Firefighter

Description

The City of Albert Lea is seeking applicants for the position of a Full-Time Firefighter/EMT. As a firefighter, you will perform tasks such as extinguishing and preventing fires, rescues, render first aid, and respond to emergencies throughout the City.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with others
• Knowledge of the incident command system and its disciplines
• Knowledge of current fire service technology, computer systems and software applications
• Ability to remain clear-headed and diplomatic in stressful situations
• Minnesota State certified Firefighter II
• Minnesota State Firefighter licensed at conclusion of probationary period
• Minnesota State EMR certification (Required to get EMT certification within six months of hire)
• Valid Class D driver’s license

Application time line:

Application Due Date: April 5th, 2024

Physical Ability Testing Dates: April 11th and April 12th. Will be contacted via email on April 8th for time slot.

Interviews and Personnel Evaluation Profiles: April 18th and April 19th. This will be set up after Physical Agility Testing.

FULL-TIME FIREFIGHTER TESTING PROCESS

Qualifications: Must have experience as a firefighter. Experience includes volunteer /paid-on-call or be a graduate of a fire and rescue degree program. Must be 18 years of age or older, possess a valid State driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one), licensed or eligible to be licensed by the MN Board of Firefighter Training and Education. Must reside within 30 minutes of the Fire Station within six (6) months of hire.

Procedures:

• Applications are received and screened by Fire Department Staff. Applicants that meet the minimum requirements will be notified April 8th regarding the Physical Agility Testing date and time. Included in this notification will be an email with link and instructions to submit a videoed self-interview which will be due by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10th.
  • Applicants that pass the physical agility test will be given a time slot for interviews and personnel evaluation profiles which will take place April 18th and April 19th.
  • The oral interviews will be conducted in 1 hour time slots.
  • Education, experience and veteran's preference will be assessed during the interview process.
  • The top candidates will be placed in an eligibility pool for up to two years (can be extended as needed).
  • Testing to upgrade the eligibility list can be done at the discretion of the Public Safety Director and Deputy Fire Chief.

• Video due by Wednesday, April 10th @ 5:00 pm
• The link will be from no-reply@at-scene.com
• Click on the email and accept invitation
• Click on the browse icon and find your video
• Click the check box at the bottom identify that it is the original and unmodified
• Click to upload
• You will get notification that you were successful in your upload with a confirmation code

• What can you tell me about the City of Albert Lea and Albert Lea Fire Rescue? Why are you choosing us to apply with? Be 100% honest.
• What conversations have you had with your family and loved ones about this career path? Do they understand the work schedule and that you will miss family events and be called away from them at any given time?
• Are you on the hiring lists for any other fire departments or have you applied with any other fire departments?
• What is the most appealing and least appealing aspects of becoming a firefighter?
• How would you help the team maintain positive relationships around the firehouse?
• How do you handle stress and uncomfortable situations?
• How do you spend your time when you are not on duty? What hobbies, volunteerism, and other events do you participate in?

Albert Lea Fire Physical Ability Test (ALFPAT)This is a PASS/FAIL test that you have 10 minutes to complete.

Objective: The following eight events are used to determine if the candidate is physically and mentally fit to perform essential job tasks on a fire scene. This portion of testing is strictly a Pass/Fail evaluation and you will have 10 minutes to complete the test to pass.

Requirements: Throughout all events, you will wear a 50-pound vest (used to simulate the weight of full turnout gear and SCBA). An additional 25 pounds will be added to the shoulders for the first event and removed when the first event is completed. In addition to the vest, all candidates throughout all events must wear long pants, a hard hat with chin strap, work gloves, and footwear with no open heel or toe. The vest, helmet, and gloves will be supplied. Watches and loose or restrictive jewelry are not permitted. The events are placed in a sequence that best simulates fire scene events. The clock will start once the 20 second warm up is complete on the first event, and stop once you cross the line of the final event. There is no running during the events or between the events, with the acceptation of the hose drag.

EVENT 1: Stair Climb -The candidate will mount the step mill and begin climbing. When the candidate begins climbing the 20 second warm up will begin at 50 steps per second. After the 20 seconds is complete the machine will speed up to 60 steps per minute, the time will begin, and the candidate will remain on the step mill for 3 minutes. During the warm up the candidate may grasp the handrail momentarily to gain balance. Once the speed increases and the 3 minute timing start the handrail may be grasped with a single hand. If for some reason the candidate falls off the step mill during the warm up you may remount the step mill and continue the test. If the candidate falls off during the 3 minute testing time the test is a failure. The purpose of this event is to test aerobic conditioning and lower body strength.

