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List of comparative firefighting ranks

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fire departments are structured differently around the world. Many firefighters are sworn members with command structures similar to the military and police. They do not have general police powers but have specific powers of enforcement and control in fire and emergency situations.

Australia

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New South Wales

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New South Wales Rural Fire Service
Operational rank Membership type Insignia
Commissioner NSW government senior executive service officer
Deputy commissioner NSW government senior executive service officer
Assistant commissioner NSW government senior executive service officer
Chief superintendent NSW government public service officer
Superintendent NSW government public service officer
Inspector NSW government public service officer
Group captain Volunteer
Deputy group captain Volunteer
Assistant group captain Volunteer
Captain Volunteer
Senior deputy captain Volunteer
Deputy captain Volunteer
Support fire fighter (no qualifications) Volunteer

Victoria

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Victoria Country Fire Authority
Administrative ranks for volunteer firefighters Helmet insignia Epaulette Hardboard
Group officer
N/A
Deputy group officer
N/A
Operational ranks for volunteer firefighters Helmet insignia Epaulette Hardboard
Captain
1st lieutenant
2nd to 5th lieutenant
N/A
Firefighter
N/A
N/A

Austria

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Salzburg

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Volunteer fire departments
Higher ranks Administrative ranks
Title Landesbranddirektor (LBD) Landesbranddirektor-Stv. (LBD-Stv.) Oberbrandrat (OBR) Brandrat (BR) Hauptverwalter (HV) Oberverwalter (OV) Verwalter (V)
Rank insignia
Leading ranks
Title Abteilungsbrandinspektor (ABI) Hauptbrandinspektor (HBI) Oberbrandinspektor (OBI) Brandinspektor (BI) Hauptbrandmeister (HBM) Oberbrandmeister (OBM) Brandmeister (BM)
Rank insignia
Sub-officers/crew commanders Firefighters and leading firefighters
Title Hauptlöschmeister (HLM) Oberlöschmeister (OLM) Löschmeister (LM) Löschmeister (LM)
18 years as firefighter
Hauptfeuerwehrmann (HFM) Oberfeuerwehrmann (OFM) Feuerwehrmann (FM) Probefeuerwehrmann (PFM)
Rank insignia

Belgium

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New rank structure as of 2015:[1]

Officers (higher cadre) NCOs (middle cadre) Enlisted (basic cadre)
Insignia
French Colonel Major Capitaine Lieutenant Adjudant Sergent Caporal Sapeur-pompier
Dutch Kolonel Majoor Kapitein Luitenant Adjudant Sergeant Korporaal Brandweerman

Obsolete ranks:

Officers (higher cadre) NCOs (middle cadre)
Insignia
French Lieutenant-colonel Capitaine-commandant Sous-lieutenant Adjudant-chef Sergent-major Premier Sergent
Dutch Luitenant-Kolonel Kapitein-Commandant Onder-luitenant Opperadjudant Sergeant-majoor Eerste sergeant

Brazil

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Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Brazil Military Firefighters Corps
Comandante Geral Comandante segundo Coronel Tenente-coronel Major Capitão Primeiro tenente Segundo tenente
NCO and enlisted grades
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Brazil Military Firefighters Corps
Subtenente Primeiro-sargento Segundo-sargento Terceiro-sargento Cabo Bombeiro primeira classe Bombeiro segunda classe

Canada

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A chief and platoon chief coordinate activities on site of a house fire in Vaughan, Ontario

Ranks amongst Canadian firefighters vary across the country and ranking appears mostly with larger departments:

Toronto

Rank Fire chief Deputy fire chief Division commander Platoon chief District chief Captain First class firefighter Second class firefighter Probationary firefighter
Insignia None None None

Montreal

Rank Insignia
Firefighter/firefighter instructor no insignia
Interim lieutenant 1 silver stripe
Lieutenant/lieutenant instructor 2 silver stripes
Captain 3 silver stripes
Operations chief 1 thick yellow stripe
Division chief 1 thick and 1 thin yellow stripe
Assistant chief 1 thick and 2 thin yellow stripes
Deputy chief 1 thick and 3 thin yellow stripes
Fire chief 1 thick and 4 thin yellow stripes plus star

Vancouver

Fire chief Deputy fire chief Assistant chief Battalion chief Training officer Captain Lieutenant Firefighter Probationary firefighter
Rank epaulettes No insignia No insignia
Rank pins No insignia No insignia

Chile

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Ranks are divided between company officers and fire department officers, which can be subdivided between active officers (field officers) and administrative officers. The active officers are the captain, and three or four lieutenants, these four active officers are distinguished by red lines on their helmets.

