Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteer Firefighter

Under the supervision of the Fire Chief, the Paid On-Call Volunteer Firefighter performs advanced firefighting work in preventing, combating, and extinguishing fires, responding to hazardous materials incidents and emergency calls which include special rescue situations such as vehicle and steep angle rescue. Work involves training for and participating in duties of protecting life and property through the performance of firefighting and emergency service activities. Volunteer Firefighters are required to learn and participate in the operation of apparatus and the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions which may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps as smoke, fire, heat and cramped surroundings. Participation in a minimum of 60% of department calls for service in a calendar year is required to remain an active Fire Department member. The department averages about 173 calls per year most of which take less than an hour to handle. Although firefighting and emergency services work constitutes the primary and most difficult and responsible area of work, the volunteer is also required to drill twice each month for 3 hours. The drills are usually held from 6pm until 9pm the second and last Monday of each month. These drills consist of practice sessions dealing with various aspects of firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials awareness, and emergency medical work. Time spent at the station may consist of studying, custodial care and a wide variety of maintenance of departmental facilities, apparatus and equipment. Work is usually performed in accordance with explicit instructions and well defined procedures; however, performance of the work requires initiative and the exercise of independent judgment. Two excused absences from drills are allowed per year. If there are more than 2 absences, the firefighter may be asked to perform duties at the fire station to make up time that was missed.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Responds to alarms of fire or other emergencies in accordance with department procedures. Firefighter operates auxiliary equipment, lays and connects hose, holds nozzles, and directs fog, chemical, and water streams. Raises and climbs ladders, uses chemical extinguishers and operates variety of other portable and related equipment such as chainsaws and small engines.
• Participates in training sessions and attends classes in firefighting, hazardous materials, rescue, emergency medical treatment, and related subjects.
• Responds to calls for emergency services, prepared to perform life saving techniques and other on- site care of victims if required.
• Responds to emergency calls for drowning, various rescue situations, accidents and natural or other catastrophes.
• Performs a wide variety of general custodial and maintenance work in the upkeep of department apparatus, equipment, and station. Cleans and washes walls and floors. Washes, hangs, and dries hose. Washes, cleans, and polishes apparatus. This listing of "Examples of Work Performed" is intended to describe the principal functions of the Volunteer Firefighter. The listing of examples, however, shall not be construed as a complete listing of miscellaneous, incidental or substantively similar duties which may be assigned during the normal operation of the Fire Department
• Obey and comply with City Ordinances and policies.

Qualifications, Job Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

TECHNICAL SKILLS

• Once Firefighter 1 certified, firefighters will be able to enter burning structures wearing self-contained breathing apparatus under the direction of Command Staff.
• Firefighters will also have the ability to identify hazardous materials by placard and identification number and take appropriate safety precautions.

This employee is under the supervision of the Fire Chief and Ranking Officers of the Department. The fire department consists of 30 members: a Fire Chief, an Assistant Chief, two Captains, four Lieutenants, eight Engineers, and fourteen firefighters. Those members are divided into two Battalions and four Engine Companies.

In addition to regular contact with the general public and co- workers, employee must have the ability to effectively communicate with a diverse range of people and deal with verbal and physical confrontations while maintaining the best interest of the fire department. Desire to help others in need. WORKING CONDITIONS;

• Ability to enter a building under adverse fire conditions which might include smoke, extreme heat, and no visibility, in full protective clothing, including air pack with face piece. Ability to search for fire victims (sometimes searching by feel only), while walking or crawling, and if victim is found, to drag or carry the victim to safety.
• Ability to perform firefighting and rescue duties while exposed to extreme cold and/or wet environmental elements.
• Ability to respond to an alarm, wake from a sound sleep and go to full activity and exertion within a matter of minutes.
• Ability to hear and orally respond to verbal orders, calls for assistance, and radio communications, as well as the ability to hear, identify, and appropriately respond to various sounds in an environment of substantial background noises, such as sounds produced by structural collapses, back-drafts, breaking glass, fire, other firefighters, sirens, traffic, and victims. Ability to shout orders, warnings, and responses when necessary.
• Ability to work under other adverse conditions which may include; hazardous chemicals, electrical hazards, communicable diseases, biohazards, hazards associated with working in and near traffic, and natural and man-made disasters.

Education, Experience, Licenses, Additional Info

Experience : No experience is required. Certification : Volunteer Firefighters are expected to complete and pass the Wisconsin Certified Firefighter 1 program and Hazardous Materials Class (HAZMAT) within two years after joining the Department. The Firefighter 1 Class is 96 hours of classroom and hands on training with an additional 20 hours of classroom for the HAZMAT. Additional at home study time will be needed. Training will be conducted by Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton at variety of local fire departments or at the Fox Valley Technical College Public Safety Training Center near Appleton, Wisconsin. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS Age: 18 years of age Education: High School diploma or GED Driver's License: Must possess a valid driver's license with no limitations. Residency Requirement: Must reside within 8 minutes of the New London Fire Station, 215 N. Shawano Street, New London Wisconsin. Availability: Firefighters should be available to respond 24 hours a day seven days a week when alerted by a voice emergency message sent over a fire department pager carried by them. Those firefighters who work locally and can leave work and/or are available during the daytime to respond to emergency calls are desired.