Fire Engineer/EMT I-III

Primary Purpose of Job & Essential Duties/Responsibilities

Primary Purpose of Job

The primary purpose of this position is to operate and maintain emergency response apparatus and vehicles. This position will also perform firefighting, emergency medical services, search and rescue, dive rescue, and related operations when responding to calls for service.

Under the direct supervision of the Senior Fire Engineer, but leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment while performing tasks related to firefighting and emergency medical services. The EMS/Fire Captain oversees emergency medical services performed by the employee. The employee works independently on other assigned duties and responsibilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Drive, operate, and maintain emergency response ground apparatus and vehicles

• Performs daily apparatus inspection and maintenance to ensure that all equipment is in working order and serious maintenance problems are identified and referred for service

• Maintains skills required to operate effectively all emergency response ground apparatus and vehicles by training and practicing regularly with employees and volunteers with all required firefighting and emergency medical services equipment

• Prepares required maintenance documentation of all emergency response ground apparatus and vehicles

• Provides emergency fire protection when responding to fire calls and implementing fire suppression and techniques to rescue victims and protect private and public property

• Provides emergency medical services by responding to emergency calls, assessing patient’s condition upon the arrival of a scene, implementing emergency patient treatment, transporting patient to a hospital ensuring the stability of patient at all times

• Participates in pre-incident planning meetings and contributes information for the department pre-incident plans

• Performs search and rescue duties and dive rescue responses as necessary

• Performs daily building and ground maintenance to ensure that department facilities maintain a clean and orderly environment

• Performs other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Current fire suppression and firefighting techniques, including all related equipment.

• Fire records systems, communications equipment and use, fire computer applications and fire reporting procedures

• Principles and best practices involved in emergency medical services

• EMS protocols of the Sitka Fire Department

• Hydraulics as applied to pump operation and fire equipment

• Safety and other best practices involved in fire suppression and firefighting

• Fire and life safety codes

• Location of hydrants and the layout and location of public utilities within the CBS service area

Skills In:

• Operating a personal computer using standard software applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, and other customized software related to firefighting and emergency medical service operations

• Dealing with a wide range of individuals, including employees and volunteers, in some situations where the individual may be upset or stressed

• Presenting technical information and explanations to others in an understandable and productive manner

• Performing EMS and firefighting duties and the use of all related equipment

• Performing basic vehicle and equipment maintenance

Ability to:

• Recognize and maintain confidential information

• Work under extremely stressful situations which result from responding to emergency situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property

• Work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders

• Make decisions, sometimes quickly, as to the best course of action for responding to emergency situations

• Communicate well with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language

• Understand and follow oral and written policies, procedures and instructions

• Use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and oral instructions

• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines

• Quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge

Minimum Qualifications & Other Job Requirements/Expectations

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED, college credits in related fire or emergency services, preferred;

and

• Firefighting and emergency medical experience any location, but with Sitka, preferred;

and

• Firefighter I certification from the International Fire Service Accreditation Council or Proboard, advanced certification preferred;

and

• EMT I, EMT II, or EMT III license from the State of Alaska;

and

• Possession of ICS 100 and ICS 700 from FEMA

• Any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work

Applicants must complete the physical agility course set out by the department in two (2) attempts and pass drug test before being hired.

Other Job Requirements or Expectations

• Maintain EMT licenses at highest level while employed with the department

• Maintain Firefighter I certification while employed with the department

• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Alaska

• Must be willing to work four (4) twenty-four hour shifts every 14 work days, which may include holidays and weekends

• Must be available to be on-call and work overtime at all times on a rotating schedule

• Must use appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (“PPE”)

• Must remain physically fit and able to perform the physical requirements of a firefighter or EMT

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Working Conditions:

• Works indoors and outdoors, often in inclement weather, when at the fire hall about 50% of the time

• Works indoors and outside, often in inclement weather and subject to potential personal danger, when responding to emergency calls about 50% of the time

• Outdoor work exposes employee to environmental factors such as loud noises, vibrations of hand-held equipment, small and confined spaces, and known hazards involving water, chemicals, electrical, mechanical, physical substances, and fumes

• When rendering medical aid to others, employee may be exposed to blood and body fluids

Specific Physical Requirements:

• Frequent standing and walking

• Frequent balancing, stooping, and kneeling

• Frequent reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, and feeling

• Occasional crouching, climbing, and crawling

• Occasional repetitive arm and hand motions

• Must have excellent vision acuity, both up close and at a distance including ability to visualize depth perception

• Must have excellent verbal and communication skills and hearing capabilities

• Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 20 pounds on a regular basis

• Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 50 pounds on a frequent basis with or without the assistance of proper equipment or assistance

• Must be able to lift, push, or pull up to 180 pounds of force occasionally with or without the assistance of proper equipment or assistance

• Basic swimming skills to perform ice, water, and swift water rescue

General Physical Requirements:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities which permits the employee to communicate effectively, including during emergency situations which may involve a high degree of noise

• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation which permits the employee to perform firefighting and emergency medical services and to be aware of all related safety concerns

• Sufficient manual dexterity and strength which permits the employee to operate department equipment and lift, push, or pull an individual to safety or for medical treatment

• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes which permits the