4.16.7 Job Description: Full-Time Firefighter

 

POLICY STATEMENT

It is the policy of the St. John Fire Department to maintain a general job description for the rank

of Full-Time Firefighter.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this general order is to codify and publish this agency’s job description for the

rank of Full-Time Firefighter.

SCOPE OF POLICY

The General Order is applicable to all members of this agency.

Should any portion of this policy conflict with any federal or state law then the more restrictive

shall have precedence. If any provision of this policy is held unconstitutional or otherwise

invalid, the remaining provisions of this policy shall not be affected thereby. This policy

supersedes all previous orders or policies relating to similar topics issued by this department.

This policy is for internal use only and does not enlarge an employee’s liability in any way. The

policy should not be construed as creating a higher duty of care, in an evidentiary sense, with

respect to third party civil claims against employees. A violation of this policy, if proven, can

only form the basis of a complaint by this department for non-judicial administrative action in

accordance with the laws governing employee discipline.

General Order 4.16.7 Job Description: Full-Time Firefighter

Job Summary:

The work of a firefighter requires strenuous physical exertion such as extending and climbing

ladders, stairs, and possibly rough terrain. Lifting or pulling heavy objects such as dry or

charged hose lines, victims, extrication equipment, or other firefighting equipment. The work

may be performed in adverse conditions such as extreme cold or heat, snow or rain. Work and

training may subject firefighters to confined spaces as well as elevated heights. All these

physical demands will be carried out while wearing protective clothing. The physical demands

are not limited to this list. Proper EMS care is also a critical aspect.

 

POSITION SUMMARY

 Represent the Town of St. John in a highly professional manner at all times.

 Respond to fire, rescue and medical emergency situations to protect the citizens of the

Town of St. John, Town property and the environment.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES: Achieve Results

 Ensure the public’s health and safety through training and retention of staff assigned to

respond to calls for fire suppression, extrication, rescues, Emergency Medical Services

(EMS) calls, hazardous materials (HAZMAT) situations and weather situations.

 Ensure the continual availability and readiness of facilities, apparatus, equipment,

supplies and personnel in order to respond to a variety of scenarios that may occur within

the unique environment of the Town of St. John (weather, train derailments, water

emergencies, etc.)

 Ensure positive community and public relations and interaction with Town of St. John

citizens by supervising and participating in planned community activities, as well as

facilitating public access to Town of St. John firefighters in informal settings such as, fire

station tours, and other public education and community risk reduction events /

activities.

 Lay and connect hose lines, direct water streams, raise and climb ladders, use portable

extinguishers, hand and power tools and other firefighting or rescue equipment.

 Perform fire suppression, rescue, and salvage and overhaul operations and ventilation.

 Perform medical aid (appropriate to level of the firefighters training) to sick or injured.

 Participate in training drills and classes.

 Performs general maintenance and upkeep to vehicles, grounds, buildings.

 Performs preventative maintenance to vehicles and equipment.

 Aids inspection Bureau in performing inspections for code compliance and ordinance

compliance, check complaints and aid in investigations.

 Develops pre-incident plans.

 Participate in fire prevention programs.

 Operate department equipment.

 Perform to level of training at haz-mat incidents.

 Perform specialized rescue. (to level of training)

 Thorough knowledge of response area.

 Follow orders given by superiors.

 Operate under an incident command system.

 Maintain proficiency in using safety equipment.

 Learn locations of water sources.

 Assist public after natural disasters.

 Assist public after manmade disasters. (plane crash, riots, weapons of mass destruction,

etc.)

 Maintains records.

 Perform duties of other personnel in their absence.

 Perform other duties assigned.

 Maintain minimum levels of training.

 Participate in job performance reviews.

 

Operational Excellence

 Provide and maintain the highest quality of service and responsiveness with integrity and

professionalism.

 Perform job duties consistent with local, state and national regulations, standards and best

practices. Comply with all organization rules, policies and procedures in performance of

job.

 Ability to work in confined spaces with limited visibility

 While performing the duties of this job, the employee is daily required to sit, talk or hear,

stand, walk, use hands to handle or operate objects, tools or controls and reach with hands

and arms.

 The employee is daily required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.

 The employee must daily lift and or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and or

move up to 100 or more pounds.

 Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,

peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.
 

Relationships

 Develop and ensure effective, positive relationships within and among the Town of St.

John staff, as well as with members of the public and related departments and agencies.

 Uphold and consistently represent the values and mission of the Town of St. John, and St.

John Fire Department.

 Represent the Town of St. John in a highly professional manner at all times.

 Ensure compliance and attention to all organization policies and procedures.

 

TASKS AND DUTIES

 Conduct and direct public education/awareness, community risk reductions programs.

 Prepare various reports and maintain records on department activities.

 Visually assesses emergency scenes and make decisions regarding firefighting methods

to be used, the deployment and management of firefighters. Ensure safe operation of fire

equipment and apparatus.

 Work in conjunction with Inspector(s) regarding: pre‐plan fire inspections on businesses

within the Town of St. John; enforce local codes.

 Stay abreast of trends and innovations in firefighting, emergency medical services and

related fields.

 Coordinate activities with other staff or Town departments as needed.

 Ensure all reports are completed in a timely manner, ensuring accuracy, securing PHI,

and assisting workflow to facilitate timely billing / documentation of events.

 Work and function as part of a team

 Understand and follow oral or written orders in the English language.

 Comprehend oral and written material.

 Make life or death decisions in emergency situations.

 Observe or monitor people’s behavior to access their condition.

 Rely on senses, to help determine nature of an emergency and make operational

decisions.

 Operate power equipment.

 Lifting heavy objects.

 Pulling heavy objects.

 Wearing full turnout gear and SCBA. (To prevent exposure from hazardous materials or

infectious diseases).

 Bend or stoop repeatedly while performing firefighter duties.

 Lift and work with arms above shoulder level.

 Make fine, highly controlled muscular movements to adjust or position control levers,

pedals, valves or other mechanisms.

 Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

 Observe or monitor objects to determine compliance with prescribed safety standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/KEY COMPETENCIES

 Interpret and apply applicable federal, state and local policies, laws and regulations.

 Effectively manage situations and conflict firmly, courteously, tactfully, and impartially.

 Exercise critical thinking and good judgment in evaluating situations, problem‐solving

and making sound decisions under stressful conditions.

 Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, co‐workers, the

public, other Town employees and auto / mutual aid communities.

 Utilize tact, self‐restraint, judgment, and strategy in dealing with a wide variety of

people. Deal with distraught individuals in a professional and sensitive manner.

REQUIREMENTS:

Requirements mandatory

• Firefighter I/II

• Current EMT

• EMT-P Certification within (3) years from appointment

NIMS – 100, 200, 700, 800

Controls over Position

The St. John Fire Merit Board appoints the Firefighter after successful completion of the

Firefighter Applicant selection process, and with the recommendation of the Fire

St. Johns, IN 46373