Be a Firefighter
We currently do not have any jobs posted. Please check back at a later date or contact a recruiter.
City of Florence - Job Description
Firefighter/EMT
| Department: Fire | Section: Suppression |
| Classification Level: Grade PS8, Non-Exempt | Immediate Supervisor: Lieutenant |
| Effective Date: January 10, 2020 | Revised Date: April 17, 2023 |
Job Summary
The position of a firefighter is an entry-level position. This position serves to combat, extinguish, and prevent fires in answering emergency calls and in the operation and routine maintenance of departmental equipment, apparatus, and quarters. Responds to all required emergency calls performing. Emergency medical service to protect life and property. Performs Fire Prevention activities and company pre-plans. The firefighter/EMT position is directly below that of a Firefighter/Driver Grade PS9.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Responds to fire emergency alarms, lay and connect the hose, hold the nozzle, and direct water streams.
- Forces entry of premises for firefighting, rescue and salvage operations, use chemical fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment.
- Removes persons from danger; administers first aid to injured persons.
- Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings.
- Carries charged hose line into the structure for fire extinguishment.
- Physically able to wear a complete set of protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus.
- Participates in fire drills and attends training classes in firefighting, first-aid, and related subjects.
- Participates in company inspections, public education activities, and emergency response operations.
- Possesses a thorough knowledge of the operations of the apparatus and equipment to which the member is assigned.
- Maintains and cares for all equipment assigned to the member, the station, and the apparatus.
- Will be subject to call back in emergency situations during unscheduled work times.
- Safety-sensitive position subject to pre-employment, post-accident, reasonable suspicion, and random drug screens.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Experience, Training, & Licensing
- Must be at least nineteen (19) years of age.
- High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) Certificate.
- Must maintain a valid state driver’s license.
- Must receive and successfully maintain the following certifications within Six (6) months of employment date:
- Firefighter I/II
- EMT Basic
- NIMS Certification 700
- Rapid Intervention Team Training (RIT)
- Hazardous Materials First Responder (or A&O) Certifications within one (1) year of employment
- Must receive National Registry within six (6) months of completing Rookie School; the City will reimburse up to three (3) exams for taking the National Registry.
- Must complete 120 hours of on-the-job training within one month of completing Recruit School.
- Must meet the minimum requirements of the Candidate Physical Ability Test, aptitude test, ASSET Test, and any other tests prior to employment.
- Must live within 30 Miles of any City of Florence Fire Station
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Ability to learn a variety of firefighting duties and methods, including the operation of firefighting apparatus with a reasonable working test period.
- Some knowledge of the street system, physical layout, and principal buildings of Florence, Alabama.
- Ability to climb ladders and work from ladders at heights in excess of 100 feet.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including computer literacy.
- Ability to concentrate and remain calm in stressful situations facing the risk of serious personal injury or death.
- Ability to evaluate dangerous life-threatening conditions or hazards and use sound judgment in the safe mitigation thereof.
- Ability to understand instructions and to relay information quickly and accurately.
- Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, other city departments, and the public.
Physical Demands *With or Without Accommodations
- Tasks require the ability to exert heavy physical effort in heavy work, with greater emphasis on climbing and balancing, but typically also involves some combination of frequent lifting, standing, walking both normal and uneven sometimes slippery surfaces, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, pulling, and carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of moderately to extremely heavy objects and materials (20-125 pounds); may occasionally involve even heavier objects and materials (up to 200 pounds).
- This position may require climbing and work from ladders at heights in excess of 100 feet.
- This position requires the ability to constantly be in a position to drive a specialized vehicle, use of fingers, ability to grasp, and flexible wrist motions.
- Work requires the ability to abruptly perform maximum physical exertion without warm-up and to sustain such exertion while wearing 65 pounds of protective gear.
- Other conditions include walking, standing, stooping, and sitting at a desk.
- Most all tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, odor, depth, texture, visual cues or signals, and the ability to communicate orally.
- Work is performed in various indoor and outdoor settings including living quarters and office areas.
- Performance of essential functions may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions, such as dirt, dust, pollen, odors, wetness, humidity, rain, fumes, temperature and noise extremes, machinery, vibrations, electric currents, traffic hazards, bright/dim light, hazardous materials, toxic agents, violence, disease, or pathogenic substances.
- Hazardous tasks performed under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps as limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals or gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, and contact with death, emotional stress, and trauma.
- May have exposure to extreme heat, contaminated environments, emotionally upset people, noise, and physical hazards from traffic, fire and falling objects, and atmospheric conditions such as smoke, fumes, odors, and gases.
- May be required to wear turnouts, helmet, SCBA, hard hat, safety glasses, earplugs, respirator, rubber or plastic gloves, chainsaw chaps, knee and elbow pads, safety vest, and rubber boots.
Equipment/Tools Used
The following list of tools and equipment may be used during the course of work. The list is extensive but not all-inclusive other tools may be required depending on the assigned job.
Operates a variety of equipment and tools associated with fire protection these include a motor vehicle, radio communications equipment, emergency radio systems, personal protective equipment, various emergency equipment and supplies, firefighting tools, audio/visual equipment, computer system, or general office equipment.
