Volunteer Fire Fighter

Volunteer Firefighter

This job description identifies the requirements and expectations for both Combat and Support Volunteers, generally referred to as Volunteer Firefighters. The Volunteer Firefighter serves the community by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen requests for information or assistance. They perform within the scope and policies and procedures of the Indian Harbour Beach Fire Department and they perform their duties in the following general categories: fire suppression, emergency medical aid or rescue, hazardous material responses, training, public education, and other activities associated with the fire department, including station and equipment maintenance.

Combat Volunteer Firefighter: An individual who holds a current and valid Volunteer Certificate of Completion (Firefighter I) issued by the Division of State Fire Marshal under s. 633.408 Florida Statutes, is not medically restricted and considered "fit for the rigors of firefighting duty." Combat personnel are trained to minimum standards and allowed to operate in the "hot zone" or area that is considered Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) where serious threat of harm exists. Support Services Volunteer: An individual who does not hold a current and valid Volunteer Certificate of Completion (Firefighter I) issued by the Division of State Fire Marshal under s. 633.408 Florida Statutes, or is medically restricted and considered "unfit for the rigors of firefighting duty." Support personnel may not operate within the "hot zone" or IDLH environment.

This is a volunteer, non-compensated entry level position under the general supervision of a Fire Lieutenant and is expected to function effectively as part of a trained team of professionals. Members are expected to perform their duties under adverse conditions and physical conditions that may pose a high risk of personal injury or exposure to hazardous conditions and infectious diseases. Duties are performed in accordance with standard instructions and a well-defined routine under the immediate supervision of ranking officer. Work is reviewed frequently through observation. The Volunteer Firefighter is required to attend regularly scheduled training in order to maintain the level of knowledge, skill, and ability necessary to function safely and effectively as a firefighter in accordance with state law, city protocols, and standard operating procedures.

The list of essential functions is intended to be representative of the work performed. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

• Responds to fire and emergency medical calls; evaluates situation and administers medical treatment.
• May be required to lay hose lines and direct fire streams to extinguish and contain fires; raise and climb ladders to perform search and rescue procedures along with ventilation of burning structures.
• Cleans and maintains fire station facilities and equipment and other related apparatus.
• Operates emergency radios and maintains contact with other units at all times.
• Participates in the use and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical equipment.
• Participates in drills, classes and schools in firefighting, emergency medical treatment and other fire service related areas.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Operates equipment as used for the control and extinguishment of fires such as: Class "A" fire apparatus, fire hose, nozzles, ladders, ropes, axes, water tools and appliances, aerial ladder devices, rescue equipment, power and nonpower hand tools, self-contained breathing apparatus, firefighting protective clothing ensemble, hazardous materials protective clothing and related tools and equipment.
• Operates tools required for treatment of the sick and injured including: bandages, splints, blood pressure monitoring equipment, spinal immobilization equipment, hydraulic power tools for extrication purposes and other medical treatment hand tools.
• Non-emergency related duties include but are not limited to conducting readiness inspections of apparatus and equipment, flow testing fire hydrants, pre-fire planning of buildings, response area surveys, report writing, and public relations details.

The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age.
• Must be a high school graduate or have obtained a GED.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Class E driver's license.
• Must have and maintain a satisfactory driving record as determined by the City of Indian Harbour Beach.
• A current State of Florida Firefighter I or Firefighter II Certificate of Compliance is preferred.
• Must develop an understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Plan (NRP) as well as the Incident Command System (ICS) qualified through the completion of recognized training and education courses.
• Must successfully complete all pre-acceptance requirements including but not limited to application, background check, drug testing, and a fire department medical physical.
• Members must reside within a reasonable service area as designated by the Fire Chief.
• Members must attend a minimum number of trainings and respond to a minimum number of incidents as determined by the Fire Chief.
• Must be tobacco free for at least one year prior to initial employment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of firefighting techniques.
• Knowledge of the elements of combustion and methods of proper extinguishment.
• Knowledge of chemistry as it applies to toxic and flammable properties of various elements.
• Knowledge of the proper techniques to perform rescue and first aid operations to include the use of all fire department equipment including aerial devices.
• Knowledge of hydraulics and pump operation.
• Operating and mechanical principles involved in the operation of fire apparatus, mechanical, electrical and/or allied equipment.
• Ability to perform difficult and dangerous work under emergency hazardous conditions.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Knowledge of City Personnel Policies Manual.
• Knowledge of Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG's).
• General knowledge of personal computer technology including desktops and mobile devices.
• Ability to exercise tact and courtesy and work patiently with other teammates and members of the public.
• Understand and follow departmental policies, rules and instructions.
• Learn firefighting techniques and methods and apply such information to specific situations.
• Analyze situations and take effective courses of action.
• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions, giving close attention to detail and accuracy.
• Read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operation and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, and so forth.
• Mitigate situations involving fire alarm systems.
• Remain calm and courteous and work in extremely stressful situations.

Essential Physical Skills:

• Meet physical requirements as indicated for State certification.
• Must endure sustained acts of physical exhaustion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to reach, pull, push, and throw, walk, stand, crawl, kneel, bend, stoop, jump, run, balance, smell, drive, and climb stairs and ladders.
• Acceptable eyesight (with or without corrections).
• Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aids).
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing in English. Being able to communicate in other languages is desirable.
• Must be able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment used for firefighting, rescue, and maintaining facilities.
• Ability to follow written and/or verbal instructions.
• Must be able to apply negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects (up to 45 pounds) frequently and occasionally very heavy objects (100 pounds or more).

Work Environment: While performing the essential functions of this position the employee is frequently exposed to extreme heat or cold, poor visibility, flames, smoke, wet or humid conditions, perform detailed rescue procedures near moving mechanical parts, in high or precarious places, in close proximity of toxic or caustic chemicals in industrial grade concentrations, contagious and/or infectious diseases, fumes or airborne particles, risk of electrical shock, and work with explosives. The employee will have little or no preparation time before work is to be performed and therefore is expected to maintain a high level of preparation and readiness at all times. Working time requires irregular hours and shift times. The incumbent's working conditions are typically loud. This job class specification should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It