Summary Under general supervision, working in conjunction with the Fire Chief and POA Management, Public Safety Officer performs various duties to protect life, property, and the environment, including responding to emergency medical, fire, rescue, and hazardous materials alarms and public service calls; drives, operates, and maintains firefighting, emergency medical, and associated vehicles, apparatus, and equipment; performs the full range of fire suppression duties; provides basic life support emergency medical assistance; conducts fire prevention inspection and public education programs including fire safety inspections of buildings; and conducts and participates in firefighting, fire prevention, public education, disaster preparedness, and related training activities. Mans and maintains the Dewees Island Emergency Services fire fighting, first responder, security, and general emergency equipment, and maintains a state of readiness at all times.
The following certifications are essential:
- Possession of Firefighter II certification issued by the State of South Carolina and CPR/AED certifications.
- Possession of Pump Ops II certification.
- Possession of a valid, current driver's license is essential for all Dewees Island employees
The following licenses are preferred but not essential:
- First Responder certification
- EMT-1
- Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness/Operations certification
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Every effort has been made to identify the essential duties and responsibilities of this position. However, it in no way states or implies that these are the only duties you will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or is an essential function of the position.
1. Respond to fire, emergency medical, rescue, and hazardous material alarms and emergency calls to protect life, property, and environment; perform tasks to suppress or control fires, limit damage, and reduce injury and death caused by fires, accidents, or other calamities; respond to non-emergency calls for service as necessary. Respond to alarms with assistance from community volunteers. Stand house-watch to receive fire and/or other emergency alarms, and to man fire and emergency apparatus with community volunteers. Assist in all phases of fire suppression; place fire hoses; set ladders; ventilate and enter burning structures to extinguish fires and rescue victims; operate pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps. Responsible for all activities required for fire suppression including but not limited to entering burning buildings with hose lines and other equipment, operating nozzles and placing streams of water on fire, operating chemical hose, hand fire extinguisher and other similar equipment, raise, lower and climb ladders, breach walls and other obstacles to fight fires. Perform surface and/or sub-surface water rescue, confined space, high angle rescue, and deal with other rescue situations as they occur. Remove persons from danger by individual or team methods.
2. Drive, operate, and maintain all firefighting and suppression apparatus and specialized equipment and vehicles under emergency and non-emergency conditions; regulate water pressure; calculate and monitor hydraulic conditions; direct engine hook-up; operate aerial ladder trucks; maneuver and extend retracting ladder. Drive vehicles and boats to and from fire or emergency sites. Inspect vehicles, equipment, and apparatus for proper operating conditions; assist with annual equipment testing; perform routine and minor repairs and maintenance; identify needs for major repairs; maintain records of maintenance work performed. Check and maintain emergency/fire equipment, apparatus and facilities to ensure operational readiness. Assist with the cleaning and reloading of all equipment, tools, and apparatus upon completion of fire or emergency response activities; repair and maintain air packs.
3. Perform emergency medical care/first responder care for Island emergencies. Perform tasks that support the activities of emergency medical services (EMS) workers in providing emergency medical care; perform emergency medical tasks in patient care and administers basic life support at the First Responder level to victims of injury or illness.
4. Prepare, submit, and maintain reports on incidents, apparatus maintenance, and inventory.
5. Assist in the investigation of fire and vandalism scenes to determine causes; preserve evidence and provides observations to investigators.
6. Maintain skill levels, new equipment and procedure familiarization, and certifications that are relevant and/or required for assigned responsibilities; participate in drills and training exercises, classes, and activities including but not limited to those related to fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, technical rescue, extrication, physical fitness, and other related areas.
7. Participate in public relations, fire/safety education activities, and fire prevention activities for the Dewees Island Community. Coordinate and train community volunteers
8. Participate in fire and life safety inspections; perform routine inspections of residential, and other buildings; perform fire sprinkler, alarm, and hydrant flow tests; identify fire and life safety hazards; provide suggestions for correction; schedule re-inspections for verification of correction; submit reports as needed.
9. Perform general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire station facilities and equipment; clean living quarters, kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas of the fire residence and station.
10. Respond to hazardous materials incidents; perform hazardous materials containment.
11. Perform special projects as assigned; assist in developing plans for special assignments such as
emergency preparedness, pre-fire planning, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
12. Provide security services as directed.
13. Perform a variety other POA duties of semi-skilled construction, maintenance, modification and repair activities to ensure that the public facilities and infrastructure are maintained in a safe and effective working condition as follows; assist the Utility Operator in Charge in responding to serious equipment malfunctions and other emergencies at any time of the day or night such as broken utility lines, accidents, floods, hurricanes, fallen trees and other hazards. Assist in the removal of solid waste and recycled waste from the Island. assist in pool maintenance, mow public safety-related grass areas, and maintain public facilities, shop and garage areas, storage sites, and other buildings in a clean and orderly condition. Maintain logs and records of work performed and materials and equipment used. Assist in the sale of propane, gas and diesel on the Island and maintaining adequate supplies to Owners. Perform minor maintenance on facilities including but not limited to replacement of light fixtures and air filters, painting and repair of plumbing fixtures. Operate maintenance equipment and heavy vehicles. Process Island mail delivery in Resident boxes on weekends or holidays as needed. Perform salvage operations.
