Today's firefighters do more than only fight fires.  They do many other jobs that help our community.  Sure, they still put out fires, but they are also very involved in stopping fires before they start.  How?  By developing public education programs like the Hot Spot here at the Florida State Fire College Kid's Site.  They also teach people how to keep fire safe by following proper safety rules.  In addition to these things, firefighters help prevent fires by inspecting schools and public buildings, businesses and factories, apartment houses and hotels, and even private homes when asked by the owners.

Firefighters today also go to car accidents and train wrecks.  They are trained in emergency medical technology and in handling dangerous chemicals too.  This training helps them provide specialized services to the community.  When people are hurt or could be hurt by dangerous chemicals, firefighters may have to rescue them.  Many times they may have to fight fires, remove injured people, give first aid and take the injured to the hospital.

Because setting fires to destroy something is against the law, firefighters also investigate fires to find out what caused them.  These firefighters are called arson investigators.  Sometimes they use specially trained dogs to help them find evidence that the fire was set on purpose.  If the fire was set by somebody on purpose, they find the person who set the fire. The person is arrested and sent to prison