Firefighter/EMT

General summary:
Under the supervision of a ranking officer, responds to emergency fire service request as part of a firefighting company. Carries out a variety of tasks relating to setting up firefighting apparatus, controlling fires and life saving using defined procedures and practices. Performs routine maintenance and cleaning of fire equipment and physical facilities of the fire station incident.

Representative Duties:
(Examples provided describe characteristic duties of comparable levels and are not intended to describe in detail all specific duties performed by this position)

Public Safety Specific:
Performs:
- emergency duties as required at technical rescue incidents including, but not limited to; confined space, extrications/entrapment, high angle/rope, and water/ice rescues.
- emergency duties as required at hazardous materials incidents.
- procedural assignments and supportive tasks such as laying and connecting hose lines, setting water pressure, readying manual equipment, operating hydrants and positioning equipment.
- life saving duties by entering burning buildings to rescue trapped or confused individuals. May provide first aid.
- fire extinguishment and/or controlling fires by directing water or chemical solutions to appropriate areas.
- ventilation on building areas using electric or gas powered fans and/or axes and other cutting devices.
- general maintenance tasks at the fire station.
- Forcible entry into buildings/areas where the normal means of access are locked, blocked, or non-existent for the purpose of rescuing trapped or endangered occupants, firefighting, or other related operations.

Operates:
- tools and equipment (including use of ladders) necessary to gain or force entry into buildings/areas where the normal means of access are locked, blocked, or non-existent for the purpose of rescuing trapped or endangered occupants, fire fighting, or other related operations.
- Fire apparatus and equipment, making manual adjustments as needed to pumpers, pressure controls and so forth.
- Emergency medical equipment, providing immediate treatment to alleviate symptoms or suffering, checks vital signs and stabilizes emergency patients prior to reaching a medical facility.

Responds to:
- notification of fires or other emergencies and promptly drives or serves as crew member on fire apparatus, traveling to fire scene or requested service area.
- Calls for emergency medical assistance as Medical First Responder.
- Maintains radio contact during calls with medical facilities, receiving guidance and direction.

Participates in:
- daily work schedules and assignments as directed.
- post fire cleanup, shutting down hydrants, returning equipment to apparatus and securing equipment.
- Variety of fire prevention and fire safety activities, conducting public demonstrations, presentation and talks to schools and other interested groups during station tours.
- Outside formal training sessions and in-house training, involving the methods, techniques and procedures used in fire-fighting and emergency medical assistance.

Clerical:
Prepares: correspondence, reports required by supervision.
Maintains :records of activities, inventories as required.

Special:
- May perform the duties of a Sergeant as staffing circumstances warrant.

Selection:
The position of Firefighter shall be filled pursuant to Township Ordinance. The salary will be as specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (person in this position should possess nearly all of these
qualities upon appointment)
- Must meet the West Bloomfield Township and Fire Department employment requirements.
- State of Michigan AEMT or BEMT License; State of Michigan Firefighter 1 and Firefighter 2 certificates.
- Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with the public and other employees.
- Effective communication skills.

Equipment and Tools Used includes but is not limited to:
Fire Engine, Pumps, Smoke Ejector, Axes, Chisels, Shovels, Fans, Pry bars, Hose Nozzles, Alarms, Hydrant, Radio, Respirator, Ladders, Protective Clothing, Ropes, Generator, Compressor, Cutting Tools, First Aid Equipment, and Maps.

Abilities:
Reasoning Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardizations exist; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.

Math - Ability to use simple math like multiplication, division, adding, subtracting, percentages, fractions, ratios, rates, measurements, calculations, and other math associated with building construction, fire behavior, water flow, and office management is required.

Reading - Ability to read and understand specifications, manuals and instructions.

Writing - Ability to organize and write fire incident reports and correspondence. Such documents must be implemented with correct format, punctuation, spelling and grammar. Ability to write detailed directions and procedures.

Speaking / Hearing - Ability to clearly communicate information and questions related to all aspects of the job in person and over the phone using correct English. Be able to convey detailed spoken instruction to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly. Be able to understand descriptions and directions. Be able to effectively work with the public, and employees in a constructive manner.

Physical Requirements:
Considered Medium to Heavy Work
Lifting - up to 120 pounds on a frequent basis
Pushing / Pulling up to 200 pounds to move objects on an occasional basis.
Movement - Ability to maneuver as necessary to do filing that may involve stooping, crouching, kneeling or crawling. Frequently climb stairs (elevator available), ladders, or equipment.
Walking - frequently; Standing - frequently; Sitting - frequently
Use of hands frequently for touching, handling, lifting
Reaching - occasionally
Vision - near and far vision required. Color vision required. Depth perception - ability to judge distances and spatial relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are.
Hearing - must be able to hear and understand speech outdoors and in a noisy environment and on phone in accordance with ADA regulations.

Environment and Hazards:
Exposure to heights (frequently), fire/heat(occasionally), chemicals (frequently), traffic hazards (frequently), moving equipment (occasionally), noise (occasionally), explosions (rarely).
Exposure to weather (frequently), dust (occasionally), fumes (occasionally), noxious gases (occasionally), poor ventilation (occasionally). Electrical hazards - occasionally. Dangerous persons - rarely. Weapons - rarely. High Pressure Lines occasionally. Slip Hazards occasionally.

In the course of a work shift, the degree of physical demands and exposure to environmental conditions may exceed levels listed above as would be the case with multiple or prolonged fires or other emergencies.