MBTI® Test ESTP Firefighters

Strong Interest Inventory® General Occupational Theme Code:  Realistic, Social, Enterprising (RSE) (GOT)

Hammer (1996) writes that Extroverted-Sensing-Thinking-Perceiving (ESTP) Myers-Briggs Personality Types are willing to take risks and enjoy crisis management. They also do their best in positions where they have the opportunity to work with their hands to accomplish a task of value. These innate preferences, among others, make ESTP Myers-Briggs Personality Types well suited for careers as firefighters.

Image courtesy of nokhoog_buchachon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of nokhoog_buchachon at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Firefighters are responsible for controlling and extinguishing fires in a variety of settings. There are two main types of fire fighters. Municipal fire fighters work in urban areas, while forest firefighters control fires in vacant public land. Municipal firefighters’ duties generally include searching burning buildings or accident sites and rescuing potential victims from them. They may also need to administer first aid, or serve as medical first responders. They also must be able to operate fire trucks, hoses, and other equipment, as well as breathing apparatus and fire-resistant suits. While forest firefighters are prepared and trained to do any of these tasks, because they are generally facing much larger scale fires, they work more closely with other firefighters on a crew and tend to use non-water based fire extinguishers and suppressants, like shovels, chemicals, and other techniques.

Both types of firefighters use a range of different tools and technologies, from ATV’s to fire hoses to lighters. Municipal firefighters also use more traditional fire extinguishers (typically fed by CO2) as well as fire axes, Pulaski tools, ladders, and pry bars. Because forest firefighters are generally facing much larger-scale fires, these more micro-level tools are not necessarily useful. Both types of firefighters use email, word processing, presentation, and spreadsheet software. However, Municipal firefighters tend to use plume modeling software more, while forest firefighters rely more on incident reporting systems and mapping software.

In general, firefighters need a solid foundation in public safety, geography, and education. Public safety provides background into relevant equipment, policies, and strategies, while geography provides insights into places that are more or less likely to experience larger-scale fires. Of course, an understanding of English, and perhaps Spanish and other languages as well is also helpful for communicating with other team members, potential victims, or land owners. Most firefighters hold a high school diploma, though only about 20% hold an additional degree beyond high school. However, having on-the-job or vocational experience is highly beneficial to those in this line of work.

Below are some employment trends for Firefighters:

  • Median wage: $24.45 hourly, $50,850 annually
  • Employment: 332,400 employees
  • Projected growth (2018-2028): Average (4% to 6%)
  • Projected job openings (2018-2028): 25,000

Visit Our MBTI® About Page and Our ESTP Personality Type Page For Detailed Information on The ESTP Personality Type

Visit Our Strong Interest Inventory® Resource Page To Learn About The RSE GOT

ESTP Careers

Click on one of these corresponding popular ESTP Careers for detailed information including Career Stats, Income Stats, Daily Tasks and Required Education: Automotive Specialty Technician, Construction Laborer, Counter and rental clerk, Electrician, Farm and Ranch Managers, Firefighters, Freight Handler, Loan Officer, Restaurant Cook and Construction supervisors.

Explore Our ESTP Blog Pages

Explore additional information that delves deeper into the ESTP Personality Type by examining various personality and career based subjects:

Click on a link below to read more about different MBTI Personality Types

ISTJ ISFJ INFJ INTJ ESTP ESFP ENFP ENTP
ISTP ISFP INFP INTP ESTJ ESFJ ENFJ ENTJ

References:

Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data and 2012-2022 employment projections Onetonline.org

MBTI® Type Tables for Occupations, 2nd Edition. Schaubhut, N. & Thompson, R. (CPP, 2008)

Introduction To Type and Careers, Hammer, A. (CPP, 1996)