Firefighter Recruit

DESCRIPTION
The recruit academy is a multiple week training and development program designed to prepare the recruit for a successful career in the fire service. Recruits must achieve mastery of skills within the essential functions of firefighting during the academy by demonstrating consistent, competent, and confident completion of the recruit academy with the required knowledge, skills, and abilities required of the District. Recruits in this class and rank work under the direct supervision of the Training Division staff and are in a probationary status.
Recruit must be able to perform the essential duties and meet the physical demands and training requirements of the recruit academy.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Many of the following essential duties are derived from the standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications, NFPA 1001, 2019 Edition. This is in addition to the acceptable and expected practices of the West Metro Fire Protection District. All duties, while specifically categorized, shall apply throughout.
Prior to being permitted to participate in live fire training evolutions, the student shall have successfully completed training to meet the job performance requirements for firefighter I in NFPA 1001,Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications, related to the following subjects:

• Safety
• Fire behavior
• Portable extinguishers
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Ladders
• Fire hose, appliances, and streams
• Overhaul
• Water supply
• Ventilation
• Forcible entry
• Building construction

Prior to being permitted to participate in live fire training evolutions, the student must have also received prerequisite training, pursuant to Section 4.3.2 of NFPA 1403, in the areas of:

• Fire dynamics
• Health and safety
• Fundamentals of fire behavior
• Fire development in a compartment
• Nozzle techniques
• Door control

The recruit follows orders.
The recruit respects and utilizes the chain of command, complies with District rules and regulations, administrative procedures, standard operating procedures, academy rules and regulations, academy testing policy, academy statement of fundamental values, and any and all other District references (e.g., NFPA standards, Code of Federal Regulations, or OSHA requirements).
The recruit is able to accept advice and constructive criticism in a positive manner as well as adhere to the academy code of conduct and Administrative Procedure #1001 while on or off duty. Performs all related work as required and assigned.
Demonstrates the ability to act without direct supervision, exercises independent judgment, shows initiative and integrity in all situations.
Applies new information that has been provided to make prompt and effective decisions in both routine and non-routine situations.
Demonstrates strong oral and written communication skills.
Effectively uses District radios through clear voice projection.
Writes completely and accurately and uses acceptable grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Can operate all associated computer and electronic equipment as assigned.
Retains or obtains EMT certification through the State of Colorado.
Uses and maintains personal protective equipment (PPE) including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) according to District standards.
Exercises a variety of firefighting skills and methods including but not limited to forcible entry, proper placement and use of ground ladders, search and rescue, rescue a firefighter with functioning respiratory protection, perform in low visibility environments, horizontal and vertical ventilation, interior fire attack, overhaul, salvage operations, securing a water supply, proper use of extinguishers, illumination of the fire scene, vehicle extrication, and evidence protection. Is also skilled in exterior fire attack on vehicle fires, flammable liquid fires, flammable gas fires, electrical fires, and Class A fires including grass and brush fires.
Driving is essential to this position. Failure to maintain a valid driver?s license and safe driving record is subject to Administrative Procedure #4104 Operation and Use of Department Vehicles.
Maintains, cleans, and repairs fire and EMS equipment, apparatus, and quarters.
Responsible for personal safety and that of all assigned personnel and required to report any safety issues to the immediate supervisor.
Maintains physical conditioning and fitness standards as set by current District policies/procedures and demonstrates the ability to meet the physical demands of the job.
The academy offers a limited time frame for a recruit to achieve mastery of skills with all essential functions of firefighting. Because of this the academy places high physical demands on the individual and therefore the individual must obtain the following minimum physical fitness requirements:

