GENERAL DEFINITION:
This is skilled firefighting and emergency medical assistance work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires; in responding to medical emergencies; in inspecting structures and providing fire prevention information and advice; and, in helping the City’s Fire Department respond effectively to natural disasters and man-made emergency situations. This work involves training for, and participating in the protection of life and property by firefighting and rescue activities, under close supervision.
The primary responsibility of employees in this class is the protection of life and property through learned procedures and responses. The work involves performing firefighting and emergency medical service duties. Employees in this class perform hazardous tasks under emergency conditions. These duties may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps as smoke, fire, heat, cramped surroundings, and adverse weather conditions. A significant portion of work hours are devoted to drilling and studying methods, evolutions, techniques, and organization related to fire suppression and advanced emergency medical care. This work is usually performed in accordance with explicit instructions and well-defined procedures. Competent performance requires initiative and a thorough understanding of firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency medical service principles and methods.
Although firefighters typically follow trained team patterns of response to emergency situations, each individual must be capable of reacting immediately and appropriately under conditions of extreme urgency. Working within a para-military organization system, assignments are received from and regulated by a superior officer, both when fighting fires, handling emergency medical calls, or at the station.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent and pass a written and practical examination. EMT National Registry is required with paramedic preference. Additionally preferred skills: Nationally Registered Paramedic, FFI, FF2, Hazmat Awareness, Hazmat Operations, Hazmat Tec, Introduction to Technical Rescue, Vehicle Extrication, CPR, LPG Emergency Operations, WMD Awareness, Fire Service Instructor I, EMS Instructor, and NIMS and ICS.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES:
(The items listed below are not intended to be a complete listing of all essential functions and duties of this position.)
- Perform firefighting duties such as combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, and answering emergency calls with an engine, ladder, or miscellaneous vehicles;
- Lay and connect hoses, direct water onto burning structures, raise and climb ladders;
- Use other firefighting techniques such as ventilating burning buildings (chopping holes in floors or roofs);
- Administer basic or advanced life support to injured persons;
- Perform salvage operations;
- Inspect assigned district to assure knowledge of access, target hazards, etc.;
- Train for and participate in the protection of life and property by firefighting and rescue activities;
- Participate in fire drills and attend training classes in firefighting, first aid, and related subjects;
- Handle routine custodial maintenance of the Fire department equipment (such as oxygen breathing equipment, resuscitation equipment, etc.), apparatus and quarters;
- Conform to the safety requirements of the department;
- Respond to alarms of fire or other emergency as a member of a company;
- May operate auxiliary equipment;
- Hold nozzles and direct fog, chemical, and water streams at blaze;
- Use chemical extinguisher, hand tools, lines, and related equipment;
- Help extricate victims from vehicle wrecks;
- Transport victims to hospitals, and may communicate with the hospital’s emergency room physician while in route;
- Respond to requests for emergency medical assistance in a department ambulance, truck, or other emergency vehicle;
- Provide on-site care to victims of accidents, heart attacks, strokes, and other medical emergencies;
- Operate medical telemetry and patient monitoring equipment; Apply EMT Basic or advanced emergency medical skills to administer emergency life support assistance in ambulance, and perform other medical treatments to stabilize the patient;
- Assist in making residential, commercial, and industrial inspections to discover and eliminate potential fire hazards and to enforce the City’s fire codes;
- Help in the implementation of the department’s fire safety education program with the local schools and business owners;
- Participate in hydrant, hose, and equipment testing inspection and maintenance;
- Refill used medical supplies after completion of EMS runs;
- Assist in maintaining the cleanliness of stations;
- Maintain an awareness of proper safety procedures and guidelines, and apply these in performing daily activities and tasks;
- Do any and all other functions that may be required by the Fire Captain or other appropriate supervisors.
