Firefighter (Entry-Level And Lateral)

Position Information

Lateral firefighters will receive credit for years of service. Final determination of eligibility will be determined by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.

• $1,000 Associates Degree
• $2,000 Bachelors Degree
• $3,000 Masters Degree

Paramedic and Specialty Unit (Technical Rescue, HazMat, Med Ops) pay incentive available.

Eligible for health and dental coverage, retirement plan, life insurance, long term disability insurance, and deferred compensation.

• State of Georgia Firefighters' Pension Fund
• Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Death Benefit Fund
• Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Flower Fund
• Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services Benevolent Fund

• 13 days per year / 1 year of service
• 15 days per year / 5 years of service
• 20 days per year / 10 years of service
• 22 days per year / 15 years of service
• 25 days per year / 20 years of service

12 paid holidays per year

Accumulates at 4.0 hours per biweekly

Employees are eligible for 6 weeks paid leave.

Up to 18 days per year

Full time employees will receive up to [3] days of bereavement leave with pay for [24] hours. Employees working in part time positions shall be eligible for bereavement leave equal to [3] part time days off with pay.

Essential Functions

Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, downed power lines, and other emergency situations: responds to instructions from dispatcher; and contacts appropriate related agencies as needed.
Provides protection of life and property: suppresses, controls and extinguishes fires; performs search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris; assists with cleanup activities; and exercises control of emergency situations until relieved by a superior officer.
Responds to a variety of emergency calls requiring the administration of basic first aid and medical treatment or stabilizes victims who are dealing traumatic medical issues: and may respond to airway management, cardiac emergencies, allergic reactions, altered medical status, cerebral vascular accidents, or various medical traumas.
Safely drive firefighting apparatus to and from fires or other emergencies following laws and regulations, operating pumps, aerial devices, power and other mechanical equipment as required, keep inventory of tools, and equipment on apparatus.
Maintains a state of constant readiness and preparation for emergency response: checks and maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; assists in preparing apparatus for subsequent emergencies and in testing personal equipment, hoses and pumps, and other tools and apparatus; and ensures the emergency medical service equipment is properly stocked and operational.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures: maintains and awareness of new equipment, procedures, trends and advances in the profession; participates in physical fitness training, training drills and other continuing education activities; and attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
Participates in fire prevention, pre-fire planning and other fire education activities: conducts fire safety programs, apparatus displays and skills demonstrations; and conducts tours of fire station and fire trucks; and participates in community events and fundraisers.
Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, apparatus, equipment and tools in operable condition: inspects and tests equipment; replaces fluids and greases equipment; replaces parts; washes and cleans equipment, cleans quarters, and performs grounds maintenance; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; and reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
No Experience: High School Diploma or GED and ability to graduate from the Fire Academy within 12 months required, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.
Lateral Transfer:High School Diploma or GED required, supplemented by a minimum two (2) years consecutive service in a full?time sworn/certified position as a Firefighter/EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; Had a break in service not to exceed one (1) year at time of the application for any agency.

Licenses and Certifications

No Experience: Must possess and maintain a valid Driver's License; must be able to obtain NPQ Firefighter I and Emergency Medical Technician certifications within 12 months.
Lateral Transfer: Must possess and maintain an active certification of NPQ Firefighter I combined with a National Registry or State of Georgia EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; or an active National Registry or State of Georgia EMT-I, AEMT, or EMT-P; or F; an active State of Georgia certification as a Fire Investigator, Fire Inspector, or Fire Educator.

Physical Abilities

Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involving some combination of stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling, and the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately heavy objects and materials (20-50 pounds); may occasionally involve heavier objects and materials (up to 100 pounds).

Sensory Requirements

Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally.

Environmental Factors

Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, fumes, smoke, temperature and noise extremes, hazardous materials, fire, unsafe structures, heights, confined spaces, traffic hazards, bright and dim lights, toxic agents, animal and wildlife attacks, animal and human bites, explosives, or rude and irate customers.

Cobb County is an equal opportunity employer.

Cobb County Government does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age or disability in employment or the provision of services.