Experienced Firefighter

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: 57,625.20- $70,569.58 DOQ

Job Summary

This position is responsible for responding to emergency and non-emergency calls to safeguard the lives and property of the community. Duties include providing Fire and EMS services and ensuring the maintenance and readiness of firefighting equipment and apparatus.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Responds to calls or reports of actual, possible, or potential fire occurrences, motor vehicle accidents, explosions, uncontained hazardous/volatile/chemical contamination or other property or life-threatening emergency conditions to suppress, control, remove, contain, or otherwise mitigate the situation; provides emergency support for medical emergencies; searches for and rescues victims; performs or supports various types of technical rescue operations.
• Responds to all fire and emergency medical calls and renders immediate, effective, and appropriate medical treatment in accordance with the departments medical protocols and the appropriate level of medical certification.
• Operate power extrication equipment to assist in patient removals from motor vehicles.
• Drives and operates a fire apparatus in emergency situations or if deemed qualified by the Battalion Chief and signed off by the Training Division.
• Cleans, services, and returns apparatus and equipment to emergency readiness. Ensures all appropriate equipment is mounted/placed on apparatus, equipment is maintained, and all deficiencies are documented and reported in accordance with policies, procedures, and standard operating guidelines.
• Cleans, maintains, tests and performs general preventive maintenance on equipment and automotive apparatus.
• Participates in drills and training sessions, or activities essential to maintaining a constant state of readiness and competency for all types of potential incidents.
• Participates in public education and life safety education as assigned.
• Performs routine fire hydrant inspection and maintenance; assists with maintenance logs and reports for all hydrants within assigned district biannually.
• Inspects personal protective equipment for readiness, and informs company officer of any maintenance or problems with the equipment.
• Utilizes and wears the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including selfcontained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while performing firefighting tasks in environments that may be immediately dangerous to life (IDLH atmospheres).
• Performs data entry and incident reports as assigned.
• Assists in station duties including: cleaning, maintenance, yard work, etc.
• Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.
• Maintains patient information in accordance with the Departments privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal and state law, and in accordance with general principles of professionalism as a health care provider.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must have the ability to learn, understand, and carry out the proper use of firefighting equipment and tools.
• Knowledge of emergency medical and health techniques and methods in alignment with certifications/licenses held.
• Knowledge of Bloodborne Pathogens and maintenance of current preventative vaccinations.
• Knowledge of South Carolina Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations.
• Knowledge of department computer applications and software.
• Knowledge of hazardous materials, and hazardous substance reference manuals.
• Skill in operating fire apparatus and pumping equipment, hydraulic, electrical & pneumatic rescue, and stabilization equipment.
• Skill in operating ladders, two-way radios, cameras, atmospheric & chemical sampling equipment, and basic office equipment such as fax and copy machines.
• Skill in operating medical equipment, including pulse-oximeter, cardiac monitor and defibrillator, blood glucose monitor and airway management commensurate with level of certification.
• Ability to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Knowledge of District policies, procedures, and practices.
• Ability to analyze and prepare organizational and functional reports from research data.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbal and written with a diverse range of people and deal with verbal and physical confrontations.
• Ability to communicate, using proper protocol and codes, when using two-way radios, and other modes of communication.
• Must be proficient in workplace English and spelling.
• Ability to understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions; including following orders of superior officers.
• Ability to read, develop, interpret, and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, confidentiality, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.
• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze facts and to exercise sound judgment in arriving at conclusions.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications/Coursework

Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Possession of a valid Drivers License.

Experience:

• Completed SCFA Recruit Academy or Bluffton Township Fire District Recruit Academy; or hold IFSAC or ProBoard Fire I and II certification;
  
• Successfully completed at least one (1) year as a Firefighter I with Bluffton Township Fire District or other fire department;
  
• Valid NREMT-Basic or NREMT-Paramedic certification; and
  
• Valid SCDHEC EMT-Basic or SCDHEC EMT-Paramedic certification.
  

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with Human Resources.

• This role occasionally requires the exertion of 75-100 pounds of force. Regular activities include sitting, while frequent tasks involve standing, speaking, hearing, using hands for handling, or repetitive motions. It also requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching with hands and arms.
• The position may require raising & extending ladders, assisting victims, or carrying equipment down ladders or stairs.
• Move and advance charged hose lines into burning buildings while standing or crawling.

Maintain control of a flowing hose line for extended periods and shut it off when necessary.

• Enter buildings under adverse fire conditions, such as smoke, extreme heat, and limited visibility, while wearing full protective gear, including SCBA with a facepiece. Search for fire victims by walking or crawling, often relying on touch alone, and, if found, drag or carry them to safety. Emergency response and medical services may be provided in various settings, including buildings, vehicles, machinery incidents, mobile homes, and outdoor areas.
• Work in high places, open and/or confined spaces, and can be exposed to heat, cold, and/or wet environmental elements.
• Operate power extrication equipment to assist in patient removal from motor vehicles. Lift and carry patients over rough or uneven terrain for extended distances. Perform physical tasks such as bending, straining, stretching, pushing, pulling, twisting, and carrying to remove victims from vehicles and place them on a stretcher.
• Operate power saws in challenging positions, such as on sloped roofs or from ladders.
• Respond to alarms by quickly transitioning from sleep to full activity and exertion within minutes.
• May be exposed to individuals with infectious or communicable diseases.
• Maintain composure, confront stressful situations, and withstand the effects of repeated exposure to traumatic situations.
• May be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, high or precarious places, fumes, airborne particles, toxic chemicals, extreme temperatures, electrical shock, hazardous materials, and vibrations.
• May be required to work extended periods, including 24-hour shifts or longer, involving intense concentration and physical exhaustion.
• Operate district vehicles during the day and at night, using depth perception and peripheral vision in emergencies, in congested traffic, and unsafe road conditions caused by factors such as fog, smoke, rain, ice, and snow.
• Handles cleaning fluids, chemicals, pesticides, insecticides, paints, and similar substances while using both routine and specialized protective equipment.
• Requires close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color perception, night vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made in accordance with applicable law.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Management reserves the right to assign or modify duties as needed. This document does not constitute an employment agreement and may be revised at any time.