EVENT 2: Hose Drag - The candidate will grab a nozzle that is connected to an un charged 1 ½” hose line and drag it 125’ to a designated area where the candidate will go down to one knee and pull the remaining hose line into the designated area. The hose will be marked 8’ from the nozzle, to indicate how much hose can be draped over the shoulder. Once the candidate touches the nozzle it cannot be set down for any reason until it reaches the designated area, if it is dropped this will stop the test and the candidate will fail. When completed walk to the next event. The purpose of this event is to test aerobic conditioning and upper and lower body strength.

EVENT 3: Equipment Carry - The candidate will grab a gas chain saw from the table and place it on the floor, then grab a gas chop saw from the table and place it on the floor. Now the candidate will grab and carry both saws 50’ go around a cone and back to the starting position, then the candidate will place both saws on the ground and place them one at a time back on the table. The candidate can stop at any time and place the saws on the ground to adjust their grip, if the saws are dropped the test will stop and the candidate will fail. When completed walk to the next event. The purpose of this event is to test aerobic conditioning and grip strength.

EVENT 4: Ladder Raise and Extension - The candidate will walk a hinged 24’ extension ladder hand over hand touching every rung until the ladder is safely against the wall. Once the ladder is safely against the wall the candidate will extend the ladder until it hits the stops and then lower it in a controlled fashion. Now the candidate will lower the ladder to the starting position using a hand over hand technique touching each rung, until the ladder is in the starting position. If the candidate uses the rails to raise or lower the ladder they will get one warning and the second time the test will stop and the candidate will fail, also if the ladder drops or is not lowered in a controlled fashion this will stop the test and the candidate will fail. When completed walk to the next event. The purpose of this event is to test upper body strength.

EVENT 5: Forcible Entry - The candidate will stand on the Keiser sled and then grab the mallet, and then strike the weight until it reaches the end of the sled. Then place the mallet back in the starting position. If the mallet is not placed back in the starting position or the mallet leaves the candidates hands, the test will stop and the candidate will fail. When completed walk to the next event. The purpose of this event is to test the whole body strength and aerobic condition.

EVENT 6: Rescue - The candidate will grab a 170# rescue randy with a strap in each hand and drag him 35’ around a cone and 35’ back to the starting position. The candidate can stop at any time to readjust the grip on the handles, if the candidate drops the rescue randy or they fall down the test will stop and the candidate will fail. The time will stop and you will move to the staging area and remove the vest. The purpose of this event is to test whole body strength and aerobic conditioning.

UNTIMED EVENTS - The candidate will get a ten minute rest before starting the last two events.

EVENT 7: Search - The candidate will don a blacked out face piece and crawl through a 50’ maze by following a hose line, once they reach the end the candidate will be instructed to follow the same 50’ hose line back to the starting position. Then remove the mask and walk to the next event, if the candidate panics and has to be helped out of the maze the test ends and the candidate fails. The purpose of this event is to see if the candidate is claustrophobic.

EVENT 8: Ladder Climb - The candidate will put on a harness with a safety line attached, and proceed to climb the aerial ladder (105’) touching every rung on the way up and down. Once the candidate reaches the top they will pause for 60 seconds then they will be instructed to climb back down, and remove the harness and walk to the staging area. If the candidate skips any rungs or panics and has to be helped down, the test will stop and the candidate will fail. The purpose of this event is to test overall strength and conditioning while also checking for a fear of heights.

Examples of Duties

General Statement of Duties: Performs responsible fire and rescue work involving fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical treatment to protect life and property; performs related duties as required.

Supervision Received: Works under the general and technical supervision of the Captain on duty and the general direction of the Deputy Fire Chief.

The listed examples may not include all duties performed by all positions in this class. Duties may vary somewhat from position to position within a class.

