Firefighter

Firefighter

Under direct supervision, directly participates in a City sponsored program of fire safety, protection, prevention, and emergency medical services; could be assigned to the fire prevention division almost exclusively. Assists in the maintenance of apparatus, vehicles, buildings, and other physical facilities of the Fire Department; participates in a program of commercial and residential fire safety inspections; participates in the administration of advanced life support services; and participates in training programs to increase job knowledge and proficiency.

Examples of duties include:

• Responds to fire calls, emergency medical calls and other emergencies; drives and operates various firefighting equipment and ambulance units; performs rescues and renders medical care; conducts salvage and clean up operation.
• Conducts inspections of commercial and residential properties; makes recommendation for fire and life safety; writes correction orders for violations of fire codes; draws layout sketches of buildings; may give testimony in court involving arson cases.
• Attends training classes and activities in firefighting and emergency medical services techniques; receives training in methods of fire prevention inspection and rules and regulations.
• Performs maintenance of ambulance equipment, firefighting equipment and facilities; may perform semi-skilled work on complex firefighting equipment apparatus.
• Participates in public information programs such as demonstrations and safety lectures for schools and organizations.
• Serves as a designated watch officer, manning telephones and fire alarms; completes activity reports.
• May be assigned to the fire prevention division or emergency medical services on a full-time basis to assist in all fire prevention, inspection, investigation and educational activities, or emergency medical services conducted by the division.
• As the senior firefighter at the station, may serve as acting Fire Lieutenant.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned.

Typical qualifications include:

• Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of high school.
• Ability to render emergency medical care.
• Ability to operate and maintain firefighting equipment and property.
• Ability to render emergency medical services and provide mobile intensive care.
• Ability to function effectively under emergency stress situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective living and working relationships with other firefighters.
• Ability to meet the requirements of the Board of Fire and Police commissioners.
• Willingness to respond to emergency situations 24 hours a day.

Supplemental information includes:

• Must obtain Basic Operations FF certification within probationary period.
• Employees must live within the states of Illinois or Iowa.
• Requires possession of, or ability to obtain, a Class "B" Vehicle Operator's License.
• Employees who have left work and who accept an overtime call back assignment shall maintain a 45 minute or less response time from their domicile (irrespective of weather or road condition) or they shall be subject to disciplinary action.
• Applicants must have completed a Firefighter application by required deadline to be eligible to take the written test.

The City of Rock Island offers a wide range of competitive benefits including personal leave, paid holidays, accumulated sick leave, paid vacation, longevity pay, health, dental & vision, employee discounts, pensions, bereavement pay, workers compensation, disability insurance and optional life insurance plans. Additional benefits are outlined in the positions respective bargaining contract available below: