Firefighter I

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE

Performs responsible emergency response work including fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical, and hazardous materials response and maintains fire apparatus, facilities, grounds, and related equipment.

An employee in this class is responsible for performing various emergency response and general fire suppression work at the scene of a fire. Work involves preparing equipment for responding to fire calls, fighting fires, fire salvage, and equipment and vehicle maintenance. Work may involve driving a fire engine to the fire scene and performing the duties of a Fire Engineer at the scene of a fire. Work is often performed under stressful emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazards. Work standards and procedures are generally established and understood. The employees are subject to call-back requirements and hazards associated with firefighting and emergency care including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as exposure to high heat, exposure to chemicals, and in the proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and working in high places. Employees are also exposed to atmospheric conditions and subject to OSHA requirements on bloodborne pathogens, and may be required to work in close quarters. Work is reviewed through observation and discussions concerning the quality and effectiveness of fire and rescue efforts and through evaluation of the completion of training activities.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Provides responses to fires and emergency calls; participates in hazardous material response and prevention programs.
• Responds to alarms and assists in the suppression of fire including search and rescue, entry, ventilation and salvage work, connects hoses to hydrants, uses hoses to apply water or chemicals to fire, forces entry into burning structures, searches for and rescues occupants.
• Performs routine maintenance and servicing of equipment including washing and waxing trucks, checking batteries, checking fuel and oil levels, cleaning and drying hoses, inspecting hose and hose connections for damage and wear.
• Participates in fire inspections, pre-incident planning, incident reporting, continuing education training programs, serves in the absence of the Fire Engineer once trained.
• Maintains equipment, performs minor repairs, and cleans assigned fire station quarters, apparatus room and grounds.
• Reports facility maintenance, radio, vehicle and equipment problems to appropriate level of authority.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITITES

• General knowledge of the operation of firefighting equipment.
• Working knowledge of modern firefighting principles, practices, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of the geography of the City of Goldsboro.
• Working knowledge of the application of information technology to fire incident reporting and related tasks.
• Skill in the use of firefighting equipment.
• Ability to learn EMS knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in routine and emergency situations.
• Ability to accept firefighting discipline and operational routine.
• Ability to maintain vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the public and to maintain excellent physical condition.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and performing repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform heavy work exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and 50 pounds of force frequently, and up to 20 pounds of force constantly.
• Must posses the visual acuity to operate trucks and other equipment, to observe the color, volume, and extent of fire involvement, and to prepare manual and computerized records.
• Must be able to pass the Agility Test.

• Extreme heat, flames, smoke, toxic fumes, hazardous chemicals, and explosive materials.
• Dangerous structures, including collapsing buildings, falling debris, and unstable surfaces.
• High noise levels, electrical hazards, and mechanical equipment with moving parts.
• Exposure to bloodborne pathogens, contagious diseases, and other biohazards.
• Outdoor elements including inclement weather, high winds, flooding, and other natural hazards.
• Physical confrontations in rescue operations, high-stress situations, and emotionally charged environments.