Firefighter – Active Hire

Position Overview

Responds to emergency calls; cleans and maintains fire station; performs minor building maintenance; assists is apparatus inspection; participates in course studies in fire service area and performs physical fitness training; performs emergency operations techniques and/or administers emergency medical treatment; conducts fire prevention training to agencies; develops pre-fire plans of assigned structures; performs hydrant flow test; performs additional duties in support of the department .

Qualifications Required

Must be minimum 18 years of age; must possess valid driver’s license in state of residence; must obtain Alabama Basic EMT license within 18 months of date of hire and National Registry.

Physical Qualifications Required

Must meet physical requirements by passing physical fitness test and medical examination; must hear well enough to operate a two-way radio and communicate over telephone; must be agile enough to climb stairs, ladders, etc. and maintain balance on uneven terrain; must be dexterous enough to use hands and fingers to grasp and manipulate levers, hoses, and basic EMT supplies and/or equipment.

Qualifications Preferred

Applicant currently certified as Alabama Firefighter I/II; Hazardous Materials A&O, Alabama licensed EMT and National Registry.

Department Policy

Tattoos / brands will not be exposed or visible on the hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms or above the collar bone when wearing an open collar uniform, or Fire department T-shirt. Tattoos/brands will not be exposed or visible on the legs or ankles when wearing P.T. shorts and crew socks.

Documents Required

• Driver’s License
  
• Social Security Card
• High School Diploma or GED
  
• Birth Certificate

Job Summary

Under general direction of Fire Captain cleans and maintains fire station in neat and orderly condition; maintains grounds, inspects fire extinguishers, paints, repairs and performs minor building maintenance tasks; assists in inspecting apparatus to ensure equipment is intact, operable and clean; performs radio checks to ensure proper channels of communications are maintained, performs minor repairs to apparatus and equipment; participates in training to maintain current knowledge of emergency service techniques, procedures and the proper use and operation of emergency equipment, studies streets and water supply system in Phenix City and participates in course studies in fire service area and performs physical fitness training; receives dispatch information, verifies address and receives orders en route to scene; performs emergency operations techniques or administers emergency medical treatment; conducts fire prevention training to other agencies, develops pre-fire plans of assigned structures, performs hydrant flow test and documents information and performs additional duties in support of the department as needed or upon request.

Duties & Responsibilities

A. Station Maintenance (15%) – Keeps fire station in clean and orderly condition: sweeps, mops, scrubs and vacuums floors, empties trash, cleans restrooms, washes windows and cleans and polishes fixtures. Maintains grounds: mows lawns, trims shrubbery, and picks up debris. Inspects fire extinguishers and reports condition as needed. Maintains building and living quarters: replaces filters and may perform routine painting, plumbing, electrical wiring and related maintenance activities. Paints, repairs and assembles shelving, furniture or equipment.

B. Apparatus and Equipment Maintenance (20%) – Assists in inspecting apparatus: checks safety equipment, tires and all fluid levels adds fluids as necessary. Assists in inspecting apparatus and equipment. Assists in conducting radio check to ensure proper channels of communication are maintained and dispatchers are receiving calls. Assists in performing minor repairs to apparatus to include oil changes, replacement of oil and air filters, hoses and belts, wiper blades, fuses and lights. Assists in inspecting interior of apparatus; cleans as necessary. Notifies supervisor of equipment malfunctions or repairs needed. Washes exterior and undercarriage of apparatus; cleans engine compartments, cleans/ vacuums interior, waxes and buffs exterior surfaces and polishes chrome. May function as driver upon request.

C. Training (15%) – Participates in classroom training to acquire knowledge of firefighting procedures and maintain current on fire service procedures. Participates in field training exercises to include territory, obstacle maneuvering, ladder, hose and fire suppression. Performs physical fitness training to maintain physical abilities necessary for firefighting. Participates in courses that develop the skills necessary to obtain Firefighter I/II classifications and EMT-B. Studies training material to stay current on new technologies and processes in emergency operations, fire prevention and related activities. Practices with the use of all related activities. Studies and memorizes streets, water distribution system and other geographical information within Phenix City and surrounding areas. Attends computer-training classes to develop skills in word processing to produce fire, medical and pre-fire planning reports. Attends meetings, conferences, workshops and training sessions and reviews publications and audio-visual materials to become and remain current on the principles, practices and new developments in assigned work areas. 

D. Emergency Response and Rescue (35%) – Receives dispatch information, verifies address and location. Dons protective clothing and boards apparatus. Dons SCBA and other safety equipment and receives orders from Captain en route to scene. Identifies ventilation openings and escape routes. Determines best possible access to gain entry into building, vehicle or other entrapment. Performs emergency operations to mitigate emergency. Performs salvage and overhaul operation to gather evidence, clean up and determine source of fire. Marks emergency scene to secure area until investigation is complete. Responds to medical calls; evaluates patient condition and stabilizes until additional medical response arrives. Administers emergency medical treatment. Informs EMT response team of patient information.

E. Services to Department (15%) – Visits local schools and conduct fire prevention training. Visits to local business establishments to develop pre-fire plans and inspect premises. Answers telephone and provide callers with information. Performs hydrant flow test and records pertinent information. Paints and maintains fire hydrants. Performs additional duties as assigned or upon request of the supervisor.

Job Specifications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Shall have knowledge of basic concepts, principles and methods of fire suppression, fire fighting and rescue. Shall have knowledge of policies, standard operating procedures and rules of Phenix City Fire and Rescue. Shall have knowledge of City of Phenix City procedures and rules. Shall have knowledge of the city street system and location of fire hydrants. Shall have knowledge of the proper use and function of emergency equipment and emergency medical procedures. Shall have skill to properly and efficiently operate assigned equipment. Shall have reading skills to comprehend directives, maps and similar non-complex material. Shall have writing skills to prepare pre-fire plans, fire and medical reports. Shall have verbal communication skills to communicate with co-workers, supervisors and the general public. Shall have math skills to calculate square footage of buildings and calculate hydraulic calculations. Shall have skill in using tools and techniques to perform maintenance and minor repairs to building. Shall have skill in using tools and techniques to perform ground maintenance. Shall have microcomputer skills to use word processing software to produce accurate reports, plans and other documents. Shall have the ability to follow written and oral commands and directives. Shall have the ability to cooperate and work as a team member. Shall have the ability to work under stress and adverse weather conditions in a hazardous environment.

Credentials and Experience –

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Firefighter I/II certification
• NIMS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certifications
• Alabama EMT-B License
• Valid state issued driver’s license

Special Requirements – Willing to comply with City of Phenix City policies and work rules. Willing to work during non-duty hours, holidays and weekends when necessary to achieve goals. Willing to travel overnight to attend and participate in seminars and training.

Applications for this position will be accepted until a pool of 20 applications is received or the position is filled, whichever comes first. Current city employees wishing to apply should send Internal Job Application provided by the Human Resources Department to the HR Director by the deadline stated. (A courtesy copy will be sent to the employee’s department head.)

Applications can be found online (download an application) or picked up at the City of Phenix City Human Resources Department:
1103 Broad Street
Phenix City, AL 36867
Ph: 334 448-2706

Applications are available for pick up and drop off on Mondays from 2 to 5 p.m., Eastern Time, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Eastern Time. You may also email your completed application with the required supporting documents.