China

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Commissioner Deputy commissioner Assistant commissioner Commanders Battalion chiefs
无
Director general Deputy
director general
Assistant
director general
Senior commander Commander I Commander II Commander III Battalion chief I Battalion chief II Battalion chief III Battalion chief IV
Senior firefighters Intermediate firefighters Junior firefighters
中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 一级消防长 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 二级消防长 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 三级消防长 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 一级消防士 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 二级消防士 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 三级消防士 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 四级消防士 中华人民共和国消防救援衔肩章 预备消防士
Captain I Captain II Captain III Firefighter I Firefighter II Firefighter III Firefighter IV Probationary
firefighter

Czech Republic

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Insignia
Title Generál-
poručík
Generál-
major
Brigádní generál Plukovník Podplukovník Major Kapitán Nadporučík Poručík Podporučík Nadpraporčík Praporčík Podpraporčík Nadstrážmistr Strážmistr Rotný

Denmark

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Rank epaulettes[2]
Title Direktør Vicedirektør Afdelingschef Områdeleder Beredskabsinspektør Viceberedskabsinspektør Beredskabsmester Viceberedskabsmester Deltidsholder m. instruktør Deltidsholder Beredskabsassistent
Direct translation of Danish ranks Emergency director/
Emergency chief
Deputy emergency director/
Deputy emergency chief
Department chief/
Area chief
Area manager Fire inspector Deputy fire inspector/
Station master
Emergency master/
Fire master
Deputy emergency master/
Deputy fire master
Part-time team leader with instructor skills Part-time team leader Fire assistant/
Emergency assistant
Equivalent in London Fire Brigade Commissioner Deputy commissioner Assistant commissioner Deputy assistant commissioner Group manager Station manager Station officer Sub-officer No equivalent No equivalent Firefighter

France

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Rank insignia of a lieutenant of the Paris Fire Brigade

The Paris Fire Brigade belongs to the army and uses army ranks with the corps of engineers badge. The commanding officer has the rank of divisional general. The Marseille Naval Fire Battalion belongs to the navy and uses naval ranks. The commanding officer has the rank of rear admiral. Civilian fire services uses the following ranks. The chief fire officer of a departemental fire brigade can be a comptroller general, a colonel senior class or a colonel, depending on the size of the brigade.

Ministry of Interior Civilian professional firefighters class A+ Civilian professional firefighters class A Civilian professional firefighters class B
Directeur Général de la sécurité civile et de la gestion des crises Directeur des sapeurs-pompiers
(directeur adjoint du DGSCGC)
Contrôleur général
(officiers investis de responsabilités particulières envers l'État)
Contrôleur général Colonel hors-classe
Colonel
Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant Capitaine Lieutenant hors classe
Lieutenant de 1re classe
Lieutenant de 2e classe
Civilian professional firefighters class C
Adjudant-Chef Adjudant Sergent-Chef Sergent Caporal-Chef Caporal Sapeur de 1re classe Sapeur de 2e classe

Germany

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In Germany every federal state has its own civil protection laws thus they have different rank systems. Additionally, in the volunteer fire departments, there is a difference between a rank and an official position. This is founded on the military traditions of the fire departments. Every firefighter can hold a high rank without having an official position. A firefighter can be promoted by years of service, training skills and qualifications. Official positions are partly elected or given by capabilities. These conditions allow that older ordinary firefighters have higher ranks than their leaders. But through this ranks are no authorities given (Brevet).

Professional fire fighters (middle technical grades) of Rheinland-Pfalz

Completed vocational training in a technical occupation suitable for the fire service. Basic firefighter training.

Brandmeister/-in während der Laufbahnausbildung Brandmeister/-in Oberbrandmeister/-in Hauptbrandmeister/-in
Brandmeister/-in
während der Laufbahnausbildung
Brandmeister Oberbrandmeister Hauptbrandmeister
Professional fire fighters (upper technical grades) of Rheinland-Pfalz

Bachelor of engineering and two years departmental training

Brandinspektorenanwärter/-in Brandinspektor/-in Brandoberinspektor/-in Brandamtmann/-frau Brandamtsrat/-rätin Brandoberamtsrat/-rätin
Brandinspektorenanwärter Brandinspektor Brandoberinspektor Brandamtmann Brandamtsrat Brandoberamtsrat
Professional fire fighters (higher technical grades) of Rheinland-Pfalz

Master of engineering and two years of departmental training

Brandreferendar/-in Brandrat/-rätin Oberbrandrat/-rätin Branddirektor/-in Leitende/-r Branddirektor/-in und Ministerialrat/-rätin Leitende/-r Ministerialrat/-rätin Landesfeuerwehrinspekteur/-in
Brandreferendar Brandrat Oberbrandrat Branddirektor Leitender Branddirektor
Ministerialrat
Leitender Ministerialrat Landesfeuerwehrinspekteur
Helmet insignia of Rheinland-Pfalz
Zugführer Führer von Verbänden Kreisfeuerwehrinspekteur
Company leaders Upper technical grades, battalion chiefs Higher technical grades, fire chiefs

Germany 1935-1945

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The Feuerschutzpolizei was formed in 1938 as a branch of the Ordnungspolizei, formed in 1938 when the German municipal professional fire brigades were transferred to the national police. The previously red fire vehicles, blue uniforms and fire service ranks were replaced by green fire vehicles, green uniforms and police ranks.

