Firefighter

GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:

Protect life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties. Maintain fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities.

SUPERVISED BY: (TITLE)

Battalion Chief/ Lieutenant/ Sergeant

SUMMARY:

This position performs firefighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires; provides emergency medical care to the sick and injured; and maintains equipment and apparatus.                                                                          

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To support the vision, mission and guiding principles of the  City of Union City

While performing any procedure, all associates and contract personnel must observe applicable safety, health, and environmental rules and guidelines. The use of appropriate personal protective equipment is required

Attend and participate in training opportunities and seminars relevant to this position

Adhere to appropriate City operating procedures, benefit rules, employment, and safety policies/practices      
 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls such as medical emergencies, traumatic emergencies and motor vehicle accidents
• Extinguishes, controls fires and protects property
• Places equipment, lays and connects hose, operations high-capacity pumps and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses safety belts, lines and hooks
• Participates in training drills; attends school and departmental classes on firefighting, hydraulics, first aid, fire equipment and apparatus construction and operation
• Services and operates all department equipment and apparatus; performs necessary maintenance, testing and care of fire hoses, trucks, ladders and auxiliary equipment and apparatus
• Provides operating and procedural information to the public and school groups; performs incident activity data entry in computers; responds to hazardous materials incidents, provides necessary support activities
• Attends required training programs; reads necessary manuals, books, etc.; practices skills and techniques; completes required proficiency tests; participates in regular classes on firefighting emergency medical techniques, rescue, equipment maintenance and related subjects
• Responds as part of team when incident occurs; operates assigned equipment at fire scenes, involving laying and connecting hoses; holding nozzles and detecting fire streams; raising and climbing ladders; using chemical extinguishers, lines and other equipment
• Provides emergency medical assistance at incidents
• Creates an opening for gaining access to patients in peculiar situations and positions
•  Administers emergency medical care consistent with the recognized scope of practice of the State of Georgia for their certification level.
• Performs pre-fire planning of assigned establishments

 
 ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Any other duties as assigned.

JOB SCOPE
Job has recurring work situations involving high degrees of discretion.  The need for accuracy and effective utilization of available resources is high.  Errors in judgment could cause disruptions to the City’s mission and adversely impact attainment of the City’s goals.  Incumbent operates independently but results are monitored by Station or Shift Officer. Content of work priorities are largely self-determined.
 
COMMUNICATIONS/CUSTOMER CONTACT
Contacts are across the entire State and include County, other municipalities and the Union City community in a leadership capacity.  Professional and community contact is a critical component of success in developing good will and support of City programs and initiatives.

COMPETENCIES/SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING PREFERRED:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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.
 
Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Associate Degree or two (2) years of college coursework preferred
• Equivalent combination of education and experience

Eligibility Requirements:

Must meet all eligibility requirements for appointment to this classification

• Must be eighteen (18) years of age or older
• Must have no felony convictions within the past ten (10) years
• Must meet minimum physical fitness requirements as set forth by Georgia Firefighters Standard and Training Council

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Possession of or the capability of obtaining a valid Georgia driver’s license (class F) ) within one year from date of employment  and a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR)
• Completion of Basic Firefighter Course meeting the requirements set forth by Georgia Firefighters Standard and Training Council
• Certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
• Certification as State of Georgia Firefighter/NPQ Firefighter I & II
• Complete the Employee Probationary Skills Requirements Workbook and all courses contained in that document. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of administrative functions of the department
• Knowledge of modern firefighting principals, practices and methods
• Knowledge of firefighting equipment including personal protective equipment
• Knowledge of hazard identification and correction including escape route planning
• Knowledge of behavior and mechanics of various types of fire
• Knowledge of principles of hydraulics applied to fire suppression
• Knowledge of the Incident Management System
• Knowledge of the street system and physical layout of the City
• Knowledge of emergency care methods, techniques and equipment
• Skill in operating heavy emergency equipment
• Skill in the use of tools, equipment and apparatus to fight fires, rescue or provide emergency medical care
• Skill in operating a computer
• Skill in effective and efficient oral and written communication
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and the public
• Ability to perform duties in a safe and effective manner under stressful situations and conditions
• Ability to perform fire prevention building inspections and building familiarization activities
• Ability to perform heavy manual labor
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with fellow employees and the public    

Supervisory Controls
Work is assigned by the Fire Officers, in terms of Fire Department goals and objectives.
 
Guidelines
Guidelines national, state and local fire safety rules, regulations, policies, procedures and standards and Georgia Basic Firefighter course curriculum for Firefighter I.
 
Complexity
Work requires analysis and judgment in accomplishing diversified duties.  Work requires the exercise of independent thinking within the limits of guidelines, policies, standards, and precedents.
 
Scope and Effect
The purpose of this position is to protect lives and property through fire suppression activities, fire prevention and safety activities, and education.  Successful performance results in increased public safety and decreased property loss.
 
Personal Contacts
Contacts are typically with coworkers, fire and emergency victims, other emergency personnel, and the general public.
 
Purpose of Contacts
Contacts are typically to give and exchange information, resolve problems, and provide services.
 
JOB CONDITIONS:
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 associate is:

• Frequently required to stand; sit; walk; use hands and fingers; handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and talk to hear
• Frequently required to reach with hands and arms to carry, pull or lift; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell
• Occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus

 
Work Environment:
Most firefighter work is performed in various indoor and outdoor settings including living quarters and office areas.  Varying work schedules are required.  Hazardous tasks performed under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps such as limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals or gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, and contact with death, emotional stress, trauma, contagious disease and terminal illnesses.  Firefighters are also exposed to extreme heat, contaminated environments, emotionally upset people, noise, physical hazards from traffic, fire and falling objects, and atmospheric conditions such as smoke, fumes, odors and gases.  May be required to wear a hard hat, safety glasses, ear plugs, respirator, rubber or plastic gloves and rubber boots.
 
 The City of Union City is an equal opportunity, drug-free employer committed to diversity in the workplace.