Firefighter

Job Summary

The paid-on-call firefighter protects life and property by performing firefighting and rescue skills. Under the direction of Chaska Fire Department (CFD) command staff, the paid-on-call firefighter provides medical care, responds to hazardous materials incidents and performs fire prevention duties while maintaining fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities.

All applicants should keep the following dates/times clear on their calendar:

Salary: members are paid at an hourly rate for calls, training sessions, meetings, and other events according to the Fire Department’s Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG). Firefighters with less than one year of service on the Chaska Fire Department will be paid a probationary rate of $18.31/hour, equivalent to 85% of the starting wage for this position.

Benefits: eligible for member benefits offered according to the CFD Relief Association.

Responsibilities

1. Contains and extinguishes fires while working inside, outside and on top of burning and/or smoke-filled structures.
2. Operates fire department apparatus and equipment in accordance with fire department protocol and with due care for the safety of personnel, citizenry and property.
3. Participates in fire department drills and attends training for firefighting, emergency medical response, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
4. Operates radio and other communication equipment.
5. Renders emergency medical treatment to injured or ill victims.
6. Participates in fire prevention and safety education events and outreach programs.
7. Prepares, inspects, and cleans equipment, apparatus and facilities to ensure its proper functioning.
8. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment.
9. Performs salvage operations such as spreading salvage covers, moving furniture, sweeping water and removing debris.
10. Maintains individual firefighting skills, including physical condition. Stays abreast of developments in the firefighting field and changes in related laws and ordinances.
11. Maintains a due regard for safety and welfare of the fire department personnel and the public at all times.
12. Positively represents the fire department at civic and public meetings.
13. Responsible for knowledge fire department protocols, equipment operating procedures and the familiarity with the city's geography.
14. Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State and City laws and ordinances.
15. Performs other related work as the Captain, Assistant Chief, or the Fire Chief may direct.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Valid Minnesota driver’s license or ability to obtain before the first date of employment

Other Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Must reside within 15 minutes of the Chaska Fire Station (using Google Maps, MapQuest, Waze, Apple Maps as a guide – may be asked to provide proof).
• Successful completion of Firefighter I and II certification within the first year of employment.
• Successful completion of medical training (EMT or 1st Responder with the State of Minnesota) within the first year of employment.
• Attends a minimum of 5 Monday night department trainings per quarter and completes a minimum of 15 hour of training per quarter.
• A minimum of 32 hours of duty crew per month and 15% response rate to all paged incidents per quarter.
• Must maintain driver’s license.
• Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard probationary period of 1 year.
• Must be able to pass a background check with no felony convictions, as well as a medical, psychological, and stress exam.
• Ability to learn the operations of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to perform required duties in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to understand and follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to perform strenuous work for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme height, intense heat or cold, noise, smoke, or obscured vision during firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials, medical response, and training,
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Other Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Active Minnesota State Firefighter l and/or ll certification
• Current Certified First Responder or Emergency Medical Technician

Equipment, Mental & Physical Demands

Equipment Used

• Computer, office machines, and electronic devices including cell phones, pagers and two-way radios.
• Emergency medical equipment including defibrillator (AED).
• Hydraulic rescue tools.
• All firefighting equipment including ladders, hoses, pumps, etc..
• Firefighting Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• May drive various fire engines, depending on qualifications/credentials/training.

• Ability to assess emergency situations; coordinate and direct firefighting and rescue efforts as rapidly as possible.
• Ability to drive and act under high-stress and urgent situations.

• Drive an emergency vehicle with lights/siren to an emergency site.
• Climb, carry, pull, lift and move objects or people of varying weights.
• Wear gear that can weigh up to 70 lbs.
• Frequently lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. and occasionally lift and/or move up to 150+ lbs.
• Close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to sit/stand for varying periods of time.

• Office environment.
• Driving to emergency sites.
• Exposure to all weather types and extreme temperatures.
• Exposure to smoke, fumes, heat, chemicals, solvents, oils and pathogens.
• Heights and enclosed spaces.