Firefighter

Schedule: 48/96

Purpose of Classification :

The purpose of the firefighter position is to protect the lives, property, and environment of the community through dedicated service in fire suppression, emergency medical response, hazardous materials management, and fire prevention. Firefighters are responsible for responding to emergency situations, providing public safety education, and maintaining the equipment and facilities necessary for effective emergency response. This role requires a commitment to public service, continuous training, and adherence to safety standards to ensure the well-being of both the community and the firefighting team.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, downed power lines, and other emergency situations: responds to instructions from dispatcher; and contacts appropriate related agencies as needed.


Provides protection of life and property: suppresses, controls and extinguishes fires; performs search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris; assists with cleanup activities; and exercises control of emergency situations until relieved by a superior officer.


Responds to a variety of emergency calls requiring the administration of basic first aid and medical treatment: stabilizes victims who are dealing traumatic medical issues; and may respond to airway management, cardiac emergencies, allergic reactions, altered medical status, cerebral vascular accidents, or various medical traumas.


Maintains a state of constant readiness and preparation for emergency response: checks and maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; assists in preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies and in testing personal equipment, hoses and pumps, and other tools and apparatus; and ensures the emergency medical service equipment is properly stocked and operational.


Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures: maintains and awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends and advances in the profession; participates in physical fitness training, training drills and other continuing education activities; and attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.


Participates in fire prevention, pre-fire planning, and other fire education activities: participates in building and fire hydrant inspections; conducts fire safety programs, apparatus displays and skills demonstrations; conducts tours of fire station and fire trucks; and participates in community events and fundraisers.


Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment and tools in operable condition: inspects and tests equipment; replaces fluids and greases equipment; replaces parts; washes and cleans equipment; cleans quarters; performs grounds maintenance; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.

Operates a personal computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data, utilizing word processing, spreadsheet, Internet, e-mail, or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Operates or uses various equipment, power tools, hand tools, and supplies in order to complete work assignments: operates and maintains fire apparatus, hose lines, extrication tools, radios, lawn equipment, and other tools and equipment.

Communicates with supervisor, other City employees, the public, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.

Regular Attendance: Consistent and reliable in-person attendance to ensure effective teamwork, collaboration, and communication with colleagues, clients, and community members. This includes but is not limited to attending scheduled meetings, participating in on-site or off-site events, and being available during standard work hours. The City will attempt to accommodate any reasonable adjustments as outlined by the ADA.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED required, with vocational or technical training in fire science or a related field; supplemented by one year of experience in firefighting; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.


Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina driver's license. Must have the ability to possess and maintain the following additional certifications or licensures:

• Firefighter I and II,
• Hazardous Materials Operations, I - 100, 200, 700,
• EMT (Emergency Medical Technician),
• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR),
• Auto Extrication,
• Rescuing the Rescuer, and
• Confined Space Entry.
• May be required to obtain and maintain additional certifications as deemed necessary.

Specific Knowledge, Skills, or Abilities : Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn, comprehend, and apply all City or departmental policies, practices, and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization : Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction : Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project, and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.

Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization : Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Verbal Aptitude : Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data and information, such as work and maintenance logs, call reports, building plans, inspection reports, etc.

Mathematical Aptitude : Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning : Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability : Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds). Completion regulatory respirator fit tests and a "firefighter" physical.

Sensory Requirements : Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors : Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, bright and dim lights, toxic agents, animal and wildlife attacks, animal and human bites, explosives, or rude and irate customers.


The City of Fountain Inn is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

The City reserves the right to revise this position description at any time.