Firefighter

Firefighter - Sworn

Under the general guidance and leadership of the Chief of Fire, the Firefighter is a highly responsible professional and technical position involving the performance of various duties at emergency scenes and the maintenance of the fire stations and equipment. These responsibilities generally are carried out in accordance with established departmental rules and regulations and modern principles of fire service practices, with considerable latitude in the exercise of sound judgment in the conduct of all phases of their duties. This is an emergency essential position that requires performance of emergency duties and actions to prepare, repair, and recover the City before, during, and after any adverse storm events (hurricane, tornado, tropical storm, ice storm, etc.) or other conditions (natural or manmade). Any omissions, falsifications, misstatements, or misrepresentations of the information provided may disqualify the applicant.

Essential duties include:

• Ability to perform responsible and skilled work involving the work orders received from superior officers and the work is reviewed by observation and daily discussion.
• Ability to perform routine firefighting activities as well as general household maintenance of the fire department.
• Ability to answer fire alarms, medical calls and other emergencies and forward information to the proper authorities.
• Ability to perform basic firefighting operations such as hose connecting, working from heights on ladders, working in hazardous environments using self-contained breathing apparatus, performs search and rescue in hostile atmospheres, using chain saws, and other operations to combat fires.
• Ability to administer first aid and operate extrication equipment at vehicle accidents and other emergency scenes.
• Ability to perform water rescues and operate or assist with operations on the fire boat.
• Ability to participate or assist as part of the dive or USAR team.
• Ability to perform general household duties, including hose and apparatus cleaning, drying, and minor maintenance and repair work with minimal supervision.
• Ability to participate in practice drills in the classroom and field training programs, including tactical surveys of buildings.
• Ability to study fire hydrant locations, fire alarm systems, street and address locations, and business district maps, and assist with formulating pre-fire plans.
• Ability to participate as a committee member on departmental committees. To include the internal safety committee, the apparatus committee, the promotional committee, and the SCBA committee.
• Ability to supervise or assist in public education programs.
• Ability to assume the duties and responsibilities of the Engineer during his or her absence when required.
• Ability to perform related work as required.

Knowledge, abilities and skills include:

• General knowledge of the operation and maintenance of modern firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• General knowledge of the streets, hydrants, target hazards, and location of built-in fire protection devices within the City of Panama City.
• General knowledge and ability to make minor repairs to firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• General knowledge of firefighting methods and activities in relation to the operation and coordination of mobile fire equipment.
• Ability to receive and execute orders in a timely and efficient manner with little or no direct supervision.
• General knowledge and ability to supervise or assist with a company in classroom and field training programs.
• Must be able to meet the demands outlined in the "Physical Demands – Line Staff" document.
• General knowledge of the methods, practices and techniques used in the work assigned.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors and colleagues
• General knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions necessary in the work assigned.
• Ability to understand and transmit verbal, written and digital instructions.
• Must comply with all City safety policies and programs in the performance of their work to include, but not limited to, vehicles, equipment, tools and facilities.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma is required.
• State of Florida Certificate of Compliance as a Firefighter II required.
• Must have ICS 100, ICS 200, and IS 700.
• A current Driver's License is required.

Physical demands include:

• Occasionally working on uneven or slippery surfaces.
• Ability to Lift/Carry: 50+ Lbs., Push/Pull: 50+ Lbs.
• Frequently walking, standing, bending, running, climbing, squatting, twisting/turning, balancing, reaching above the shoulder, kneeling, and crawling.
• Fine motor skills, type/keyboard functions, prolonged periods of visual concentration and moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
• Able to restrain, lift and/or carry adults of varying weights.
• Ability to defend oneself from physical assault and/or attack.
• Constantly requires the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, utilizing Standard English.
• Ability to hear (with or without a hearing aid).
• Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction) and/or signal people to convey and exchange information; differentiate between colors or shades of color, read a variety of materials, and comprehend.
• Ability to apply problem-solving.
• Ability to deal with people/general public beyond giving and receiving instructions.
• Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, unusual or dangerous situations, or in situations requiring sustained attention or physical exertion.

Work environment includes:

• The employee may become exposed to radiant and electrical energy sources as well as grease, oils, solvents or chemicals, dust, and noise.
• Frequent exposure to both indoor and outdoor environments, contact with the public, as well as a variety of environmental, climate, weather, and terrain conditions.
• Subject to varied work hours, overtime and recall during emergencies as essential personnel.

Risk/Safety Conditions include:

• The position involves a significant degree of inherent danger and risk, as well as tension being a consistent part of the job.