- Performs fire fighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose and performing fire suppression, containment, ventilation, salvage and overhaul, and extinguishment tasks.
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Performs emergency medical services and rescue activities including administering first aid and CPR, operating EMS equipment such as an automatic external defibrillator, portable suction units, etc., performing extrication and providing other assistance as required.
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Performs fire prevention activities including public safety education, fire code and life safety code inspections of buildings and businesses within the City and fire investigations to determine origin and cause of fire situations as assigned.
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Responds to and assists in all emergency situations when available, including but not limited to: rescuing persons, properties and premises; evacuating, securing and coordinating emergency scenes; operating equipment in an efficient and safe manner; and assisting other emergency agencies in the performance of their duties.
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On occasion, may be assigned or responsible for administrative responsibilities, to include completion of incident response reports.
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May take a limited leadership role during calls for service providing direction to less experienced firefighting personnel, as assigned by a supervisor or in the absence of a supervisor.
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Must be able to accept authority and work as a team member under stress caused by emergencies, danger, or criticism, and must be able to work fast while concentrating very hard.
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Maintains and expands knowledge and skills in the areas of fire suppression, rescue, EMS, hazardous materials mitigation, and fire prevention; by attending regular and assigned department training sessions, shall also avail themselves of advanced and outside training per department policies.
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Makes suggestions to supervisors regarding the organization structure, operations, equipment used, and may participate on committees from time to time to evaluate department needs.
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Serves as a representative of the City, performing duties in a courteous and professional manner that conveys a positive image of city government and that fosters cooperation and support.
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Performs such other duties as are consistent with the tasks of the position and as may be assigned by the City.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a firefighter encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the firefighter regularly works in outside weather conditions. The firefighter occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places or confined spaces, and is occasionally exposed to blood borne pathogens, wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or rescue activities when noise levels may be loud.
The Firefighter may be required to: spend excessive time outside exposed to the elements; tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing firefighting duties; perform physically demanding work in excessively hot, humid atmospheres while wearing equipment that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms; experience frequent transition from hot to cold and from humid to dry atmospheres; work in wet, icy, muddy areas, and uneven terrain; perform a variety of tasks on slippery, hazardous surfaces such as on roof tops or from ladders; work in areas where sustaining traumatic or thermal injuries is possible; face exposure to smoke, noise and/or vibration exceeding 80 decibels (constant or intermittent) which may cause marked distraction or possible hearing loss, carcinogenic dusts such as asbestos, toxic substances such as hydrogen cyanide, corrosives, carbon monoxide, or organic solvents either through inhalation or skin contact; face exposure to infectious biological agents such as Hepatitis B or HIV; wear personal protective equipment that weighs approximately 50 pounds while performing fire fighting tasks; perform physically demanding work while wearing positive pressure breathing equipment with resistance to exhalation and a flow rate specified by current Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) manufacture; perform complex tasks during life-threatening emergencies; work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration; make decisions that could have life or death consequences for firefighters and civilians under difficult and stressful conditions with limited information during emergency conditions; be exposed to grotesque sights and smells associated with major trauma and burn victims; make rapid transitions from rest to near maximal exertion without warm-up periods; operate in environments of high noise, poor visibility, limited mobility, at heights, and in enclosed or confined spaces; use manual and power tools in the performance of duties; rely on senses of sight, hearing, smell, and touch to help determine the nature of the emergency, maintain personal safety, and make critical decisions in a confused, chaotic, and potentially life-threatening environment through-out the duration of operation; encounter smoke filled environments, and a variety of physical hazards, damaged structures, moving mechanical equipment, electrical equipment, radiant energy, and possible exposure to explosives; meet the physical requirements outlined in NFPA 1582 (Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments); and perform the tasks outlined in NFPA 1001 (Firefighter Professional Qualifications).
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the 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 a logical assignment to the position.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Vision: normal 20/20 vision needed, with or without corrections, requires both near and far acuity, depth perception, field of vision, and focusing. Must be able to distinguish colors. Use of corrective lens is acceptable.
