Firefighter EMT / AEMT

Job Summary

Under close supervision of Company Officers, Firefighters perform technical work responding to emergencies.  This position functions as a firefighter and BLS provider responding to both fire and medical emergencies for the purposes of saving lives and protecting property.  Depending on the nature of the incident, this position provides emergency medical care, extrication and rescue, fire suppression, or hazard control.  This position also supports a wide range of department programs and events.

Essential Job Functions / Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Responds to fire, EMS, and a variety of emergency calls.
• Perform all job performance requirements in NFPA-1001 including but not limited to; respond to fire alarms, lay and connect hose, hold nozzles and direct water streams, raise and climb ladders, have a working functional knowledge of all types of fire extinguishers and other fire suppression equipment.
• Performs a variety of tasks while wearing protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus, to include entering burning buildings to extinguish fire, carry and deploy hose lines in multi-storied buildings, and search and remove victims from burning, smoke-filled buildings or other hazardous environments.
• Climbs and operates master stream appliances from an aerial device.
• Uses power and hand tools for forcible entry and ventilation of burning buildings.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations (e.g., protects property, locates hidden fires, removes fire debris and water).
• Places, raises, climbs and lowers ground ladders.
• Performs heavy rescue operations.
• Performs water and ice rescues from land and boats.
• Drives an ambulance in response to emergency calls and transport of patients to a medical facility.
• Provides and assists in rendering emergency care according to FFD medical protocols, treating a range of injuries and illness using EMT I (or greater depending on training) scope of practice.
• Restores apparatus and equipment to service after use.
• Instructs citizens in fire prevention and life safety techniques.
• Conducts company level fire inspections / pre-fire planning.
• Assist with fire investigations.
• Performs public relations duties and participate in department sponsored public events.

The job functions listed above are representative of functions performed by this classification and are not intended to be all inclusive.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  Candidates hired must satisfactorily demonstrate these factors during a prescribed probationary period for continued employment:

• Knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures of firefighting, emergency medical care, and other applicable emergency services.
• Ability to perform effectively under emergency conditions and in extreme climatic conditions (hot & cold).
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, and follow directions.
• Ability to understand and use a variety of modern firefighting and emergency medical techniques.
• Ability to apply judgement and deductive reasoning to information about fire situations, recognize the relevancy of each item of information, reach logical conclusions, and adopt an effective course of action using accepted techniques.
• Ability to remain composed in difficult, stressful situations requiring emergency action with the ability to make sound decisions promptly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to read and understand job-related written material.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City employees, internal and external fire personnel, and the public.
• Ability to use computers, computer-aided dispatch systems, and related equipment.
• Sufficient hand-eye coordination and dexterity to perform physical firefighting tasks, which include but are not limited to tying knots, raising and climbing ladders, and connecting and disconnecting hose couplings and other hose appliances.
• Ability to perform firefighting tasks which involve pulling, lifting, and carrying of items.
• Ability to do strenuous firefighting work for occasional extended spans of time, with the ability to change from a state of rest to a state of strenuous activity in a short span of time.

Minimum Qualifications

Persons applying for this position must have the following:

• Have graduated from an accredited high school or possess a GED equivalent.
• Be at least 18 years of age at time of application.
• Must hold and maintain a valid State of Alaska driver's license throughout the duration of employment (copy of driving record must be provided at the time of offer of employment).
• A current State of Alaska Emergency Medical Technician 1 (AK EMT 1) or higher or any level NREMT.
• Must have passed a CPAT within 18 months of applying.
• Must successfully pass a written examination and physical ability test.
• Must successfully pass a psychological evaluation and a criminal background investigation.
• Must successfully be evaluated by the City of Fairbanks medical evaluator as capable to function as a Firefighter.

• Must successfully pass a DOT Haz-Mat Physical. Preferred Qualifications:

• A State of Alaska Firefighter I (AK FF-1) or Pro Board / IFSAC Firefighter 1.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of duties.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS*

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk; hear; stand; walk; use hands and fingers to feel, handle, or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, taste and smell.

The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 130 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

* Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals.

Healthcare and retirement benefits under this job classification are provided in accordance with the CBA between the City of Fairbanks and Fairbanks Firefighters Union, Local 1324.  

Voluntary supplemental benefit options provided by the City include a Flex 125 Healthcare Plan, Flex 125 Dependent Care Plan, Life Insurance, AD&D Insurance, Long-Term and Short-Term Disability Insurance, Aflac Insurance Plans, MetLife 457(b) Deferred Complensation Plan, and a Public Safety Employee Assistance Program.