Recruit Firefighter

Job Summary

This is a probationary trainee position used to prepare personnel for performing public safety work involving the protection of life and property and the delivery of Fire District programs. This position teaches firefighting, emergency medical skills, related rescue techniques and maintenance of equipment and apparatus in a classroom and practical environment for up to one (1) year in accordance with department standards; and has successfully obtained the requirements of a Firefighter I, and prerequisites of the Firefighter II.  Probationary trainees must successfully complete the requirements of a Firefighter I within one (1) year from date of employment in order to maintain employment with the District.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Learns firefighting skills and related rescue techniques, emergency medical techniques, fire codes, fire apparatus and equipment use, fire prevention and investigation methods, salvage and overhaul operations through classroom training, drills, observation and on the job training.
• Learns how to lay and connect hose; hold nozzles and direct water streams; raise and climb ladders; use chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, ropes, and other firefighting equipment; and administer emergency medical treatment to injured persons.
• Responds with assigned crew to emergency and non-emergency incidents; assists in providing Basic Life Support (BLS) for medical emergencies; assists in searches for and rescuing victims; and supports the performance of various types of technical rescue operations.
• Provides emergency and non-emergency incident responses such as public assistance and other service calls, which include assistance to the physically ill, injured or impaired, evaluation and minor repairs to fire and smoke detection equipment, and assistance with other citizen concerns.
• Participates in district required training to obtain, enhance and maintain required certifications and attends non-required training for professional development.
• Test and inspect fire hydrants and participates in pre-plans within the district assigned.
• Participates in Public Fire Education and Safety Survey activities.
• Provides professional and respectful service to citizens and visitors in and outside of the fire station.
• Utilizes, inspects, and wears the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while performing firefighting tasks in environments that may be immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) atmospheres.
• Consistently reviews and studies department SOP’s and District Policies.
• Assists in station duties including cleaning, maintenance, yard work, and equipment maintenance.
• Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• The proper use of firefighting equipment and tools.
• Emergency medical and health techniques and methods in alignment with certifications/licenses held.
• South Carolina Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations.
• District computer applications and software.

Skills In:

• Receive relevant information effectively from various sources.
• Diffuse verbal and physical confrontations.
• Communicate effectively, clearly, and concisely in both written and verbal form to a wide variety of audiences utilizing different modes of communication.

Ability To:

• Understand and effectively carry out verbal and written instructions, including following orders of superior officers.
• Interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Maintain discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.
• Organizational and time management skills needed to meet deadlines.
• Work accurately with attention to detail.
• Read and Comprehend District policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; SDS sheets, safety manuals, maps, etc.
• Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.
• Prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Conduct oneself in a professional manner at all times and able to work both independently and part of a team.

Required Education, Experience, Licensing, and Certifications/Coursework

Education:

• High School Diploma or Equivalent.
• Possession of a valid Class D South Carolina Driver’s License.

Experience:

• Entry level position.

Certifications/Coursework: Completion required within one (1) year from date of employment to maintain employment with Bluffton Township Fire District.  Requirements are subject to change to reflect current standards.

• IFSAC Firefighter I
• IFSAC Firefighter II
• SCFA 1136: Flammable Liquid & Gas Firefighting
• SCFA 1139: Rescuing the Rescuer
• SCFA 1140: Rescuing our Own
• SCFA 1427: HazMat Awareness (online)
• SCFA 3309: Introduction to Technical Rescue (online)
• SCFA 3310: Technical Rescuer
• SCFA 3330: Auto Extrication
• SCFA 2728: HazMat Operations
• BTFD In-House Confined Space and Trench Rescue
• Traffic Incident Management (TIMS) Training

EMT Class

• Valid SC DHEC Certification (EMT or higher)
• Valid National Registry Certification (EMT or higher)
• BLS CPR Card

On Line

• NIMS Online IS – 100: Introduction to Incident Command
• NIMS Online IS – 200: ICS for Single Resources
• NIMS Online IS – 700: NIMS, an Introduction
• NIMS Online IS – 800: Intro to the National Response Plan
• NFA Online Q0751: Principles of Building Construction
• BTFD In-House Building Construction, Gas Lines & Electric

Tasks Books/Evals

• Recruit Checklist Booklet Completed
• Satisfactory three (3) and six (6) Month Skill Evaluation (Training)

Physical and Work Environment

The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law.  Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor. 

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75-100 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Position may require rise & extending ladders; assisting victims down ladders; and carry fire hose and other heavy equipment up/down ladders or stairs.
• Move and advance charged hose lines into burning buildings, while standing or crawling on the floor. To hold a flowing hose line for long periods of time and to shut off a flowing line while maintaining control of the hose line.
• Enter buildings under adverse fire conditions which might include smoke, extreme heat, and no visibility, in full protective clothing including SCBA with face piece. Search for fire victims (sometimes searching by feel only), walking or crawling; and if a victim is found, to drag or carry the victim to safety. Emergency response and medical services could be provided in a building, vehicle, various machinery incidents, mobile homes, fields, etc.
• Work in high places, open and/or confined spaces and can be exposed to heat, cold and/or wet environmental elements.
• Operate power extrication equipment to assist in patient removals from motor vehicles. Lift and carry patients over rough or uneven terrain for considerable distances.  Ability to bend, strain, stretch, contort, push, pull, twist, carry, walk with weight or lift to remove a victim from a motor vehicle and place the victim on a stretcher.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision.
• Respond to an alarm, wake, and go from a sound sleep to full activity and exertion in a matter of minutes.
• May be exposed to or come in contact with individuals having infectious and/or communicable diseases.
• Maintain composure and confront stressful situations and withstand the effects of repeated exposure to traumatic situations.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work may require wearing specialized personal protective equipment.
• Work is occasionally exposed moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places, fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; extreme cold; extreme heat; risk of electrical shock; hazardous materials, and risk of vibration.
• May be subject to extended periods of intense concentration and may be subject to working extended periods ranging from 24 hours shifts or longer, and under fatigue and physical exhaustion.

Note:  Completion of Firefighter I and advancement to Firefighter II is required within one (1) year from date of employment to maintain employment with Bluffton Township Fire District.  Advancement to Firefighter II will occur after all requirements are met, satisfactory performance confirmed, and all probationary skills, task books, and or check of have been completed and verified.  All certifications/classes/requirements of this rank must be maintained in all subsequent ranks.

Nothing in this job description limits management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.  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.  The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.