Firefighter I - Wells

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE

Firefighter I is an entry-level position and works in the emergency field, fighting fires in an all-risk environment.  This position protects life, property, and the environment by performing fire suppression, rescue, emergency aid, and emergency medical care at the EMR level, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties. 

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions:

• Responds to fire alarms and participates in the control and extinguishment of the fire.
• May drive emergency vehicles and strategically position apparatus and equipment.
• Performs firefighting activities including laying hose, water supply, ladder operations, ventilation, and extinguishment.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations. 
• Perform rescue operations when and where necessary.
• Respond to auto extrication calls and extricate victims to allow for appropriate care.
• Respond to medical emergencies and rescues, providing necessary care and stabilization of victims until the ambulance arrives.
• Provide training assistance for volunteer fire departments. 
• Assist with support for the volunteer services.
• Perform daily maintenance checks on apparatus, and vehicles.
• Clean and maintain apparatus and equipment.
• Perform general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment.
• Make sure that emergency equipment is returned to a readiness state after an incident, cleaned, fueled, etc., ready to respond to the next emergency.
• Participate in Fire Prevention Activities.
• Comply with Elko County policies.
• Comply with Elko County Fire Protection District policy and procedures.
• Accurately completes reports both in writing and on the computer in a timely manner.
• Complete computer reporting requirements for fire and medical response.
• Projects a positive image to the public as a fire service professional.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• This position has been identified as safety-sensitive and is subject to pre-employment and random drug and alcohol screening pursuant to county policy.
• This is an entry-level position and will be evaluated throughout the probationary period. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

An employee in this position must meet the following physical requirements upon application:

• Must reside within 30 miles of duty station.
• All licenses and certifications are required to be current and maintained for continued employment.  
• Incumbents may work irregular hours, weekends, holidays, or evenings overnight in outdoor and rural environments.  
• Travel to county, state, and national incidents as required for Incident Response.   
• Ability to participate in and lead a daily physical training program consisting of a minimum of 30 to 45 min.  
• Applicants will be required to undergo a background investigation prior to being considered for employment.  
• Applicants will be required to pass a thorough medical examination which may include, a physical agility test prior to appointment and for continuing employment.
• This class specification is used for classification, recruitment, and examination purposes. It is not to be considered a substitute for work performance standards. 

Education:       High School Diploma or equivalent                   

Experience:      To qualify for this classification, an individual must possess any combination of experience and education that would likely produce the required knowledge and abilities. Experience as a Volunteer Firefighter or working with volunteer firefighters is desirable. 

Certifications/Qualifications Required at the time of application:

Certifications/Qualifications Required within 60 days of hire: District Approved Support or Exterior Firefighter, Wildland Firefighter II Qualifications, ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700 & IS 800, District Recognized EMR within 60 Days 

Certifications/Qualifications Required within 12 Months days of hire: Firefighter I certification,  Hazardous Materials Operations Certification,  District Approved Ice/ Water Rescue Operations,  District Approved low angle/ Slope Rescue,  State of Nevada EMT or NREMT, Completion/certification

An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Fire ground tactics and strategy; Emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System; principles of safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous material incident management; and confined space and technical rescue techniques.
• Personal protective equipment and its proper usage.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Algebraic and arithmetic computations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Basic computer skills.

Skills 

• Demonstrating excellent interpersonal skills especially in dealing with the public.

Abilities

• Drive and operate fire apparatus and equipment.
• Effectively apply firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical techniques.
• Respond to emergency calls and act in a professional and calm manner.
• Operation and maintenance of fire and rescue apparatus and equipment.
• Modern EMS methods and equipment.
• Function in and wear fire personal protective equipment. 
• Maintain firefighting and EMS equipment and fire station facilities.
• Carry equipment up and down stairs as required.
• Wear self-contained breathing apparatus without medical or physical restrictions.
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Think and act quickly and competently in emergencies and under stress.
• Function as a team member with both paid and volunteer firefighters at any emergency or non-emergency scene.
• Utilize 2-way radio communications understanding radio operations and frequencies.
• Participate in public education programs for schools, civic groups and other locations as requested.
• Participate in fire and life safety inspections of commercial and residential properties.
• Communicate tactfully, both orally and in writing, with co-workers and the general public. Listen carefully and respond appropriately.
• Ability to work 24 hours shifts including weekends and holidays.
• Be subject to emergency recall while off duty.