Professional fire departments
in Prussia
1935–1938
Feuerschutzpolizei
1938–1941
Feuerschutzpolizei
1941–1945
Insignia
Generalleutnant
Oberbranddirektor[a] Generalmajor Generalmajor
Oberbranddirektor
Branddirektor
Oberst Oberst
Oberbaurat Oberstleutnant Oberstleutnant
Baurat Major Major
Brandingenieur
Brandoberingenieur
Baurat[b]
Hauptmann Hauptmann
Bezirkshauptmann
Inspektor Bezirksoberleutnant
Oberbrandmeister Obermeister Leutnant
Bezirksleutnant
Brandmeister Meister Meister
Löschmeister Hauptwachtmeister Hauptwachtmeister
Oberfeuerwehrmann Bezirksoberwachtmeister Bezirksoberwachtmeister
Oberwachtmeister Oberwachtmeister
Feuerwehrmann Wachtmeister Wachtmeister
Rottwachtmeister
Unterwachtmeister[c]
Anwärter[c][d] No insignia
Anwärter[c]
  1. ^ The fire chief of Berlin.
  2. ^ With less than three years in the rank
  3. ^ a b c Only in the field units
  4. ^ With more than six months in the rank.

Greece

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Title Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Fire major Fire captain Fire lieutenant Fire second lieutenant
Greek title Αντιστράτηγος
Antistrátigos
Υποστράτηγος
Ypostrátigos
Αρχιπύραρχος
Archipýrarchos
Πύραρχος
Pýrarchos
Αντιπύραρχος
Antipýrarchos
Επιπυραγός
Epipyragós
Πυραγός
Pyragós
Υποπυραγός
Ypopyragós
Ανθυποπυραγός
Anthypopyragós
Insignia
Title Warrant officer (NCO) Master sergeant Sergeant Senior firefighter Firefighter
Greek title Πυρονόμος
Pyronómos
Αρχιπυροσβέστης Παραγωγικής Σχολής
Archipyrosvéstis Paragogikís Scholís
Αρχιπυροσβέστης Μη Παραγωγικής Σχολής
Archipyrosvéstis Mi Paragogikís Scholís
Υπαρχιπυροσβέστης
Yparchipyrosvéstis
Πυροσβέστης
Pyrosvéstis
Insignia

Hungary

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Officers

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Hungary National Directorate General for Disaster Management
Tűzoltó ezredes Tűzoltó alezredes Tűzoltó őrnagy Tűzoltó százados Tűzoltó főhadnagy Tűzoltó hadnagy

NCO and enlisted grades

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Hungary National Directorate General for Disaster Management
Tűzoltó főtörzszászlós Tűzoltó törzszászlós Tűzoltó zászlós Tűzoltó főtörzsőrmester Tűzoltó törzsőrmester Tűzoltó őrmester


India

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In the Indian fire services, the ranks and hierarchy may vary slightly across different states and organizations. The specific rank names and their corresponding responsibilities may vary across different states and organizations in India. The following ranks are commonly found in indian fire departments. [3]

  • Director general, fire and rescue services (head of the department) (IPS cadre officer in the rank of DGP)
  • Director/additional director
  • Regional fire officer/ divisional officer/joint director
  • District fire officer
  • Station officer, (in-charge of fire stations)
  • Assistant station officer
  • Senior fire and rescue officer/senior fireman/leading fireman
  • Fire and rescue officer/fireman/ fireman (driver), (this is the entry-level position in the fire service.)

Indonesia

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Firefighters in Indonesia form part of the civil service of local governments and wear variant forms of uniforms worn by civil servants and employees.