• Responds to fires and emergency calls; connects and handles hose lines and nozzles; places or hoists ladders; turns water on and off; uses axes, bars, or hooks as appropriate; and utilizes chemical extinguishers or hoses to extinguish a fire.
• Ensures all people are evacuated or extricated from dangerous situations, performs rescues as appropriate, including water rescues, confined space, high/low ropes.
• Ventilates burning buildings by opening or breaking doors or windows or cutting holes through walls, roofs or floors
• Forces entry into buildings in emergencies by breaking glass, springing or forcing doors, windows, or gates, cutting locks, bars, or wire grating, or breaking walls.
• Attends to ill and injured persons at the first responder level at an emergency scene.
• Assists in crowd control in emergency situations.
• Participates in initial arson investigation by preserving evidence and noting the location and condition of related objects upon entry into a burning building.
• Completes incident reports using specialized software and maintains records as required and assists with the department annual report.
• May develop pre-plans, purchase miscellaneous supplies and assist with budget preparation.
• May perform fire engineer duties including driving vehicles to the scene and managing pump operations during fire suppression.
• Enforces state laws and local ordinances as they relate to fire prevention; issues citations to violators and appears in court as needed.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, and courses related to equipment use, fire fighting techniques, and rescue procedures.
• Participates in the cleaning, maintenance and care of quarters, equipment, tools, vehicles, apparatus, and grounds.
• Checks, paints, thaws, clears path around, flushes and performs flow testing on fire hydrants; pumps out remaining water in the fall.
• Assists in searches for missing persons and lost children as needed.
• Lubricates, cleans, and polishes fire fighting equipment.
• May be assigned as second in command to perform captain duties in their absence, and inspect commercial and apartment buildings for fire hazards, life safety issues and compliance with fire ordinances;
• May advise and teach fire safety, evacuation procedures, and fire prevention;
• Assists with fire prevention and fire safety activities such as Safety Days at nursing homes, presenting fire safety information to pre-school and school-age children, organizing poster contests, helping with Safety Camp, speaking to employees at the request of businesses, conducting fire extinguisher or other demonstrations and developing and presenting information for Radio Talk.
• Handles calls for Call-in/Reassurance Program; drive to the homes and conduct welfare checks as necessary.
• Tests for carbon monoxide in homes, installs smoke detectors and changes batteries for elderly and others who need assistance as requested.
• Ensures civil defense sirens are operating properly; installs and performs minor maintenance and cleaning.
• Inspects new and existing businesses in the City to familiarize self with street location, utility shut-off points, fire alarm panel locations, location of building key lock boxes, location of nearest fire hydrant, and potential hazardous materials.
• Prepares shift reports and annual reports on assigned responsibilities.

May participate in the determinations of a fire’s cause of origin and assist in an arson investigation.

Assists in designing and conducting training for paid-on-call firefighters and new full-time firefighters.

Assists in giving tours and demonstrations to the public.

May research and provide recommendations for equipment purchases.

May submit annual budget requests for assigned areas of responsibility.

Performs other duties as needed or required.

Typical Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of fire fighting and emergency rescue techniques and practices.
• Considerable knowledge of risks and standard safety practices related to firefighting and emergency rescue.
• Working knowledge of fire behavior, fire chemistry and the effects that various fuels and materials have on fire and knowledge of hazardous materials.
• Working knowledge of emergency Management and the incident command system.
• Working knowledge of City layout including important buildings and the street system.
• Working knowledge of building construction, wiring practices, fire codes, math and hydraulics.
• Working knowledge of emergency medical response including patient care at the First Responder level and medical triage.
• Working knowledge of departmental rules and regulations.
• Considerable skill in the operation and maintenance of a wide variety of fire fighting equipment, tools, and apparatus.
• Considerable skill in fire suppression and emergency rescue.
• Considerable ability to work at heights of over 10 feet, under adverse weather conditions, around smoke, heat, fire, hazardous materials, irritants, fumes, as well as exposure to electrical hazards and other adverse conditions.
• Considerable ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Considerable ability to frequently climb ladders and/or stairs, lift and maneuver equipment occasionally weighing up to 100 pounds and frequently weighing 40-50 pounds, and occasionally up to 150 pounds and to maintain balance with heavy loads and under adverse conditions.
• Considerable ability to communicate effectively with department staff and the general public.
• Considerable ability to react appropriately under pressure and make quick decisions.
• Considerable ability to stand, walk, bend, stoop, crouch, kneel, twist, turn, perform repetitive movements, work in confined spaces, push, and pull while performing the regular duties of this position.
• Considerable ability to see, hear, touch, smell, and use both large and fine motor skills while performing the functions of this position.
• Working ability to safely operate a motor vehicle or fire apparatus, sometimes under adverse conditions.
• Working ability to collect and maintain data and enter information into fire-related software.

Supplemental Information

Application time line:

Application Due Date: April 5th, 2024

Physical Ability Testing Dates: April 11th and April 12th. Will be contacted via email for time slot on April 8th.

Interviews and Personnel Evaluation Profiles: April 18th and April 19th. Will be set up after Physical Agility testing.

Please attach any certifications/license you have obtained.