What's the job responsibility of a firefighter?

Firefighting seems like a really important job and I'm curious about it as a potential career. Besides putting out fires, what other responsibilities do firefighters have on a regular basis?

Firefighters indeed have quite a broad set of responsibilities beyond just extinguishing fires. Here are some key duties:

1. Emergency medical duties: Many firefighters are also trained Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). In this capacity, they're often the first responders on the scene of accidents, health emergencies and other crises where medical attention is needed.

2. Fire prevention and education: They play a key role in public safety education, teaching community members about fire safety and prevention. This might include giving presentations at schools or community events.

3. Maintenance of firefighting equipment and gear: Firefighters are responsible for the regular maintenance and upkeep of their firefighting equipment including the fire trucks, hoses, and other lifesaving gear.

4. Station Duties: When not responding to emergencies, firefighters have a number of duties around the fire station. These may include cleaning, cooking, training, physical fitness maintenance, and taking part in drills and continuing education.

5. Inspections: They may also perform inspections for fire safety, checking for potential fire hazards in buildings within their jurisdiction.

6. Report Writing: After responding to a call, firefighters often write detailed reports of incidents for legal documentation. They record what happened, any injuries, the status of the property, and any actions that they took.

7. Rescue operations: Besides fires, firefighters could be called to help with other emergencies such as hurricanes, floods, and even terrorist attacks. They assist with search and rescue operations in these situations.

Remember that the specific duties will depend on the fire department's size, budget, and location.