Fire Engineer

Forsyth County•Winston-Salem, NC

About The Position

Forsyth County Department of Emergency Services is seeking dedicated Fire Engineers to respond to fire alarms, technical rescues, medical calls, and emergencies or accidents. Depending on assignment within the Fire Division, the employee drives and operates firefighting and rescue equipment at emergency scenes with technician-level proficiency. Fire Engineers carry out orders from supervisors and incident command staff, and may assume supervisory or command roles when higher-level personnel are absent. They are responsible for the day-to-day operations and personnel assigned to their station or unit, and exercise independent judgment and initiative during fire and rescue operations. Duties also include annual fire-prevention inspections and fire-origin-and-cause investigations. The employee may assume command of company or shift operations when the Fire Captain is absent. Work is performed under general supervision, in accordance with standard operating procedures, and evaluated through reports and overall operational effectiveness. The position involves rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and may require callback duty as directed by department administration. The position requires advanced knowledge of firefighting and rescue equipment, methods, strategies, and tactics; airport and aircraft rescue; technical rescue; fire prevention and investigation; county geography; and the incident command system. The employee must be able to supervise operations, communicate effectively, prepare accurate records and reports, and work tactfully with the public and other employees. Physical demands include strenuous work in adverse and immediately dangerous conditions, at heights, outdoors in varied weather, and while carrying equipment. The role requires the ability to wear and work in self-contained breathing apparatus and to pass pre-employment and annual medical and physical-agility evaluations consistent with NFPA 1580. Applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, two years of career firefighting experience (with three years of volunteer firefighting experience equivalent to one year of career experience), required certifications, and valid North Carolina and Class B driver’s licenses. A criminal-history record check is required because the position may involve interaction with children.

Requirements

High school graduation or GED.
Two years of experience as a career firefighter; three years of volunteer firefighting experience is equivalent to one year of career firefighting experience.
NC Fire Fighter Level I and II certification.
NC Hazardous Material Level I (Operations Level) certification.
NC EMT Basic certification.
NC Probationary Fire Inspector Level I certification.
One of the specified technical-rescuer certifications: NC Technical Rescuer-General with Ropes (2008), NC Technical Rescuer-General (2013), or NC Technical Rescuer with Ropes (2021), plus an additional technical-rescuer specialty.
NC Emergency Vehicle Driver certification.
NIMS ICS-100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications.
Valid North Carolina driver’s license and Class B license.
Ability to pass a pre-employment and annual medical examination adhering to NFPA 1580 standards, and complete a physical agility evaluation.
Ability to wear and work safely in a self-contained breathing apparatus without medical or physical restrictions.
Ability to maintain physical and mental fitness for extended emergency incidents and strenuous work in adverse conditions.
Ability to perform physically demanding work at heights and in immediately dangerous atmospheres while carrying gear and equipment exceeding 50 pounds.
Ability to lift over 100 pounds occasionally, 50–100 pounds frequently, or 20–50 pounds constantly.
Ability to carry fire equipment, traverse rough terrain and hills, load and unload vehicles, and work outdoors for extended periods in all types of weather.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; maintain records and prepare accurate reports; read and interpret technical documents, manuals, and codes; deal tactfully with the public; and maintain effective working relationships.
Maintain a required driver’s license in good standing without lapse or loss of driving privileges and comply with applicable DOT standards for commercial motor vehicle drivers when required.
Submit to a criminal-history record check if offered the position, as required for positions involving interaction with children.

Nice To Haves

NC Fire Officer I certification and NC Instructor I certification are preferred; they must be obtained within 12 months of hire or promotion.
NC Standard Fire Inspector Level I certification is preferred and must be obtained before the current probationary-level certification expires.
IFSAC, ProBoard, National Registry, or equivalent certification may be considered in lieu of North Carolina certification.

Responsibilities

Receive and respond to fire alarms; drive firefighting equipment and operate it at emergency scenes.
Conduct fire rescue, attack, extinguishment, salvage, and overhaul operations.
Respond to hazardous-materials calls, identify chemicals involved, and determine precautions to minimize losses.
Respond to emergency medical calls and provide care at the North Carolina EMT Basic level within applicable protocols.
Respond to rescue and technical-rescue incidents, assess tactics and resource needs, and execute or direct operations at technician level.
Perform and direct fire-suppression activities and coordinate closely with Forsyth County emergency agencies.
Conduct Level I fire-prevention inspections of county occupancies requiring inspection under the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code.
Conduct fire-origin-and-cause investigations.
Prepare required reports and documentation.
Participate in training, drills, and continuing education.
Maintain required training, certifications, licenses, and physical and mental fitness.
Supervise day-to-day and incident operations in the Fire Captain’s absence.
Understand and implement departmental and county policies.
Perform other tasks assigned by supervisors and command staff.
Maintain required driving privileges and comply with applicable North Carolina law and DOT standards for commercial motor vehicle drivers when applicable.
Assume command of company or shift operations when the Fire Captain is absent.
Maintain day-to-day operations and personnel assigned to the employee’s station or unit.