Firefighter (Lateral)

Firefighters perform public safety work involving the protection of life and property by fighting fires, responding to emergency incidents, using Emergency Medical Services (EMS) skills, and engaging in fire code enforcement, public education, hazardous materials, and technical rescue operations, including station and equipment maintenance activities. This class is responsible for performing related duties as required.

Distinguishing Features: Firefighters are required to work 24-hour shifts and 56-hour work weeks. All work is normally performed under close supervision of a ranking officer in accordance with well-defined procedures. A Firefighter may act as a Fire Engineer or Fire Officer on a relief or training basis. This class is FLSA nonexempt.

Communication: Communicates with the general public and other City employees while performing community service and public education activities; while conducting inspections, presenting public safety training classes, participating in school programs, answering questions, delivering emergency care, and ensuring patient needs. Produces written documents and reports on technical and legal matters.

Manual/Physical: Responds to emergency incidents, extinguishes fire, hazardous materials, and technical rescue operations and utilizes either basic life support (BLS) or advanced life support (ALS) skills. Maintains the ability to use firefighting equipment including: fire hoses and apparatus at emergency incidents. Assist with advancing hose lines and making hydrant connections. Direct water streams on fires. Administer emergency first aid to injured persons. Operate the following: hydraulic or pneumatic rescue equipment to rescue trapped or endangered persons and to force entry into locked vehicles or structures. Operate fire apparatus during fire suppression activities; and other vehicles requiring a standard Indiana Driver's License to perform regular and emergency firefighting duties. Uses axes, pry tools, and pike poles to enter vehicles or structures. Uses common hand tools to overhaul a fire scene and perform routine fire apparatus maintenance duties. Perform searches and rescues inside burning buildings.

Move dirt and burned building debris to rescue trapped or endangered persons and to overhaul burned-out structures. Moves heavy objects (up to 185 pounds or more) including 5" fire hoses, EMS equipment, salvage equipment, smoke ejectors, trauma boxes, and body boards for short distances (250 feet or less) with the assistance of an aide, in performing firefighting and related duties. Ventilate burning buildings by opening windows and holes in roofs and floors. Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper building levels. Work in small, cramped areas when rescuing trapped, endangered, or injured people. Digs up ground to fight brush fires and rescue trapped persons from cave-ins. Detects the following: natural gas leaks, traffic sounds, and sounds of impending building collapse, alarms, sirens, calls for assistance, and other audible signs of alarm or warning in emergency situations. Enter data into an electronic database system to document incidents and reports. Wears personal protective equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds: in high humidity (up to 100 percent) situations while wearing personal protective equipment that significantly impairs body cooling; in environments with extreme temperature fluctuations (400+ degrees Fahrenheit); and relies on self-contained breathing apparatus for respiratory ventilation. Inspect alarm and fire control systems for compliance with fire code enforcement standards. Inspect buildings for compliance with the UFC (Uniform Fire Code), fire prevention ordinances, etc. Distinguishes colors to identify National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704m System (hazardous materials), and fire chemicals by smoke color. Work with cleaning fluids, chemicals, insecticides, and similar solutions using routine and non-routine protective equipment to mitigate hazardous materials incidents. Work in a variety of weather conditions. Cleans and maintains Fire Department buildings, apparatus, and grounds. Uses appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), while performing tasks in environments that may be immediately dangerous to life (IDLH atmospheres). Meet scheduling and attendance requirements.

Mental: Comprehends and makes inferences from written material, such as Westfield Fire Department Standard Operating Procedures and the Uniform Fire code (UFC). Reads and interprets equipment instructions and preplans to operate equipment in emergency situations. Learn firefighting techniques, firefighting equipment operation, hazardous materials, technical rescue and emergency medical service care through on-the-job training and in classroom settings. In addition to continuing your education and training throughout your career in order to meet current local, state and federal standards and mandates.

• Bench Press: 70% of body weight
• Trap Bar Deadlift: Body weight + 20%
• Plank Hold: 2 minutes
• 1.5 Mile Run: 15 minutes or less

• Strong technical skills
• Sound decision-making
• Physical readiness for duty
• Professionalism and teamwork

Knowledge/Skill/Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- Firefighting methods and modern fire prevention practices
- The Uniform Fire Code and the procedures involved in inspections
- Emergency medical methods and procedures
- Overhaul and salvage operations
- The operation and care of fire apparatus and equipment
- Hazardous materials and technical rescue operations and procedures



The duties listed above are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Specific statements of duties not included do not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Job descriptions are subject to change by the City of Westfield and the Westfield Fire Department as the needs of the City and the fire department's job requirements change.