PURPOSE OF POSITION
The Firefighter is responsible for fire suppression, hazardous materials response, rescue operations, emergency medical services, fire inspection, public education, and vehicles, buildings and grounds cleaning and maintenance.
Position Overview
The position of firefighter requires a dedicated and motivated employee who has a passion for helping people. This position must become proficient at skills including but not limited to firefighting, emergency driving, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, weapons of mass destruction, and specialized rescue. In addition, a firefighter must develop people skills, teaching skills, computer skills, and customer service skills that are needed for the diverse services the Fire Department provides.
The firefighter must be able to transition from a sound sleep toa maximum physical response at a working structure fire or to treat a patient whose life condition is rapidly deteriorating. He/she must be able to think and respond logically and predictably based on training and common sense in hazardous environments under extremely stressful conditions. The firefighter must also have the courage to overcome his/her own fears and have the tenacity to work in extreme weather conditions.
The firefighter must embrace training on a daily basis in order to become proficient at his/her job. This work involves, but is not limited to, performing housekeeping chores, checking apparatus, maintaining equipment, and performing routine repairs. In addition to emergencies, the Firefighter performs fire inspections, provides station tours, attends block parties, participates in parades, public education, etc., and may assist with projects such as preplans, grant writing, and emergency preparedness. The firefighter must be a team player who can follow orders and show respect to superiors. This position requires the ability to interact with patients, independently assess and treat medical emergencies, follow EMS protocols, supervise patient care and document findings and events for the patient’s medical record. Work is often carried out in the presence of contagious disease, environmental, chemical, or physical violence hazards.
This position description is intended as an illustration of the various types of work performed at this rank. The absence of specific statements of duties does not exclude those tasks from the position if the work is similar, related, a logical assignment of the position, or of an imminent nature.
Essential Job Functions – The job functions listed herein are neither exclusive nor exhaustive, but are intended to be illustrative of the types of tasks the employee will most likely be expected to perform on a regular basis. The employee may be asked to perform different or additional tasks than the ones listed, as the needs of the employer and/or the requirements of the position change.
- Responds to alarms as a member of a firefighting company or EMS unit, and performs a variety of fire ground functions, as situations demand.
- Operates and performs preventative maintenance and checks on all fire department vehicles and equipment.
- Responds as a member of a medical team to bring basic or advanced emergency medical care to the citizens of the community.
- Prepares written reports and maintains records under supervision of a Company Officer.
- Participates in daily training exercises and classroom lectures.
- Performs duties as Equipment Operator, if qualified, when assigned.
- Performs duties as a Fire Lieutenant, if qualified, when assigned.
- Performs duties as a licensed Paramedic according to criteria and standards set forth by the department, if qualified, when assigned.
- Performs duties as a Certified Firefighter/EMT-B according to criteria and standards set forth by the department.
- Responsible for cleanliness of station and maintenance of apparatus, tools, equipment and all other fire department property.
- Conducts demonstrations, tours, and public speeches on fire safety, fire prevention, CPR, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, first-aid, and other subjects to the public.
- Performs fire inspections and pre-emergency plans when assigned.
- Safely drives emergency vehicles during both day and night in emergency situations involving speeds more than posted limits, in congested traffic, and during unsafe road conditions.
- Report/remain at work during major emergencies and/or disasters without notice.
Other Job Functions
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Requirements of Work
High school diploma or equivalent, Wisconsin Technical College System Firefighter II certification, Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic, Valid driver’s license; and any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the following knowledge, ability and skills:
Knowledge of
- Department policies and procedures.
- Business English, including grammar, punctuation, format and tone.
- Major life activities.
- National, state and local laws and fire/safety codes.
- Fire protection systems, water supply, building construction, natural and man- made disasters, fire control and extinguishment, & combustible and flammable materials.
- Local streets and roadways.
- Fire and emergency medical apparatus operation and routine maintenance .
- The use of standard office equipment and relevant software programs.
Ability to
- Multitask and prioritize workload.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
- Read, write, add, subtract, multiply, divide, and basic algebra.
- Organize, direct and coordinate written and oral reports.
- Perform firefighting, patient care and public relations activities.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, coworkers
and the public.
- Cope with repeated exposure to traumatic and otherwise disagreeable situations.
- Cope with danger to self, coworkers and public.
- Learn the skills and duties of the job at minimum acceptable levels within reasonable time frames.
- Respond appropriately to supervisory, guidance, assignments, correction, and discipline.
- Concentrate and focus in stressful situations.
Skills in
- Problem Solving.
- Oral and written communications.
- Time management and self-directed work tasks.
