.
  • Clear, calm, and authoritative verbal communication to lead evacuations and liaise with emergency responders and contractors.
  • Professional report-writing skills; able to produce concise, factual incident and inspection reports.
  • Reliability and integrity—ability to maintain continuous coverage and follow-through on corrective actions.
  • Situational awareness and sound judgment to balance personal safety with immediate fire suppression needs.
  • Team-oriented with an ability to coordinate across multiple trades, contractors, and supervisory stakeholders.
  • Conflict resolution skills to enforce compliance with fire safety rules and address non-cooperative personnel diplomatically.
  • Time management and organizational skills to prioritize patrol routes, inspections, and administrative duties.
  • Adaptability to changing site conditions, varying shift patterns, and emergency call-outs.
  • Customer-service mindset when dealing with contractors, tenants, and site leadership while maintaining safety standards.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED required.

Preferred Education:

  • Certificate or diploma in Fire Science, Occupational Health & Safety, Emergency Management, or related technical program.
  • Completion of recognized fire watch/fire patrol training programs or vocational firefighting modules.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Fire Science / Fire Technology
  • Occupational Safety & Health
  • Emergency Management
  • Construction Safety
  • Industrial Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 0–3 years for entry-level fire patrol roles with on-site supervision.
  • 2–5 years preferred for independent or supervisory fire patrol positions.

Preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience performing fire watch duties on construction or industrial job sites.
  • Prior experience as a security officer, volunteer or career firefighter, or EHS technician.
  • Familiarity with site-based hot work operations, temporary heating, and electrical distribution on active job sites.
  • Certifications such as Fire Watch Training, First Aid/CPR, NFPA-related courses, or Firefighter I are highly desirable.
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