Firefighter

Firefighter

This position is responsible for the protection of life and property through firefighting, rescue, and related duties. Duties include training and participation in the operation of firefighting apparatus and the performance of hazardous duties under emergency conditions. Work may require strenuous exertion under adverse conditions such as smoke, fire, heat, and cramped surroundings. When not engaged in firefighting or rescue activities, incumbent is required to participate in drill/study programs and perform routine duties in the care and maintenance of station equipment, apparatus, buildings, and grounds. Work is usually performed under close supervision in accordance with established policies and procedures. Assignments are given by superior officer both in fighting fires and at the station. Work is usually reviewed for adherence to standards and through reports and accomplishment of desired results.

Examples of Duties / Knowledge & Skills

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING DUTIES. ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE CITY OF RIDGELAND AND LISTED AS SUCH IN THE INCUMBENT'S PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL ELEMENTS. VARIOUS TASKS MAY BE ASSIGNED UNDER EACH ESSENTIAL FUNCTION. THOSE THAT ARE LISTED UNDER THE EXAMPLES OF WORK ARE NOT ALL INCLUSIVE; THEY ARE EXAMPLES ONLY AND MAY BE AMENDED OR ADDED TO AS NEEDED BY THE CITY OF RIDGELAND.

• Fire Suppression
• Rescue
• Emergency Medical
• Apparatus Operation
• Fire Prevention
• Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Training
• Emergency Contingency Planning
• Maintenance and Custodial Duties
• Wellness / Fitness

Examples of work performed in this classification include, but are not limited to, the following tasks. These tasks may be amended or other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Fire Suppression Service Delivery

• Respond to fire calls with assigned company; lay and connect hose; holds nozzle and directs water stream; climb ladders; use chemical fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment as assigned and according to standard operating guidelines.
• Ventilate burning buildings by opening windows and skylights or by cutting holes in roofs and floors as directed and following all safety precautions.
• Perform salvage operation such as removing water and debris, covering property with tarps, and removing property from buildings as directored and following all safety precautions.

Rescue

• Remove person(s) from danger, acting alone or as a member of a team.
• Operate extrication equipment.
• Operate various power and hand tools.
• Deploy rope rescue equipment.
• Participate in search and rescue operations.

Emergency Medical

• Respond to medical emergencies, make patient assessments and deliver care to Basic Emergency Medical Technician level.
• Maintain inventory of medical supplies.

Apparatus Operation

• Drive rescue apparatus to medical calls when assigned, following standard operating procedures.
• Drive and operate pumping apparatus when assigned, following standard operating procedures.
• Drive and operate aerial apparatus when assigned, following standard operating procedures.

Fire Prevention

• Conduct fire and life safety presentations when assigned, using nationally recognized programs.
• Conduct and participate in fire station tours to educate public in fire safety and fire service operations.

Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Training

• Attend fire, rescue and emergency medical training sessions as they are scheduled for in-service training.
• Conduct fire, rescue, and emergency medical classes as assigned for in-service training.
• Maintain National and State EMT certification as required for employment, by attending refresher courses, obtaining required continuing education hours, paying all fees associated with re-certification, completing and mailing re-certification application forms.
• Attends national and state certified fire and rescue classes as scheduled to enhance individual ability in emergency service discipline.

Emergency Contingency Planning

• Participate in emergency contingency planning as assigned, including building walk-through, tabletop scenarios.
• Maintain current knowledge of streets and city infrastructure measured by test instrument as required.

Maintenance and Custodial Duties

• Perform daily, weekly, monthly, periodic and annual maintenance on emergency apparatus as assigned, according to standard operating guidelines.
• Perform daily, weekly, monthly, periodic and annual custodial duties and maintenance as assigned to fire stations and grounds, according to standard operating guidelines.
• Participate in periodic maintenance and annual testing of fire hose, ladders, and various emergency equipment as assigned, according to the standard operating guidelines.

Wellness / Fitness

• Participate in the physical fitness-training program as required to ensure physical ability to perform duties.
• Successfully complete semi-annual fitness test as required for employment.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS The following minimum qualifications have been identified by subject matter experts (SME'S) who have supervised this position or functioned in the position; they are based upon job analysis information supplied by these SME'S. However, if a candidate believes he/she is qualified for the job although he/she does not have the minimum qualifications set forth below, he/she may request special consideration through substitution of related education and experience, demonstrating the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Any request to substitute related education or experience for minimum qualifications must be addressed to the Human Resource Director, in writing, identifying the related education and experience which demonstrates the candidate's ability to perform all essential functions of the position. If a candidate believes he/she needs a reasonable accommodation to meet these minimum qualifications or, if called for an interview, to attend such an interview, the candidate must notify the Human Resource Director, in writing of the need for the accommodation and identify the specific accommodation requested.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Incumbent must be age 18 years or older. Incumbent must possess a high school diploma from an accredited school or possession a GED certificate.

Knowledges, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

Ability to act quickly and calmly in emergency situations. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions. Ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations as necessitated by work assignments. Ability and physical strength to do prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions. Ability to meet such medical and physical standards as may be prescribed. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of organization. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: These physical requirements are not exhaustive and additional job-related physical demands may be added to these by the City if the need arises. Corrective devices may be used to meet these physical requirements. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, talk or hear, and taste or smell. The employee frequently is required to walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 75 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 100 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move more than 150 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The employee is frequently exposed to high, precarious places and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts, extreme cold, explosives, and risk of radiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.