Emergency Services Officer
SOC 33-2011.00 · ESCO 5419 · OSCA 451231
Role snapshot
Overview
Responds to emergency calls including fires, accidents, and natural disasters, providing rescue operations, first aid, and coordinating with other agencies to protect life and property. Requires quick thinking, physical resilience, and strong teamwork in high-pressure situations.
Protects communities by saving lives, mitigating hazards, and ensuring public safety during critical incidents and emergencies.
On the job
- Respond rapidly to emergency calls, assessing situations and deploying appropriate resources.
- Perform rescue operations, including extrication from vehicles, confined spaces, and hazardous environments.
- Administer emergency medical care, first aid, and stabilize patients at incident scenes.
- Operate and maintain specialized emergency equipment, vehicles, and tools.
- Coordinate with law enforcement, medical personnel, and other emergency agencies during multi-agency incidents.
Tools & technology
Average salary
Job outlook
GrowingJob growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Education & training
Vocational training, certification, or an associate's degree in emergency management, fire science, or a related field. Extensive practical training and certifications are critical.
AI impact outlook
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detail
Note — this is our current view. AI is moving fast, so we revisit these ratings.
Show how this was assessed Hide the detailWhy this role received this rating
Core task exposure
low
How much of the role’s important work could AI perform?
Equipment maintenance checks, hazard zone mapping, and initial incident data assessment could be AI-assisted.
End-to-end automation
low
Can AI complete the work without substantial human involvement?
Direct physical intervention in dynamic, dangerous situations (fires, extrications) and complex medical aid cannot be performed unaided by AI.
Adoption pressure
low
How likely are employers to introduce AI into this work?
Extreme public safety risks and the need for human adaptability will limit AI to supportive roles, with autonomous physical intervention being highly unlikely.
Human dependence
strong
How much does success depend on human judgement, relationships and accountability?
Success depends on human judgment, physical capability, empathy, and coordination in chaotic, life-threatening environments.
Protective — a higher rating lowers the overall score.
Role adaptability
strong
How easily can the role evolve as AI takes on more tasks?
This role is inherently adaptive, requiring continuous training on new techniques, equipment, and responses to diverse and evolving emergency scenarios.
Shown for context — not part of the score.
What AI may take on
These are the parts of the role most likely to be automated or significantly accelerated.
- Equipment diagnostic and maintenance checks
- Hazard zone mapping and risk prediction
- Initial incident assessment data processing
- Resource deployment planning and tracking
- Basic first aid protocol guidance
Where people remain essential
These parts continue to depend heavily on human judgement, relationships and accountability.
- Performing physical rescue operations (e.g., extrication)
- Administering advanced emergency medical care
- Operating complex specialized equipment in hazardous zones
- Coordinating on-scene human teams under pressure
- Adapting to unforeseen and rapidly changing hazards
- Providing psychological support to victims
How the role may evolve
Less time on maintenance checks. More time on complex rescue operations.
AI will streamline routine checks and data processing, allowing officers to dedicate more focus to intricate rescue techniques, advanced medical care, and dynamic decision-making in complex emergencies.
Strengthen your future fit
- Proficiency in advanced rescue techniques
- Mastery of AI-integrated emergency equipment
- Critical decision-making in chaotic environments
- Advanced emergency medical care skills
- Effective team coordination and communication
- Assessment horizon
- 3–7 years
- Confidence
- Medium
- Last reviewed
- August 2026
- Methodology
- v1.0
This assessment reflects current AI capabilities and expected adoption patterns. Actual impacts will vary by industry, employer and the way each role is performed.
Career pathways
WHERE YOU COULD GO
CURRENT ROLE
Emergency Services Officer
Emergency Services & Defence
ADJACENT MOVES
STARTING POINTS
Who thrives here
Interest profile
social · RCS
Individuals who thrive on practical, hands-on work in service to others, requiring adherence to procedures and quick, decisive action in critical situations.
Personality characteristics
Methodical
Follows established protocols and procedures meticulously to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Calm under pressure
Maintains composure and clear thinking in chaotic and high-stress emergency situations.
Team-oriented
Works effectively and cooperatively with colleagues and other agencies in critical, time-sensitive environments.
Action-oriented
Prefers practical, hands-on problem-solving and immediate intervention rather than theoretical contemplation.
