Firefighter 1

City of Orangeburg South Carolina

The purpose of this classification is to prevent suppress and extinguish fires to provide emergency medical services and to perform other related firefighting activities.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the second level in the Firefighter series. Incumbents in this classification have completed training along with all field training requirements. They are expected to function in the capacity of a fully trained firefighter and emergency medical responder and able to operate independently without direct oversight from a training officer.

Essential Functions:

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression medical assistance hazardous materials incidents motor vehicle accidents natural disasters explosions bomb threats downed power lines and other emergency situations: responds to instructions from dispatcher; and contacts appropriate related agencies as needed.

Provides protection of life and property: suppresses controls and extinguishes fires; performs search rescue extrication of victims and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; establishes openings in buildings for entrance ventilation or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers sweeping water and removing debris; assists with cleanup activities; and exercises control of emergency situations until relieved by a superior officer.

Responds to a variety of emergency calls requiring the administration of basic emergency medical treatment: stabilizes victims who are dealing traumatic medical issues; and may respond to airway management cardiac emergencies allergic reactions altered medical status cerebral vascular accidents or various medical traumas.

Maintains a state of readiness and preparation for emergency response: checks and maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; assists in preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies and in testing personal equipment hoses and pumps and other tools and apparatus; and ensures the emergency medical service equipment is properly stocked and operational.

Participates in fire prevention pre-fire planning and other fire and life safety education activities: conducts fire safety building safety passenger vehicle safety and residential and public building code violation fall prevention hazardous materials programs or other programs as assigned; conducts apparatus displays and skills demonstrations; conducts tours of fire station and fire trucks; and participates in community events and fundraisers.

Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles buildings quarters apparatus equipment and tools in operable condition: inspects and tests equipment; replaces fluids and greases equipment; replaces parts; washes and cleans equipment cleans quarters and performs grounds maintenance; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.

Responds to non-emergency calls such as lift assists assisting ambulance services with lifting and moving bariatric patients routine welfare checks routine vitals checks investigating disconnected 911 calls clearing trees from roadways checking downed power lines investigating potential gas or water leaks and assisting business- and homeowners with fire alarm system issues and providing medical stand-by at community functions and sporting events.

Operates utilizes and maintains various specialized firefighting equipment power tools hand tools and supplies to complete work assignments such as personal protective and safety equipment extrication equipment emergency medical equipment and supplies fire suppression equipment and apparatus technical rescue and hazmat equipment and other tools and equipment.

Maintains a comprehensive current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws regulations policies and procedures; maintains an awareness of new equipment procedures trends and advances in firefighting and emergency medical treatment; participates in physical fitness training training drills and other continuing education activities; attends shift meetings training and certification classes workshops and seminars as appropriate; and ensures completion of required annual certification hours as a certified Firefighter.

Communicates with supervisor other City employees the public law enforcement doctors and nurses outside agencies and organizations and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities review status of work exchange information or resolve problems.

Processes a variety of documentation associated with department/division operations within designated timeframes and per established procedures: receives reviews prepares completes processes forwards or retains as appropriate various forms reports correspondence map books pre-fire plans incident reports and other documentation; compiles data for further processing or for use in preparation of department reports; and maintains computerized and/or hardcopy records.

Operates a personal computer to enter retrieve review or modify data utilizing word processing spreadsheet database Internet e-mail or other software; and operates general office or other equipment as necessary to complete essential functions.

Additional Functions:

Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma or GED required with vocational or technical training in firefighting or a related field; previous work experience is preferred; or any equivalent combination of education training and experience which provides the requisite knowledge skills and abilities for this job.

Specific License or Certification Required: Must possess and maintain a valid South Carolina drivers license. Must possess and maintain the following additional certifications or licensures: Firefighter II Technical Rescuer Car Seat Technician and Incident Command System 100/200 and 700/800. May be required to obtain and maintain Emergency Medical Responder or additional certifications and licensures as deemed necessary by command staff.

Specific Knowledge Skills or Abilities: Must be able to demonstrate proficiency in performance of the essential functions and learn comprehend and apply all City or departmental policies practices and procedures necessary to function effectively in the position.

Performance Aptitudes:

Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review classify categorize prioritize and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships.

Human Interaction: Requires the ability to work with and apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others to coordinate programs or activities of a project and resolve typical problems associated with the responsibilities of the job.

Equipment Machinery Tools and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment machinery tools and/or materials requiring complex and/or rapid adjustments.

Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference and descriptive data and information.

Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition subtraction multiplication and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs.

Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of rational systems; to interpret instructions furnished in written oral diagrammatic or schedule form; and to exercise independent judgment to adopt or modify methods and standards to meet variations in assigned objectives.

Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment decisiveness and creativity in situations involving evaluation of information against measurable or verifiable criteria.

ADA Compliance:

Physical Ability: Tasks require the regular and sustained performance of moderately physically demanding work typically involving some combination of climbing and balancing stooping kneeling crouching and crawling and that generally involves lifting carrying pushing and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds).

Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors sounds odor depth texture and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors: Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as dirt dust pollen odors wetness humidity rain fumes smoke temperature and noise extremes water hazards hazardous materials toxic agents fire unsafe structures heights confined spaces machinery vibrations traffic hazards bright/dim lights toxic agents animal/wildlife attacks animal/human bites disease pathogenic substances or rude/irate customers.

The City of Orangeburg is an Equal Opportunity 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.