Firefighter

We offer a great benefits package including medical, dental, pension program, HSA, and generous time off. City residents will earn a 3% differential on top of the hourly pay range. Learn more and apply today!  

Why choose the Racine Fire Department? Watch our video and also check out individual mentor videos, https://stem101.org/connect/racine-fire/

INTRODUCTION

Established in 1843, the Racine Fire Department is one of the oldest fire departments in Wisconsin, rich in history and tradition. Today, as one of Wisconsin's busiest departments, the Racine Fire Department continues to strive for excellence and provide first-rate services to the citizens of Racine from six fire stations. The Racine Fire Department operates with 136 authorized sworn firefighter positions and a total Department staff of 141. The Racine Fire Department aims to protect and provide service above all else. Fire Protection is provided to the over 80,000 citizens of Racine. Racine firefighters are committed to providing the highest quality of courteous and responsive service through comprehensive strategies and training, including fire suppression, emergency medical care, community risk reduction, hazardous material response, technical rescue, semi-annual building inspections, and fire investigations. The fire department and its employees are critical components of the long-term health and safety of the community and its visitors.

POSITION PURPOSE:

Under the direction of the Company Officer or higher ranking fire personnel, the Firefighter is responsible for protecting the community from both non-emergency and emergency situations to include community risk reduction, firefighting, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials, as well as maintain physical facilities and equipment in a state of readiness. The position of Firefighter is a highly skilled and technical position which involves extensive training and education to maintain and enhance knowledge, skills and abilities in accordance with department Standard Operating Procedures and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA 1001) Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

• Comply with all department policies and procedures.
• Understand and apply concepts identified with the Racine Fire Department vision, mission and values.
• Able to read, write, listen and comprehend instructions, information or reports.
• Effectively communicate with department personnel, other City departments, and private citizens.
• Must be able to carry out orders and assignments in both non-emergency and emergency situations. 
• Respond to all types of emergency incidents to provide; life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation. 
• Meet all essential job functions requirements of NFPA Standards 1001.
• Operate hand and specialized power tools and equipment while wearing personal protective equipment to suppress fires, rescue and extricate victims, administer advanced out of hospital emergency medical care to patients, control and contain hazardous materials releases, and perform various other tasks as assigned. 
• Work to prevent emergency occurrence through participation in code enforcement, public education, and community risk reduction programs.
• Drive and operate all fire department apparatus and equipment upon successful completion of department certification process.
• Maintain department apparatus, fire stations and other department facilities, grounds, and equipment as assigned. 
• Read and study material to remain current on topics related to fire prevention and suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, fire and life safety codes, and public safety education.
• Participate in various classroom and training programs to develop and maintain required knowledge, skills, and abilities. 
• Attends external fire service related courses as approved by the Fire Chief.
• Promotes a positive atmosphere in all aspects of the department, one that helps one another and builds a team that works together for the common goal of professionalism and a high level of service to the people we serve.
• Must meet the requirements under NFPA 1500 and OSHA 1910.134 for wearing the department provided respirator. 
• Maintain personal fitness levels consistent with performing all essential functions at a high level of safety and efficiency.
• Operates and enters data timely and accurately into a computer.
• Must have knowledge of basic and advanced life support emergency care and CPR life – saving procedures.
• Applies hazardous material first responder operational level methods and techniques.
• Demonstrates a basic degree of mechanical aptitude.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Work is performed in a variety of settings including fire stations, non-emergency and emergency scenes, emergency response vehicles; and work may involve off-duty recall for major emergencies. The environment ranges from routine to emergency settings with unusual modes of communications, extreme noise, discomfort and hazard. The emergency environment may require the performance of hazardous task under conditions that require strenuous exertion with limited visibility and the physical ability to utilize all protective turnout equipment including wearing self-contained breathing apparatus. Potential exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, heights, sub-surfaces and infectious diseases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

*These are the entrance requirements to the competitive examination and do not assure a place on the eligibility list. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications on or before the posted filing deadline in order to qualify. The following documents MUST be attached to your NEOGOV electronic application.

• High School diploma or GED equivalent, Official High School or GED transcripts
• Valid Driver's License, preferrable in State of WI. If license is from out of state, a valid Wisconsin Drivers license must be obtained within 60 days from the completion of their probationary period.
• Wisconsin State Certified Firefighter I.
• Valid, active Wisconsin licensed EMT-Basic.
• Must be a Lawful Permanent Resident of the United States or a citizen of the United States.

 PREFFERED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Valid, active Wisconsin licensed EMT-Paramedic.
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) Independent Study 100, 200, 700, 800.
• Wisconsin State Certified Firefighter 2, Wisconsin State Certified Driver/Operator Pumper, Wisconsin State Certified Driver/Operator Aerial, Wisconsin State Certified Emergency Services Instructor I, Wisconsin State Certified Fire Officer I and NIMS 300, 400 are highly desirable. 

• Notarized Affidavit - Affidavit Authorizing Release of Information
• Valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) - CPAT Certificate must be obtained before Police and Fire Commission (PFC) Interviews – Test will be administered by any regionally or nationally accredited agency that is authorized to administer the CPAT test. Candidates possessing a valid CPAT certificate will not be required to participate in the agility testing. The certificate is valid for a period of one year, must be valid based on when the PFC interviews are conducted. If the CPAT certificate is not obtained before the PFC interviews, candidate will have to re-apply during the next City of Racine Firefighter application process.

CANDIDATE PHYSICAL AGILITY TESTING (CPAT) TESTING LOCATIONS:

• West Allis Fire Department Click for more information
• Northcentral Technical College Click for more information
• Fox Valley Technical College Click for more information
• Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) Click for more information

THE SELECTION PROCESS  

This recruitment will be utilized to establish an eligibility list.

Written Examination - The written examination will be conducted by the Human Resources Department or a designated testing agency.

Initial Panel Interview – Candidates who successfully pass the written examination will be invited to an initial panel interview conducted by Human Resources and Racine Fire Department personnel. 

Background Checks – Background checks may be conducted at any time during the application process.

Police and Fire Commission Interview – Selected candidates are subject to a final interview with members of the Police and Fire Commission. 

Medical Exam Prior to employment - Successful candidates will be required to pass a comprehensive medical exam along with drug and alcohol screening. The following documents may be requested during the hiring process:  Birth Certificate and/or DD214 if you are a military veteran.

This job description is intended to identify essential duties and also illustrates other types of duties that may be assigned. It should not be interpreted as describing all of the duties that will be required of an employee or be used to limit the nature and extent of assignments that an individual is required to perform. In addition to the responsibilities and duties listed, it is expected that employees maintain a consistent and reliable attendance record. Job descriptions are subject to revision at any time at the discretion of the Utility or City of Racine.

The City of Racine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.