Firefighter/EMT

Description

The City of Kodiak is recruiting for regular, full-time Firefighter/EMT positions in the Kodiak Fire Department that is dedicated to protecting lives and serving the community.

Under general supervision, performs various duties to protect life, property, and environment including, but not limited to: responding to emergency medical, fire, rescue, and hazardous material 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; renders medical aid and lifesaving assistance; participates in fire prevention and education programs; conducts and participates in firefighting, fire prevention, public education, and related training activities.

The Fire Department provides all fire protection and fire prevention services within the City. The Department also provides emergency medical and ambulance service area-wide in an efficient and cost effective manner. The Firefighter/EMT performs as an individual and team member in the delivery of fire protection services through fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical services, and related activities. The Firefighter/EMT must perform these duties in a manner that reflects positively on the City and the Department.

Examples Of Essential Duties

• Responds to fire, emergency medical, rescue, and hazardous material alarms to protect life, property, and environment. Responds to non-emergency calls for service as necessary.
• Responds and performs tasks that support the activities of emergency medical services (EMS) workers in providing emergency medical care at appropriate certification and training level. Drives and operates ambulances.
• Performs tasks to suppress, control and extinguish fires, limit damage, and reduce injury and death caused by fires, accidents or other calamities. Assists in all phases of fire suppression; places fire hoses; sets ladders; ventilates and enters burning structures to extinguish fires and rescue victims; operates pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps.
• Recognizes and preserves evidence of arson; observes spectators at fire scenes to detect suspicious behavior; and during investigation, guards premises where arson is suspected.
• Drives and operates (as certified), and maintains fire fighting and suppression apparatus and specialized equipment and vehicles under emergency and non-emergency conditions; regulates water pressure; calculates and monitors hydraulic conditions; directs engine hook-up; maneuvers and extends retracting ladder.
• Locates, stabilizes, rescues and removes injured and trapped victims from open water, ice, confined spaces, high angle spaces, damaged vehicles with the aid of power and hand tools, ropes, or other appliances. Communicates with the established command structure via two way radio, voice, hand signals, or other verbal or visual cues.
• Performs aggressive search and rescue operations in heated and smoke filled environments, usually with minimal to no visibility, while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE), including SCBA.
• Inspects vehicles, equipment, and apparatus for proper operating conditions; assists with annual equipment testing; performs routine and minor repairs and maintenance; identifies needs for major repairs; maintains records of maintenance work performed.
• Assists with the cleaning and reloading of all equipment, tools, and apparatus upon completion of fire or emergency response activities.
• Prepares, submits, and maintains reports on incidents, apparatus maintenance, and inventory; enters/logs data and information into computer system including to document patient care reports in computer systems.
• Performs fire hazard inspections and pre-incident surveys of commercial and industrial structures.
• Participates in public relations, fire/safety education activities, and fire prevention activities including station tours, fire safety/fire suppression education away from the station, school education programs, fire prevention fairs, group activities, fire drills, courtesy walk through visits, and phone inquiries.
• Maintains skill levels, new equipment and procedure familiarization, and certifications that are relevant and/or required for assigned responsibilities; participates 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.
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire station facilities and equipment; cleans living quarters, kitchen, bathrooms, and other areas of the fire station.
• Testifies in court as necessary.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age. Must live within 12 road miles of fire station and maintain telephone service.

Training and experience will vary in accordance with the designated Fire/Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) levels as follows:

Firefighter/EMT I : High school diploma or General Education Development (GED); Firefighter I Certification; and State of Alaska EMT I Certification.

Firefighter/EMT II : High school diploma or General Education Development (GED); up to one year of specialized or technical training beyond high school; Firefighter I Certification; and State of Alaska EMT II Certification.

Firefighter/EMT III : High school diploma or General Education Development (GED); up to one year of specialized or technical training beyond high school; one year of fire experience; Firefighter I Certification; and State of Alaska EMT III Certification.

Must be able to pass the Fire Department fitness test, medical exam, and pulmonary function test.

