Firefighter

Firefighter

Under close supervision of a company officer, the firefighter 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. While emergency responses constitute the primary focus of a firefighter's responsibility, considerable time is spent in study, training, inspecting, and maintaining equipment and apparatus, and in cleaning and maintaining quarters. Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit in order to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties. Work is performed in accordance with direct instructions and well-defined routines and under the immediate supervision of a ranking officer. Work is reviewed through written reports for adherence to established policies and procedures. Essential job functions and responsibilities include:

• Protecting citizens during emergencies.
• Responding to emergencies with a fire company or rescue unit.
• Answering 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.
• Removing, extracting, and rescuing persons from danger.
• Recognizing acute and chronic symptoms requiring care; administering life-saving rescue procedures to injured or afflicted persons.
• Performing salvage operations including throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and placing smoke ejectors.
• Connecting hose to hydrants and pumps; joining hose section and connecting nozzles to hose; entering burning buildings with or without hose lines; operating nozzles and applying stream of water or fog on fires.
• Operating hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires; raising and climbing ladders; ventilating burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.
• Making daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notifying supervisor of defects; performing cleaning and maintenance tasks in and about assigned station.
• Aiding in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed by supervisor.
• Attending 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.
• Mitigating chemical spills by recognizing hazardous material situations; making identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized testing equipment; setting up decontamination procedures; assisting state agencies in the removal/disposal of hazardous material.
• Preventing fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards.
• Preparing citizens to prevent fire damage by developing and conducting educational and training programs. Providing educational information and lectures to community organizations and schools on other Fire and EMS related topics.
• Establishing and maintaining effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.
• Ensuring availability of water at fire scene by testing hydrants, requesting and expediting repairs, and verifying repairs.
• Ensuring operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, and troubleshooting malfunctions.
• Notifying supervisor of needed repairs.
• Evaluating new equipment and techniques.
• Maintaining operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.
• Providing information by completing reports.
• Maintaining fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.
• Preparing and maintaining required documentation when serving in a leadership role during emergency operations.
• Contributing to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Performing related work as required for this position description only.

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