• Prior to hire, an incoming recruit must meet the minimum 12 MET standard.
• The recruit must be able to successfully complete the West Metro physical agility test (PAT) within the minimum required hiring standard prior to and throughout the Academy; passing is based on 70% mark (or when no points are earned for the hiring test). The PAT will be administered at least once during the Academy.
• Recruits should complete a 1.5 mile run in 12:30 minutes or less by the 10th week of Academy. The 1.5 mile run mimics the environment of a firefighter breathing air from a self-contained breathing apparatus for 12:30 minutes with continuous movement. Recruits not successfully completing the run in 12:30 minutes or less will receive a PIP and physical fitness improvement plan in consultation with the wellness manager and academy cadre.
• Recruits will be required to achieve 16 METs by the end of the 6th week of the Academy. A MET level of 16 or greater is required to complete essential fireground functions that are a mandatory component of the Academy Curriculum. These fireground essential functions consist of, but are not limited to, ventilation with an axe, carrying an uncharged standpipe hose pack to the third story, 3 story stair climb in full gear with 1 ? hose-line and 165lb victim extraction of 30 yards or greater.
• Recruits will be required to successfully complete the West Metro specific CMCB job sheet pertaining to the search maze prop (WM specific JPR SR-6) prior to entering any Class A burn IDLH environment (typically the 6th week of the Academy). Successful completion of the search maze prop JPR is essential to confirming confidence, competence, and consistency while operating in an SCBA with obscured vision without experiencing excessive levels of anxiety and maintaining composure, which could result in compromised recruit safety during live IDLH events.
• A recruit unable to achieve 16 METs and/or the West Metro specific CMCB job sheet pertaining to the search maze prop (WM specific JPR SR-6) by the end of the 6th week of the academy will not be allowed to participate in attack line or search functions in the Class A building under live fire conditions. Because of this, the recruit will not be allowed to participate in live fire training, which, shall be grounds for termination. Such determination will be made in consultation with the academy program director, division chief of training, operations chief, the fire chief, and/or the fire chief from any outside agency the recruit is employed with.

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS
Must be 18 year or older with a High School Diploma or G.E.D.
Knowledge of fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical techniques, and special operations will be gained throughout the academy. The recruit will need to meet the requirements of the academy testing policy throughout the academy process.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and adapt quickly to changing situations.
Ability to learn to control and operate District vehicles in routine and emergent situations.
Ability to integrate well with all recruits on both a professional and interpersonal level.
Ability to adapt to the academy environment. Maintains the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other recruits, other agencies, and citizens.
Ability to meet and pass specific, established physical fitness requirements. Physical strength and agility shall be such as to be able to perform arduous tasks under strenuous and adverse conditions.
Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting, EMS, and special operations duties, evolutions, and methods within a reasonable training period.
Ability to understand written and oral instructions.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED
Equipment related to firefighting including fire hose, nozzles and appliances, axes, hydraulic jacks, sprinkler stops, SCBA, PPE, shovels, hydrant wrenches, wyes, forcible entry tools, fire extinguishers, exhaust fans, ropes, bolt cutters, ladders, saws, hydrant bags, valves, flashlights, small hand tools, and other equipment specifically related to the fire service, rescue, EMS, and special operations. Must be able to lift and operate all equipment located on all ambulances and fire apparatus. Vehicles including SUVs, step vans, sedans, station wagons, and fire apparatus. Office equipment including computers, software, keyboards, telephones, hand radios, keypads, office supplies, copy machines, digital cameras, filing cabinets, and boxes of files/paperwork.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Firefighters perform hazardous tasks requiring strenuous exertion during firefighting, rescue, and emergency situations while being exposed to conditions such as extreme heat, smoke, cramped, and/or hazardous surroundings. Recruits must be able to work extended hours doing strenuous repetitive drills in all areas of emergency service delivery.
This work is performed in all weather conditions including extreme weather conditions with temperatures below 32 degrees and temperatures in excess of 100 degrees for extended periods of time.
The potential to work in hazardous surroundings exists at all times which includes a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical equipment, electrical currents, working on ladders or in high places, and hazardous materials.
Recruits are required to work a flexible schedule as required by the West Metro Fire Academy Rules and Regulations.
Recruits can be exposed to high noise levels and are often required to wear hearing protection during daily duties.
Extreme atmospheric conditions may exist which can affect the respiratory system or skin. This includes exposure to gases, chemicals, fumes, mists, dust, radiation, and/or poor ventilation.
This work requires varying degrees of physical responses from sedentary work to very heavy work.
A wide variety of physical activities are inherent to this position including but not limited to lifting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, and using a large amount of force to lift or move objects or people at any given time.
Recruits must have the ability to use strength and quickness.
This work requires the ability for integrating professionally and socially with a diverse group of people.
Recruits must maintain considerate living practices with good hygiene and must abide by all grooming standards.
All firefighters are required to wear a self-contained breathing apparatus for extended periods of time.

RequiredPreferredJob Industries

• Other

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