FIRE SUPPORT TECHNICIAN

Description

This position maintains the water flow and working conditions of all fire hydrants within the City of Columbia water system to ensure that all hydrants are in good working order to include painting, greasing, keeping adjacent areas free of vegetation growth and debris as well as maintaining accurate records of hydrant inspections or maintenance and maintains a computer generated database to record historical date on hydrants. Assists the SCBA Technician in testing, maintaining and repairing breathing apparatus for Fire Department employees; assists in stocking and maintaining inventory of parts, materials and supplies for use in assigned department division; provides related training; performs related technical work; and performs other routine clerical, bookkeeping and supply delivery work as required. May oversee the work of assigned staff for the upkeep and acceptable appearance of all Fire Department buildings. The incumbent works within a general outline of work to be performed, and develops work methods and sequences under general supervision.

The work is considered medium-to-heavy in nature and involves walking, standing, stooping, lifting, digging, pushing or raising objects and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a recurring basis and 50 to 100 pounds of force on an occasional basis. The work requires the following physical abilities to perform the essential job functions: balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, fingering, handling, hearing, kneeling, lifting, mental acuity, pulling, pushing, reaching, repetitive motion, speaking, standing, stooping, talking, visual acuity, and walking.

Work environment may involve exposure to fire hazards, extreme heat and/or cold, wet or humid conditions, extreme noise levels, vibration, fumes and/or noxious odors, airborne particles, traffic, moving machinery, electrical shock, heights, disease/pathogens, toxic/caustic chemicals, explosives; and is dynamic that requires sensitivity to change and responsiveness to changing goals, priorities, and needs.

Essential Job Functions

• Maintains fire hydrants to keep them in good repair and appearance; Conducts flow test and hydraulic calculations to ensure the hydrant is in acceptable working order;
• Maintains a current computer database to record all historical data on the hydrant;
• Reviews new building and subdivision plans to ensure all hydrants are placed in accordance with city ordinance and the fire prevention code;
• Keeps a computer generated database on all fire hydrants to record the historical data on all hydrants. This is updated on a daily bases and reported to headquarters on a weekly bases;
• Places "blue reflectors" at all hydrant locations as needed. Assists in the quick location of hydrants by responding fire suppression units;
• Assists the department building maintenance technician as needed in the upkeep and appearance of all City Fire Stations;
• Assists the department material inventory clerk in the day-to-day operation of the department warehouse and delivers supplies as needed;
• Assists the department Self Contained Breathing Apparatus Technician as needed;
• Responds to major fires to assist in possible life threatening fire ground duties including ensuring the water flow is maintained on the scene and the operation of the cascade system and any other support function as may be needed by the fire commander;
• Maintains and repairs as needed, all basement pumps and generators to ensure all are kept in good working order;
• Maintains and repair all city owned fire extinguishers as requested by other divisions and fire suppression units. Maintains a ready inventory of extinguishers for fire suppression use;
• Assists in the testing, calibrating, maintaining and repairing of breathing apparatus and related equipment;
• Inspects apparatus for compliance with OSHA and NFPA guidelines;
• Assists in conducting the yearly MSA and HEPA Fit testing of all suppression personnel;
• Assists in procuring and maintaining inventory of breathing apparatus and related equipment; issues equipment and supplies to personnel;
• Operates and repairs cascade systems in buildings and on fire ground;
• Responds to fire emergencies to assist with breathing quality management for fire personnel;
• Maintains accurate and up-to-date inventory records of all department parts, materials, tools and supplies in stock;
• Procures parts necessary for operations, maintenance and repair work;
• Assists with the preparation of bid specifications and requests for bids on certain parts and equipment;
• Receives goods; reconciles invoices with purchase orders; processes invoices for payment;
• Organizes and stocks parts and supplies;
• Issues parts and supplies to personnel as needed;
• Ensures the maintenance of accurate and complete inventory and purchasing records;
• Delivers supplies and inventory items to all fire stations in the City and County
• Trains personnel under supervision in the parts room procedures and operation of all pumps, air systems, computers, generators, and fire hydrants, also trains personnel in the maintenance of all of the above listed equipment;
• Supervises and evaluates the performance of laborers assigned to the work crew;
• Performs general clerical work as required, including but not limited to preparing reports and records, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, answering the telephone, etc.; and
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements to Perform Work:

• High school diploma or GED
• One (1) year of relevant prior experience
• Valid South Carolina Class D Driver’s License