Firefighter / Fire Engineer

An employee in this class serves as a member of a crew responding to fire calls, disaster calls and emergency medical calls, administering medical stabilization to patients in the field, and studying and training in methods and techniques for fire fighting, hazardous material handling, and emergency medical care.   Work includes using and operating emergency equipment, putting out fires and/or mitigating other disasters, applying necessary first aid to sick or injured persons, and participating in maintenance of station equipment and quarters.  Work is frequently performed in hazardous conditions, requiring rapid response and strenuous physical exertion.  Duties assigned to employees in the class may vary according to needs of the Department and/or equitable allocation of workload.  Tact, courtesy and firmness are required in dealing with sick or injured persons and with the general public.

• Responds to fire calls as a firefighter; performs necessary work in extinguishing fires on structures, brush, personal and commercial properties, etc.
• Responds to calls for environmental and other disasters involving hazardous materials, such as gas leaks, fuel spills and chemical emergencies; takes proper steps to mitigate hazardous situations.
• Responds to emergency calls as an emergency medical responder, performs necessary rescue work; administers necessary emergency medical care.
• Responds to non-emergency calls, such as requests to assist other emergency medical care providers in moving patients into transportation vehicles and assisting disabled persons in their homes when other assistance is inadequate.
• Participates in a continuous training program to improve competence in fire fighting as well as medical technical work, and in emergency vehicle maintenance and operation; studies street and road patterns and networks in the City so that future runs may be made with minimum difficulty and delay.
• Participates in continuous training program to improve competence in responding to a hazardous materials incident.
• Assists in inspection and maintenance of vehicles and equipment used in fire fighting and emergency medical service.
• Performs maintenance and housekeeping tasks at the station.
• Participates in fire prevention and education activities for the City; gives station tours; visits schools, churches, and civic clubs to discuss fire prevention and safety.
• Maintains level of physical fitness required by City.
• Participates in pre-fire planning for City businesses and multi-family residences.
• Utilizes specialized hand-and power-tools in rescuing victims in fire, disaster and other emergencies.
• Prepares a variety of incident reports and maintains a variety of records.
• Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation or defibrillation as necessary. 
• May perform other advanced rescue activities as certified.
• May assist with traffic control duties as required.
• May teach training classes to subordinate firefighters.
• May maintain inventory of supplies and equipment.
• Is required to respond to all events of major fire, rescue, hazardous materials or other emergency.
• Performs related work as required. 

Graduation from high school, supplemented by required course work in emergency medical and fire fighting techniques, and at least 1 year experience as a Probationary Firefighter; and/or any equivalent combination of training and experience required to perform the essential functions.

 SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.  

Possession of the following certificates:

• ICS 100,200,700,800
• NFPA 1403,
• Hazardous Materials Awareness/Operations

• General knowledge of fire fighting procedures, techniques and apparatus.
• General knowledge of hazardous materials and mitigation of situations involving hazardous materials.  
• General knowledge of emergency medical responder procedures and techniques.
• General knowledge of practices and procedures of emergency rescue.
• General knowledge of equipment and supplies employed in fire fighting and in the emergency care of patients and victims of accidents.
• General knowledge of City geography and of the location of roads and streets within the City.
• Ability to respond quickly and calmly to emergency situations.
• Ability to safely drive vehicles at a rate of speed appropriate for emergency response.
• Ability to lift substantial weight.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to deal tactfully, courteously and firmly with the general public.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.