By the nature of the fact that we have a small, limited workforce here on Dewees Island, it is important that every member of the team be flexible and willing to perform duties and responsibilities not strictly in the scope of his or her job description. These duties, as directed by management, will often involve helping other staff members in other departments. Please be aware that each team member’s efforts in this regard will be reviewed along with normal job description criteria during his or her annual performance evaluation.
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Knowledge of Fire science theory, principles, and practices and their application to a wide variety of emergency service operations, including fire suppression, fire prevention, and fire investigation. Principles, practices, and procedures used in modern firefighting and in the protection of lives and property. Operating characteristics, uses, and maintenance requirements of pump engines, fire apparatus, and other firefighting and emergency medical apparatus and equipment. Mechanical and hydraulic principles of fire apparatus. Methods and techniques of basic life support and rescue. Principles and practices of disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. Hazardous materials and chemical spill response techniques. Mechanical, chemical, and related characteristics of a wide variety of flammable and explosive materials and objects. Principles of combustion and cause of fire. Principles of building construction and fire protection systems. Current safety practices as they relate to equipment and procedures involved in the fire service. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations. Radio procedures. Ability to perform field calculations of hydraulics for the proper and effective operation of equipment at emergency scenes. Properly place vehicles and equipment at emergency scenes for the most effective operation. Demonstrate mechanical aptitude as required in the operation of firefighting equipment. Deal effectively with upset or emotional persons or patients. Retain the presence of mind and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations. Analyze emergency situations and develop appropriate courses of action. Interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations. Perform fire inspections and determine the cause and origin of fires. Observe and follow safe firefighting, EMS, and other work practices. Ability to keep records and make reports; follow oral and written directions. Ability to establish and maintain positive and cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public, with a focus on quality service.
Education and/or Experience:
Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade supplemented by specialized training in fire science, fire apparatus operation, hydraulics, emergency medical techniques, police or security service, mechanics, or a related field. One year of experience minimum is required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Possession of Firefighter II certification issued by the State of South Carolina and CPR/AED certifications. Possession of appropriate, valid First Responder certification or EMT-1 certification is preferred but not essential. Possession of Hazardous Materials First Responder Awareness/Operations certification. license preferred but not essential. Possession of a valid, current driver's license is essential for all Dewees Island employees.
Mathematical Skills: Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure.
Reasoning Ability:
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out simple one- or two-step instructions. Ability to deal with standardized situations with only occasional or no variables.
Computer Skills: A basic working knowledge of computers is desirable.
Language Skills:
Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write simple correspondence. Ability to effectively present information in one-on-one and small group situations to Property Owners, visitors, and other employees of the organization, to prepare and present public information and educational programs and respond to requests and inquiries from the general public, and complete and prepare a variety of forms and reports.
Competencies To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
Ethics and Values – Works with integrity and ethically, upholding the organizational values and policies of Dewees Island POA. Promotes positive public relations with clients/customers and visitors and cooperates and works together with all co-workers.
Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy. Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Maintains compliance with current law and policy to provide a work environment free from sexual harassment and all illegal and discriminatory behavior.
Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time. Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent. Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Cost Consciousness – Develops and implements cost-saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.
Safety and Security - Supports, cooperates with and implements specific procedures and programs
for safety, including universal precautions and safe work practices, established fire/safety/disaster plans, risk management and security, reports and or corrects unsafe working conditions, equipment repair and maintenance needs.
Customer Service Standards:
Communicates and interacts with members of the community to provide exceptional customer service. Acknowledges homeowners and guests, greets them with a smile and positive attitude. Be courteous and polite. Treat customers and coworkers with respect. Maintain a neat and clean appearance; wear the proper uniform and keep it cleaned and pressed properly.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an emergency response setting. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to stand, walk, and climb stairs. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus, vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone and/or radio. Must possess strength, stamina, and mobility to perform heavy physical work out of doors in all weather conditions and with exposure to potentially hazardous conditions; use varied hand and power tools, drive a motor vehicle, golf cart, and heavy construction equipment; lift and move materials and equipment weighing up to 100 pounds and heavier weights with the use of proper equipment. Demonstrate physical endurance, agility, strength, and stamina in the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this 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 is regularly exposed to reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine fire prevention, medical emergencies and security environments; the employee regularly works near moving mechanical parts and in areas of limited and restricted entry and exit; regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and wet and/or humid conditions; occasionally works in high, precarious places; exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration; risk of electrical shock, drowning, and asphyxiation. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Must work nights, weekends, holidays, and on various shift configurations that will include 24 hour tours of duty; subject to mandatory call back at any time. Must be available for regular standby assignments and work scheduled off-hours and emergencies as required.
