Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Summary

This position is organizationally aligned to the Facilities Service Line - Tomah VA Medical Center Fire Department - at the Tomah VAMC (676) a Level 3 Complexity VHA Facility) located in Tomah WI. Incumbent works under the general supervision of the Supervisory Firefighter (Captain) and supervision by the Assistant Fire Chief.

Duties

• The primary purpose of the position is performing work to control and extinguish fires - rescue persons endangered by fire - and reduce or eliminate potential fire hazards
• It also covers fire service positions that follow protocols in providing basic life support
• performs emergency medical procedures that are non-invasive
• performs fire protection inspector duties - including inspecting and testing fire protection equipment - training personnel in fire protection and prevention - operate fire communications equipment - and advice on improvements to structures for better fire prevention
• Major duties: Effectively controlling and extinguishing fires - operates various nozzles and hose lines - makes connections to - and operates fire hydrants - performs forcible entries - ventilates structures - carries - raises - and lowers ground ladders - performs - or assists in rescue operations - uses a variety of hand tools - hydraulic tools - portable fire extinguishers - and performs salvage and overhaul
• Combats fires in residences - medical and psychological facilities - multiple story office buildings - industrial shops - warehouses - fuel storage areas - public assembly areas - and wildland areas
• Responds to all emergency calls on Tomah VA Medical Center Grounds as well as requests for Mutual Aid by surrounding communities to extinguish fire when requested and approved by management
• Operate pumps - foam generators - and other specialized firefighting equipment - determining proper pressures for the type of nozzle or equipment - size of hose - and distance to be covered
• Provides medical care as a Basic Life Support/Emergency Medical Technician-(EMT) following TVAMC protocols and directives as outlined in MCP MS-03 in providing basic life support
• Will employ a variety of established emergency medical techniques - methods - and equipment to stabilize the patient for transport
• Independently performs fire inspection duties in areas where hazards are expected to be encountered
• Incumbent inspects medical and psychological facilities - multiple story buildings - administrative buildings - public assemblies - industrial shops - warehouses and residential quarters for fire safety violations and other conditions contributing to more extensive fire hazards
• Performs pre-incident planning by familiarizing themselves with the various buildings interiors and to locate any possible hazards as well as established fire protection systems
• Conducts inspections on built-in fire protection features such as - but not limited to fire barriers - smoke barriers and fire doors
• Conducts regularly scheduled and unscheduled inspections of all safety equipment such as fire extinguishers - automatic sprinkler systems - fire alarms - fire doors - exits - stairways - indicator posts - standpipe systems - self-contained breathing masks - as well as special inspections to ensure equipment is always operational
• Conducts general work planning daily - particularly in the areas of training and fire inspections
• Reviews schedule to meet unexpected changes and duty assignments
• Responsible for review - assessment - and recommendations concerning Fire Department records of fire prevention inspections - air packs - extinguishers vehicle - hose - fire equipment - daily workloads - safety meeting and pre-fire planning
• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience - including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. - Peace Corps - AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g. - professional
• philanthropic
• religions
• spiritual
• community
• student
• social)
• Volunteer work helps build critical competencies - knowledge - and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment
• You will receive credit for all qualifying experience - including volunteer experience
• Work Schedule: Full time - 72 hours per week - 144 hours per pay period
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Position Description/PD#: Firefighter (Basic Life Support)/PD24184A Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized