Will AI replace First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers?

AI can do 33% of the work First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers do at least twice as fast. People already use it for 1 of their 30 tasks, while 14 more are ready but barely used so far. Robots can technically handle 2 physical tasks. 13 still need a person.

AI is already doing this1 · 11% of time

People already use AI for these tasks in real work, based on Anthropic's analysis of how Claude is used.

  • Perform administrative duties, such as compiling and maintaining records, completing forms, preparing reports, or composing correspondence.Mostly automated11% of time

AI could do this next14 · 22% of time

AI can speed these up by at least half, but real use has not caught up yet. These are next in line.

  • Schedule employee work assignments and set work priorities.4% of time
  • Direct the training of firefighters, assigning of instructors to training classes, and providing of supervisors with reports on training progress and status.3% of time
  • Assess nature and extent of fire, condition of building, danger to adjacent buildings, and water supply status to determine crew or company requirements.1% of time
  • Monitor fire suppression expenditures to ensure that they are necessary and reasonable.1% of time
  • Participate in creating fire safety guidelines and evacuation schemes for nonresidential buildings.1% of time
  • Maintain required maps and records.1% of time
  • Evaluate fire station procedures to ensure efficiency and enforcement of departmental regulations.1% of time
  • Recommend personnel actions related to disciplinary procedures, performance, leaves of absence, and grievances.1% of time
  • Direct investigation of cases of suspected arson, hazards, and false alarms and submit reports outlining findings.1% of time
  • Recommend equipment modifications or new equipment purchases.1% of time
  • Study and interpret fire safety codes to establish procedures for issuing permits to handle hazardous or flammable substances.1% of time
  • Analyze burn conditions and results, and prepare postburn reports.1% of time
  • Evaluate size, location, and condition of fires.1% of time
  • Plan, direct, and supervise prescribed burn projects.1% of time

Robots can technically do this2 · 9% of time

Physical tasks that today's robots can perform in at least some settings. Robots are cost competitive for very few tasks so far, so this change moves slower.

  • Direct firefighters in station maintenance duties, and participate in these duties.Robots: structured workplaces8% of time
  • Drive crew carriers to transport firefighters to fire sites.Robots: structured workplaces1% of time

Still needs a person13 · 58% of time

No real AI use, no proven AI speedup and no robot that can do it yet. This is the part of the job to build on.

  • Provide emergency medical services as required, and perform light to heavy rescue functions at emergencies.13% of time
  • Instruct and drill fire department personnel in assigned duties, including firefighting, medical care, hazardous materials response, fire prevention, and related subjects.8% of time
  • Maintain fire suppression equipment in good condition, checking equipment periodically to ensure that it is ready for use.7% of time
  • Supervise and participate in the inspection of properties to ensure that they are in compliance with applicable fire codes, ordinances, laws, regulations, and standards.5% of time
  • Communicate fire details to superiors, subordinates, or interagency dispatch centers, using two-way radios.4% of time
  • Perform maintenance and minor repairs on firefighting equipment, including vehicles, and write and submit proposals to modify, replace, and repair equipment.4% of time
  • Maintain knowledge of fire laws and fire prevention techniques and tactics.4% of time
  • Assign firefighters to jobs at strategic locations to facilitate rescue of persons and maximize application of extinguishing agents.3% of time
  • Serve as a working leader of an engine, hand, helicopter, or prescribed fire crew of three or more firefighters.3% of time
  • Inspect stations, uniforms, equipment, or recreation areas to ensure compliance with safety standards, taking corrective action as necessary.3% of time
  • Inspect and test new and existing fire protection systems, fire detection systems, and fire safety equipment to ensure that they are operating properly.3% of time
  • Evaluate the performance of assigned firefighting personnel.1% of time
  • Recruit or hire firefighting personnel.1% of time

Your week is not the average

Describe what you actually do and get a personal report: your own tasks, what AI can already do, what stays yours and a 90 day plan.

Get my personal report

What this means

AI can speed up parts of this job, mostly the paperwork and information work around it. The core still depends on hands, presence or relationships.

What to do next

  • Do the 1 task AI is already handling with AI yourself. Your peers already are, and it is quickly becoming the baseline.
  • Get ahead on the 14 tasks AI could do next. These move as tools improve, so learning them early pays off.
  • Keep an eye on the 2 physical tasks robots can technically do. Cost keeps most robots out of work today, so this shift is slower.
  • Build on the 13 tasks that stay human. This is where your judgment, skill and relationships matter most.
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers36%First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers38%First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives62%Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers35%Transportation Security Screeners30%Animal Control Workers26%

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