Firefighter I

Safety/Security Status:         Safety Sensitive

SUMMARY Perform various fire fighting activities to protect life, property and environment; participate in prevention programs including public and home safety education and fire safety inspections of commercial properties; respond to a variety of emergency calls including emergency medical response, fire suppression, traffic collisions, hazardous materials incidents, building collapses, wildland fires, technical rescue and extrication; operate a variety of fire suppression and life-saving equipment; respond to non-emergency calls including welfare inquiries, public assistance, special events, and activity standby; perform station and equipment inspections and maintenance; and perform a variety of other duties relative to assigned area of responsibility. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Respond to fire and emergency alarms; perform all phases of fire suppression work including but not limited to: interior fire suppression, interior search and rescue, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, securing utilities, exterior fire suppression, exposure protection, hose line operations, master stream operations, special equipment operations and preservation of evidence.

Respond to emergency and non-emergency medical calls; perform emergency medical interventions within guidelines of certification and assist paramedics as needed during medical calls; transport patients to hospital as needed; write medical response reports as needed.

Assist in the investigation of fire scenes to determine causes; preserve evidence and provide observations to investigators; assist investigators with physical investigation as assigned.

Prepare, submit and maintain reports on fire suppression and EMS activities, incidents, accidents and other related information.

Perform fire station maintenance; maintain station living quarters in a clean and orderly condition through routine clean-up procedures; identify deficiencies in equipment and quarters; correct deficiencies when possible or report to station officer.

Operate, inspect and maintain emergency response equipment and vehicles; perform minor repairs on equipment and vehicles or report deficiencies to proper staff for other disposition; order necessary supplies.

Participate in drills, training exercises classes and activities including but not limited to those related to fire fighting, emergency medical service, technical rescue, extrication, physical fitness and other related areas.

Maintain skill levels, new equipment and procedure familiarization, and certifications which are relevant and/or required for assigned responsibilities.

Participate in public relations, fire/safety education activities, and fire prevention activities including station tours, fire safety/fire suppression education away from the station, school education programs, group activities, fire drills, courtesy walk through visits, and phone inquiries.

Perform fire prevention inspections of commercial occupancies through departmental inspection program; identify fire and life safety hazards; provide suggestions for correction; schedule re-inspections for verification of correction; submit reports as needed.

If Paramedic Certified

Provide emergency medical care and advanced life support at emergency and accident scenes which may include defibrillation, clearing airways, pulmonary ventilation, intubations, inserting IVs, splinting fractures, treating burns, emergency surgical procedures, performing CPR and administering medication; inform physicians of patient conditions.

Assume responsibility for EMS scene in the absence of higher level staff; provide direction and supervision to other employees at an emergency medical scene; direct patient care and transport.

Prepare, submit and maintain reports on EMS activities, incidents, accidents and other related information; collect and submit paperwork from stations as needed.

Perform station maintenance; identify deficiencies in equipment and quarters; correct deficiencies when possible or report to station officer.

Operate, inspect and maintain emergency response equipment and vehicles; perform minor repairs on equipment and vehicles or report deficiencies to proper staff for other disposition; order necessary supplies.

Obtain medical data including patient identification, medical history, type of accident or nature of illness, rescue measures preceding emergency care, care given at the scene and during transport and changes in diagnostic signs.

Participate in drills, training exercises, classes, and activities related to emergency medical service.

Maintain skill levels, new equipment and procedure familiarization, and certifications which are relevant and/or required for assigned responsibilities; provide instruction and mentoring to new employees and/or students in the field.

Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.

Ability to:

Select and properly administer first aid and medical treatment appropriate to the emergency.

Perform medical triage effectively and independently.

Think and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

Prepare a variety of technical and operational reports.

Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public and City employees.

Establish and maintain accurate records, logs, and files.

Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, laws and regulations.

Operate and use modern office equipment including computer and various software applications.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Learn procedures and equipment used in emergency medical and fire response.

Learn basic principles of emergency medical service provision, first aid and life support. Learn methods and techniques of handling hazardous materials.

Learn pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.

Learn geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area.

Learn, observe and follow safe work practices in and around fire station, on EMS and fire scenes.

Deal effectively with upset or emotional persons or patients.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Ability to earn certifications as Firefighter I and II.

Learn principles and practices of modern fire suppression and prevention.
Learn procedures and equipment used in modern fire fighting and emergency medical response.
Learn operation, use and maintenance of pump engines, fire apparatus and other fire equipment.
Learn basic principles of emergency medical service provision, first aid and life support. Learn methods and techniques of handling hazardous materials.
Learn pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
Learn geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area.
Learn methods and techniques of public relations and instruction related to fire suppression and prevention.
Learn, observe and follow safe fire fighting and work practices.
Deal effectively with upset or emotional persons or patients.
Think and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
As assigned, drive a fire truck or ambulance safely in varying traffic and weather conditions.
Respond to requests and inquiries from the general public.
Prepare a variety of technical and operational reports.
Work varied shifts, on weekends or during holidays.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma or general education degree (GED), Arkansas EMT.

LANGUAGE SKILLS 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 with other firefighters and supervisors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Arkansas driver's license. 
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Emergency Medical Technician B certificate.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid CPR certificate.
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid Firefighter II certificate.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The job is characterized by:

Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The following activities are very or extremely important in accomplishing the job's purpose and are performed on a daily basis:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to balance, sit, walk, twist, demonstrate manual dexterity, grasp, talk, hear, and see. The employee occasionally is required to run, push, pull, stoop, stand, reach, kneel, crouch, climb, crawl, and perform light and heavy lifting. The employee will be exposed to smoke, heat and varying weather conditions that may be hot, cold or wet. The employee is required to stay calm during stressful and possibly life-threatening situations.

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.

The job is performed in the following working environment:
Field environment.

The following condition(s) may be present on a continuing basis:
Hazardous physical conditions (mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibration, etc.) Atmospheric Conditions (fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation)
Hazardous materials (chemicals, blood and other body fluids, etc.)
Extreme temperatures
Inadequate lighting
Work space restricts movement
Intense noise
Local Travel
Environmental (disruptive people, imminent danger, threatening environment)

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.