Rank category Rank category number Rank in Indonesian Equivalent rank
(with US general schedule and UK civil service paygrade)
Rank in English
(Provincial/city/municipal/regency/district fire service personnel only)
Directors and commissioners IV/e Pembina Utama Director general
senior executive service level V,
pay band 3 A7
Director
IV/d Pembina Utama Madya Director
senior executive service level V
pay band 2 A7
Chief commissioner
IV/c Pembina Utama Muda Deputy director
GS-15,
pay band 2 A6
Commander
Subaltern and field ranked officers IV/b Pembina Tingkat I Assistant director
GS-14,
grade 6 A5
Senior commissioner
IV/a Pembina Senior executive officer 1st class
GS-14, grade 7 A4
Commissioner
III/d Penata Tingkat I Senior executive officer 2nd class
GS-13, grade 7 A3
Battalion chief
III/c Penata Higher executive officer 1st class
GS-12, grade 7 A2
Captain
Lieutenants III/b Penata Muda Tingkat I Higher executive officer
GS-11, A2
First lieutenant
III/a Penata Muda Executive officer 1st class
GS-10, A2/B6
Second lieutenant
Senior NCOs II/d Pengatur Tingkat I Executive officer 2nd class
GS-9, A1/B6
Station sub-officer
II/c Pengatur Executive officer
GS-8, A1/B5
Brigadier major
Junior NCOs II/b Pengatur Muda Tingkat I Administrative officer class 1
GS-7, B4
Brigadier 1st class
II/a Pengatur Muda Administrative officer class 2
GS-6, B4
Senior brigader
Basic level I/d Juru Tingkat I Higher clerical officer 1st class
GS-5, B3
Brigadier
I/c Juru Higher clerical officer
GS-4/GS-3, B3
Junior brigadier
I/b Juru Muda Tingkat I Clerical officer
GS-2, B2
Senior firefighter
I/a Juru Muda Administrative assistant
GS-1, B1
Firefighter

Iran

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Iranian insignia

In Iran, every city has its own fire department, but ranks are the same in the whole country, and are as follows:

Rank Persian Collar/epaulette markings Collar/epaulette markings (in Persian)
Volunteer firefighter III آتش نشان داوطلب سوم One golden bar یک خط طلایی
Volunteer firefighter II آتش نشان داوطلب دوم Two golden bars دو خط طلایی
Volunteer firefighter آتش نشان داوطلب Three golden bars سه خط طلایی
Firefighter III آتش نشان سوم One silver bar یک خط نقره ای
Firefighter II آتش نشان دوم Two silver bars دو خط نقره ای
Firefighter آتش نشان Three silver bars سه خط نقره ای
Head firefighter III سرآتش نشان سوم One flame with a thin silver bar below it and one golden bar یک شعله با زیر پایه ی نقره ای نازک و یک خط طلایی
Head firefighter II سرآتش نشان دوم One flame with a thin silver bar below it and two golden bars یک شعله با زیر پایه ی نقره ای نازک و دو خط طلایی
Head firefighter سرآتش نشان One flame with a thin silver bar below it and three golden bars یک شعله با زیر پایه ی نقره ای نازک و سه خط طلایی
Master firefighter III آتش یار سوم One flame with golden border and silver bar below flame یک شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر شعله
Master firefighter II آتش یار دوم Two flames with golden border and silver bar below each flame دو شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر هر شعله
Master firefighter آتش یار Three flames with golden border and silver bar below each flame سه شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر هر شعله
Head master firefighter سر آتش یار Four flames with golden border and silver bar below each flame چهار شعله با حاشیه ی طلایی و زیر پایه ی نقره ای حجیم زیر هر شعله
Chief firefighter III آتش پاد سوم One empty golden wreath یک حلقه گل طلایی خالی
Chief firefighter II آتش پاد دوم One golden wreath with a flame inside it یک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش
Chief firefighter آتش پاد One golden wreath with a flame inside it and a silver bar below them یک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و یک خط نقره ای زیر آنها
Chief master firefighter III فرآتش پاد سوم One golden wreath with a flame inside it and two silver bars below them یک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و دو خط نقره ای زیر آنها
Chief master firefighter II فرآتش پاد دوم One golden wreath with a flame inside it and three silver bars below them یک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و سه خط نقره ای زیر آنها
Chief master firefighter فرآتش پاد One golden wreath with a flame inside it and four silver bars below them یک حلقه گل طلایی با یک شعله درونش و چهار خط نقره ای زیر آنها

Ireland

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In Ireland, the traditional British and Commonwealth brigade rank structure is used, across the 26 counties.

Fire and rescue services are provided by 26 County Councils to the 26 counties of Ireland, and by three city councils with unitary authority status (those of Dublin, Cork, and Galway) within their respective cities. By agreement, the Dublin Fire Brigade provides cover to both the city and the county. Similarly, Galway City Council and Galway County Council have an agreement for the provision of a single fire and rescue service. Only Cork has separate services - Cork City Fire Brigade in the City of Cork, and Cork County Fire Service in the wider County of Cork. In each of the other 23 counties of Ireland a single fire and rescue service covers the whole county, including all large towns and cities, as those 23 county councils are unitary authorities for the entire county jurisdiction.

