Firefighter

 Individual will perform fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, emergency medical, disaster aid and public education activities; to maintain station equipment and apparatus; and to manage incoming phone calls and radio communications. Position requires equivalency to the completion of twelfth grade, the completion of 30 semester hours of post-secondary education is desirable. Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license prior to appointment; and applicant must possess or have the ability to obtain a National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician License (EMT) within the one year probationary period.  Those candidates accepting a qualified job offer will have a pre-employment drug test, background investigation, a medical examination, and psychological evaluation.

Deadline for submitting applications and $15.00 test payment is 5 PM, Friday, March 1st, 2019.  The mandatory written exam for the process will be held on Wednesday, March 13th at 6:00 PM at the Grand Forks Public Safety Center.  More information regarding the test and the process can be found in the 2019 Firefighter Applicant Handbook link above.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class.  Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

DEFINITION

To perform fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, emergency medical, disaster aid and public education activities; to maintain station equipment and apparatus; and to manage incoming phone calls and radio communications. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from assigned Fire Captain.

ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Essential Functions:

1.      Perform fire suppression duties; identify, select and operate fire hoses, nozzles and appliances; place and operate ladders, fire service tools and equipment; provide pre-hospital emergency medical treatment as needed.

2.      Identify the need for and implement forcible entry techniques; secure and safeguard the emergency scene.

3.      Perform fire prevention duties; assist in conducting and preparing building pre-incident plans; execute and document fire inspection of buildings as assigned.

4.      Respond to events of an emergency or non-emergency nature including hazardous materials incidents, multiple casualties or aircraft incidents; rescue trapped individuals.

5.      Perform general maintenance and minor repairs on apparatus, equipment, and departmental property; perform weekly inventories on equipment as assigned. 

6.      Complete and utilize special training in apparatus operations and fire service hydraulics; maintain appropriate levels of certification. 

7.      Answer emergency and non-emergency telephone calls; dispatch fire apparatus and personnel according to departmental policies.

8.      Perform public relations and education duties; demonstrate and display firefighting equipment and apparatus.

Marginal Functions:

1.      Prepare records, logs, and reports as required.

2.      Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Knowledge: Principles and practices of fire suppression and prevention; Principles, practices, methods, and techniques of modern firefighting; Principles, practices, and applications of emergency pre-hospital care; Operational characteristics of rescue and firefighting equipment and tools; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices.

Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties.

Abilities: Learn to operate and test a variety of firefighter apparatus and medical equipment under emergency conditions; Learn to interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures; Achieve and maintain appropriate certification levels for firefighting duties; React quickly and work productively under hazardous conditions; Perform surface water and ice rescue procedures; Understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Experience and Training Guidelines

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

         Experience:

         One year of firefighting experience is desirable.

         Training:

         Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. (An Associates degree in Fire Science from an accredited institution of higher learning or the completion of 30 semester hours of post-secondary education is desirable.)

License or Certificate

            Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license.

            Possession of, or ability to obtain within the probationary period, an appropriate, valid       National Registry Certification as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

            Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid joint apprenticeship as a Fire

            Fighter and Fire Fighter, Senior.

            Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid OSHA hazardous materials    

           operational level certificate.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Environmental and Physical Conditions:

Emergency scene and station environment; exposure to extreme heat, cold, hazardous or toxic atmospheres, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, explosives, potentially hazardous chemicals, electrical energy, potentially hostile environments, waste and infectious materials, human or animal body fluids; work at extreme heights; work in confined spaces; work in extremes of inclement weather; Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; heavy or moderate lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; climbing with both legs and arms; operating motorized equipment and vehicles.