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Firefighter Job Description

Essential Functions

Attends training sessions as required to gain skills and knowledge regarding department operations, job performance, and policies, procedures, rules and regulations: reads professional literature and training materials; completes tests and skills assessments; and obtains and maintains professional affiliations.

Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, downed power lines, and other emergency situations: responds to instructions from dispatcher; and contacts appropriate related agencies as needed.

Provides protection of life and property: suppresses, controls and extinguishes fires; performs search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris; assists with cleanup activities; and exercises control of emergency situations until relieved by a superior officer.

Responds to a variety of emergency calls requiring the administration of basic first aid and medical treatment.

Maintains a state of readiness and preparation for emergency response: checks and maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; assists in preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies and in testing personal equipment, hoses and pumps, and other tools and apparatus; and ensures the emergency medical service equipment is properly stocked and operational.

Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable regulations, policies and procedures: maintains an awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends and advances in the profession; participates in physical fitness training, training drills and other continuing education activities; and attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.

Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment and tools in operable condition: inspects and tests equipment; replaces fluids and greases equipment; replaces parts; washes and cleans equipment, cleans quarters, and performs grounds maintenance; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED and ability to graduate from the Fire Academy within 12 months required. Must be 18 years or older at the time of recruit academy start date.

Licenses and Certifications

Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License; must be able to obtain NPQ Firefighter I and II and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certifications within 12 months.

Physical Abilities

Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).

Sensory Requirements

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, bright and dim lights, toxic agents, animal and wildlife attacks, animal and human bites, explosives, or rude and irate customers.