Structure County brigades Dublin Fire Brigade[4]
Rank Insignia Helmet Insignia Helmet
Firefighter Yellow Yellow
Leading firefighter
or driver mechanic
Yellow, one 12 mm horizontal black stripe This rank is not used in Dublin
Sub officer Yellow, two 12 mm horizontal black stripes Yellow, two 12 mm horizontal black stripes
Station officer White, one 19 mm horizontal black stripe White, one 12 mm horizontal black stripe
District officer (operations)
or district FPO
These ranks are not used in counties White, one 19 mm horizontal black stripe
Third officer (operations)
or executive FPO
White, two horizontal black stripes (one 19 mm, one 12 mm)
Senior assistant chief fire officer White, one 38 mm horizontal broad black stripe This rank is not used in Dublin
Chief fire officer White, two 38 mm horizontal broad black stripes White, one 38 mm horizontal broad black stripe
Key:
FPO = fire prevention officer

Israel

[edit]
Officers
Rav tafsar
(רב טפסר)
Tafsar
(טפסר)
Tat tafsar
(תת טפסר)
Tafsar mishne
(טפסר משנה)
Segan tafsar
(סגן טפסר)
Ráv Reshef
(רב רשף)
Reshef
(רשף)
Lahav
(להב)
Lahav mishne
(להב משנה)
English Lieutenant general
firefighter
Major general
firefighter
Brigadier general
firefighter
Colonel
firefighter
Lieutenant colonel
firefighter
Major
firefighter
Captain
firefighter
First lieutenant
firefighter
Second lieutenant
firefighter
Other Ranks
Rav semel bakhir kabai
(רב-סמל בכיר-כבאי)
Rav semel rishon kabai
(רב-סמל ראשון-כבאי)
Rav semel kabai
(רב-סמל-כבאי)
Semel kabai
(סמל כבאי)
Rav kabai
(רב כבאי)
Lokhem esh rishon
(לוחם אש ראשון)
Lokhem esh
(לוחם אש)
English Sergeant major
firefighter
Master sergeant
firefighter
Sergeant 1st class
firefighter
Sergeant
firefighter
Corporal
firefighter
Senior firefighter Firefighter

Italy

[edit]
Chief fire officers
Dirigente generale
Capo di corpo
Dirigente generale Dirigente superiore
di livello C
Dirigente superiore
di livello D
Dirigente superiore
di livello E
Dirigente superiore
di livello F
Fire officers
Direttore vice dirigente
con funzioni dei vicario dei dirigente di livello E
Direttore vice dirigente Direttore Vice direttore
Station commanders
Sostituto direttore antincendi capo esperto Sostituto direttore antincendi capo Sostituto direttore antincendi Ispettore antincendi coordinatore Ispettore antincendi esperto Ispettore antincendi
Crew commanders
Caporeparto Caposquadra esperto Caposquadra
Firefighters
Vigile del fuoco coordinatore Vigile del fuoco esperto Vigile del fuoco
Volunteer firefighters
Funzionario tecnico antincendi volontario Caporeparto volontario Caposquadra volontario Vigile del fuoco volontario

Japan

[edit]
Firefighters at a community event in Tokyo, 2017

The Japanese fire department's rank insignias are place on a small badge and pinned above the right pocket. Rank is told by stripes and hexagram stars. The design of the insignias came from older Japanese style military insignias. Officers and team leaders could wear an arm band on the arm of fire jacket to show status as command leader. Sometimes rank can be shown as different a color fire jacket for command staff. The color whites and gray are reserved for EMS. Orange is reserved for rescuers.

Professional fire departments

[edit]
Fire fighter Assistant fire sergeant Fire sergeant
Fire lieutenant Fire captain Battalion chief
Assistant chief First assistant chief Deputy chief
Fire chief

Volunteer fire departments

[edit]
Volunteer fire fighter Volunteer crew chief
Volunteer company chief Volunteer assistant battalion chief Volunteer battalion chief
Volunteer assistant chief Volunteer fire chief

Luxembourg

[edit]
Higher cadre of professional and volunteer fire fighters[5]
Cadre supérieur des pompiers volontaires et professionnels
Insignia
French Directeur général Colonel Lieutenant-colonel Major Capitaine Lieutenant 1ère classe Lieutenant Lieutenant-aspirant
English Director general Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant 1st class Lieutenant Aspirant lieutenant
Middle cadre of professional and volunteer fire fighters[5]
Cadre moyen des pompiers volontaires et professionnels
Insignia
French Adjudant-major Adjudant-chef Adjudant Adjudant-aspirant
English Chief warrant officer Master warrant officer Warrant officer Aspirant warrant officer
Basic cadre of professional and volunteer fire fighters[5]
Cadre de base des pompiers volontaires et professionnels
Insignia
French Sergent-major Sergent-chef Sergent Caporal-chef 1ère classe Caporal-chef Caporal Brigadier Brigadier-aspirant
English Sergeant major Master sergeant Sergeant Master corporal 1st class Master corporal Corporal Brigadier Aspirant brigadier

