Firefighter

About the role

The Position PLEASE REVIEW THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY FOR SPECIFIC APPLICATION SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS Under close supervision of a company officer is responsible for extinguishing fires, rescuing persons and property from danger, including water rescues, and performing salvage and related follow-up work. Incumbents are also required to perform lifesaving rescue techniques as part of other emergency operations.

Responsibilities

• Protects citizens during emergencies.
• Responds to emergencies with a fire company or rescue unit.
• Answers medical emergencies as part of an engine company, as an advanced life support unit or on a rescue unit as an advanced life support transport unit.
• Removes, extracts, and rescues persons from danger.
• Recognizes acute and chronic symptoms requiring care; administers life-saving rescue procedures to injured or afflicted persons.
• May work on a rescue crew and, in this capacity, may also be required to perform a leadership role on an ALS unit.
• Performs salvage operations including throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and placing smoke ejectors.
• Connects hose to hydrants and pumps; joins hose section and connects nozzles to hose; enters burning buildings with or without hose lines; operates nozzles and applies stream of water or fog on fires.
• Operates hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires; raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.
• Makes daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notifies supervisor of defects; performs cleaning and maintenance tasks in and about assigned station.
• Aids in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed by supervisor.
• Attends instruction sessions in firefighting methods; equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, and related subjects; may conduct drills and classes in these and other areas.
• Mitigates chemical spills by recognizing hazardous material situations; makes identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized testing equipment; sets up decontamination procedures; assists state agencies in the removal/disposal of hazardous material.
• Prevents fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards.
• Prepares citizens to prevent fire damage by developing and conducting educational and training programs.
• Provides educational information and lectures to community organizations and schools on other Fire and EMS related topics.
• Ensures availability of water at fire scene by testing hydrants, requesting and expediting repairs, and verifying repairs.
• Evaluates new equipment and techniques.
• Maintains operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.
• Provides information by completing reports.
• Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, studying publications, and participating in scheduled drills.
• Maintains fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.
• Prepares and maintains required documentation when serving in a leadership role during emergency operations.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age.
• High School / GED equivalent.
• Valid Class E Driver’s License with proof of automobile insurance.
• No use of tobacco products within one (1) year of application.
• Preferred Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Sciences or a closely related field.
• Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:
• State of Florida Certified Firefighter (required).
• State of Florida Certified EMT (required).
• American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals - CPR/AED certification (required).
• State of Florida Certified Paramedic - (preferred - required for Paramedic applicants - at date of hire).
• American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (required at date of hire for Paramedics).
• Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the National Testing Network (must have been taken within 6 months of date of hire).
• Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) - Minimum 16 hours (required).

Skills

• Knowledge of firefighting principles and practices.
• Knowledge of tools, equipment, and apparatus used in firefighting.
• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting skills and resume duties within a reasonable probationary period.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to keep simple records and prepares reports.
• Skill in the use of firefighting tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

Physical Demands

• Regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force and occasionally exert over 100 pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• May require the use of fingers or hands to manipulate objects such as picking, gripping, or pressing.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception.