Position Function/Nature of Work:

Performs a variety of work protecting life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid and rescue, hazardous materials, and fire prevention activities. Works under the general supervision of the Lieutenant or Sr. Firefighters on shift.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; 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 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds or more. 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 is performed primarily in office, vehicle, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils. 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 vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, and loud at an emergency scene.

Essential Duties: The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification. It is not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the classification. The omission of an essential function does not preclude management from assigning duties not listed herein if such functions are a logical assignment to the position.

• Perform fighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps, and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishment tasks.
• Performs emergency aid and rescue activities including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
• Participate in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
• Receives and relays fire calls and alarms.
• Operates radio and other communication equipment and keeps logs as required.
• Participate s in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures I fire prevention programs.
• Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities and perform minor repairs to departmental equipment.
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs; wash and dries hose; washes; cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.
• Assist in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
• Assist in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned.
• Assist in training new employees as assigned.
• Serves on various employee’s committees.
• Other duties as required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of driver safety.
• Knowledge of first aid.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing instructions.
• Ability to establish effective working relationship with employees, other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to meet the special requirements listed below.

Comments:

This position may be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

Minimum Requirements/Qualifications:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• State of Florida Certified Firefighter

Other Requirements:

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must possess a valid State of Florida drivers’ license.
• Must possess an honorable military discharge if applicant has been service connected.
• Must be a United States citizen or naturalized citizen.
• Must pass a physical examination and drug urinalysis test.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony.
• Must endure a personal, professional, and moral background investigation to determine honesty, maturity, and dependability.
• Must be able to work weekends and nights.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 18 months of employment the State of Florida Certified EMT.
• Must successfully pass 80 hours of the State of Florida Certified Pump Operators within 12 months of employment.
• Other courses as required by FSFM/DFD.