- This classification is a “safety sensitive” position as defined by the United States Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, the Oklahoma Standards for Workplace Drug and Alcohol Testing Act and/or Oklahoma Medical Marijuana laws. As a “safety sensitive” classification, you will be subject to drug and alcohol testing, including random testing. Marijuana is one of the substances included in the drug panel screening. Possession of a medical marijuana license will not excuse you from the testing process, or the consequences of testing positive for marijuana.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge equivalent of a high school diploma and such training and/or experience as would provide the applicant with the below referenced knowledge, skills, and abilities;
- Learn firefighting skills, first aid, apparatus and equipment maintenance, etc.;
- Pass a state required physical examination and agility test;
- Must meet the medical requirements set forth by the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirements System;
- Ability to exercise good judgment in stressful situations;
- Ability to deal effectively with public and co-workers, using tact and diplomacy;
- Ability to make decisions that could affect the well being of the public, department, fellow employees, as well as others;
- Considerable ability to learn a variety of duties, evolution and methods, including the operation of emergency apparatus;
- Demonstrated ability to climb ladders and to work at considerable heights;
- Ability to function effectively as a member of a trained emergency team following trained patterns of emergency team response;
- Knowledge of office equipment such as computers and copiers;
- Ability to learn and use various software programs used by the department;
- Must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid Oklahoma Drivers license, and be insurable;
- Must possess EMT National Registry or be close to testing;
- Must pass a clear background verification and check;
- Must be selected by the Chickasha Fire Department Administration;
- Preference will be given to candidates that possess their NREMT Paramedic.
WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Strength and stamina enough to climb 6 or more flights of stairs while wearing fire protective ensemble weighing at least 50lbs or more carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20-40lbs;
- Arm-hand steadiness, manual dexterity, and finger dexterity enough to use manual and power tools in the performance of duties;
- Speech, sight, and hearing enough to determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment throughout the duration of the operation;
- Visual acuity enough and motor coordination enough to operate fire apparatus or other vehicles in an emergency mode with emergency lights and sirens;
- Physical strength enough to rescue-drag or carry objects and victims from newborns up to adults weighing over 200lbs to safety, despite hazardous conditions and low visibility, in both emergency and non-emergency situations;
- Extent flexibility, mobility, and balance enough to bend, twist, and reach out when climbing or working on ladders;
- Physical strength enough to advance water-filled hose lines up to 3" inches in diameter from fire apparatus to occupancy (approximately 150 ft), can involve negotiating multiple flights of stairs, ladders, and obstacles.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
- Frequently working both independently and as an integral component of team incidents,
where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or
death to civilians or other team members; where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or death to civilians or other team members;
- Subject to extensive time outside exposed to the elements;
- Subject to extreme fluctuation in temperature while performing duties. Must perform
physically demanding work in hot (400degrees plus), humid (up to 100%) atmosphere while
wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms physically demanding work in hot (400degrees plus), humid (up to 100%) atmosphere while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms;
- Subject to wearing fire protective ensemble that is encapsulating and insulating. Wearing this clothing will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration and can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2 degrees F (39 degrees C);
- Subject to climbing ladders, operating from heights, walking or crawling in the dark along narrow and uneven surfaces, and operating in proximity to electrical power lines and/or other hazards. Possible exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (infectious) and non-biological hazards, and/or heated gases, despite the use of PPE including SCBA;
- Subject to wearing an SCBA, which includes a demand valve-type positive pressure face piece or HEPA filter masks, which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads without becoming panicked or exhibiting any signs of claustrophobia;
- Subject to performing firefighting functions (e.g., hose line operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, forcible entry), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions while wearing personal protective clothing (PPC) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged periods of time;
- Subject to performing critical, time sensitive, complex problem solving during physical exertion in stressful life-threatening hazardous environments (including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces), further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens and other distractions;
- Subject to working for long periods of time and irregular hours sustained physical activity and intense concentration;
- Subject to working unpredictable emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without the benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration;
- Subject to making life or death decisions during emergency conditions;
- Exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims;
- Subject to working in and communicating in (giving and comprehending verbal orders) environments of high background noise, poor visibility, limited mobility, at heights, in enclosed or confined spaces and drenching from hose and/or fixed protection systems (sprinklers) while wearing PPE and SCBA.
SUPERVISION:
The Fire Fighter/EMT-Probationary performs under the supervision of the Fire Chief performs under the ultimate supervision of the Fire Chief and Chief Officers. Crew level supervision is performed under the Company Officer
EEO Class: Protective Service Workers (PS/9224)
FLSA Status: non-exempt
Grade: N/A
This job description should not be interpreted as all-inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of this job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in these specifications. Any essential function or requirement of this class will be evaluated as necessary should an incumbent/applicant be unable to perform the function or requirement due to a disability as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
