Paid-On-Call Firefighter

About the role

Responds to emergency calls as assigned and performs tasks that may include calls for rescue, protecting exposures, extinguishing fires, confinement, ventilation, salvage, emergency medical care and public education events.

Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief and may receive work direction from the Deputy Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief(s), Fire Captain(s) and/or other Firefighters.

Responsibilities

• Drives, operates and maintains fire department apparatus, aerial ladders, aid vehicles and other equipment to extinguish fires, perform rescues and provide aid in emergency situations.
• Performs emergency aid activities including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
• Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
• Presents safety, medical and fire prevention programs to the community.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• No specific work experience level required.
• Must be able to obtain International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Firefighter I Certification or Fire Service ProBoard Firefighter I Certification or Minnesota State Firefighter License or successfully complete the Bemidji Fire Department Basic Firefighter course within one year of employment.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
• Familiarity with the City of Bemidji and the surrounding area.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
• Familiarity with the City of Bemidji and the surrounding area.

Special Requirements

• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver's license.
• Class D minimum.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
• Must reside within eight (8) minutes' drive time of any Bemidji Fire Station while following all traffic laws or in the dormitory at Fire Station 1.
• The eight (8) minutes will be determined by City of Bemidji mapping software.
• Must be able to pass the Department's physical agility test.
• Shall complete the requirements necessary for the Paid-on-Call Fire Equipment Operator position within five (5) years of hiring date.

Safety Requirements

• Must be able to pass the Department's physical agility test.
• Shall complete the requirements necessary for the Paid-on-Call Fire Equipment Operator position within five (5) years of hiring date.

Supplemental Information

• Tools & Equipment Used: Fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, and telephone.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

Selection Guidelines

• Formal online application.
• Review of education and experience.
• Written examination.
• Oral examination by the City Manager, Fire Chief or their designated agents.
• Medical examination.
• Physical agility test.
• Background investigation.

Required Question

• Do you have a MN State Firefighter License?
• Do you have a valid Class D Minnesota Driver's License?
• Are you able to adjust to various combinations of work shift scheduling and call back, as required, to meet the needs of the City?
• Do you reside within 8 minutes of the four Bemidji Fire Station?
• List any experience with firefighting tools that you may have.
• List any firefighting experience you may have.
• If you answered no to the previous question, do you plan on moving within 8 minutes prior to start date?