Firefighter

The Firefighter is responsible for all firefighting-related and EMS duties and operations as assigned. Involves contact with a wide variety of personalities both inside and outside the City limits.  Requires a high degree of independent decision making in emergency situations; involves complex emergency and maintenance duties that may have direct impact upon the operations of the Fire Department; incumbent is exposed to all manner of environmental conditions including inclement weather, extreme temperatures, dust, noise, dim lighting, and all other conditions as present in the performance of essential function.  Incumbent may also experience such hazards as fumes, flames, chemicals, blood, other body fluids, and all other hazards as required in performance of essential functions; requires the operation of various equipment, machinery, apparatus, and rescue vehicles as needed.  May require working long hours and for extended periods of time between meals and breaks in some emergency situations.

The Firefighter responsibilities include;

• Basic knowledge of fire science including fire behavior, fire chemistry, firefighting and emergency rescue techniques and practice; operation and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical equipment, tools, and apparatus.
• Basic knowledge of building construction, writing practices, fire code, mathematics, and hydraulics.
• Operates complex machinery or equipment that requires extended training and experience such as trucks using hydraulic pumping equipment, rescue vehicles, firefighting apparatus, protective equipment, electronic telecommunications equipment, or medical equipment.
• Identifies persons requiring immediate care, provides life-saving procedures for emergency care.
• Paramedic Incentive (Only): In accordance with Article 6 of the CBA – Identifies persons requiring immediate care, provides life-saving Advance Life Support procedures for emergency care in accordance with the Medical Director’s protocols. 
• Paramedic Incentive (Only): In accordance with Article 6 of the CBA – Medical clearance to work as a Paramedic from the Lake County Medical Director. 
• Field Training Officer: Demonstrates utilization of advanced fire ground or EMS equipment and procedures, develop instructional programs, and instructional methodology. 
• Attends instruction sessions in firefighting methods, equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, and related subjects.
• Gathers, organizes, analyzes, examines, or evaluates data or information and may prescribe action based on such data or information.
• Gives information, guidance, or assistance to people to directly facilitate task accomplishment; may give instructions or assignments to helpers or assistants.
• Guides others, making frequent decisions, affecting the individual, coworkers, and others that depend on the service or product.
• Must learn all streets and hydrant block numbers within 18 months of employment, and from that point maintain a good working knowledge of streets, hydrants, and block numbers.
• Skill in effectively communicating with people of diverse cultural and educational backgrounds.
• Make decisions quickly and independently.  Recognizes potential problems, helps to resolve problems, or refers problems to supervisor, as needed.
• React effectively and make quick decisions under pressure, stressful conditions, or in emergency situations according to standard operating procedures/guidelines.
• Follow state and local laws, departmental rules and regulations, and NFPA standards in responding to fires and emergency calls, and in driving and operating fire vehicle, apparatus, and equipment.
• Completes required departmental forms, records and reports regarding maintenance, inspections and inventory.
• Perform such tasks as cleaning and maintaining, quarters, tools, equipment, and apparatus.
• Quickly and safely respond to fires and emergency calls with a company using appropriate procedures, techniques, methods, apparatus, tools, and equipment; attend to sick and injured persons; and perform all aspects of fire grounds operations according to standards.
• Work in very difficult work environment including conditions of high heat, low visibility, confine space, on elevated ladder or apparatus, at accident scenes, under pressure or stressful conditions, and under adverse weather condition wearing full personal protective equipment.
• Inspect buildings and identify fire hazards; perform company fire safety inspections and make recommendation for corrections or referrals.
• Use current and modern job-related office and field equipment, including computer hardware and software applications used to produce reports, documents, and work-related research; and proficiently operate a two-way radio.
• Recognize potential problems, help resolve problems, or refer problems to supervisor, as needed.
• Follow state and local laws, departmental rules and regulations, and NFPA standards in responding to fires and emergency calls.
• React effectively and make quick decisions under pressure or stressful conditions or in emergency situations according to standard operating procedures.
• Identify and resolve routine equipment, operational, or technical problems and to refer or consult with appropriate staff and resources, as needed.
• Read maps, know directions/locations and best routes to reach destinations.
• Operate/use auxiliary equipment (area maps, mobile data terminal, MDT).
• Perform routine test, inspection, and servicing of a variety of tools, specialized equipment, and apparatus.
• Perform firefighting duties, as assigned.
• Work a 24-hour shift, maintain complete response readiness at all times, and perform additional duties as assigned.  Supports the safety of one another in a company or team.
• Use current and modern job-related office and field equipment, including computer hardware and software applications used to produce reports, documents, and work-related research; and proficiently operate a two-way radio.
• Pass an annual respirator certification as required by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
• Completion of Driver Working-Out-Of-Class program “WOC” at the completion of employee’s second year of employment
• Ability to pass an annual physical in accordance to NFPA 1582.
• Ability to do the essential job tasks in accordance with NFPA 1582.
• Ability to complete an annual fitness program in accordance with NFPA 1583.

Requires a high school diploma or GED; general knowledge of elementary physics, chemistry and mechanics; basic algebra involving variables and formulas, basic geometry involving circumferences, areas, and volumes, and computes ratios, rates, and percent. Performs skilled work involving rules/systems but solves problems almost constantly reading technical instructions, procedures manuals, and charts to solve practical problems; composes routine and specialized reports, forms, and letters; speaks compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.  Performs specialized technical work requiring general understanding of operating policies and procedures and their application to problems not previously encountered; applies specialized technical principles and practices in the solution of problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results and occasional exposure to unusual pressure.  As of October 1, 2020, no employee shall engage in secondary employment that is in direct contradiction of F.S.S. 112.1816.

Must have and maintain a current /valid State of Florida driver’s license and satisfactory driving record as a condition of initial and continued employment.

Special protective services skills and/or equipment certifications are required.

• State of Florida Certificate of Firefighter Compliance I&II
• Valid State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician Certification (EMT); or
• Valid State of Florida Paramedic Certification (approved by Medical Director)
• Valid CPR certification and/or ACLS (Paramedic Incentive)
•   Valid State of Florida driver license
•   NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800
•   Wildland Firefighting S-130, S-190, L-180