Firefighter Recruit

City of Suffolk•Suffolk, VA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Upon attending and graduating from the City's Firefighter Recruit Training Academy, the Firefighter Recruit performs general emergency response work in firefighting, emergency rescue, and hazardous material response under general supervision. The role involves responding to alarms, carrying out fire suppression, rescue, and hazardous-material containment or cleanup operations, and operating associated equipment and apparatus. The employee trains in emergency-response methods and equipment use, inspects and maintains equipment, performs fire inspections, and handles maintenance and custodial duties at the assigned fire station. The position reports to a Fire Lieutenant or Captain. Applicants must satisfy the stated eligibility criteria and pass the required screening process, which includes a background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and comprehensive medical examination. The hiring process includes a written exam, Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) orientation and testing, and a structured Chief's Panel interview. After completing the recruit academy, the employee must hold specified Virginia certifications. This is rated very heavy work and requires the ability to operate fire apparatus and emergency-response equipment and exert the specified levels of force.

Requirements

Be a United States citizen.
Be at least 18 years old at the time of hire.
Have a high school diploma or GED/equivalency at the time of application.
Have a valid driver's license and a driving record of negative four (-4) points or better, or equivalent for a non-Virginia license.
Meet the stated criminal-history eligibility criteria, including no felony convictions, disqualifying serious Class 1 or 2 misdemeanor convictions, domestic-violence convictions, or offenses involving moral turpitude; additional automatic disqualifiers apply as listed in the posting.
Pass the required background investigation, polygraph examination, psychological examination, and comprehensive medical examination before hiring.
Complete the written exam, mandatory CPAT orientation and required CPAT process, and structured Chief's Panel interview as part of the hiring process.
Upon completion of the recruit academy, hold Commonwealth of Virginia certifications in Firefighter Level II, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, HAZMAT Operations, Class III VDFP EVOC (Emergency Vehicle Operators Course), and Driver/Pump Operator.
Be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment, including driving a fire truck and operating firefighting and emergency-response equipment such as pumps, ladders, aerial platforms, air compressors, self-contained breathing apparatus, two-way radios, and emergency medical equipment.
Be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally, up to 50 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds constantly to move objects; the job is rated very heavy work.

Nice To Haves

A valid CPAT card obtained within the last 12 months may be submitted with the application, but applicants who have one must still attend the mandatory CPAT orientation.
Veterans are welcomed to apply.

Responsibilities

Attend and graduate from the City's Firefighter Recruit Training Academy.
Respond to incidents requiring firefighting, emergency rescue, or hazardous-material response.
Make an initial determination of necessary personnel, equipment, and suppression or containment tactics until relieved by a superior officer, as applicable.
Advance, lay, and connect hose lines; select nozzles; and direct water streams onto fires.
Raise and climb ladders, create openings in buildings with hand and power tools, and enter premises for firefighting, rescue, and salvage operations.
Use chemical extinguishers and other firefighting equipment, including bars, hooks, and lines.
Perform emergency rescue work under established Basic Life Support protocols and administer emergency medical care using equipment such as suction units, immobilization equipment, and oxygen delivery systems.
Identify hazardous materials and their containers or carriers at spill scenes, and use booms and barriers to contain spills and mitigate runoff.
Perform fire suppression and assist with evacuation operations as needed.
Conduct salvage operations, including placing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and setting up ventilation equipment.
Inspect assigned emergency-response apparatus and equipment daily for operating condition and readiness.
Clean and maintain equipment after emergency-response operations; perform minor repairs and assist with major repairs as appropriate.
Attend and participate in training on fire suppression, equipment, emergency medical care, hazardous-material containment, street layouts, and building and hydrant locations.
Prepare and maintain activity records, provide pertinent information to personnel on the following shift, and review prior-shift reports and confer with personnel as needed.
Clean and perform minor maintenance on department buildings and maintain fire-station grounds.
Inspect commercial establishments and multifamily residences for fire hazards, fire-protection equipment efficiency, and compliance with applicable codes and fire-prevention standards.
Conduct pre-fire surveys documenting structure layouts for the City's emergency-response database.
Make presentations on fire safety and prevention to civic, community, school, and other interested groups as needed.
Perform other related duties as required.