Frenchtown Fire Department
The Frenchtown Fire Department is a combination department made up of full-time and paid-on-call firefighters. The Department Chief, Wendy Stevens, Captains Joe Smigielski, John DeBarr and Mike Keith, staff the headquarters located at Station 1 with supporting Administrative Assistant Angie Ashcraft. Lieutenants Ron Hoskins, Josh Volker, and Mike Guyor, staff Station 2. Both Stations 1 and 2 have full-time staff on duty 24 hours per day, 7 days a week. Stations 3 and 4 are operated by off-duty fulltime staff and paid-on-call staff residing in the area surrounding the stations.
The Frenchtown Fire Department has 18 full-time firefighters, all state licensed Paramedics or Emergency Medical Technician-Basics and paid-on-call firefighters. Our paid-on-call firefighters must live in Frenchtown Township or within one mile of the township boundary and respond from their homes.
The Fire Department serves the Frenchtown Township community by responding to emergency situations, providing all hazard response preparedness. Regularly visiting our local schools to educate our young people in fire safety techniques. Assisting senior citizens and people with disabilities with the installation of smoke detectors and CO detectors, in addition to visiting senior centers to monitor blood pressure and speak with our elderly residents. The Frenchtown Fire Department sponsors a Community Emergency Response Team giving members of the community, not wishing to be firefighters, an opportunity to serve fellow citizens in a support role.
The Fire Department answers over 4000 calls for service a year, responding from four fire stations. Meeting the emergency needs of the community as an all-hazards response force, utilizing fire engines and a ladder truck, brush trucks and a gator, all equipped with fire pumps and hose lines. Additionally, there is a rescue boat and ambulances to assist in all emergency requests for service. Frenchtown Fire Department is Committed to our Community.
General purpose of the Firefighter:
To protect life, limb, and property by performing the firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, fire prevention duties, maintain fire equipment, apparatus and department facilities. Under the direct supervision of the Firefighters, Lieutenants, Captains and the Fire Chief.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee's environment can range from the fire station setting to highly dangerous fire suppression or other rescue situations. Physical demands, therefore, range from sitting to the enormous physical exertion associated with firefighting. The following physical demands and environmental characteristics will be encountered by employees at varying frequencies while performing the duties of this job; standing, walking, running, using hands and fingers, handle, or feel; reaching with hands and arms, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling; swimming, talking, hearing and smelling.
The employee is also required to lift and/or move objects of very heavy weight. Vision is required in the position. The employee must maintain the physical ability to perform the duties of the job. While firefighting, the employee is exposed to fire, wet and/or humid conditions, high precarious places, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, extreme heat and cold, moving mechanical parts, vibration and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment can vary from quiet while in the station house to very loud at fire scenes.
Essential Job Functions:
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to accomplish each essential function satisfactorily.
- Performs various firefighting activities. Including but not limited to driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, executing fire containment, extinguishment, ventilation and overhaul tasks.
- Performs emergency medical service activities including providing medical treatment as allowed by the department licensure level.
- Actively participates in training, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medicine, hazardous materials and related subjects.
- Performs marine activities. Including but not limited to operating the department watercraft. Performs water and ice rescue activities.
- Acts as a dispatcher; answers phone calls; reports necessary information to the onduty officer; maintains logs of emergency calls and station duties.
- Restores and maintains trucks and equipment to ensure they are operational and ready for emergencies.
- Carries out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and Local laws and ordinances.
- Maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.
- Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of the fire facilities, grounds and equipment.
- Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
- Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
- Performs salvage operations.
- Assists in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned.
- Attends training and meetings as required or scheduled.
- May serve as a member on various employee committees.
- May instruct classes in assigned subject areas.
- Accurately and thoroughly completes departmental records and reports.
- The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or logical assignment to the position.
Requirements for Employment include but are not limited to the following:
- Citizen of the United States
- High School diploma or equivalent, minimum of 18 years old.
- A valid Michigan driver's license and an insurable driving record are required, along with the ability to complete specialized driver's training courses related to emergency vehicles.
- Certificate of passing the Conference of Western Wayne Firefighter Testing Program or proof of scheduled test date for completion. Comparable test from an approved facility will also be accepted. www.schoolcraft.edu/testing for more information or available test dates.
- No conviction of any crime that, in the judgment of the department, impacts the ability to perform duties as a firefighter.
- Must pass a complete written aptitude test.
- Must pass a physical exam with drug screen, including vision/hearing tests.
- Must pass a psychological evaluation prior to hire.
- Must pass a comprehensive background check.
- Having a working knowledge of computers and the ability to enter data. Versed in modern software programs.
- Ability to work effectively under stress in emergency conditions.
- Ability to exercise a high degree of diplomacy in contentions or confrontational situations.
- Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative and resourcefulness when dealing with other firefighters and rescue personnel and with the public.
Requirements to Maintain Employment as a Paid-On-Call Firefighter:
- Must become Certified as Michigan Fire Fighter Training Council Fire Fighter I and II.
- Must pass and become certified Michigan Fire Fighter Training Council Hazardous Materials Operations Level.
- Recommended Licensure as a State of Michigan Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Paramedic.
- Maintains licensure and certifications in all areas currently provided for by the Frenchtown Charter Township.
- Must remain skilled in the operation and maintenance of an array of firefighting tools, equipment and apparatus and other implements utilized in the line of duty. Equipment such as fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, self-contained breathing apparatus and other standard firefighting equipment and computers.
- Must have and maintain a good driving record
Shall continue to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities.