An employee in this position must meet the following physical requirements upon application:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods. Ability to hike, lift, bend, and carry heavy loads in mountainous terrain on steep slopes varying between 30 to 90%. Ability to frequently stoop, bend, kneel, and climb. Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work both indoors in an office-type setting and outdoors in extreme weather conditions
• Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and temperature swings. Working in and around water and possibly in hazardous situations in shallow water and deep water.  working indoors and outdoors. 
• CONTINUOUS sitting and upward and downward flexion of neck; side-to-side turning of neck; twisting and bending at the waist; reaching below the shoulders; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 100 pounds.   
• FREQUENT standing; walking and walking on uneven ground; reaching at and above the shoulder; power grasping, pushing and pulling of objects and equipment; fine finger dexterity, simple grasping and repetitive use of hands to manipulate equipment controls, keyboard, and other office equipment.  
• OCCASIONAL running, crawling, kneeling, climbing, balancing and squatting; lifting and carrying objects more than 100 pounds with or without assistance. 
• Outdoor work is required in fire-fighting situation, as well as the maintenance of equipment.  
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate vehicles and various pieces of equipment and tools. 
• Must be able to work in firefighter turnouts and SCBA for extended periods of time.  While in this protective clothing must be able to crawl and walk while dragging a hose or carrying equipment up to 100 pounds.  
• Must be able to work in wildland protective clothing in extreme heat while performing strenuous duties.
• Must have strength, dexterity and senses to perform all types of fire-fighting duties. 
• Excessive noise of emergency equipment; the noise level may be very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident. 
• Exposure to dust, gases, chemicals, smoke, and blood-borne pathogens; occasional exposure to explosives at fires or other hazardous materials calls. 
• Works in and around heavy equipment with exposure to moving mechanical parts; exposure to vibration from equipment and vehicles; operations of foot controls or repetitive foot motion; may work at substantial heights; wears appropriate personal protective equipment including goggles, ear plugs or other auditory protective equipment, face protector, turn-outs, safety shoes, gloves and a self-contained breathing apparatus.
• Ability to work at considerable heights. Ability to perform sustained and vigorous activities in a variety of environmental conditions. Ability to tolerate exposure to extreme weather conditions, heat, fumes, smoke, pressurized water, and chemicals. 
• While performing the duties of this position in the office, the employee may work in a generally clean office environment with limited exposure to conditions such as dust, fumes, odors, or noise.
• In the field, the employee will be frequently exposed to outside environmental conditions inherent with Northern Nevada such as altitudes in excess of 5000' above sea level, extreme cold and heat, wet and/or humid conditions, high winds, high and/or precarious places, smoke, fumes, airborne particulate matter, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.  
• May be exposed to the bodily fluids of other humans.  May be exposed to environments that are immediately dangerous to life and health while wearing proper personal protective equipment.  The noise level may be loud and require hearing protection.
• The employee may have periodic contact with angry or upset individuals, frequent interruptions of planned work activities by telephone calls, office visitors, and response to emergencies or other unplanned events. 
• Position requires occasional strenuous work and long hours, and the ability to attend and/or manage an emergency incident at any time.  
• Participation in wildland fires and extended incidents may require the employee to remain on the incident for several days.

Vision & Hearing:  

• Must see in order to perform essential job tasks; respond to incidents, provide care; operate emergency vehicles and apparatus; keep records, operate a computer, and perform office work; maintain station and equipment.  
• Must be able to hear instructions, radio messages, and emergency tones, alarms, and other warning devices; sufficient to perform essential job tasks

Elko County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer

In compliance with applicable laws, reasonable accommodations may be provided for qualified individuals with a disability who require and request such accommodations.

Salary : $21 - $25