What is the primary responsibility of a company officer?

The primary responsibility of a company officer is to supervise the crew of a fire engine or truck. This role is critical because the company officer is in charge of ensuring that all crew members are effectively coordinated during emergency responses. This supervision includes overseeing the deployment of personnel, managing equipment on the fire engine or truck, and maintaining operational integrity during firefighting activities.

A company officer's leadership ensures that firefighters operate safely and efficiently, performing their duties in a structured manner. This position requires strong communication skills and decision-making abilities, especially in high-pressure situations. While training, managing investigations, and operating systems are also important tasks within the fire service, the direct responsibility for crew supervision is foundational to the effectiveness of any fire response operation.