Address
Form of workVOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY OCTOBER 2023
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 17
Little York Fire Department
Houston, Texas 77037
Job Title: Volunteer Firefighter – Non-Interior Suppression
Harris County Emergency Services District No. 17 (“HCESD17” or “District”) is seeking qualified applicants for volunteer membership for Non-Interior Suppression.
HCESD17 is a fire department providing services to residents in Harris County. The service area is twenty-six (26) square miles on the north side of Houston, serving both commercial and residential areas. The population served by the district is approximately 100,000. The typical call volume per year is around 3,600 calls and we maintain four (4) staffed stations.
Responsibilities:
The Volunteer Firefighter – Non-Interior are those wishing to be approved for suppression, but not yet certified. They will be willing to enroll in (1) an EMT or EMR class of their choosing which typically starts at the beginning of 2024 and (2) the upcoming Fire Academy which will start in the Spring/Summer of 2024. Once graduated from both and holding the certifications of EMT/EMR and TCFP, the classification will change to Volunteer Firefighter – Interior Suppression.
Once interior certified, they will be allowed to pick up shifts in increments of 10-, 14- or 24-hour periods of time and must complete 75% of each shift to earn a stipend. The Volunteer Firefighter is responsible for fire and emergency incidents, providing fire suppression, emergency medical services, and rescue operations as needed. The Volunteer Firefighter will carry out daily operations, ensuring station and equipment readiness, public education programs, pre-fire plan surveys, station maintenance, and equipment and apparatus checks. The Volunteer Firefighter will receive direction from their company officer, through the organizational chain of command.
Essential Job Functions:
- Observe and follow safety rules and regulations including wearing safety apparel and devices during the course and scope of job-related duties. Report all unsafe activities to shift officers immediately.
- Respond to calls for service, including fire, medical, fire alarms, hazardous material incidents, rescue and other specialized calls as dictated (i.e., swift water rescue, high angle rescue, confined space, vehicle extraction).
- Report for duty and able to perform all job tasks.
- Perform all work duties and activities in accordance with the districts policies, procedures, standard operating guidelines (“SOG’s”), or any other issued rules.
- Respond to and render assistance to other departments or agencies.
- Treat sick or injured patients and all community members with dignity and respect.
- Ventilate buildings and conduct salvage operations.
- Required to maintain physical fitness to perform all duties and pass yearly NFPA-1582 screening.
- Inspect equipment and apparatus for readiness and notify shift officer of any defects or maintenance issues found.
- Maintain knowledge of apparatus and equipment, including driving and operations.
- Inspect, clean, and restock equipment and supplies daily, to ensure all emergencies can be handled.
- Make minor repairs and perform routine maintenance to equipment and apparatus keeping records as necessary.
- Keep stations, equipment, and grounds clean and orderly at all times.
- Participate in all training, (physical and CE) as dictated and maintain member in good standing.
- Assist with public and civic relation events and other customer service based expectations as defined by the District.
- Participate in pre-fire planning of target hazards in the district.
- Enter necessary information into records management systems, as needed.
- Maintain regular attendance and required certifications.
- Report to work free from the effect of illegal drugs or alcohol and free from impairment due to prescription drugs.
Probationary Period:
After approval of membership, all Volunteer Firefighters – Interior Suppression will be on probation until completion of all phase training.
Non-Essential Job Functions:
- Possess good computer skills; MS Word, Excel, and Power Point.
- Good organizational skills.
Requirements and Qualifications:
- Possess a valid Texas Driver’s License with an acceptable driving.
- No more than (3) moving violations, (2) chargeable accidents, and no convictions for DWI or DUI
- Possess a current certification as a Basic Firefighter by Texas Commission on Fire Protection (“TCFP”).
- Hold minimum current certification as an EMT/EMR and SFFMA/TCFP (Firefighter 1&2)
- Pass the Physical Agility Test (“PAT”), Medical Exam, Drug Testing, and Background Check provided by the District
- Pass the yearly NFPA-1582 screening provided by HCESD17
- Pass an OSHA 29CFR1910.134 Respiratory Protection Fit Test
- High School Diploma or GED
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Command of the English language
- Proficient in Department software
- Complete phase training
Work Environment:
This position will spend approximately 80% of the time in a Fire Station and 20% of the time in a training field setting, when not on an active scene. The Firefighter is subject to all weather conditions including extreme heat or winter temperatures. The Firefighter will also operate in immediately dangerous to life (“IDLH”) environments.
Physical Demands:
Must be able to:
- Lift 50 lbs.
- Drag 180 lbs.
- Sit and stand for 8-24 hours
- Operate on supplied air and function in a self-contained breathing apparatus (“SCBA”)
- Physically fit enough not to impede fire suppression or rescue operations at emergency scenes
- Work 10-, 14- or 24-hour shifts, including days, nights, weekends and holidays
- Stand, walk, swim, climb lift and bend on a daily basis
Pay and Benefits:
Stipends – Interior Volunteers are eligible to receive stipends for the time they volunteer. $40.00 per day, $50.00 per night, and $90.00 for any $24.00 shift.
Benefits – Group Term Life, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Workers Comp, Accident & Sickness, Critical Cancer Policy, Protective Clothing and Uniforms, Length of Service Awards Program (LOSAP)
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Out of state applicants must be able to transfer their home state training and certificates to the State of Texas. The TCFP recognizes certifications with an International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (“IFSAC”) seal. For questions, please call the TCFP at (512) 936-3838 or tcfp.texas.gov.
All Volunteers serve at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
Applications are to be submitted online at https://www.littleyorkfd.com/careers. Please complete the application and attach your resume and certifications. If you have questions regarding applications and certifications, please email Human Resources at acoveler@hcesd17.org.
Applications Due – November 30th 04:00pm
Orientation, Interview and Physical Agility Test (PAT) – December 9th 08:00am
Start Date – ASAP
HARRIS COUNTY EMERENCY SERVICES DISTRICT NO. 17 IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
