Full Time Firefighter

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

Under the supervision of the Fire Chief and the Deputy Fire Chief, a Firefighter is responsible for responding to emergency situations, combating and extinguishing fires; maintaining fire equipment and apparatus; performing rescues, providing basic life support and/or advanced life support. Work may be performed under situations extremely hazardous to personal health and safety.

Engages in fire prevention activities including presentations to students and community groups, performing building plan reviews, inspection of building under construction, and inspection of existing structures.

Firefighters maintain fire equipment, apparatus, and the fire stations’ building and grounds. Firefighters work and train with members of the Peters Township Volunteer Fire Department.

SKILLS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES: REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Computer and Technology Skills:

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office software including Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as, GIS and fire incident tracking software.

Proficiency in the use of radios, scanners and other Fire Department technology.

Language Skills:

Ability to understand and carry out both written and oral instructions. Ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to read and comprehend reports and procedure manuals. Ability to examine and interpret maps and construction drawings.

Mathematical Skills:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals with and without a calculator.

Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as proportion, percentage, volume, and area.

Reasoning Abilities:

Ability to follow work schedules planned by others and without direct supervision.

Ability to solve problems and manage emergency situations while exhibiting calm and controlled composure.

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish and verify facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of situations where only limited standardization exists.

Physical Abilities:

Constantly Incurred (More than 75% of time on job)

Ability to stand, Ability to walk, Ability to sit, Reaching at high or low level, Repetitive finger movement, Ability to use both hands and both legs, Ability to communicate orally and to

hear conversations, Ability to pull hand over hand, Ability to climb stairs, Ability to use legs/arms to climb, Ability to balance, Ability to stoop, Repetitive twisting or pressure

involving wrists or hands, Specific visual requirements, Use of depth perception.

Frequently Incurred (Between 25% - 75% of time on job)

Ability to kneel, Ability to repeatedly bend, Ability for rapid mental/muscular coordination simultaneously.

Occasionally Incurred (Less than 25% of time on job)

Ability to lift and carry heavy loads (Max 175 lbs.), Ability to push heavy loads (Max 200 lbs.), Ability to pull heavy loads (Max 175 lbs.), Ability to crawl. Ability to operate a truck/motor vehicle including vehicles with standard transmissions.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Thorough  knowledge  of  the  principles  and  practices  of  modern  firefighting  equipment  and apparatus including safety procedures.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of providing emergency medical response.

Ability to establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships with other department employees as well as the general public.

Ability to visually identify hazardous materials placards and shipping documents and the ability to utilize this information to determine and execute a course of action.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Independently responds to fire emergencies regardless of time of day, or weather conditions.

Combats a variety of types of fires including brush, structural, automobile, oil, chemical, and gas while wearing protective clothing and utilizing Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA).

Performs vehicle and rope rescue using a variety of firefighting equipment and tools such as hydraulic jaws, ax, pry bars, and hand fire extinguisher.

Performs routine and periodic maintenance including daily apparatus checks, preventative maintenance on vehicles, equipment, hoses, and personal equipment.

Performs routine housekeeping and maintenance of fire stations.

Attends and participates in training exercise which may include simulated fire combat situations; ladder exercise; preplanning; and familiarization with new or existing equipment and techniques.

Responds to emergency medical calls, providing routine first aid, or as required, basic life support or if certified to do so advance life support until the arrival the arrival of the ambulance service.

Responds and operates fire apparatus on emergency calls, to and from incidents. Conducts fire prevention programs for groups and individuals of all ages.

If certified to do so, performs periodic safety inspections of commercial structures to assure compliance to the Fire Code and completes necessary reports and recommendations.

If certified to do so, reviews building plans to determine compliance with applicable building codes related to fire safety and completes necessary reports and recommendations.

If certified to do so, visits construction sites to insure that building are built in compliance with applicable building codes related to fire safety and completes necessary reports and recommendations.

Performs other essential duties as assigned or required.

NON- ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Answers telephone inquiries concerning fire prevention and suppression.

Receives equipment shipments, field station visitors, maintain inventory control measures. Assists Fire Chief in the preparation of pre-fire plans, hydrant and street indexes, fire

preventive/education demonstrations.

Prepares incident disposition forms, obtaining all pertinent incident information. Performs other non-essential duties as assigned or required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Education:

High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

Testing:

On an annual basis or upon return to work after serious illness or injury must be able to pass the

Peters Township Fire Department Physical Agility Test.

Experience and Training:

Experience with fire apparatus, fire pumps, sprinkler and smoke detection signaling, hydraulics, SCBA, hose and nozzles, medical supplies, tools associated with firefighter equipment.

Licenses/Certification:

Possesses Class B Commercial Driver’s License with Air Brake Endorsement and Tanker

Endorsement from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within 150 of being hired and maintains. Firefighter II Certification.

Possess and maintains EMT Certification.

Obtains within 30 days and maintains Peters Township Department skill certifications as an Interior

Firefighter, Truck Driver and Pump Operator, Aerial Truck Operator and Rescue Truck Operator.

SUPERVISION FROM THE FOLLOWING:

This position typically receives routine supervision from the Fire Chief or the Deputy Fire Chief.

SUPERVISION TO THE FOLLOWING:

This position typically dies not gives supervision to other employees.

WORK Environment:

The location of work performed by the employee is varied and is based on the development of emergency situations, thus the work is performed whenever and wherever the situation may dictates. The employee frequently works with fire apparatus in weather and temperatures that are harsh. The employee is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions.    The employee will be exposed to hazardous situations and conditions.  The employee must occasionally visit and inspect facilities that are accessible only by uneven paths of travel, ladders, and stairways.

Part of the time the employee works in a routine office and a garage setting.