Malaysia

[edit]
No. Rank Abbreviation Rank (English) Grade Epaulet
Shoulder board Collar badge
Penguasa Bomba (fire superintendent)
1 Ketua Pesuruhjaya Bomba KPjB Chief fire commissioner JUSA A
2 Pesuruhjaya Bomba PjB Fire commissioner JUSA B
3 Timbalan Pesuruhjaya Bomba TPjB Deputy fire commissioner JUSA C
4 Penolong Kanan Pesuruhjaya Bomba PKPjB Senior assistant fire commissioner KB 54
5 Penolong Pesuruhjaya Bomba PPjB Assistant fire commissioner KB 52
6 Penguasa Kanan Bomba I PgKB I Senior fire superintendent I KB 48
7 Penguasa Kanan Bomba II PgKB II Senior fire superintendent II KB 44
8 Penguasa Bomba PgB Fire superintendent KB 41
Penolong Penguasa Bomba (assistant fire superintendent)
9 Timbalan Penguasa Bomba TPgB Deputy fire superintendent KB 38
10 Penolong Kanan Penguasa Bomba PKPgB Senior assistant fire superintendent KB 32
11 Penolong Penguasa Bomba PPgB Assistant fire superintendent KB 29
Pegawai Bomba (fire officer)
12 Pegawai Bomba Tinggi PBT Leading fire officer KB 26
13 Pegawai Bomba Kanan I PBK I Senior fire officer I KB 24
14 Pegawai Bomba Kanan II PBK II Senior fire officer II KB 22
15 Pegawai Bomba PB Fire officer KB 17 / 19 No insignia

Netherlands

[edit]
Hoofdcommandeur Fire chief
Adjunct-Hoofdcommandeur Deputy fire chief
Commandeur Division chief
Hoofdbrandmeester Battalion chief
Brandmeester Captain
Hoofdbrandwacht Engineer
Brandwacht Fire fighter
Algemene / Aspirantfuncties Trainee

New Zealand

[edit]

In New Zealand, rank is shown on epaulettes on firefighters' station uniform, and through colors and stripes on firefighter helmets. As the nation only has a single fire department, the New Zealand Fire Service, ranks are consistent through the country.

Rank Epaulette[6] Helmet[6]
Recruit firefighter (RFF) Recruit Fluro-green
Firefighter (FF) One hollow bar Yellow, one white stripe
Qualified firefighter (QFF) One solid bar Yellow, one red stripe
Senior firefighter (SFF) Two solid bars Yellow, two red stripes
Station officer (SO) One impeller Red, one blue stripe
Senior station officer (SSO) Two impellers Red, two blue stripes
Deputy chief fire officer (DCFO) Impeller between two ferns below one impeller White, one blue stripe
Chief fire officer (CFO) Impeller between two ferns below two impellers White, two blue stripes
Assistant area commander (AAC) Three impellers Silver
Area commander (AC) One impeller below a crown Silver, one blue stripe
Assistant national commander (ANC) Three impellers trefoil below a crown Silver, two blue stripes
Deputy national commander (DNC) Silver crossed sword and baton below an impeller Black
National commander (NC) Silver crossed sword and baton below a crown Black

Philippines

[edit]

Commissioned officers

[edit]
  • Fire director (major general)
  • Fire chief superintendent (brigadier general)
  • Fire senior superintendent (colonel)
  • Fire superintendent (lieutenant colonel)
  • Fire chief inspector (major)
  • Fire senior inspector (captain)
  • Fire inspector (lieutenant)

Non-commissioned officers

[edit]
  • Senior fire officer 4 (executive master sergeant)
  • Senior fire officer 3 (chief master sergeant)
  • Senior fire officer 2 (senior master sergeant)
  • Senior fire officer 1 (master sergeant)
  • Fire officer 3 (staff sergeant)
  • Fire officer 2 (corporal)
  • Fire officer 1 (firefighter)

