Fire Dept Mechanic

Job Overview

Keep fire department vehicles and equipment ready to respond. As a Fire Department Mechanic, you’ll inspect, diagnose, maintain, and repair fire apparatus, heavy trucks, and support equipment. You’ll work with diesel engines, vehicle systems, and mechanical and electrical components, using schematics and diagnostic tools to identify issues and complete reliable repairs.

This class encompasses responsible and technically skilled work in the maintenance division of the fire department. The Fire Department Mechanic is responsible for performing routine maintenance on all departmental emergency vehicles and fire apparatus. The incumbent of this class works with some supervision, having the authority to work independently in some areas. The Fire Department Mechanic reports directly to the Fleet and Maintenance Coordinator.

Your impact: By keeping emergency vehicles and equipment in safe working order, you help firefighters respond reliably and protect the communities they serve.

Responsibilities

• Performs general and preventative maintenance on department vehicles and fire apparatus, such as refueling, changing or adding oil, adjusting headlights, and similar tasks.
• Repairs fire apparatus fixtures, such as rotary gear, pumps, water towers, and aerial ladders.
• Maintains and repairs brake, drive train and suspension systems, including adjusting and installing drum, disk and power brakes; standard and automotive transmissions; drive shafts; front and rear end assemblies; alignment and steering; tires; wheel bearings; and universal and ball joints.
• Maintains and repairs electrical, lubricating, liquid, heat and air-cooling systems. Ensures proper working order to systems by inspecting and replacing parts, such as radiators; thermostats; water pumps and hoses; fans and fan belts; batteries and generators; spark plugs and cables; oil pumps, filters and seals; PCV systems; and other parts as necessary.
• Repairs and maintains electrical systems, switches, wiring, connections, and component parts.
• Performs maintenance and makes repairs to fuel systems, including pumps, lines, filters, carburetors, and chokes.
• Maintains gasoline and diesel engines such as intake and exhaust manifolds; piston rods and rings; engine bearings; gaskets and valves; starting-air and scavengingair compressors; governors; fuel spray nozzles; and turbochargers.
• Adjusts, repairs, and ensures proper working order to accessories on automotive equipment, such as speedometers; tachometers; lights and flashers; windshield wipers; hydrometer; voltmeter; and vacuum gauge.
• Maintains and repairs hydraulic equipment, including aerial hydraulic pumps, aerial ladder, and hydraulic motors and cylinders.
• Welds items or tempers steel.
• Completes forms or records as required. Enters reports on completed work in maintenance program and keeps record of all repairs.
• Reads service manuals, part books, and uses information supplied by employees to diagnose mechanical problems.
• Makes mathematical calculations in order to perform accurate and correct measurements, adjustments, or calibrations.
• Assists volunteer fire departments with apparatus repairs and maintenance. Maintains inventory of supplies and equipment necessary to perform the work of the Maintenance Division.
• Participates in any training required by the department.
• Performs any related duties assigned.

Qualifications

• Must meet all requirements of the Municipal Fire and Police Civil Service Law, including being a citizen of the United States and of legal age. After offer of employment, but before beginning work in this class, must pass a physical examination, the selection and administration of which shall be authorized by the Appointing Authority, designed to demonstrate good health and physical fitness sufficient to perform the essential duties of the position, with or without accommodation.
• Applicant must possess one of the following: high school diploma, high school equivalency certificate, high school transcript, affidavit from the issuing high school, associate’s or bachelor’s degree, or college transcript, any one of which must indicate that graduation has occurred or a degree awarded. Any Louisiana applicant who presents a home study diploma shall submit necessary documentation indicating Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) approval of the home study curriculum. Non-Louisiana applicants shall be required to present proof of a high school curriculum which has been accredited by the applicant’s state approved agency. A certification of completion shall not be sufficient to substitute for a diploma or equivalency certificate.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must show three (3) years of experience in the field of medium to heavy truck repair.