Firefighter

Job Summary & General Information

* Must have a MINIMUM of 2 years service and EM* T-I to apply****

* Starting salary is based on the ** Public Safety New Hire Pay Matrix *

Under general direction of the Fire Captain performs the full range of non-supervisory, fire-fighting duties including the safe and efficient operation of fire apparatus and equipment, performing fire-suppression activities, inspecting buildings for code violations, maintaining equipment and grounds, performing public education in fire prevention, and participating in the physical-fitness program.  If assigned to the Hazardous Material Team, employees are required to possess advanced certification at the NFPA Hazardous Materials II level; inspects and reinspects local businesses for hazardous materials compliance, and responds to hazardous materials incidents.  Work is performed on a shift basis and the employee may be rotated periodically among fire stations. ## Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities Essential functions are the basic job duties that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation. The list of essential functions, as outlined herein, is intended to be representative of the tasks performed within this classification.   The omission of a function does not preclude management from assigning essential duties not listed herein if such duties relate to the position. In addition, specifications are intended to outline the **minimum ** qualifications necessary for entry into the class and may not necessarily convey the qualifications of incumbents within the position.

• Responds to fire alarms, delivers all equipment, and implements fire suppression and firefighting techniques to rescue victims and protect private and public property.
• Assumes a designated position on an assigned apparatus and follows command structure instructions for fire suppression or related emergency services.
• Serves within a command structure, requiring adherence to officers’ orders in life threatening situations.
• Responds to open space and structural fires; performs search and rescue operations to remove persons from burning structures, and fire suppression techniques as appropriate; lays, connects, charges and uses supply lines and various water appliances to control and extinguish fires; places water curtains and performs ventilating and access maneuvers; uses foam and chemical extinguishers as required by the nature of the fire; operates fire streams as directed; raises and climbs ladders; ventilates roofs and windows.
• Operates all types of portable fire extinguishers, pike poles, hand lines, smoke ejectors, salvage covers, forcible entry tools, aerial ladder equipment, emergency medical equipment, and other firefighting and medical equipment as required.
• Performs salvage duties at fire scenes by placing salvage covers, sweeping, vacuuming up water, and removing debris.
• Assists in the investigation of fires; obtains and preserves evidence at a fire scene, secures fire scene and controls traffic, and participates in determining fire origin and cause.
• Inspects building structures to ensure code compliance, explains City fire codes and fire prevention policies and procedures to the general public, and prepares complete and accurate reports of inspection activities as required.
• Responds to emergency medical calls, and administers advanced first aid and/or basic life support as appropriate, including assessing patients, CPR, resuscitation, operating automated external defibrillator, rescue breathing, administration of oxygen, recording vital signs, and other related medical treatments as appropriate.
• Responds to emergency rescue calls, including auto accidents requiring extrication, search and rescue, gas system leaks, confined space rescues, and rope rescues.
• Performs overhaul operations to ensure the complete suppression of fire.
• Responds to a variety of alarms and follows established procedures to investigate.
• Maintains fire equipment in a clean and operable condition, including performing daily equipment checks, and repairing damaged equipment as necessary; maintains inventories of apparatus, equipment, and supplies; recommends purchase of fire fighting equipment, physical fitness apparatus, and station appliances.
• Ensures the use of appropriate firefighting safety apparel and equipment, and follows appropriate safety procedures as required.
• Works closely with other emergency medical staff, public safety, and fire personnel from other agencies, depending upon response situation.
• Responds to hazardous materials emergencies, including scene assessment, identifying the extent of damage and/or potential hazard to the community, implementing containment plans, and protecting fire personnel and civilians from exposure to chemicals.
• Responds to man-made and natural disasters, including fires, floods, earthquakes, crash rescues and other catastrophic events, including providing medical assistance and removing persons from harmful structures or exposure to fire, smoke, adverse weather conditions, and harmful materials.
• Maintains an awareness of other Fire personnel on detail for the purpose of protecting other firefighters’ lives as necessary.
• Makes verbal analyses of activities involved in any fire emergency situation.
• Performs all necessary training activities as assigned and in accordance with readiness and preparation for firefighting activities, including training in fire suppression, emergency medical training, hazardous materials, vehicle extrication, technical rescues, equipment use and maintenance, and other related functions; participates in fire drills.
• Operates and maintains a variety of fire vehicles, apparatus, and equipment on a training basis.
• Performs physical fitness training to maintain physical abilities necessary for firefighting.
• Maintains station and personal living areas in a clean and orderly manner, and maintains surrounding grounds to ensure a safe and pleasant environment for fire personnel and the general public.
• §Performs a variety of administrative duties including maintaining proper records and documentation on all job related activities, functions, apparatus, and equipment, preparing reports, forms, recommendations, and other required administrative procedures.
• Participates in a variety of public awareness activities to promote good public relations and fire safety awareness, including providing tours of fire facilities and giving presentations at local schools as requested; responds to complaints and requests for information from the public; engages in public information activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities required

