AIRFIELD FIREFIGHTER

Department of Emergency & Military Affairs (DEMA), led by The Adjutant General, provides emergency management and military capabilities to the citizens of Arizona and the nation. The Emergency Management Division consists of three sections—operations, preparedness, and financial administration—working collaboratively across the agency and with external partners to manage emergency responses and reduce the impacts of disasters. DEMA is also the headquarters for the Arizona National Guard, the primary combat reserve of the United States military.

About the role

At the operations level, under general leadership of a lead firefighter and supervision of Assistant Chief, perform prevention, control, and extinguish all types of fires. Coordinate and perform related rescue, first aid, and property conservation. Includes fires or potential fires involving structures, wildland, aircraft, missiles and separate component weapons, or other materials. Perform operations and operator maintenance of all types of firefighting and related rescue vehicles, equipment systems, and devices in support of overall base emergency contingency operations. A 56-hour shift-type work week schedule will be followed. Overtime may be required depending on mission requirements. This position is not available for remote work (including virtual office arrangements).

Responsibilities

• Fight fires and conduct standbys using various firefighting equipment and chemicals as required for different situations:
  • Operate fire and crash rescue tools and equipment.
  • Control, extinguish, and overhaul related fires.
  • Perform required standbys (emergency and routine).
  • Perform hazardous materials operations level duties involving hazardous spills or leaks.
• Review and follow all state, installation, and department policies.
• Perform on-the-job-training:
  • Receive and participate in initial and continuing education in work-related crash, fire, and rescue subjects, including career development courses, formal schools, and in-house training programs.
  • Participate in education and practice sessions on a continuing basis to ensure correct methods and expected performance levels to meet regulatory requirements.
  • Participate in Physical training/Skills testing (practical drills) during shift.
• Inspection and maintenance of firefighting apparatus and equipment:
  • Conduct inspections and minor maintenance on firefighting vehicles and related equipment.
  • Maintain cleanliness and serviceability of personal protective clothing and uniforms.
  • Maintain fire station facilities.
  • Maintain assigned vehicles and firefighting equipment.
  • Conduct inspection, serviceability, and operator maintenance on fire department compressed air systems.
• Perform emergency medical care:
  • Provide emergency medical care to patients at the EMR, EMT, or Paramedic level, in accordance with individual held certification and local Standard of Care Medical Protocols.
  • Accurately complete patient care reports in accordance with department policy.
  • Conduct inspection, serviceability, and operator maintenance on specialized medical equipment used by the department.
• Fight structural, vehicle, and miscellaneous fires:
  • Perform hose, vehicle relay, ground ladder, and pump operations.
  • Evacuate/rescue personnel from structures, protect exposures from fire spread, operate tools and equipment.
  • Control, extinguish, and overhaul aircraft, structural, vehicle, and miscellaneous fires.
• Perform communication and administrative duties:
  • Monitor, receive, and record information from non-emergencies or emergency communication systems.
  • Perform administrative and clerical duties.
  • Prepare computer-generated reports, records, and emails.
  • Enter data into the fire department Information Management Systems (IMS) databases.
• Perform rescue operations:
  • Use tools and equipment in support of rescue operations.
  • Gain entry and perform extrication of personnel by normal and emergency means.
  • Shutdown aircraft engines and operate seats to remove crew members and passengers from aircraft.
  • Rescue personnel from motor vehicles.
  • Perform confined space and hazardous materials incident duties in accordance with department policy.
• Perform fire prevention and inspection duties:
  • Identify and report fire hazards found to the fire prevention office.
  • Assist in conducting building evacuation drills, fire extinguisher training, and fire prevention briefings.
• Contingency Responses:
  • Provide damage control/standbys in response to bomb threats, hijacking, active threat incidents, and perform duties as directed.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%).

Requirements

• Knowledge of:
  • Aircraft, structural firefighting, and fire prevention methods and practices.
  • Equipment, chemicals, and techniques used in fighting fires.
  • Hazardous material incidents to the operations level.
  • Firefighting techniques concerning jet fuel, munitions, gas, oil, solvents, cleaning chemicals, metals, etc.
  • Practices, principles, methods, and legal responsibilities of emergency medical services.
  • Standard first aid methods and practices, including CPR.
  • Pre-hospital care.
• Skilled in:
  • Basic Life Support emergency medical skills (EMR/EMT) and Advanced Life Support skills if Certified Paramedic level.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
  • Effective interpersonal skills.
  • Basic computer skills.
• Specialized skills include experience as a member of an organized military or other governmental fire department in:
  • Controlling and extinguishing fires.
  • Rescue operations.
  • Detection, reduction, or elimination of potential fire hazards.
  • Operation of fire communications equipment.
  • Controlling hazardous materials incidents.
  • Developing, implementing, or providing training in fire protection and prevention.
• Ability to:
  • Make sound decisions and maintain composure during high-stress emergency situations.
  • Read, write, speak, and understand the English language.
  • Perform heavy lifting and have physical dexterity to climb and maneuver in tight spaces.
  • Work harmoniously under a team concept.
  • Operate all firefighting tools and equipment.
  • Detect, identify, and document fire hazards.
  • Detect, identify, and document equipment defects.
  • Suppress, control, extinguish, salvage, and overhaul fires.
  • Don and wear personal protective equipment for firefighting and medical actions.
  • Perform NFPA 1582 essential job tasks for firefighters.

Qualifications

• Certificates/Qualifications required prior to employment:
  • International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) or the National Board on Fire Service Professional Qualifications (PROBOARD) Firefighter I, Firefighter II.
  • Hazmat awareness certification.
  • Current Arizona or National Registry certification for EMR or higher (EMT or Paramedic).
  • Current CPR card.
• Certificates/Qualifications required within 12 months of employment:
  • Airport Firefighter.
  • Driver/Operator-Pumper.
  • Driver/Operator-ARFF.
  • HAZMAT operations.
• Employment is contingent upon completion of a post-offer medical/physical examination and the agency's ability to reasonably accommodate any restrictions.
• This position requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid Arizona state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment.
• Must comply with pre-placement and annual firefighter physical in accordance with NFPA standard.
• Candidates will be required to submit to a criminal background investigation and possess the ability to achieve a favorable Tier 3 investigation for obtaining/maintaining a Common Access Card (CAC) within one year of hire.
• In/out of State travel required.

Preferred Qualifications

• General knowledge of aircraft firefighting as it applies to location.
• National Registry Certification EMT-Basic.
• Fire Science associate degree or equivalent experience.

Pay

Up to $19.2350 per hour (DOE).

Benefits

• Sick leave.
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year.
• Health and dental insurance.
• Retirement plan (DEMA employees participate in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS) for fire personnel).
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance.
• Paid Parental Leave program.