Paid-On-Call Firefighter

Firefighter

Responds to emergency calls as assigned and performs tasks that may include calls for rescue, protecting exposures, extinguishing fires, confinement, ventilation, salvage, emergency medical care and public education events. Must reside within eight minutes of a fire station: Fire Stations - 8 Minute Drive Time Supervision Received

Works under the general supervision of the Fire Chief and may receive work direction from the Deputy Fire Chief, Assistant Fire Chief(s), Fire Captain(s) and/or other Firefighters.

May assist to coordinate, instruct, or supervise the work of firefighters, new recruits, or other department personnel, as assigned.

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Drives, operates and maintains fire department apparatus, aerial ladders, aid vehicles and other equipment to extinguish fires, perform rescues and provide aid in emergency situations.
• Performs emergency aid activities including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
• Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.

Presents safety, medical and fire prevention programs to the community.

Education & Experience

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• No specific work experience level required.
• Must be able to obtain International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Firefighter I Certification or Fire Service ProBoard Firefighter I Certification or Minnesota State Firefighter License or successfully complete the Bemidji Fire Department Basic Firefighter course within one year of employment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment. Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques. Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke. Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations. Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
• Familiarity with the City of Bemidji and the surrounding area.

Special Requirements

• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid State driver's license. Class D minimum.
• Must be able to read and write the English language.
• Must be of good moral character and of temperate and industrious habits.
• Must reside within eight (8) minutes' drive time of any Bemidji Fire Station while following all traffic laws or in the dormitory at Fire Station 1. The eight (8) minutes will be determined by City of Bemidji mapping software.
• Must be able to pass the Department's physical agility test.
• Shall complete the requirements necessary for the Paid-on-Call Fire Equipment Operator position within five (5) years of hiring date.

Tools & Equipment Used

• Fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, and telephone.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to one hundred (100) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

Selection Guidelines

• Formal online application. Review of education and experience. Written examination. Oral examination by the City Manager, Fire Chief or their designated agents. Medical examination. Physical agility test. Background investigation.
• The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.