Firefighter

Responsible for protecting life and property from the hazards of fire and other emergencies. Apply fire suppression methods to control and stop property damage, save lives through rescue from fire or other hazardous environments, perform safety inspections, and provide public fire safety education. Respond to emergency calls and provide efficient and immediate care to the ill and injured. Respond to other types of call back emergencies and disasters that may occur in the community.

May be required to assist neighboring communities as assigned.

1. Respond to fire alarms and other emergency calls, extinguish or control fires, or other hazards as a member of a team, under the supervision of a superior officer within the chain of command.

• Select, drag, lift, and carry hose and nozzle depending on type and size of fire, and apply a stream of water or chemicals onto fire.
• Position, raise, and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings or to rescue individuals from burning structures and emergency situations.
• Create openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance, using an ax, sledgehammer, chisel, crowbar, battering ram, power saw, or power equipment.
• Protect property from water and smoke by use of positive or negative pressure ventilation, waterproof salvage covers, property removal, smoke ejectors and blowers.
• Administer emergency medical care to injured persons and those overcome by fire and smoke.
• Communicate during emergencies in a calm, descriptive, and articulate manner, using portable two-way radios or person to person voice communications.
• Wear and use appropriate protective clothing and equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

2. Conduct fire prevention inspections and pre-fire planning of commercial buildings as part of a team under the supervision of superior officer.

• Knowledgeable of fire and building codes to recognize possible violations.
• Inspect buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances.
• Prepare and issue inspection forms to building owners/occupants listing fire code violations to be corrected.
• Participate in pre-fire planning of target hazards within the jurisdiction by inspecting, developing or updating building layout cards, and planning for possible future firefighting operations.
• Participate in public education demonstrations, expositions, and presentations.

3. Maintain fire apparatus, equipment, stations, and grounds as part of a team, following department procedures, under the supervision of a superior officer.

• Perform assigned duties in maintaining apparatus, stations, equipment, grounds and hydrants.
• Conduct tests on equipment as required.
• Maintain appropriate maintenance records.

4. Attend regular and assigned training sessions to maintain and upgrade firefighting skills.

• Participate in drills, demonstrations and courses in hydraulics, pump operation and maintenance, emergency medical procedures, fire prevention, rescue techniques, and firefighting techniques.

5. Perform as driver/operator of fire apparatus under supervision of superior officer.

• Drive and operate all fire fighting vehicles and all equipment in a safe and proper manner following department procedures and regulations.
• Maintain vehicle and equipment in safe operational condition according to department procedures.

6. Respond to emergency medical calls to provide efficient and immediate care for the ill and injured.

• When patients need extrication from entrapment, assess the extent of injury and give emergency care and protection to the entrapped patient and use the prescribed techniques and appliances for removing the patients safely.
• Assess the nature and extent of illness and injury and establish priority for appropriate emergency care.

7. Respond to emergency call backs when off-duty.
8. Work under the direction and supervision of superior officer responsible for the assigned shift. In emergency situations, work may involve considerable personal danger. Must be able to act without continuous supervision and exercise appropriate independent discretion.

• Must be able to concentrate during emergency situations while working quickly as a team member, under stress caused by emergencies, danger, or criticism.
• Must be able to work and live in a non-emergency setting for extended periods of time with people of diverse backgrounds in a manner that fosters teamwork, acceptance, and dignity of fellow employees.
• May provide work direction to other firefighters in special circumstances or assist in…