- Making logical decisions based on training and common sense. Report writing, computer usage, driving, and two-way radio usage.
- Observing situations analytically and objectively and recording them clearly and competently.
- Reacting quickly and calmly in emergencies.
- Effective communication, oral and written, with supervisors, peers, and public. Dealing courteously and professionally with others.
Necessary Special Requirements
- Must be eighteen(18) years of age to apply.
- High school diploma or equivalent .
- Valid Wisconsin’s driver’s license or such valid operator’s permit recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation as authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in Wisconsin.
- Wisconsin Technical College System Firefighter II certification.
- Wisconsin Emergency Medical Technician – Paramedic license (EMT-P). Exception: Employees hired before August 10, 2015 and have never been licensed as an EMT-P and held the job assignment of Paramedic with the City of Waukesha shall be licensed as an EMT-B.
- Ability to pass a criminal, financial and driving background check.
- Successfully passing the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT)
Physical Demands
The physical demands described in this document are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to perform the essential Job tasks outlined in NFPA 1582 Chapter 5.
- Effort – Chop/vent roof, overhaul burned buildings, advance charged line up stairs; climb stairs/ladders, use axe.
- Mobility – Advance hose line, climb ladder, search/rescue in building, move on roof, get on/off equipment.
- Hearing – Hear call for help in burning building, hear fire crackle in dense smoke, hear BP.
- Visual Color Discrimination – Determine fire status/hazards by smoke color, identify labels and placard, assess patient(s).
- Far Vision – Drive to fire, visualization of fire condition, see power lines for safe ladder placement, see addresses.
- Near Vision- Patient assessment, read manuals/pump control panel.
- Finger Dexterity – Maintain/operate SCBA equipment, bandage patient, remove object from patient airway with Magill forceps, tie knots, perform infant CPR.
- Manual Dexterity- Couple hoses; perform CPR; bandage patient; use tools/extraction equipment, use bag valve mask, tie knots, use SCBA.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness – Take BP/pulse, operate power tools, perform CPR, apply traction to limb/neck of victim, connect hose couplings.
- Gross Body Equilibrium – Walk icy roof peak at night, carry patient down stairs, swing axe from ladder.
- Gross Body Coordination – Climb/descend ladder w/victim, advance charged line while maintaining flow on target, walk across roof ridge, start/use power tools.
- Speed Limb Movement – Dodge debris, chop w/axe, don SCBA, pump manual pump, exit burning building, operate/drive apparatus, operate aerial apparatus, perform CPR.
- Trunk Strength – Pull charged hose, perform CPR, pick up equipment at fire, hold hose on fire target, lift victim.
- Dynamic Strength – Climb ladders/stairs in full turn out w/equipment, climb aerial ladder.
- Explosive Strength- Force entry with axe battering ram, raise ladder, run upstairs w/equipment, breach walls, pull advance hose, chop with axe to vent roof.
- Static Strength – Carry hose, lift/carry victim/patient, move charged hose, lift ladder, move generator.
- Dynamic Flexibility- Chop with axe, pick up hose, advance hose, strip roof, perform CPR/chest compression.
- Stamina – vent a roof, pull charged hose line: strip roof with tools, climb stairs with equipment, carry hose up multiple flights.
- Extent Flexibility- Roll/pull hose, remove ceiling with poles, push ladder to peak, reach out from ladder, chop with axe, extricate victim, overhaul burned building, remove building parts.
ENVIRONMENTAL/WORKING CONDITIONS OF POSITION
- Outside workplace environment that is confined.
- Exposure to extreme cold, hot and normal temperatures.
- Contact with water or liquids.
- Exposure to loud noise with a minimum of 90 decibels and vibrations from tools, equipment, machinery, etc.
- Exposure to hazardous conditions such as: mechanical/electrical, chemical, burns, explosives, heights, physical injury, and fast moving vehicles.
- Exposure to atmospheric conditions such as: fumes, gases, noxious odors, dust, and poor ventilation.
- Exposure to blood borne pathogens (i.e. blood on self and clothing from EMS related calls).
EQUIPMENT USED
- Computer terminal, telephone and two-way radio.
- Measuring/metering devices.
- Power tools, hand tools, chain saws, shovels, brooms, ladders, air tools, exhaust fans, & generators.
- Car, fire apparatus, van, ambulance and boat.
- Patient restraints, first-aid equipment, oxygen, blood pressure equipment, defibrillator, test equipment, general medical equipment, and patient lifting devices.
- Breathing apparatus, steel tip boots, hearing and eye protection, firefighting turn-out clothing, and hazardous materials protective clothing.