Knowledge of :

• Principles and practices of fire suppression, containment, rescue, clean-up and salvage.
• Advanced emergency medical procedures including EKG interpretation, intravenous access, drug therapy, endotracheal intubation, pediatric emergencies, cardio version and defibrillation, needle thoracostomy, patient assessment techniques, and safe patient transport.
• Symptoms of medical emergencies and of appropriate responses to such conditions.
• Purposes, uses, and operating characteristics of a variety of apparatus, equipment, tools, and devices used in rescue and medical assistance operations.
• Procedures, methods, and techniques of emergency medical services.
• Practices and techniques of hazardous materials response, containment and clean-up.
• Fire hazards and related prevention and abatement methods.
• Geography of the City, including locations of streets, hydrants, sprinkler and standpipe hookups, and alarm panels.
• Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes and ordinances.
• The operation and maintenance of a variety of fire services vehicles, equipment, and facilities.
• Safety practices and equipment related to the work.
• Safe driving principles and practices.
• Office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors and City staff.

Ability to:

• Perform fire suppression and associated rescue and salvage work in a safe and effective manner.
• Apply the mechanics of firefighting and emergency medical care at a paramedic level.
• Evaluate patients’ conditions and properly render emergency medical care including administration of emergency medications.
• Perform at required EMS, technical rope rescue, and hazardous material operation levels.
• Deal with hazardous materials incidents in conformance with department procedures.
• Operate radio equipment.
• Conduct fire inspections and perform code enforcement work.
• Participate in preliminary fact-finding inspections and investigations including evidence gathering and preservation.
• Learn the geographic layout of the City and the surrounding areas and the location of various fire suppression utilities.
• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Read and interpret blueprints and site maps.
• Establish and maintain a variety of manual and computerized recordkeeping and project management systems.
• Make sound, independent decisions within established policy and procedural guidelines.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions promptly and accurately.
• Organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications. 
• Work flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. ## Minimum Qualifications Combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job qualifies.

Required:

Combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential functions of the job qualifies.

Required:

• High school diploma or GED equivalency.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Must possess and maintain valid NPQ Firefighter I certification, NPQ hazardous Materials certification and valid Emergency Medical Technician or Paramedic certification.
• Completion of departmental training classes in Apparatus Operation, AOIC, Incident Command Structure and HAZMAT Awareness.

• Completion of Basic Building Construction testing and Territory (main streets and multi-family) testing.

• Requires completion of two out of five live fire classes. 

• Must possess and maintain a valid Georgia driver’s license with appropriate endorsement.

Physical Demands Physical : Must possess mobility, physical strength and stamina to respond to emergency situations and use all emergency apparatus and equipment; perform medium to heavy physical work, to work in confined spaces, around machines and to climb and descend ladders.  The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.  Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned apparatus and equipment.  Positions in this classification bend, stoop, kneel, reach and climb to perform work and inspect work sites.  Must possess the ability to lift, carry, push and pull materials, objects, and individuals necessary to perform job functions.  Must be able to exert in excess of one hundred pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of fifty pounds of force frequently.  Employees work in the field and are exposed to loud noise levels, extreme temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, substantial heights, vibration, confining workspace, chemical, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous physical substances and fumes.  Employees interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Vision : See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to discern colors and assess emergency situations, including medical incidents, to read computer screens and printed documents and to operate equipment.

Hearing : Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction; hearing sufficient to communicate in person and over the telephone or radio. ## Supplemental Information This 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.

The City of Alpharetta is an  Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer.  All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender (including identity or expression), marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability or any other protected classification as defined by applicable law (except as limited by Employee Manual & Benefits Handbook or bona fide occupational qualifications). In compliance with the  Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 , the City of Alpharetta is committed to providing a safe, quality-oriented and productive work environment consistent with the standards of the community in which it serves. Alcohol and drug abuse poses a threat to the health and safety of City’s employees and to the security of the City’s equipment and facilities. For these reasons, the City is committed to the elimination of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the workplace. Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects qualified individuals with disabilities from employment discrimination. Under the ADA, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. The physical demands described within the job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. In compliance with the ADA, the City of Alpharetta will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.