firefighter
n.a person whose job is to stop fires from burning and to rescue people from dangerous situations. They often work for the city and wear special protective clothes.
n.a person whose professional role involves extinguishing fires and performing rescue operations during emergencies. This term is the standard gender-neutral replacement for 'fireman'.
“The firefighter wears a heavy helmet and a thick jacket.”
“A brave firefighter climbed the ladder to rescue the cat from the burning building.”
“Modern firefighters undergo rigorous physical training and technical instruction to handle hazardous materials and complex structural collapses in addition to traditional fire suppression.”
The term is preferred over 'fireman' or 'firewoman' in professional and formal contexts to maintain gender neutrality.
Usage firefighters fought
“British firefighters were "under significant pressure" as multiple wildfires spread at a time of soaring temperatures and drought conditions, the head of the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) said.”
“French media said a 15-year-old boy had been detained in connection with a fire near Bordeaux airport that killed two firefighters in July.”
Common in science writing
From fire + fighter. Created as a gender-neutral term for fireman and firewoman.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.