If someone is to be paid overtime, you must write a report as to what hours a certain individual has worked. The same thing goes if someone is going to take leave or go on vacation. There are reports written all the time on the physical fitness and conditions of the departments fire fighters. The primary audiences for such writings are the police and the fire administrators themselves. When you are head of fire prevention and investigation, you do a tremendous amount of oral communication as well.
Telephone interviews are also frequent and have the potential to be heard on the news.
Formal presentations are usually done at a certain individual s or business' request. Subject matter may be as complex as local building codes or as simple as how to operate a fire extinguisher. Knowledge of computers is also essential. E-mail plays a big role when it comes to memos that are sent from inside the department pertaining to just about anything, from dress codes to correct procedures. You also need computers for spreadsheets and databases.