Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteer position with the Fire EMS department.

About the role

This is a non-exempt volunteer position performing fire suppression, prevention, life safety duties, ambulance and other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Perform firefighting duties such as combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, and answering emergency calls with an engine, ladder, or other miscellaneous vehicles.
• Lay and connect hoses, direct water onto burning structures, raise and climb ladders, and use other firefighting techniques such as ventilating burning buildings (chopping holes in floors or roofs).
• Administer first aid to injured persons.
• Perform salvage operations.
• Inspect assigned district to assure knowledge of access, fire hazards, etc.
• Respond and perform emergency medical assistance to level of certified training.
• Train for and participate in the protection of life and property by firefighting, rescue and emergency medical activities.
• Participate in fire drills and attend training classes in firefighting, first aid and other related subjects; attend a minimum of 50% of annual trainings (2-3 trainings held per month).
• Attend a minimum of 6 Vermillion Fire Department business meetings (of the 12 held annually).
• Handle routine custodial maintenance of the Fire Department equipment (such as oxygen breathing equipment, resuscitation equipment, etc.), apparatus and quarters.
• Conform to the safety requirements of the Fire Department.
• Perform daily cleaning and minor maintenance of station and living quarters including sweeping, mopping, cleaning windows, cleaning restrooms, washing dishes, trash removal and other types of routine maintenance.
• Operate and maintain machinery such as chain saws, pumps, extrication tools, etc.
• Perform daily inspection and inventories of apparatus such as trucks and ambulances. Equipment must be maintained in clean, stocked, working order. If equipment is found to be not functional, notify the Shift Commander.
• Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• The ability to learn firefighting skills, first aid, apparatus and equipment maintenance.
• The ability to respond to the assigned station within 7 minutes of being dispatched.
• Pass a basic pre-hire physical, drug screen, and background check.

Preference will be given to applicants who possess Firefighter I or above.

Physical Demands

• Operate both as an employee of a team and independently at incidents of uncertain duration.
• Spend extensive time outside exposed to the elements.
• Tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing duties.
• Perform physically demanding work in hot (up to 400 degrees), humid (up to 100%) atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms.
• Experience frequent transition from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres.
• Work in wet, icy or muddy areas.
• Perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as rooftops or ladders.
• Work in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries is possible.
• Face exposure to infectious agents such as Hepatitis B or HIV.
• Face exposure to carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents either through inhalation or skin contact.
• Wear personal protection equipment that weighs approximately 50 lbs. while performing tasks.
• Frequently lift objects weighing 50-100 pounds.
• Perform physically demanding work while wearing positive pressure breathing equipment with 1.5 inches of water column resistance to exhalation at a flow of 40 liters per minute (lpm).
• Perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies.
• Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.
• Face life or death decisions during emergency conditions.
• Exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims.
• Make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods.
• Operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility—at heights and in enclosed or confined spaces.
• Use manual and power tools in the performance of duties.
• Rely on speech, as well as senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation.
• Lift varying weights and carry said weights, without stopping, for various distances.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Fire pumps, SCBA, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment.
• Ladders, first aid equipment, radio, vehicle, personal protective gear, personal computer.