Firefighter/BLS - Full Time

TITLE: Firefighter / BLS DIVISION: Operations REPORTS TO: Shift Captain SUPERVISES: None FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt SHIFT SCHEDULE: 48/96 HOURS WORKED: 2,912 Annually POSITION SUMMARY The purpose of this position is to perform firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue work in emergency situations in a manner consistent with organizational values. This position responds to service calls; provides fire suppression operations and basic life support care under standard protocols and statutes; and maintains apparatus, vehicles, equipment, and fire stations. Employees are assigned to a field station and perform a wide variety of firefighting, emergency medical, and rescue techniques under direct and limited supervision. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITY (The following is illustrative of the duties and responsibilities of the position and does not list every duty that may be required of the employee for this position. The Fire Chief reserves the right to change/update the duties and responsibilities of the position at any time without notice). Respond to and performs all fire suppression activities to combat and extinguish fires at a variety of fire scenes, including laying and/or connecting hose, directing water, raising and climbing ladders; utilizes a variety of fire suppression equipment including chain saws, axes, smoke ejectors, and forcible entry tools; enters, searches and extricates individuals from burning structures. Responds to a variety of medical emergencies and initiates appropriate care at the EMT Basic level, initiates procedures and continues care at the EMT Basic level for patient care and during medical transport. Aids in the ongoing medical training of agency personnel. Performs general maintenance of Fire Stations, checks tools, equipment, supplies, and materials of each Fire Department apparatus to ensure that all vehicles contain the required tools, equipment, supplies, and materials in proper operating condition; performs community preparedness functions such as pre-fire planning, fire inspections, and station tours, public education through the schools, etc. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS • Minimum of 18 years of age with High School Diploma or GED • Valid Colorado driver’s license with acceptable driving record • Current IFSAC, Pro-Board, or Colorado State Firefighter I (and associated certifications) • Current National Registry or Colorado State EMT Basic Certification • S130/190 & L180 JOB DESCRTION – FIREFIGHTER / BLS 1 PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (The following are not required but highly desired qualifications). • Current IFSAC, Pro-Board, or Colorado State Firefighter II • Current IFSAC, Pro-Board or Colorado State Hazardous Materials Technician • Current National Registry or Colorado State Paramedic Certification SKILLS AND ABILITIES • Skill in the operation of modern firefighting and medical equipment and apparatus. • Skill in the use of modern office equipment to include computer and software i.e. Microsoft- word PowerPoint and Excel, copier, fax, telephone systems. • Skill in the safe and proper use of all specialized equipment, vehicles, apparatus, and materials. • Skill in understanding and interpreting complex statues, ordinances, regulations, and standards. • Skill in applying basic emergency medical assistance techniques. • Skill in communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisor, the public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction Skills and ability to effectively maintain a productive crew during the assigned shift rotation. • Ability to present complex subjects to a variety of audiences at an appropriate level of understanding geared for the listeners. • Ability to act effectively and professionally in emergency and stressful situations. • Ability to follow verbal and written instructions. • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing. • Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public. • Ability to work effectively in hazardous environments subject to exposure to high temperatures, toxic fumes, unstable structures, infectious/contagious diseases, blood-borne pathogens, personal injury, quickly changing priorities, and the ability to remain calm during emergency, KNOWLEDGE • Knowledge of fire behavior, fire chemistry, firefighter safety, and modern effective firefighting tactics and ability to implement this knowledge during high stress situations. • Knowledge of emergency medical scene management and appropriate patient treatments by Basic Life Support providers. • Knowledge of current EMS trends, principles, methods, techniques, practices, and protocols. • Knowledge of Wildland fire suppression principles, methods, techniques, and practices. • Knowledge of the principles, practices, techniques, and methods of hazardous material control/clean-up. • Knowledge of State, federal, and local statutes, codes, and ordinances. • Knowledge of the use and purpose of a variety of specialized equipment, tools, and apparatus used in fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical assistance, hazardous materials, and tactical rescue situations. • Knowledge of OHSA and EPA laws, regulations, and requirements. • Knowledge of modern fire prevention principles, procedures, techniques, and equipment. • Knowledge of proper documentation of incident information provided a software program. JOB DESCRTION – FIREFIGHTER / BLS 2 PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, sit; walk; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 20 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 150 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 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. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibrations. The noise level in the work is usually moderate but on occasion can be loud. JOB DESCRIPTION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON AGENCY NEEDS This job description is a representation of the job performance expectations. Based on agency needs and the dynamics of this type of position not all aspects can be foreseen and/or listed. Selected candidates need to be aware that at times “additional duties” not listed within this job description may be required.