Firefighter/EMT

Full Time Firefighter/EMT

Salary Range: $41,822.37

Hiring Bonus: $4,000 for candidates hired on or after July 1, 2022. Distribution schedule: 1/3 upon completion of the hiring process. 1/3 upon successful completion of 6-month review (meets or exceeds expectations). 1/3 upon successful completion of 1-year review (meets or exceeds expectations). $1,000 referral bonus provided to referring employee if applicable.

Job Description:

Responsible for performing responsible protective service work in fire suppression and in providing emergency medical care to save life and property.  An employee in this class is responsible for performing all functions and services of firefighting and emergency medical rescue. Emphasis of the work is on responding to and providing fire, rescue, and emergency medical services to citizens and businesses. Work involves extinguishing fires at fire scenes, safeguarding lives, salvaging property, preventing the recurrence of fires, and protecting properties from the elements, vandalism, and theft. Work also includes routine inspection and maintenance of fire apparatus, fire station facilities and equipment, providing basic life support, training and drilling in the use of fire equipment and firefighting techniques, and the performance of public relations activities. Work is often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazard. Work is performed under the general supervision of a Fire Officer and is reviewed through observation, reports, and discussion concerning the quality and effectiveness of fire, medical and related duties.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responds to emergency scenes; performs basic firefighting functions including basic life support, CPR, and first aid; connects hoses to hydrants and applies water or chemicals to fire; operates portable fire extinguishers to combat small fires; forces entry into burning structures and searches for and rescues occupants.
• Responds to emergency medical calls and performs duties in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, local ordinances, established policies, procedures and protocols, and within established chain of command; refers to policy manuals as necessary.
• Assesses and evaluates situation at scenes of emergency response; surveys and secures scene, requesting additional assistance, as necessary; determines mechanism of injury and equipment needed to effect rescue and initiation of treatment.
• Responds to incidents of multiple casualties in accordance with established disaster response plans; recognizes need for hazardous material response personnel and calls for assistance accordingly; performs in accordance with established protocols for handling patients exposed to hazardous materials, including use of hazardous materials response kit.
• Participates in routine preventive maintenance of equipment including checking and filling self-contained breathing apparatus, washing/waxing trucks, checking batteries, fuel and oil levels, cleaning and drying hose, inspecting hose and hose connections for damage and wear; maintains fire station by sweeping, mopping, painting, washing windows and other tasks.
• Performs daily apparatus checks, which includes checking the pump, lights, warning devices, and generator on the apparatus.
• Performs daily equipment checks, which includes checking saws, portable combination tool, water cooler, portable fan, Air packs with spare bottles, all gas monitors and thermal imagining camera.
• Performs yard maintenance on a weekly basis which includes edging on sidewalks and around bushes with a weed eater and using push and riding lawn mowers to cut grass around the stations.
• Checks and flushes fire hydrants for flow and pressure.
• Conducts fire prevention education demonstrating use of fire extinguishers and smoke detectors; helps develop escape plans; installs child safety seats for citizens with children.
• Conducts tours of fire stations and performs public demonstrations at schools, community meetings, and other locations.
• Participates in continuous firefighter and emergency medical technician training program to improve competence.
• Performs other related job duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Highschool diploma or GED equivalency; and experience in public safety work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Special Qualifications:

• Possession of a valid Class B driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle.  Requirement exists at the time of hire and as a condition of continued employment.

The following requirements must be IFSAC or Pro-Board certifications:

• Firefighter Level II
• Certification at Hazmat Operations Level

Additional requirements:

• NIMS 100, 200, 700, 800 (within 1 year of hire date)
• NC Emergency Medical Technician EMT-Basic (or National Registry)
• NHTSA Child Passenger Safety Certified Technician (within one year of hire date)
• Traffic Incident Management certification
• Successful completion of Hendersonville Fire Department Probationary Manual

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the procedures of firefighting, hazards, and related safety precautions.
• Knowledge of fire codes and the contents of general orders, bulletins, and training materials.
• Knowledge of emergency medical treatment techniques.
• Knowledge of City geography and street locations.
• Knowledge of sprinkler systems in buildings and hydrant locations.
• Knowledge of effective interpersonal communications techniques to communicate with other staff, officials, and the general public.
• Skills in the use of firefighting tools and equipment such as a pry bar, axe, hoses, nozzles, air packs, fans, shovels, rakes, sledgehammers, jaws-of-life, defibrillator, and other equipment.
• Ability to conduct fire prevention and fire safety training to all age groups including school age children through senior citizens.
• Ability to perform difficult physical procedures for prolonged periods wearing protective clothing and in adverse weather conditions; ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights; ability to carry or drag or assist in carrying or dragging persons and equipment up and down ladders and stairs or across flat surfaces; ability to chop holes or pry openings in doors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and other surfaces to effect ventilation; ability to screw in hoses connections and gate valves to fire hydrants; ability to apply hose clamps onto charged and uncharged hose lines; ability to hold charged hose lines and direct them at fire sources; ability to locate and estimate distances between objects and persons inside or near burning structures.
• Ability to demonstrate self-confidence, self-reliance, and to take action when required by the situation; ability to confront potentially dangerous situations, remain calm, apply common sense, make logical decisions, and work effectively in stressful situations.
• Ability to learn and apply the training needed to extinguish fires, rescue trapped persons, dispose of hazardous materials, and operate firefighting equipment.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with members of the squad, company, station house, and the general public; ability to co-exist and work cooperatively with a group of individuals for twenty-four hours at a time without regard for such characteristics as gender, race, or cultural background.
• Ability to understand written and oral instructions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work in this classification is defined as light work requiring the physical exertion of and/or in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands require climbing, crouching, crawling, standing, walking and lifting. Vocal communication is required for responding to inquiries, expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels. Visual acuity is required for extensive reading, to prepare and analyze written or computer data, determine the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observe general surroundings and activities.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is primarily performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions including exposure to extreme heat and extreme cold. Employee is subject to noise, vibration, and hazards including a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working in high places, exposure to high heat, and exposure to chemicals. Employee is subject to atmospheric conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin including oils and greases and is also required to wear a respirator or self-contained breathing devices in certain instances. Employee may be exposed to blood or blood-borne pathogens when providing emergency medical services. At times the work is performed in conditions of extreme temperatures and danger for prolonged periods of time during which time one’s vision may be partially or totally obscured. Work is often performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazard.

Application deadline: The position will be open until January 4, 2023, at 12:00 PM.