CITY OF BISHOP
FIRE DEPARTMENT
VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER
DEFINITION
To serve the community by responding to a wide variety of situations, ranging from
emergencies that immediately threaten life or property to routine citizen requests for
information or assistance. To perform within the scope of the policies and procedures
of the Bishop Fire Department and to perform duties in the following general categories:
fire suppression, emergency medical aid or rescue, hazardous material responses,
training, building inspections and public education.
The Volunteer Firefighter normally works under the supervision of a company officer
and is expected to function effectively as part of a highly trained team.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
• Reports and receives direction from the fire chief and/or the fire chief’s designee.
• Receives general direction from line officers and senior personnel.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Support the department in all activities including emergency response, public
education, training, fundraising, maintenance, and other special activities.
• Attend business and other organizational meetings.
• Respond from home or work to Department calls.
• Drive or rides an emergency vehicle in response to fire, rescue and emergency
medical events, hazardous materials response/mitigation and routine requests
for help or assistance.
• Places equipment, lay and connect hoses; operate high-capacity pumps and
directs water streams; raise and climb ladders; use chemical extinguisher, safety
belts, lines and hooks and uses self-contained breathing apparatus.
QUALIFICATIONS
1. At least 18 years of age.
2. Possession of, or the ability to obtain within six months:
A. A valid California Class “C” Driver’s License; able to obtain a valid California
Class “B” Driver’s License.
B. CPR and First Aid Certificates.
3. Complete Bishop Fire Department probationary period of one year.
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4. Basic Wildland Certifications as required by Bishop Fire Department.
5. ICS 100, 200, 700
Ability to:
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; ability to understand and
carry out verbal and written instructions using the English language.
• Maintain physical conditioning necessary to perform efficiently in emergency
situations; meet medical and physical agility standards as established.
• Learn the geography of the area, location of important structures and the street
system.
• Participate in training drills; attend school and classes on firefighting, hydraulics,
first aid, fire equipment, and apparatus, and other classes associated with
recognized firefighter standards.
• Learn and apply technical information pertaining to fire fighting.
• Analyze and cope with a variety of emergency situations calmly but effectively
and to react quickly to secure accurate and precise information on the location,
extent, and nature of fires and emergency aid request.
• Sustain heavy physical labor during periods of intense activity in emergency
situations; to work at varying heights above grade.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers,
supervisors, and the general public; work effectively as a team member.
• Individuals fulfilling the duties and responsibilities of a Volunteer Firefighter will at
all-time present themselves in a courteous, professional, and responsible
manner.
• Service and operate all Department equipment and apparatus.
• Perform necessary maintenance, testing and care of fire hoses, trucks, ladders,
and auxiliary equipment and apparatus.
• Prevent waste and damage of materials, supplies, and equipment.
• Perform general maintenance and minor repairs to station facilities; perform
assigned janitorial activities, minor maintenance and painting.
• Perform community service activities.
• Maintain necessary records and reports, incident forms, and daily shift operation
logs, to accommodate needs of the department including computer data entry.
PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by
an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job (See the attached
Volunteer Firefighter Job Description and Essential Function Analysis). Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and
talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, use hands to
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finger, handle, or operate objects, controls, or tools listed above; reach with hands
and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, and taste or smell.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 100 pounds. Specific
vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,
peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The employee must have the ability to develop and maintain cooperative working
relationships; remain composed and respond appropriately to difficult situations;
recognize emotionally charged issues or problems, cope effectively with various
responses and apply sound judgment in problem solving.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather
conditions, which may include extreme cold, windy, and other wintery conditions. The
employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious
places; and with explosives and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions,
fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and
vibration.
Physical hazard from fire, equipment, traffic, smoke inhalation, and falling objects at
emergency scenes, and exposure to health risks may occur. Performance of hazardous
tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps
as limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in
temperatures, cramped surroundings, and contact with death, emotional stress,
contagious diseases, and terminal illness.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that
may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them
from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer
and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer
and requirements of the job change.
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Volunteers are required to:
• Attend a three-month observation period.
• Participate in an interview process.
• Complete a reference check.
• Complete a criminal history and background check.
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• Complete a medical fitness review (employee medical exam).
• Complete a physical agility test.
• Successfully perform all required orientations and trainings during the
probationary period of one year.
The department requests that new volunteer firefighters commit to serving at least two
(2) years after firefighter training is completed.
Approved by Council: January 25, 2021