Firefighter

City of Columbia•Columbia, TN

About The Position

Provides fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, and emergency medical services as a member of a fire company during an assigned shift. Responds to emergency incidents, uses firefighting and rescue equipment, provides basic or advanced life support as qualified, and supports fire prevention, inspections, public education, and fire investigations. The role also includes operating and maintaining fire apparatus and equipment, maintaining the fire station and hydrants, preparing reports, and taking part in ongoing training and physical fitness activities. The position is subject to call out and may involve 24-hour shifts and work in hazardous, physically demanding, and stressful conditions.

Requirements

High school education or GED.
Obtain Tennessee Fire Commission Firefighter Certification Level I within one year of employment and Level II within two years; certifications must be approved by the Tennessee Fire Commission.
Possess and maintain a valid Tennessee driver's license.
Pass a medical evaluation to qualify to wear a tight-fitting respirator by the hire date and maintain certification in accordance with CFR 1910.134.
Possess and maintain a State of Tennessee EMT license as a condition of continued employment.
Knowledge of firefighting methods, modern fire-prevention practices, emergency medical methods and procedures, and overhaul and salvage operations.
Computer application skills, including Microsoft Office Suite products such as Word and Excel.
Ability to operate and care for fire apparatus and equipment, heavy motorized firefighting equipment, rescue equipment, motor vehicles, and common hand tools.
Ability to function effectively in emergencies and perform moderate to strenuous physical activity and long hours under emotional stress.
Ability to participate in fire drills and physical fitness programs and comply with department medical and fitness requirements.
Ability to learn the street system and physical layout of Columbia.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, coworkers, supervisors, and the public.
Basic math skills, including arithmetic, rates, ratios, percentages, and interpreting bar graphs.
Clear verbal and written communication skills, including reading and interpreting written information and editing work for spelling and grammar.
Ability to follow instructions and management direction, complete tasks on time or communicate an alternate plan, and meet scheduling and attendance requirements.
Meet the physical demands of the role, including lifting or moving up to 25 pounds regularly, up to 50 pounds occasionally without assistance, and 100 pounds or more with assistance.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree (A.A. or A.S.) or equivalent from a two-year college or technical school.
Two years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

Respond to alarms and provide fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services as a member of a firefighting company.
Use firefighting equipment and apparatus at emergency incidents, including advancing and connecting hose lines, operating water streams and extinguishers, and making hydrant connections.
Operate rescue and forcible-entry equipment; search and rescue people inside burning buildings; ventilate buildings; position and climb ladders; and perform vehicle extrication.
Protect property and perform salvage, overhaul, and cleanup operations.
Provide emergency medical assistance, including EMT-level basic life support and paramedic support functions as applicable; perform first-responder hazardous materials procedures.
Inspect alarm and fire-control systems and participate in fire-prevention inspections and enforcement of related fire codes.
Clean, repair, and maintain firefighting equipment and apparatus; replace used medical supplies and equipment; maintain fire hydrants, station quarters, grounds, and department property.
Prepare and maintain records, logs, reports, and written documents concerning alarms, inspections, medical emergencies, fire prevention, and technical or legal matters.
Participate in drills, classes, continuing study, and training to maintain required skills; participate in physical fitness activities and meet department medical and fitness requirements.
Participate in public education and community-relations activities, including school visits, station tours, business inspections, and public safety training.
Drive fire trucks and operate pumps when required; act as Fire Driver or Fire Captain as required.
Operate on call for assistance with firefighting and other emergency situations; assist with site security, traffic direction, clearing landing zones, and setting up lighting.
Shut off gas lines and power sources at incident locations.
Assist with fire investigations by collecting and preserving evidence and securing fire scenes.
Perform other related work as required.