Firefighter

Responsible for performing skilled and specialized technical emergency response work in firefighting, emergency medical services, rescue, and hazardous materials/technical rescue situations and emergency responses. Performs firefighting, provides pre-hospital emergency medical care and transportation of the sick and injured, rescue work, fire and injury prevention public education and community services, contains hazardous materials response and cleanup; performs technical rescues and disaster response services.

Provides public assistance. Trains in the methods and techniques of emergency response operations and in the use of equipment and apparatus. Responsible for life safety and emergency response operations until relieved by a Senior/Master Firefighter or officer/acting officer.

Works wherever emergencies occur both indoors and outdoors; is exposed to a variety of hot and cold temperatures and may be, at times, exposed to fire, smoke, infectious diseases, hazardous chemicals, and other dangerous situations; may be required to walk, climb, crawl, bend, pull, push, or lift and balance on less than ideal terrain; is exposed to wide variety of noise levels, which at times can be quite high, particularly when multiple sirens are sounding;

administrative and management duties are carried out indoors at the department’s administrative offices, in the fire stations, at indoor and outdoor training locations, or in the buildings and offices of County government; supervision of personnel occurs both indoors and outdoors, on emergency scenes, in the fire station, on training locations, and in the community.

Responds to incidents requiring firefighting, pre-hospital emergency medical care and transportation of the sick and injured, rescues, fire and injury prevention, public education and community services, and emergency management/disaster response; may make initial determination of necessary personnel, equipment and suppression or containment tactics until relieved by superior officer; in the absence of more qualified emergency medical personnel may evaluate a victim's condition and determine the most expedient and effective course of action to prevent death, minimize disability, and relieve pain and suffering.

Advances hose lines into fire area; selects hose nozzle, depending on type of fire; lays and connects hoses; holds nozzle and directs stream of water onto fire; raises and climbs ladders; creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance using various hand and power tools; enters premises for firefighting, rescue, performs salvage operations, places salvage covers, removes debris and smoke; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, axes, rope, and other equipment.

Provides immediate care to the ill or injured appropriate for the individual's level of emergency medical training and certification; assesses the scene for and manages hazards to response personnel, patients, and bystanders; assesses the presence, nature, and extent of illness or injury, establishes priority for required pre-hospital emergency medical care; provides treatment in accordance with established protocols and medical control direction;

and continues that treatment while transporting to the appropriate medical facility.

Identifies hazardous materials and type of container or carrier at spill scene; uses various booms and barriers to contain spills and mitigate runoff; performs fire suppression activities, as necessary; assists in direction of evacuation operations, as necessary.

Inspects assigned emergency apparatus and equipment at the beginning of each shift and as necessary after emergencies; cleans and sanitizes emergency medical equipment daily as required; completes logs and forms while checking out equipment; ensures that all assigned emergency apparatus are in proper working order, and are stocked with required quantities of equipment and supplies; performs daily routine station building and grounds maintenance and housekeeping duties;

performs operational inspections and maintenance of assigned apparatus and equipment; makes minor repairs and adjustments, but reports damage, loss, and other than minor defects for specialized attention.

Maintains clear and concise communications with other emergency response personnel, hospital personnel, and the Emergency Communications Center utilizing two-way radios, telephones, cellular telephones, or face to face communications as available, appropriate, and most effective; establishes rapport…