Under close supervision of a company officer is responsible for extinguishing fires, rescuing persons and property from danger, including water rescues, and performing salvage and related follow-up work. Incumbents are also required to perform lifesaving rescue techniques as part of other emergency operations.  While emergency responses constitute the primary focus of a firefighter's responsibility, considerable time is spent in study, training, inspecting, and maintaining equipment and apparatus, and in cleaning and maintaining quarters.  Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit in order to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties.  Work is performed in accordance with direct instructions and well-defined routines and under the immediate supervision of a ranking officer.  Work is reviewed through written reports for adherence to established policies and procedures.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Protects citizens during emergencies.

Responds to emergencies with a fire company or rescue unit.

Answers medical emergencies as part of an engine company, as a basic life support unit or on a rescue unit as an advanced life support/transport unit.

Removes, extracts, and rescues persons from danger.

Recognizes acute and chronic symptoms requiring care; administers life-saving rescue procedures to injured or afflicted persons.

May work on a rescue crew and, in this capacity, may also be required to perform a leadership role on an ALS unit.

Performs salvage operations including throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and placing smoke ejectors.

Connects hose to hydrants and pumps; joins hose section and connects nozzles to hose; enters burning buildings with or without hose lines; operates nozzles and plays stream of water or fog on fires.

Operates hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires; raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.

Makes daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notifies supervisor of defects; performs cleaning and maintenance tasks in and about assigned station.

Aids in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed by supervisor.

Attends instruction sessions in firefighting methods; equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, and related subjects; may conduct drills and classes in these and other areas.

Mitigates chemical spills by recognizing hazardous material situations; makes identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized testing equipment; sets up decontamination procedures; assists state agencies in the removal/disposal of hazardous material.

Prevents fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards.

Prepares citizens to prevent fire damage by developing and conducting educational and training programs. Provides educational information and lectures to community organizations and schools on other Fire and EMS related topics.

Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.

Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.

Ensures availability of water at fire scene by testing hydrants, requesting and expediting repairs, and verifying repairs.

Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, and troubleshooting malfunctions.

Notifies supervisor of needed repairs.

Evaluates new equipment and techniques.

Maintains operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.

Provides information by completing reports.

Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, studying publications, and participating in scheduled drills.

Maintains fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.

Prepares paperwork if acting in leadership role in emergency.

Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

Performs related work as required for this position description only.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function 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.

Required:

High School Diploma or GED equivalent; Must be 18 years of age.

Preferred:

Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate of Science Degree in Fire Sciences or a closely related field.

Additional education and experience or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be substituted for the above requirements.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

State of Florida Certified Firefighter (required)

State of Florida Certified EMT (required)

State of Florida Certified Paramedic (preferred at date of hire)

American Heart Association (AHA) Basic Life Support (BLS) or American Red Cross Basic Support (BLS) for Healthcare Professionals - CPR/AED certification (required)

American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) or American Red Cross Advanced Life Support (ALS) certification (required at time of hire - Paramedics)

Must possess a current Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) from the National Testing Network (valid at date of hire)

Must possess a certificate of Emergency Vehicle Operations Course

Valid Class E Driver's License with proof of automobile insurance OR... will obtain by time of hire

Background Check: Must have an acceptable background and driving record

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

Knowledge of firefighting principles and practices.

Knowledge of tools, equipment, and apparatus used in firefighting.

Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting and resume duties within a reasonable probationary period.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.

Ability to keep simple records and prepares reports.

Ability to perform water rescue.

Skill in the use of firefighting tools.

Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical abilities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit, write, hear, speak and be required to exert 20 to 50 pounds of force and occasionally exert over 100 pounds of force and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. May require the use of fingers or hands to manipulate objects such as picking, gripping, or pressing. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral, and depth perception.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work involves moderate to heavy physical activity in a primarily outdoor setting under all types of weather conditions with added exposure to insects, animals, body fluids and other hazards. This position works in an environment with heavy equipment and tools that could result in bodily harm to the employee, co-workers or others. Work requires the employee to be sensitive to change and responsive to changing goals, priorities, and needs. The employee regularly makes decisions that could lead to major community or organizational consequences if he or she fails to make the appropriate decision at the time.