Firefighter/EMT

General Statement of Duties

Performs technical public safety work enforcing fire codes and performing fire inspections, conducting fire education programs, fire investigations, and promotes overall fire prevention efforts within the City.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class performs varied tasks to include fire code enforcement and inspections, fire education, fire investigations and plans review. Employee is responsible for the fire prevention programs to ensure compliance with State and local fire laws, codes, rules, and regulations. Work includes performing inspections of commercial and retail establishments, schools, and health care facilities, new construction, and, if requested, residences. Work may also include assisting County Fire Marshal’s Office with conducting investigations of fires. In addition, the employee responds to emergency incidents as needed including fire suppression, rescue, and medical calls. Considerable independence and judgement are required in all aspects of the work, particularly in fire inspections and investigations. Considerable public contact requires that the employee exhibit tact and diplomacy in seeking compliance with fire laws, codes, rules, and regulations. The employee is subject to hazards associated with fire inspection and investigation work including working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme cold weather, and exposure to various hazards such as high heat, chemicals, and in the proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, and working in high places. Employee is also exposed to atmospheric conditions and blood borne pathogens, and may be required to work in close quarters. Work is performed under the general supervision and is evaluated through observation, conferences, and written reports concerning the quality and effectiveness of work performed.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Tasks

Performs fire inspections of businesses, commercial and industrial buildings, schools, day care centers, nursing homes, and places of public assembly for existing or potential fire hazards; enforces fire section of state building code and NFPA codes; conducts follow‑up inspections to ensure that deficient conditions are corrected; performs acceptance tests on fire protection systems; prepares and submits reports of deficiencies; issues violations and stop work orders as needed.

Participates in the technical review of development plans for the City; inspects contractor's plans to ensure compliance to fire code; reviews site plans for proper planning and construction; reviews plans for access, hydrant placement and related issues.

Instructs various segments of the community on fire safety through education of the existing codes, laws, and regulations.

Prepares and sends invoices for fire inspections; levies and collects fees and payments.

Prepares and maintains records and reports of own and departmental activities; prepares pre-fire plans as needed.

Participates in emergency incident response for fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical service, and related issues.

May assists in various fire prevention programs; may assists in coordinating department plans for fire education and prevention programs.

Coordinates fire investigations with the County Fire Marshal’s office and various law enforcement agencies.

Issues special use permits per state and local codes including firework permits and compressed gas permits.

Supervises and trains part-time fire inspections staff; assigns and oversees work and inspection requests.

Additional Job Duties

Participates in fire training activities.

Performs related duties as required.

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of the types of industrial and commercial operations and construction in the City and any related potential hazards.

Thorough knowledge of the Fire Prevention chapters of the North Carolina Building Code, NFPA Standards and City Ordinances relating to fire prevention.

Considerable knowledge of the methods of readily ascertaining the presence of existing or potential fire hazards.

Considerable knowledge and skill in fire suppression, hazardous materials response, rescue response and emergency medical incident response.

Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices, laws and regulations covering fire prevention.

Considerable knowledge of the sources and use of information about current fire prevention, and skill in their teaching and application.

Considerable knowledge of fire prevention and safety educational programming and skill in training and public presentations.

Knowledge of the application of information technology to the work.

Skill in collaborative conflict resolution, public speaking and customer service excellence.

Ability to interpret and enforce codes and laws accurately and with firmness and fairness; visual acuity to conduct inspections.

Ability to make educational, informative and interesting public presentations.

Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with other employees, business and civic leaders, and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively; ability to prepare and submit clear and concise reports.

Ability to make effective decisions and solve problems successfully.

Physical Requirements

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 perform repetitive motions.

Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally; and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently; and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Must possess the visual acuity to perform administrative and computer related tasks as well as the ability to operate trucks and other equipment.

Desirable Education and Experience

Graduation from a community college with a degree in fire science supplemented by courses in fire inspection and prevention and considerable experience in the fire service and/or fire inspections; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements

Possession of Fire Inspector Standard Level III within six months of employment and Fire Education certification within two years of appointment.