SUMMARY

This is responsible technical work protecting life and property by responding to emergency calls; providing emergency medical treatments; performing rescue operations; and combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires; and includes maintaining fire department equipment and quarters.

Positions allocated to this classification report to a designated supervisor and work under limited supervision. Work in this class is distinguished from other classes by its emphasis on providing emergency medical treatment and firefighting.

EXAMPLES OF WORK*

*This section of the job description is not intended to be a comprehensive list of duties and responsibilities of the position.  The omission of a specific job function does not absolve an employee from being required to perform additional tasks incidental to or inherent in the job.  Performance of lower-level duties may be required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Provides compassionate care at the Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) level by creating and delivering responsible treatment and thorough documentation.

Responds to fire incidents and alarms with an engine or truck company.  Lays and connects hoses, serves as nozzle person, and performs interior fire attacks.  Raises and climbs ladders.  Uses water, carbon dioxide, and chemical extinguishing agents.  Uses hydraulic tools, power tools, hand tools, and other specialized equipment.

Make forcible entry into the building when necessary.  Ventilate buildings to drive out smoke and gases.  Opens walls and other structures that impede effective firefighting, or to affect a rescue.

Assists in performing rescue operations in hazardous environments and renders medical aid when needed.

Drives and operates ladder trucks, fire pumpers, and rescue trucks to and from incidents in response to emergencies.

Prepares for pumping operations by ensuring that hydrant connections are made.  Uses varied hose connections to connect hose to pump, join hose sections, and connect hose to nozzles.  Pumps water to fire at designated pressure. Watches condition of motor and unit during operation and makes necessary adjustments or reports defects to mechanic.

Prepares written and computerized reports after medical and fire incidents.

Makes periodic inspections of buildings, gasoline storage tanks, theaters, and other structures for compliance with fire prevention laws.

Performs pre-fire planning of target hazards within the community.

Performs fire safety and public education presentations as assigned.

Attend recertification classes to maintain required certifications.

Attends company training, drills, and classes on duty as directed.

Accesses fire station computers for report entry, electronic mail communications, department calendar updates, and various data entry and retrieval.

Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Receives fire alarms by telephone, radio, or industrial alarm systems and other public safety emergency calls.  Ascertains nature of fire or emergency and its location, and dispatches by radio all necessary personnel and equipment to scene.

Performs general maintenance work of Fire Department property.  Cleans and washes walls and floors.  Makes minor repairs to property and equipment.  Washes, cleans, polishes, and tests apparatus and related equipment.

May be required to transport, mix, handle or use hazardous materials (other than cans of gasoline, batteries, pumping fuel, or access to normal janitorial cleaning materials) or may be responsible for facilities or equipment carrying current, fluids, or gas that could endanger the public or other employees.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily.  Below are the required education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma, or an equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

CERTIFICATIONS OR LICENSES

Licenses

Valid Florida Driver’s License required (Class “D” or Commercial Driver License valid for driving emergency vehicles).

Certifications

A valid State of Florida Fire Fighter certificate of compliance is required.

Valid State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to work effectively with coworkers and the general public.

Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.

Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting duties and methods within a reasonable training period.

FIREFIGHTER STANDARDS:

Age: Requirement - 18 years old by date of hire.

FSS Firefighter; qualification for employment – any person initially employed as a firefighter must:

Be a high school graduate or the equivalent, as the term may be determined by the division.

Not having been convicted of a felony or of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, as the term is defined by law.  If an applicant has been convicted of a felony, such applicant must be in compliance with s.112.022(2)(b).  If the sentence is suspended or adjudication is withheld in a felony charge involving moral turpitude and a period of probation is imposed, the applicant must have been released from probation.

Have their fingerprints on file with the division or an agency designated by the division.

Have a good moral character as determined by investigation under a procedure established by the division.

Be in good physical condition as determined by a medical examination as prescribed by the division.  Such examinations may include, but need not be limited to, provisions of the National Fire Protection Association Pamphlet 1001.

Must be a United States citizen or have permanent alien status.

Must be able to read and write the English language.

Smoking Prohibition - Article 37 IAFF/City of Gainesville 37.1 - The Surgeon General of the United States has determined that smoking tobacco, particularly cigarettes, contributes to the development of a number of heart and lung diseases.

The State of Florida has enacted a presumptive law that treats certain conditions, such as heart disease, hardening of the arteries, and hypertension, as work-related.

Due to the documented effects of cigarette smoking and the special hazards and exposures associated with the occupation of firefighting, the City and Union agreed to the following:

The City of Gainesville will hire as firefighters only individuals who do not smoke.

Although employees have the right to grieve disciplinary actions after their initial probationary periods have been completed, the Union agrees that the policy itself will not be grieved.

Background - Thorough investigation of applicant’s character, reputation, past/present employment, credit references, and medical history.

Examination Process - successful completion of each phase of the examination process.

The City is proceeding with a Policy that will require applicants to be tested for drugs, hepatitis B, and Aids, as part of the pre-employment screening.

Benefits - Refer to the Benefit Information Sheet.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must possess certain physical abilities and be able to withstand work-related environmental conditions.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must meet age, moral, educational, health, and physical requirements as prescribed by the city. Pre-employment medical examination required, including satisfactory drug screening. 

Work requires physical strength and agility.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work requires emergency call duty. 

Work may require performing tasks in and around heavy traffic. 

Work may require exposure to hazardous conditions and noxious chemicals. 

Work may require the performance of tasks outdoors under varying climatic conditions.

Applicants must comply with the Gainesville Fire Department’s tobacco use prohibition policy.