*Hourly rate of pay is dependent on certifications.***

Firefighter/EMT I : $23.91 Firefighter/EMT II : $25.00 Firefighter/EMT III : $26.09

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS (positions in this class typically require): - Valid Alaska Driver's License or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire - State of Alaska EMT - Firefighter I - HAZMAT Awareness and Operations Certification

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Generally describes the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time to successfully perform the assigned duties.): Knowledge of: - Firefighter and rescue techniques; - Firefighting equipment and apparatus; - Fire suppression methods and techniques; - Rescue principles and tactics; - Emergency medical care; - Physical fitness principles; - Fire behavior; - Street layout and geography of the City; - Basic fire investigation methods and techniques. Skill in: - Making technical and emergency decisions quickly in emergency situations; - Maintaining physical fitness; - Operation of EMS apparatus and related equipment; - Preparing and maintaining records and reports; - Applying applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules and regulations; - Communication, interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with subordinates, coworkers, supervisor, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction. Ability to: - Understand and follow oral and written directions promptly and accurately; - Making technical and emergency decisions quickly in emergency situations; - Perform a variety of fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical response, and technical rescue activities; - Drive and operate (as certified), and maintain fire suppression, emergency medical, and associated vehicles, apparatus, and equipment safely in varying traffic and weather conditions observing legal and defensive driving practices; - Inspect, troubleshoot, and repair a variety of fire suppression, emergency medical, and associated vehicles, apparatus, and equipment; - Deal effectively with upset or emotional persons or patients; - Retain presence of mind and act quickly and calmly in emergency situations; - Work varied shifts, on weekends or during holidays; - Demonstrate physical endurance, agility, strength, and stamina in the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions; - Observe and follow safe fire fighting, EMS, and other work practices; - Operate modern office equipment and computers including applicable software applications; - Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; - Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in course of work.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS : Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an emergency response setting; walk, stand, sit, run for prolonged periods of time, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, twist, climb, balance, push, pull, lift, touch, finger dexterity, gripping with hands and fingers, talking, and hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. See within the normal range of vision with or without correction; specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Possess basic swimming skills and water safety knowledge for potential assignments on ice and/or open water rescue incidents. Perform arduous and prolonged tasks under adverse and dynamic conditions; operate fire suppression and medical response equipment, apparatus, and tools; ability to operate a vehicle to travel to various locations. Perform and maintain physical fitness to successfully pass the department’s annual physical fitness testing requirements.

Very Heavy Work: Exerting in excess of 150 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORKING CONDITIONS : Reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine fire prevention environments with travel from site to site; 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; 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; possible exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious materials; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident.

Non-traditional work hours are required and must work nights, weekends, holidays; work is scheduled on a 24 hour shift basis; works a 212 hour schedule in 28 day period; must be available for standby duty. Mandatory call back at any time.

APPLICATION PROCESS - The application package includes the documents listed below. Please carefully proofread and submit as one application package. Incomplete applications may be disqualified from further review.

• City of Kodiak Employment Application
• Optional, but highly encouraged; Cover Letter, Resume, and any other documents relevant to this position

SELECTION PROCESS - Successful applicants may be invited to participate in the following: - First Round Interview - Physical Fitness Assessment or current CPAT within 12 months - Second Round Interview

PRE-HIRE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT - Successful completion of the selection process may result in an official conditional offer of employment, which includes successful completion of the following:

• Pass a background investigation
• Pass a pre-employment drug test
• Pass a pulmonary function test, blood draw, and medical evaluation

**The City of Kodiak offers a competitive benefits package to eligible employees that may include:

Retirement: - Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), a defined benefit or defined contribution plan based upon employee eligibility upon hire - Option to enroll in a Deferred Compensation Program Health Insurance: - Health Insurance Coverage effective the 1st of the month following 30 days of employment - Employee and Dependent Coverage Available - Employer Contribution of 100% Medical/Dental/Vision/Rx Premium Costs Life Insurance:   - Employee Basic Life and AD&D of $50,000 - Employer Contributions of 100% of the Premium Costs Optional Insurance Benefits: - Employee-funded Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses - Employee Paid Group-Based Supplemental Insurance Paid Leave and Other Benefits:** - Annual Leave Accrual Rate starting at 4.62 hours each pay period with accrual rate increases based on years of service - Sick Leave Accrual Rate of 4 hours each pay period - Twelve paid holidays each year - Paid Leave for a Death in the Immediate Family - Employee Assistance Program - Tuition Reimbursement upon prior approval