Fire Fighter- Trainee

JOB TITLE: Firefighter

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION: Fire

REPORTS TO: Captain

SUMMARY:   Performs a variety of technical tasks in fire suppression, rescue, emergency medical services, prevention, investigation, administrative and other special assignments

POSSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS WITHIN THIS RANK INCLUDE:

• Paramedic, Field Training Officer, Fire Inspector, Fire Investigator, Support Services Specialists, or Public Education Coordinator.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Responds to fire alarms, emergency medical service calls and other emergency calls
• Performs firefighting operations including deploying and operating hoses, pumping apparatus, directing water streams or other chemicals and raising and climbing unsupported ladders including ground and aerial of up to 105 feet
• Performs search and rescue for trapped or injured persons to include swift water rescue work with and without use of boat
• Administers first aid and emergency medical services to injured persons to level authorized by Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic certification
• Communicates with dispatch and command staff through the use of specialized communications equipment such as two-way radio system, data link in stations to administration and dispatch
• Works shift schedules including weekends, holidays and extended hours in emergency, disaster or other situations influenced by workload or staffing difficulties
• Runs, walks, stoops, bends, crawls, rolls, climbs, jumps, lifts, carries, drags, and operates assigned equipment, vehicles while performing fire prevention and suppression duties
• With assistance, advances charged and flowing fire hoses discharging up to 250 gpm at 100 psi spray or fog or 50 psi straight bore tip pressure
• With assistance, places patients on an ambulance stretcher, lifts stretcher, may carry stretcher some distance, including up/down stairs, and over rough terrain; places in ambulance with assistance of other personnel
• Cleans and maintains station facilities, grounds, equipment, and apparatus
• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships
• Tactfully responds to requests and inquiries from the general public, other department personnel, and other City departments
• Communicates clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Resolves a variety of situations characterized by conflict or danger
• May perform duties of higher classification in an acting capacity as needed
• Participates on department committees and attends staff meetings as required
• Assists in providing public fire education
• Provides fire station tours; presents information to students at local schools
• Assists in developing and presenting a variety of training programs relative to fire suppression, prevention, operations and hazardous materials handling
• Must learn streets and routes within the city of Carrollton and surrounding areas to include the location of medical facilities to ensure expeditious response times
• Operates departmental computer equipment to review records, inquire about activities and programs and input various data
• Assists with fire investigations as assigned
• Attends scheduled training to maintain minimum required certification through continuing education as required by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection
• Performs related duties as assigned 

EQUIPMENT:

• Operates numerous types of rescue, salvage, emergency and fire suppression equipment, including vehicles, hydraulic powered spreaders, cutters, rams, come-a-long, air chisel, air bags, ropes and pulleys
• Operates firefighter hand tools including nozzle, ax, pry bar, fire hose, and ground ladders; common hand tools include wrenches, screwdrivers, and hammers
• Operates power tools including exhaust fans, portable pump, chain saws, generators and air compressors
• Operates departmental computer equipment to input and extract
• May be exposed to harsh weather, poor or no lighting, exposure to hazardous chemicals, fire and smoke, extremes in temperature, electrical hazards, confined or high work places, dangerous animals, extreme noise, traffic, and natural and man made disasters
• Works in areas where movement is restricted such as rescue from wrecked automobiles, underground excavations, structure collapse, etc.
• Listens for victims at fire and accident scenes, communications from other firefighters, superiors, etc.
• Wears full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, and must function fully in this limiting and heavy attire
• May be exposed to human body fluids, infectious disease, victims of fire and accident scenes, bodies recovered from fire and accident scenes, etc.
• Interprets and explains city and department policies and procedures for public
• Works under stress and uses good judgment in emergency situations

TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CERTIFICATION:

• Knowledge of fire suppression and prevention principles and practices, and emergency medical services
• Knowledge of specialized communication equipment
• Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
• Knowledge of operational characteristics , services and activities of a comprehensive fire suppression program
• Knowledge of technical aspects of fire prevention and suppression including operation of fire hydrants, use of ladders, use of water and various chemicals to suppress fire, salvage and rescue operations
• Knowledge of fire apparatus operations practices and principles
• Knowledge  of procedures and techniques involved in responding to and handling incidents involving hazardous materials
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and local codes and regulations
• Exercises sound judgment and rational thinning under dangerous circumstances
• Evaluates various options and alternatives and chooses an appropriate and reasonable course of action
• Working knowledge of chemistry and hazardous materials
• Skill in calculating engine pressures and friction losses of fire hose using mathematics and physics
• Skill in operating two-way radio equipment
• Must obtain Paramedic certification upon request and subsequently perform all essential functions of that assignment
• Must obtain any and all certifications for all possible assignments and subsequently perform all essential functions of an assignment when assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be on a certified and current eligibility list in accordance with Local Government Code Chapter 143 State Civil Service and City of Carrollton Local Rules
• Must possess and maintain a valid Texas class “B” drivers license and meet all City policies regarding insurability; must pass annual MVR check
• Must maintain necessary physical condition to carry out all essential functions of rank/assignment