FIREFIGHTER

Job Title: Firefighter

JOB DESCRIPTION

Department: Fire Department Bargaining Unit: IAFF

Reports to: Fire Captain Salary Range:

Pay Grade: F1

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

EEOC Code: 3 Class Code: 203

Safety Sensitive: YES Level II Screening: NO

JOB SUMMARY

This is specialized work in the protection of life and property through emergency and non-emergency services to the citizens and visitors of Fort Myers, Florida. Firefighters are responsible to perform essential functions derived from the performance objectives found in NFPA 1001: Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications. Work is performed under the general supervision of the captain with considerable independence requiring discretion, sound judgment and initiative while being committed to organizational values, providing customer service, and positive community relations.

Responsibilities and Reporting During an Emergency Situation:

Essential Employees may be required to work during a declared emergency. Depending on the nature of the emergency, this may require working around the clock for several days on short notice.

Non-Essential Employees will not be required to work during a declared emergency. The employee’s Department Head will determine when the employee will be required to work.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Performs fire suppression as a team member and/or individually by operating hose lines, operating handheld fire suppression equipment, and carrying out related duties in emergency firefighting situations.
• Performs emergency medical services on persons injured or ill according to National, State and Departmental guidelines at either first responder, EMT, or paramedic level depending upon certification.
• Performs rescue functions to extricate victims from occupancies filled with heat, smoke, and toxic gases by entering occupancy and physically removing victims.
• Performs rescue and extrication functions of victims involved in vehicular entrapments using specific hand tools and hydraulic equipment.
• Performs salvage and clean-up functions as required at the conclusion of fire-related emergency scenes.
• Performs routine inspections of personal safety equipment in order to ensure equipment is in optimum condition and promptly notifies superiors of deficiencies.
• Attends and participates in classes and training sessions in order to maintain and continuously update knowledge and skills required for effective work performance.
• Communicates and interacts with co-workers and/or the public either collectively or on a person-to-person level to receive emergency instructions or relay emergency information.
• Participates in public relations activities such as school demonstrations, safety demonstrations, etc., to promote the image of the Department as a public safety provider in the community.
• Performs clean-up and janitorial duties in stations to maintain a clean working and living environment.
• Operates Fire Department vehicles as required.
• Maintains physical conditioning and physical stamina required to perform firefighting duties.
• This position requires regular and reliable attendance and the employee’s physical presence at the workplace.
• Performs other related duties as may be necessary to fulfill the organizational mission.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledgeable in:

• Organizational structure of the department
• Geographical configuration and characteristics of the response areas
• Departmental operating procedures for administration, emergency operations, incident management system, personal accountability system, and safety; basic building construction, basic fuel loading, fire growth, and development
• Firefighting tactics such as extinguishment, forcible entry, search/rescue, salvage/overhaul, etc.
• Proper use and care of equipment used in emergency response situations, function and use of fire suppression and detection systems.
• Techniques for providing pre-hospital patient care at the minimum level of emergency medical technician; computer applications, mobile data computers, word processing, spread sheets, e-mail.

Skills and Abilities

Attention to detailComputer skillsDependability and reliabilityDriving skillsFlexibility and adaptabilityInterpersonal skillsJudgement and reasoningLearning and memoryMathematical skillsMechanical comprehensionMotivation and initiativeOral communicationPerseveranceProblem analysisReading comprehensionRespect for rules and authorityTeamwork and cooperationWriting skills

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High School diploma or GED.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Submit to a comprehensive pre-employment background check, including a criminal records check, medical examination, and drug screen.
• Must be able to work rotating shifts.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Florida State Paramedic certification.

CERTIFICATION, LICENSE AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Mandatory Drug/Alcohol Testing required.
• A valid Florida Driver’s License Class E with an acceptable driving record.
• State of Florida Firefighter Certification of Compliance at time of hire or the ability to obtain a within twelve (12) months of hire.
• Must be able to obtain State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician Certification within eighteen (18) months of hire.
• Meets physical ability requirements designated by the City of Fort Myers Fire Department

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This work typically requires the following physical activities to be performed.

(X = Required to perform essential job functions)Physical Activities****Physical Activities Balancing – maintain equilibrium to prevent falling while walking, standing, or crouching.

X

Pushing – use upper extremities to press against objects with force, or thrust forward, downward, outward.X Climbing – ascending, descending ladders, stairs, ramps, requires body agility.

X

Reaching – extending hands or arms in any direction.X Crawling – moving about on hands, knees, or hands, feet.

X

Repetitive Motion – substantial movements of wrists, hands, fingers.X Crouching – bending body forward by bending leg, spine.

X

Speaking – expressing ideas with spoken word, convey detailed, important instructions accurately, concisely.X Feeling – perceiving attributes of objects by touch with skin, fingertips.

X

Standing – for sustained periods of time.X Fingering – picking, pinching, typing, working with fingers rather than hand.

X

Stooping – bending body downward, forward at waist, with full motion of lower extremities and back.X Grasping – applying pressure to object with fingers, palm.

X

Talking 1- expressing ideas by spoken wordX Handling – picking, holding, or working with whole hand. Talking 2 – shouting to be heard above ambient noise.X Hearing 1 – perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, receive information.

X

Visual Acuity 1 - prepare, analyze data, transcribing, computer terminal, extensive reading.X Hearing 2 – receive detailed information, make discrimination in sound.

X

Visual Acuity 2 - color, depth perception, field of vision.X Kneeling – bending legs at knee to come to rest at knees.

X

Visual Acuity 3 - determine accuracy, neatness, observe facilities/structures.X Lifting – raising objects from lower to higher position, moving objects side to side, using upper extremities, back.

X

Visual Acuity 4 - operate motor vehicles/heavy equipment.X Mental Acuity – ability to make rational decisions through sound logic, deductive reasoning.

X

Visual Acuity 5 -close acuity for inspection of small defects, machines, use measurement devices, or fabricate parts.X Pulling - use upper extremities to exert force, haul or tug.

X

Walking - on foot to accomplish tasks, long distances, or site to site.X

TYPE OF WORK

Work performed is primarily:

Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Frequently works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to extremely hazardous conditions and materials. May be required to work hours other than the regular schedule including nights, weekends, holidays and during emergencies.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions described herein. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

The City of Fort Myers has the right to revise this job description at any time in accordance with CBA Article 42.1. This description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.