FIREFIGHTER

City of Palatka•Palatka, FL

About The Position

The Firefighter responds with a company to fires and emergency alarms, performing fire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical duties. Work includes laying and connecting hose, directing water streams, raising and climbing ladders, using chemical lines and extinguishers, removing people from danger, and providing emergency medical care. The position also performs fire inspections, participates in drills and training, maintains Department property and equipment, and drives and operates Department vehicles and equipment for emergency or non-emergency use as assigned by a shift commander or superior officer. The role responds to fires, medical emergencies, hazardous-material incidents, rescue operations, evacuations, vehicle accidents, and other emergencies. It provides patient assessment, life-support treatment, transport, victim extrication, scene security, and communication with dispatchers, hospitals, and other public-safety agencies. The Firefighter documents patient care and other activities, follows established protocols, maintains supplies and equipment, participates in inspections and maintenance, and assists with disaster preparedness, response, mitigation, and recovery. The work requires knowledge of firefighting and rescue practices, apparatus and equipment, first aid, and the City’s physical layout. It requires the ability to operate heavy fire apparatus and rescue vehicles, interpret diagrams and gauges, assess situations, communicate effectively, follow instructions, and work with employees and the public. The position requires a high school diploma or acceptable equivalency diploma and completion of minimum standards required by the State of Florida; comparable training and experience may substitute for the minimum qualifications. The work may involve strenuous, extended exertion and personal danger, including responding quickly while walking, running, climbing, reaching, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling 100 pounds or more. The work environment is usually quiet but may be loud during rescue situations, and may cause considerable physical and mental stress under critical, hazardous, or adverse conditions. The position is at will and does not create an employment contract.

Requirements

High school graduation or an acceptable equivalency diploma.
Completion of minimum standards required by the State of Florida.
Comparable training and experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications.
Knowledge of modern firefighting principles, practices, and procedures, including hydraulics.
Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of firefighting apparatus and equipment.
Knowledge of the physical layout of the City, including fire hydrant and street locations.
Knowledge of first-aid principles and skill in applying them.
Ability to safely operate heavy fire apparatus under emergency conditions and drive and operate fire/rescue apparatus and vehicles.
Ability to calculate pressures mentally for varying situations.
Ability to follow critical and routine instructions accurately, including under emergency or hazardous conditions.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from diagrams, charts, and gauges.
Ability to understand, retain, and apply written, verbal, and demonstrated information to varied situations.
Ability to analyze information, assess situations, draw valid conclusions, and take appropriate action.
Ability to communicate effectively and give verbal and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees and the public.
Ability to accurately describe observations, circumstances, and activities verbally and in writing.
Ability to use sensory skills to communicate and interact with employees and the public, including seeing, reading, talking, hearing, handling, or feeling objects and controls.
Ability to operate office-related equipment, including a personal computer, calculator, copier, and fax machine.
Ability to respond quickly to emergencies and perform walking, running, climbing, reaching, bending, lifting, pushing, and pulling of 100 pounds or more.
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation; some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to health or safety.

Responsibilities

Respond to fires and emergency alarms and perform fire suppression to protect lives and property.
Respond to medical emergencies, hazardous-material incidents, rescue operations, public evacuations, auto accidents, and other emergencies.
Provide basic, intermediate, and advanced life-support treatment; assess patients, determine appropriate action, and transport patients to an appropriate medical facility.
Perform emergency medical procedures, including CPR, cardiac monitoring, medication administration, splinting, wound treatment, bleeding control, oxygen and IV therapy, suctioning, intubation, defibrillation, and management of cardiac arrest and severe trauma patients.
Extricate victims from wreckage as necessary.
Maintain communications with dispatchers, hospital personnel, and public-safety agencies regarding instructions and patient care.
Provide first-aid equipment instructions to first responders and bystanders, and determine when backup assistance is needed.
Secure accident scenes, gather information, preserve evidence, and provide crowd and traffic control as necessary.
Complete reports, records, forms, and patient-treatment documentation as directed.
Follow procedures for handling, removing, and disposing of hazardous materials during emergency situations.
Operate fire engines, ambulances, firefighting and life-support equipment, tools, generators, safety gear, medical instruments, and two-way radios.
Operate a computer and basic office equipment as required.
Maintain inventories of medical, fire, and station supplies and equipment; restock equipment and order supplies as needed.
Participate in vehicle, equipment, facility, and grounds inspections, cleaning, and maintenance; perform general station upkeep and minor equipment repairs.
Participate in fire inspections, drills, training sessions, disaster preparedness and response planning, mitigation, and recovery activities.
Carry out instructions and orders from superiors and perform other duties as assigned.
Attend instruction and training to stay informed about developments in fire and rescue procedures.
May be responsible for securing controlled narcotics for medical responses.