Poland

[edit]
Strażak
Firefighter
Private
Starszy strażak
Senior firefighter
Private
Sekcyjny
Section leader
Private 1st class
Starszy sekcyjny
Senior section leader
Specialist
Młodszy ogniomistrz
Junior firemaster
Corporal
Ogniomistrz
Firemaster
Sergeant
Starszy ogniomistrz
Senior firemaster
Staff sergeant
Młodszy aspirant
Junior aspirant
Sergeant 1st class
Aspirant
Aspirant
Master sergeant
Starszy aspirant
Senior aspirant
Sergeant major
Aspirant sztabowy
Staff aspirant
Command sergeant major
Młodszy kapitan
Junior captain
Second lieutenant
Kapitan
Captain
First lieutenant
Starszy kapitan
Senior captain
Captain
Młodszy brygadier
Junior brigadier
Major
Brygadier
Brigadier
Lieutenant colonel
Starszy brygadier
Senior brigadier
Colonel
Nadbrygadier
Chief brigadier
Brigadier general
Generał brygadier
General brigadier
Major general

Romania

[edit]
Officer ranks
Romania Corpului Pompierilor
Mareșal General General-locotenent General-maior General de brigadă Colonel Locotenent-colonel Maior Căpitan Locotenent Sublocotenent
Other ranks
Romania Corpului Pompierilor
Plutonier adjutant șef Plutonier adjutant Plutonier-major Plutonier Sergent-major Sergent

Russian Federation

[edit]
A Russian firefighter with a head of duty shift fire station helmet.

In the Russian Federation, the decals are applied symmetrically on both sides of the helmet (front and rear). The location of the decals on the special clothing and SCBA is established for each fire department of the same type within the administrative entity. The following ranks are used by State Fire Service civilian personnel worn on all forms of dress, while military personnel use ranks similar to those of the Police of Russia, due to their pre-2001 history as the fire service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation before all firefighting services were transferred to the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Federal Fire Service of EMERCOM helmet insignia
Rank Helmet colour/markings
Firefighter The all color helmet with the applied number, indicating the fire station
Head of fire brigade The all color helmet with the applied number, indicating the fire station, underlined by line 50 mm wide and 5 mm thick
Head of duty shift fire station The all color helmet with the applied a circle, inside which the applied number is indicating the fire station
Deputy head of the fire station The all color helmet with the applied a triangle, inside which the applied number is indicating the fire station
Head of the fire station The all color helmet with the applied a square, inside which the applied number is indicating the fire station
Commanding staff of the fire department The all color helmet with the applied a circle, inside which the applied a rhombus

Singapore

[edit]
Officers
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers
Singapore Civil Defence Force[7]
Commissioner Deputy commissioner Senior assistant commissioner Assistant commissioner Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant
Officer cadet
Warrant officers
Equivalent
NATO rank
WO-5 WO-4 WO-3 WO-2 WO-1
Singapore Civil Defence Force[7]
Warrant officer 2 Warrant officer 1
Other ranks
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
Singapore Civil Defence Force[7]
Sergeant 3 Sergeant 2 Sergeant 1 Corporal Lance corporal Private Recruit

Soviet Union

[edit]
1936 1937-1939
Category City Fire Department BBV Paramilitary Fire Service PMB Category City Fire Department Paramilitary Fire Service
1936 From 16.06.1936 From 13.09.1936 From 17.11.1937 From 15.04.1938 From 26.02.1939
BBV PMB Collar Forearms Collar patches Forearms Collar patches Upper arm Collar patch Collar patch Collar patch
Private n/a Private no changes
К-1 К-1 n/a К-1, К-2 no changes
К-2 К-2 n/a
К-3 n/a n/a
К-4 К-3 знак по 1936 К-3 no changes
К-5 К-4 знак по 1936 К-4 no changes
К-6 К-5 знак по 1936 К-5 no changes
К-7 К-6 знак по 1936 К-6 no changes
К-8 К-7 знак по 1936знак по 1936 К-7 no changes
К-9 К-8 знак по 1936знак по 1936 К-8 no changes
К-10 К-9 знак по 1936знак по 1936 К-9 no changes
К-11 К-10 знак по 1936знак по 1936знак по 1936 К-10
К-12 К-11 знак по 1936знак по 1936знак по 1936 К-11
К-13 К-12 знак по 1936знак по 1936знак по 1936 К-12
n/a К-13 n/a n/a К-13 n/a n/a


Switzerland

[edit]
Officer grades
Rank epaulettes
Rank name German Oberst Oberstleutnant Major Hauptmann Oberleutnant Leutnant
French Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Capitaine Premier lieutenant Lieutenant
Italian Colonnello Tenente colonnello Maggiore Capitano Primo tenente Tenente
Romansh Colonel Litinent colonel Maior Chapitani Primlitenant Litenet
Other grades
Rank epaulettes
Rank name German Adjutant Unteroffizier Feldweibel Fourier Wachtmeister Korporal Gefreiter Soldat Rekrut / Aspirant
French Adjudant sous-officier Sergent-major Fourrier Sergent Caporal Appointé Soldat Recrue / Aspirant
Italian Aiutante sottufficiale Sergente maggiore Furiere Sergente Caporale Appuntato Soldato Recluta / Aspirante
Romansh Adjutant sutuffizier Primsergent Furier Sergent Caporal Appuntà Schuldà Recruit