Hearing: normal hearing needed, with or without correction; firefighter must be able to discriminate among similar sounds in environments with great amounts of background noise.
Lifting and Pulling: both from overhead and dead weight positions, a variety of equipment (e.g., hoses, ladders, fans, rescue saws, portable lights, hydraulic rescue tools). Lifting patients from dead weight positions under emergency response conditions. Advancing hose lines at fires, pulling ladder halyard to extend ladders, dragging/removing fire victims. When assistance is available, one person's share of weight load would commonly be 35 – 40 pounds; however, it is not uncommon for a firefighter to have to carry 75 or more pounds of equipment without assistance.
Climbing and/or Balancing: ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolds, ramps, and alike using feet and legs and/or hands and arms during emergency response activities. Must be able to balance and have the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling when walking, standing, crouching, crawling on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces. Must be capable of applying a leg lock with either leg upon a ground ladder to provide a safe anchor when operating hose lines or performing rescue work. Capable of working on roofs.
Grasp, Touching, Feeling, and Using Fingers: capable of utilizing both gross and fine muscle functions for the handling (seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with the hands); fingering (picking, pinching, or otherwise working with the fingers); and feeling (perceiving attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by means of receptors in skin, particularly those of the fingertips). Manipulate items such as SCBA valves, apparatus controls, alarm panel controls, nozzle controls, and tie knots in ropes.
Walking, Crawling, Kneeling, and/or Squatting Mobility: must be able to walk, crawl, kneel, or squat while carrying or lifting equipment and patients. Must be able to balance and have the ability to steady oneself and keep from falling. Must be capable of reaching (extend the hands or arms in any direction); All lifting, dragging and/or walking/crawling/kneeling/squatting mobility requirements are to be met while in full protective gear, which weighs approximately 50 pounds.
Reaching, Bending, and Twisting: picking up and carrying ladders, hoses, and other fire and rescue equipment, raising ladders against a structure, opening hydrants, connecting hose lines, using axes, sledgehammers, upward thrusting of "pike poles" into ceilings to open up access to attic spaces, and rescue tools. Must be capable of reaching and extending the hands and/or arms in any direction frequently and from awkward positions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABLITIES
Mathematical Ability: Must be able to perform routine mathematical calculations: multiply, divide, use fractions and read graphs.
Language Ability: Must be capable of reading fire protection text books, writing reports with proper grammar and otherwise communicating in writing, using the English language. Must be able to verbally communicate using the English language in an effective, tactful manner.
Reasoning Ability: Must be able to interpret instructions and use logic to solve concrete problems.
Respirator Use: Capable of wearing respirators: SCBA and N95.
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education/Experience Requirements:
Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
High school graduate or equivalent.
Must possess a valid Minnesota driver's license without restricted driving privileges.
No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
Must live within 4 minutes of an Apple Valley Fire Station as determined by department policy.
Ability to complete training and possess "Firefighter 1 ", "Firefighter 2" and "NFPA 1072 Haz-Mat Ops" certification from the Minnesota Fire Service Certification Board within one year of hire date.
Ability to complete training and possess "Emergency Medical Responder" (EMR) or higher certification from the Minnesota Emergency Medical Services Regulatory Board within one year of hire date.
Ability to complete FEMA NIMS IS-100, IS- 200 and IS-700.
Has the ability to regularly respond to emergency calls within established department policies.
Must successfully pass City administered initial and periodic tests, which may include: physical agility test, physical examination (medical), stress test, drug screen, pulmonary function test, and psychological evaluation.
No firefighting experience or training is required. City will provide necessary training to successful candidates.
Preferred Qualifications:
An Associates Degree in Public Safety or related field; Fire Apparatus Operator, Hazardous Materials Technician, Public Fire Safety Education, Fire Investigator, and Fire Inspector courses are all desirable qualifications.