Adaptable Learner
Open to new training, techniques, and adapting plans quickly as emergency situations evolve.
Best for
- Individuals who are resilient, decisive, and thrive in structured, fast-paced environments.
- Those motivated by directly helping others and making a tangible impact during crises.
- People who value strong team bonds and a commitment to public service.
Watch out for
- The work involves exposure to traumatic incidents and high-stress situations.
- Requires irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, due to 24/7 emergency response.
- Demands continuous physical fitness and readiness for strenuous activity.
A week in the life
A representative working week for an Emergency Services Officer — where the deep work, meetings, and admin actually land.
Real people. Real results.
Thousands of people
can't be wrong.
Frequently asked questions about Emergency Services Officer roles
What does an Emergency Services Officer do?
An Emergency Services Officer responds to emergency calls including fires, accidents, and natural disasters, providing rescue operations, first aid, and coordinating with other agencies to protect life and property. Requires quick thinking, physical resilience, and strong teamwork in high-pressure situations. Protects communities by saving lives, mitigating hazards, and ensuring public safety during critical incidents and emergencies.
How much does an Emergency Services Officer earn?
An Emergency Services Officer earns a median of $65,000 per year in the US, typically ranging from $45,000 to $90,000.
What qualifications do you need to become an Emergency Services Officer?
To become an Emergency Services Officer, vocational training, certification, or an associate's degree in emergency management, fire science, or a related field. Extensive practical training and certifications are critical. State EMT/Paramedic License.
What personality suits an Emergency Services Officer?
Emergency Services Officer roles tend to suit people who are highly conscientious — precise, organised and strong on follow-through (Conscientiousness 80/100) and steady under pressure — deadlines and setbacks do not rattle them easily (Emotional Stability 68/100). The traits that matter most in the role are Methodical, Calm under pressure, Team-oriented and Action-oriented. Follows established protocols and procedures meticulously to ensure safety and effectiveness. On interests, Emergency Services Officer maps to a RCS Holland Code profile — individuals who thrive on practical, hands-on work in service to others, requiring adherence to procedures and quick, decisive action in critical situations.
Who does an Emergency Services Officer role suit?
An Emergency Services Officer role is usually a strong fit for these reasons. Directly applies practical skills and quick thinking to resolve urgent problems. Involves strong teamwork and a sense of camaraderie in high-stakes environments. Offers a clear purpose in serving and protecting the community.
What are the downsides of being an Emergency Services Officer?
Emergency Services Officer roles come with trade-offs worth weighing up. The work involves exposure to traumatic incidents and high-stress situations. Requires irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, due to 24/7 emergency response. Demands continuous physical fitness and readiness for strenuous activity.
What is the work environment like for an Emergency Services Officer?
Work as an Emergency Services Officer is mostly field-based with onsite arrangements common, highly structured, with set processes and deadlines and high exposure to clients or stakeholders. Around 55% of the week is focused deep work.
What skills do you need to be an Emergency Services Officer?
Core skills for an Emergency Services Officer include Emergency medical response, Technical rescue, Hazard assessment, Crisis communication and Physical endurance.
How do you become an Emergency Services Officer?
Common entry routes into Emergency Services Officer roles include Emt, Firefighter Recruit, Volunteer First Responder and Security Officer.
What career progression is there for an Emergency Services Officer?
From an Emergency Services Officer role, common next steps include Senior Emergency Services Officer, Emergency Management Coordinator and Paramedic Supervisor; lateral moves include Fire Investigator.
What is the job outlook for Emergency Services Officer roles?
The outlook for Emergency Services Officer roles is currently rated growing. Job growth is expected to be above average over the next five years.
Will AI replace Emergency Services Officer roles?
Traitstack rates automation risk for Emergency Services Officer roles at 24 out of 100, which is low. AI can support resource deployment and hazard analysis, yet hands-on rescue operations, direct medical aid, and human coordination in hazardous environments remain essential. AI is most likely to take on equipment diagnostic and maintenance checks, hazard zone mapping and risk prediction and initial incident assessment data processing. Performing physical rescue operations (e.g., extrication), administering advanced emergency medical care and operating complex specialized equipment in hazardous zones stay with people. Less time on maintenance checks. More time on complex rescue operations. That score measures how much of the work could change, not the likelihood the job disappears. It is Traitstack's current view, revisited as AI capability moves.