Taiwan

[edit]
Level 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
Director general Deputy
director general
*
Fire chief of
metropolitan city
Level 3 positions Level 4 positions Level 5 positions Level 6 positions Level 7 positions Level 8 positions Team leader Team member Basic level

Tunisia

[edit]

Tunisian firefighter's ranks are the same as the army, police and national guard.

United Kingdom, Crown dependencies, British Overseas Territories

[edit]
Other fire service title Chief fire officer Deputy chief fire officer Assistant chief fire officer Area manager Group manager Station manager Watch manager Crew manager Firefighter
London title Commissioner Deputy commissioner Assistant commissioner Deputy assistant commissioner Group commander
(borough commander)
Station commander Station officer Sub-officer Leading firefighter Firefighter
Scottish title Chief fire officer Deputy chief fire officer Assistant chief fire officer Deputy assistant chief fire officer Area commander Group commander Station manager Watch commander Crew commander Firefighter
Isle of Man title Chief fire officer Deputy chief fire officer Divisional officer Assistant divisional officer Station officer Sub officer Leading firefighter Firefighter
Gibraltar title Chief fire officer Deputy chief fire officer Divisional officer Station officer Sub officer Leading firefighter Firefighter
Insignia

United States

[edit]
An American firefighter with a lieutenant's helmet
Typical rank insignia for an American fire department

In the United States, helmet colors often denote a fire fighter's rank or position. In general, white helmets denote chief officers, such as battalion chiefs, division chiefs, etc. while red helmets may denote company officers, such as captains, lieutenants, etc. but the specific meaning of a helmet's color or style varies from region to region and department to department. The rank of an officer in an American fire department is most commonly denoted by a number of speaking trumpets, a reference to a megaphone-like device used in the early days of the fire service, although typically called "bugle" in today's parlance. Ranks proceed from one (lieutenant) to five (fire chief) bugles. Traditional ranks in American fire departments that exist but may not always be utilized in all cities or towns include:

Rank Insignia
Firefighter No bugles
Engineer/technician/apparatus operator 3 chevrons
Lieutenant
Captain

or less usually:
Battalion chief/district chief

or less usually side by side
Division chief or assistant chief/deputy assistant chief/deputy assistant commissioner/assistant deputy commissioner
Deputy firechief/Deputy fire commissioner
Fire chief/Fire commissioner

In many fire departments in the U.S., the captain is commonly the commander of a company and a lieutenant is the supervisor of the company's firefighters on shift. There is no state or federal rank structure for firefighters and each municipality or volunteer fire department creates and uses their own unique structure.

Some other American fire departments such as the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) use military rank insignia in addition to or instead of the traditional bugles. Additionally, officers on truck companies have been known to use rank insignias shaped like axes for lieutenants (one) and captains (two).

Vatican City

[edit]
Chief officers Officers SNCOs NCOs Firefighters Students

Corps of Firefighters of the Vatican City State
Primo Dirigente coordinatore Capo squadra esperto Capo Squadra di prima classe Capo Squadra di seconda classe Vigile del fuoco prima classe Vigile del fuoco seconda classe Allievo vigile del fuoco

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Manuel belge de régulation pompier" [Belgian manual for fire regulation] (PDF). Directorate-General Civil Security (in French) (2.1 ed.). May 2020. p. 113. Retrieved 4 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Distinktionsoversigt" [Distinction summary]. Danske Beredskaber (in Danish). Retrieved 6 November 2019.
  3. ^ "About Us – Tamil Nadu Fire & Rescue Services".
  4. ^ "Dublin Fire Brigade: Who We Are" (PDF). Dublin Fire Brigade. 2015. p. 5. Retrieved 11 October 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "Règlement grand-ducal du 18 septembre 2018 déterminant les grades fonctionnels, les tenues, insignes et attributs des personnels du Corps grand-ducal d'incendie et de secours" [Grand-Ducal Regulation of September 18, 2018 determining the functional ranks, uniforms, badges and attributes of the personnel of the Grand-Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps]. legilux.public.lu/ (in French). 21 September 2018. Retrieved 24 September 2018.
  6. ^ a b "Uniform rank markings". New Zealand Fire Service. Archived from the original on 23 February 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  7. ^ a b c "Ranks and drill commands". Central Manpower Base (CMPB). Retrieved 2021-11-27.