This job description outlines the general nature and level of work performed. It is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.
Location: Rapid City, SD
Job Summary: This position is responsible for performing firefighting and emergency response activities.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Participates in structural, wildland, aircraft, and other types of fire attack by constructing fire lines,, connecting hydrant supply lines, advancing and maneuvering fire hoses and nozzles, hoisting equipment with ropes, selecting and tying knots, positioning and raising ground ladders, and operating portable fire extinguishers, hand tools and power tools.
- Performs fire and rescue operations to include carrying a victim, climbing ladders in excess of 100 feet in height while carrying tools, equipment, or victim.
- Wears, uses, and maintains protective clothing to include self-contained breathing apparatus.
- Performs routine maintenance of station, equipment, vehicles, and grounds.
- Responds to 911 calls for emergency medical assistance and evaluates the patient's condition, determines the nature and extent of illness or injury, and establishes priorities for required care, which may include providing basic life support to victims before they are transported to the hospital, first-aid treatment or life support care.
- Prepares a patient care report and take notes of the medical treatment given.
- Meets medical and physical agility standards as established and maintains physical conditioning necessary to perform effectively in emergency situations.
- Conducts ventilation in structure fires and assesses structural stability.
- Identifies signs of arson, predicts fire behavior, and recognizes basic fire code violations in commercial properties.
- Performs ladder inspections, hydrant flow tests, and annual service checks on firefighting equipment.
- Prepares basic fire incident reports, commercial occupancy pre-plans, and life safety inspections.
- Reads and interprets street maps, equipment diagrams: signs, symbols, placards, and labels for hazardous material.
- Operates two-way radios and a range of vehicles including cars, light vehicles, brush trucks, large fire apparatus and ambulances.
- Provides public emergency and fire safety education.
- Maintains certification through continuing education.
- On occasion supervises one to three lower or equal-ranking firefighters.
Firefighter EMT Recruit Qualifications:
- High school diploma or equivalent required. Must attain the age of eighteen before hire date.
- Must possess a valid South Dakota driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days from date of hire.
- Must possess or be able to obtain Emergency Medical Technician Certification and South Dakota Emergency Medical Technician license within probationary period.
- Lateral candidates must have at least three years of paid structural firefighting experience in good standing within the past four years at the time of application.
- Lateral candidates may qualify for a modified fire academy program.
In addition to Firefighter EMT Recruit qualifications, Firefighter EMT I candidates:
- Must possess Emergency Medical Technician Certification and South Dakota Emergency Medical Technician license.
- Must have completed at least 4 months as a Rapid City Fire Department Firefighter EMT Recruit and demonstrate proficiency in departmental written, verbal, and manual skills exams.
In addition to Firefighter EMT Recruit/I qualifications, Firefighter EMT II candidates:
- Must have completed at least 8 months as a Rapid City Fire Department Firefighter EMT Recruit and demonstrate proficiency in departmental written, verbal, and manual skills exams.
Work Environment:
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and moving mechanical parts. The employee is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; explosives; risk of radiation and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand; sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Employees must be able to perform these duties while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and all personal protective equipment (PPE) commensurate with the environment (structural fire, wildland fire, hazardous materials, rescue, and etc.).
