Firefighter Employees in this class perform skilled firefighting work extinguishing fires and conducting rescue operations to preserve life and property. Occupants are frequently responsible for performing the role of Engineer to drive fire apparatus. An employee in this class is responsible for performing all functions and services of firefighting and emergency medical rescue. Emphasis of the work is on responding to and providing fire and rescue, services to citizens and businesses. Work involves extinguishing fires at fire scenes, safeguarding lives, salvaging property, preventing the recurrence of fires, and protecting properties from the elements, vandalism, and theft. Work also includes routine inspection and maintenance of fire apparatus, fire station facilities and equipment, providing basic life support, training, and drilling in the use of fire equipment and firefighting techniques, and the performance of public relations activities. Work is often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazard. Work is performed under the supervision of the Fire Chief and is reviewed through observation, reports, and discussion concerning the quality and effectiveness of fire efforts and related duties. Illustrative examples of work include: Responds to emergency scenes; performs basic firefighting functions including basic life support, CPR, and first aid; connects hoses to hydrants and applies water or chemicals to fire; operates portable fire extinguishers to combat small fires; forces entry into burning structures and searches for and rescues occupants. Connects pump to water source and hoses to the pump; calculates friction loss, pumping water and maintaining the correct pressures for the nozzles based upon the hose sizes and fire conditions; monitors radio transmission and relaying messages. Participates in post-fire operations of cleaning and salvage; covers furniture and fixtures and sweeps and mops water to minimize water damage; participates in retrieving, cleaning, and replacing all equipment. Participates in training to assure proficiency in all firefighting techniques; trains for knowledge of all equipment and apparatus as well as their operations. Participates in pre-fire planning program including residential and business fire prevention inspections; prepares scale drawings and pre-plan firefighting strategies. Participates in routine preventative maintenance of equipment including checking and filling self-contained breathing apparatus, washing and waxing trucks, checking batteries and fuel and oil levels, cleaning and drying hose, inspecting hose and hose connections for damage and wear; maintains fire station by sweeping, mopping, painting, washing windows, and other tasks. Checks and flushes fire hydrants for flow and pressure. Conducts fire prevention education demonstrating fire extinguishers and smoke detectors and helping develop escape plans; provides child safety seat installations for citizens with children. Conducts tours of the fire station and performs public demonstrations at schools, community meetings, and other locations. Performs related work as required. Knowledge, skills, and abilities include: Some knowledge of fire ground tactics and strategy, the Incident Command System (ICS), principles of incident safety, hazardous materials incident management techniques, technical rescue techniques, and emergency medical practices. Some knowledge of basic technical rescue tactics and strategy. Some knowledge of hydraulic and mechanical concepts. Ability to perform in dynamic, highly stressful situations. Ability to react quickly and calmly in all types of emergency and departmental scenarios. Ability to analyze problems, identify alternative solutions and project consequences of proposed actions. Ability to assess situations to determine tactical objectives on emergency scenes. Ability to work extended hours and days to meet all operational needs when necessary. Ability to wear a respirator (SCBA) to safely perform firefighting operations or perform rescues in conditions where smoke or gases may be present. Ability to make arithmetic computations using whole numbers, fractions, and decimals. Ability to follow oral and written directions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, other medical personnel, law enforcement, and the public. Physical requirements and working conditions include: Conditional offers of employment are subject to successful completion of a pre-employment physical to ensure the ability to meet physical requirements. This work requires regular exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of up to 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling, lifting, and repetitive motions; frequently requires sitting, smelling; work has standard vision requirements; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, assembly or fabrication of parts within arm's length, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; work regularly requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions, exposure to bloodborne pathogens, and exposure to fumes or airborne particles; work occasionally requires exposure to wet, humid conditions (nonweather), working in high, precarious places, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to extreme heat (non-weather), exposure to the risk of electrical shock, working with explosives, exposure to vibration, and may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment; work is generally in a loud noise location (e.g. grounds maintenance, heavy traffic).
Education and experience:
Graduation from high school or GED equivalency and some work experience in a public safety environment is desired.
Special requirements include:- Possession of a high school diploma or GED.Possession of a valid NC Class B driver's license.
- Possession of NC MR or EMT Credential
- Possession of NC Firefighter certification.
- Possession of NC Emergency Vehicle Driver certification
- Possession of NC D/O Pumps certification (Preferred)
- Successfully pass an NFPA physical examination and drug screening.
Disclaimer:
This classification specification has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to perform the job. The Town reserves the right to modify the duties assigned to this classification.
