Job Description Help for Job Description. Opens a new window. This is entry level fighting in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires. Employees work a rotating schedule of 24 hours on and 48 hours off. Performs prolonged and difficult work under hazardous conditions. Primary responsibility is for the protection of life and property through fire fighting activities. Work is often performed in emergencies and stressful situations. Employees are exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils and may involve strenuous exertion under such handicaps such as cramped surroundings. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wed or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud. While performing the duties of this position, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, during day, evening and night shifts. Most of the time is spent in supervised training, in inspection and maintenance of equipment, and in cleaning and maintaining quarters. Work is normally performed under close supervision in accordance with well-defined procedures and assignments. Assignments are received from department superiors both in fighting fires and at the station. May be authorized to work as Fire Engineer in the absence of a Fire Engineer with recommendation by Fire Captain and approval of Fire Chief.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Responds to fire alarms and other disasters with company. Lays and connects hose. Holds nozzle and directs water streams. Raises and secures ladders. Uses portable extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment relating to fire and other disasters. Assists in the inspection of buildings for fire hazards, efficiency of fire protection equipment, adequacy of fire escapes and fire exits, and general compliance with fire prevention laws. Removes people from danger. Administers first aid to injured persons. Performs salvage operations, such as throwing covers, sweeping water, and removing debris relating to fire and other disasters. Participates in fire drills and attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical care and related subjects. Attends public gatherings to ensure observance of fire safety requirements. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station, makes minor repairs; washes, hangs, and dries hoses; washes, cleans, polishes, and tests apparatus. Performs basic domestic chores around the station maintaining an atmosphere of cleanliness and orderliness. Performs driving and pump operation duties in the absence of the Fire Engineer. Participates in presentations of programs to the community on safety, medical and fire prevention topics. Assists in training new employees as assigned. Performs other related duties as required.

QUALFICATIONS

Education, Training and Experience:

Any combination of training and/or experience equivalent to: High School Diploma or possess a G.E.D. Must be able to meet the requirements outlined in

NFPA 1001.

Possess Florida Firefighter II certification upon initial employment and be able to acquire the additional certification EMT-B within the one (1) year probationary period.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid Florida drivers license. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age at time-of-hire. In an emergency and/or standby situation, an employee in this position must be able to report to his/her regular workstation in a maximum of 30 minutes from the time of notification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Some knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the City or ability to acquire this knowledge rapidly. Knowledge of computers, internet and standard office equipment. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions in English. Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in English. Ability to learn a wide variety of fire fighting duties and methods, including the operation of fire fighting apparatus, equipment, and tools. Ability to perform duties under adverse conditions requiring good physical condition. Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force to move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

Balancing:

Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. The amount of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.

Climbing:

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized.

Crawling:

Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.

Crouching:

Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.

Feeling:

Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of fingertips.

Finger Dexterity:

Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand as in handling.

Grasping:

Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palms.

Handling:

Picking, holding, or otherwise working primarily with the whole hand.

Hearing:

Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discrimination in sound.

Kneeling:

Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.

Lifting:

Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.

Pulling:

Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.

Pushing:

Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward and outward.

Reaching:

Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.

Repetitive Motion:

Substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.

Speaking:

Expressing and exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word including the ability to convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately and concisely.

Standing:

Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Sitting:

Particularly for sustained periods of time.

Stooping:

Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. Occurs to a considerable degree and requires full motions of the lower extremities and back muscles.

Talking:

Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken work including those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. Shouting in order to be heard above ambient noise level.

Visual Acuity:

Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures: transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; and /or extensive reading. Including color, depth perception, and field vision. Visual acuity to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned or to make general observations of facilities and/or structures. Visual acuity to operate motor vehicles, fire vehicles and apparatus. Have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: visual inspection involving small defects, small parts, operation of machines; using measurement devices; and/or assembly or fabrication parts at distances close to the eyes.

Walking:

Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed at one of two assigned fire station. Work will be performed inside and outside of station. Work will be performed in all weather conditions. Assumes risks inherent in fire service. Some stressful situations. Work may occur in heights.