Firefighters

Description

Under general direction of assigned company officer, Firefighters perform public safety work involving the protection of life and property through responding to fire alarms and engaging in fire suppression, other emergency incidents and performing highly skilled work providing emergency medical service (EMS), technical rescue, and hazardous materials emergency response. Work is performed under close supervision in accordance with well-defined procedures. Additionally, firefighters interact regularly with the community in non-emergency related functions including public education and fire prevention activities. Firefighters are required to work 48-hour shifts and 56-hour work weeks; and may be assigned to work a day assignment (40-hour work week) while assisting with special projects.

Principal Duties

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency situation and fire alarms with assigned company, participate in fire suppression, technical rescue, and emergency medical service activities which may include, but are not limited to, assisting in freeing victims from physically trapped situations and operating pumping apparatus.
• Respond to emergency calls for specialized services such as hazardous material, confined spaces rescue, extrication, and technical rescue.
• Assist in overhauling, salvage, and cleanup operations.
• Provide Paramedic level assistance at injury or medical scenes including but not limited to administering medical care utilizing accepted guidelines of advanced life support procedures, examining victims, and communicating physical assessment to the hospital physician.
• Participate in the cleaning, repair, and maintenance of firefighting equipment, apparatus, and fire department facilities; maintain assigned Personal Protection equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) as required; work safely, follow safe work practices, and identify and report unsafe working conditions and/or equipment in accordance with established procedures.
• Conduct pre-fire planning of businesses and places of assembly.
• Establish relationships with building managers to effectively communicate fire codes and safety procedures.
• Participate in and assist with public education and community relation activities, including but not limited to, training classes, drills, fire station tours and school visits.
• May step-up or act as Apparatus Operator and/or drive ambulance or fire apparatus, as needed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Valid Texas Driver's License
• Certified Firefighter – Current certification by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) in Basic Structure Fire Suppression or above
• Certified Paramedic – Current certification by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) in EMT-Paramedic (eligible for certification bonus after credentialing process)
• Knowledge and proficiency of Emergency Medical Technician basic life support procedures and paramedic support procedures/protocols
• Knowledge of breathing air compressors and cascade systems
• Ability to think and act quickly and effectively in emergencies
• Ability to deal effectively with people in stressful situations
• Ability to comprehend and follow verbal and written direction promptly and accurately
• Ability to work effectively in elevated positions and in confined spaces
• Ability to obtain and maintain all applicable certifications, as directed by the department, and meet all requirements of the Professional Development Guide for this position

Preferred:

• Intermediate, Advanced, or Masters fire certifications through TCFP
• Driver Operator, Incident Safety Officer, Fire Officer, ARRF, Instructor, Wildland, and Hazardous Materials certification
• Knowledge of city streets, water supply systems, and fire suppression systems

Supplemental Information

• Physical assessment: September 23, 2024
• Interviews: September 25-26, 2024
• Planned Hire Date: October 21, 2024
• Certified Firefighter/Paramedic eligible for $5,000 Certification Bonus, after successful completion of field training
• Lateral credit for certified external hires with TCFP Basic Structural Firefighter Certification and DSHS EMT-P Certification with 1-4 years of service in a full time fire department
• Drug Screening: Due to the safety and security sensitive nature of this position, individuals shall be subject to pre-employment or pre-placement drug and/or controlled substance testing as outlined in City policy
• Additional Criminal Background Screening Required: In addition to the standard pre-employment criminal background check, individuals receiving a conditional offer for this position shall be subject to a fingerprint-based background screening due to the required access to secured buildings and/or secure data systems

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described are representative of this job or that an employee encounters while performing essential duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Ability to perform essential duties in an unpredictable emergency response situation for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion in an environment that entails a variety of weather conditions and extreme temperatures; frequent standing, walking, bending, stooping, climbing, pushing/pulling; exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals, fire, fumes, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, disease, and pathogenic substances; and ability to use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.