Volunteer Paid-Call Firefighter

VOLUNTEER PAID-CALL COMPENSATION: $20.00 PER CALL RESPONSE

THIS IS A VOLUNTEER POSITION WITH THE REEDLEY VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, responds to fire alarms, emergency medical calls, traffic accidents, rescue and other emergency calls to protect life and property; participates in training; drill and independent study activities; participates in the maintenance of fire department apparatus, equipment and facilities; performs various staff support assignments; and performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Incumbents are expected to train for and are expected to perform all of the class's essential duties and responsibilities. This class is distinguished from Fire Engineer in that the latter is fully qualified to operate any of the department's vehicles and apparatus in addition to performing all of the normal emergency response duties. After proper training and departmental certification, incumbents are expected to be fully qualified to assume the duties of a Fire Engineer on a relief and on an emergency basis.

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

• Responds to a wide variety of emergency alarms, such as structural and environmental fires, traffic collisions, natural gas leaks, medical emergencies and hazardous materials spills.
• Fights fires under departmental procedures and as directed by a fire company officer; connects and lays hose lines, sets ladders and operates fire streams; uses hand and power tools to ventilate and enter burning structures for the purpose of extinguishing fires and to perform search and rescue operations; raises, lowers and climbs ladders to enter structures; performs salvage, clean up and overhaul operations during and after fires to remove hazards and protect property.
• Provides first responder medical emergency response at the basic life support level, including initial patient and situation assessment, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and trauma emergency medical care; prepares patients and assists paramedics in advanced life support emergency medical care.
• Participates in specialized rescue operations, including situations involving the use of rigging and shoring; operates specialized hand and power tools and equipment to rescue traffic collision victims.
• Cleans, services and makes minor repairs to ensure the operational readiness of vehicles, apparatus, hoses and emergency equipment; participates in the cleaning, repair and upkeep of departmental buildings, grounds and facilities.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations and courses in firefighting techniques, equipment and apparatus operation, medical aids, heavy rescue, swiftwater rescue, hazardous materials, fire prevention, equipment maintenance and a wide variety of other subjects related to the fire service; studies local geography and conditions affecting fire operations; studies and learns inspection regulations and fire prevention laws, codes and departmental policies and procedures; studies and learns procedures and techniques for the mitigation of hazardous materials incidents.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the department's public education and community outreach programs and activities.
• Assists in the inspection of commercial business occupancies; assists in performing follow-up procedures to ensure compliance to federal, state, regional and local codes.

OTHER JOB RELATED DUTIES

• Participates in various support assignments, including but not limited to the maintenance of inventory records, scheduled inspections of department equipment, hydrant inspections and maintenance and fire flow testing, the ordering, inventorying and issuance of safety equipment, the preparation and maintenance of department maps and pre-fire plans, and the preparation of specifications and budgets for new equipment and apparatus.
• May serve in the higher-level class of Fire Engineer on a relief basis or as needed.
• Assists in the training of other fire department personnel and student firefighters.

JOB RELATED AND ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, methods and techniques of fire suppression and prevention.
• Principles of mathematics, physics, chemistry and mechanics as they apply to fire science.
• Federal, state and local codes, rules and regulations as they pertain to fire safety.
• Methods and techniques involved in the operation of standard firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• Basic principles of emergency medical care at the basic life support level.
• Safety practices and precautions pertaining to the work.
• Proper lifting, carrying and climbing techniques.
• Plans check methods and practices as they pertain to fire safety.

Ability to:

• Read and understand technical materials related to fire science.
• Understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those encountered in the course of work.
• Remain calm, make sound decisions and respond appropriately in emergency situations.
• Maintain records and prepare clear and concise reports.
• Maintain physical endurance and agility.
• Perform mathematical calculations.

Training and Experience:

• Previous firefighting experience in a volunteer or paid capacity is desirable, however the Reedley Fire Department will provide the necessary training to achieve the knowledge, skills and abilities as outlined above.

License or Certificate:

• A valid California drivers' license.
• A Class-B Firefighter endorsement (within 1 year of activation date).
• A current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certificate (within 6 months of activation date).
• First Responder certified (within 1 year of activation date).

Special Requirements:

Essential duties require the following physical and mental demands and work environment:

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this class.

Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms; climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl, walk, sit and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and/or move equipment and/or persons weighing up to 150 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental Demands:

• While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve problems; use math and mathematical reasoning; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new information or skills; and interact with City staff, other organizations and the public.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work environment characteristics described herein are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class.
• The employee frequently works in outside weather conditions and is exposed to extremely hazardous conditions and materials.

CALL RESPONSE REQUIREMENT

• Due to the emergency nature of the duties of a Volunteer Paid-Call Firefighter, incumbents must be able to report to the Reedley Fire Station within six (6) minutes of being notified of a need for services.