Firefighter

Pay: $61,662 Annual Salary

Job Type: Full Time

Department/Division: Fire Department

HOURS OF WORK:

The normal work cycle for employees assigned to 24-hour shifts shall be 24 hours of work (one shift), followed by forty-eight (48) consecutive hours off duty (two shifts). The normal work cycle for employees assigned to 8-hour shifts shall be forty (40) hours of work based on five (5) 8-hour shifts per week or four (4) 10-hour shifts per week. FLSA Classification is non-exempt.

PAY SCHEDULE:

Paydays are every other Friday (biweekly) and shall compensate employees for work performed during the 14-day period ending on the Sunday immediately before the payday.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK:

Under the administrative direction of the Fire Chief or designee, this individual responds to fires, controls and extinguishes fires, protects life and property and maintains municipal fire equipment, responds to medical emergencies and other emergency situations to administer life support care to sick and injured persons. This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK:

• Responds to fire alarms, hazardous materials incidents, medical emergencies, and other emergency calls.
• Connects supply lines, and controls and extinguishes fires using hand lines, deck, ladders, and portable water monitors.
• Applies foam and chemicals for fire suppression and control.
• Searches buildings and rescues victims from buildings and motor vehicles.
• Contains, controls, and decontaminates hazardous material spills.
• Creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance.
• Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings or to assist individuals from burning structures.
• Performs a variety of salvage and clean-up operations, including removing water, chemicals, and debris.
• Maintains apparatus, quarters, buildings, equipment, grounds, and hydrants.
• Participates in drills, demonstrations, training and courses in life support, emergency medical treatment and firefighting techniques.
• Responds to calls for medical aid, including fires, traffic collisions, and rescue situations to provide prehospital care.
• Administers initial treatment at emergency scene and takes and records patient's vital signs.
• Assesses nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed, or need for additional assistance.
• Restores and stabilizes heart rhythm on pulseless, non breathing patients.
• Initiates intravenous fluids to administer medication or drugs, or to replace fluids lacking in body.
• Assists in extricating trapped victims.
• Inspects buildings for fire hazards and compliance with fire prevention ordinances.
• Keeps current on treatment techniques, protocol changes, and application of new drugs, material and equipment.
• Prepares required reports and maintains records of activities.
• Makes presentations on fire safety, burn prevention, and fire prevention to schools and community groups.
• Cleans and performs minor maintenance to equipment, vehicles, and buildings.
• Writes detailed incident, investigation, activity, and other reports.
• Performs other related duties assigned by the Fire Chief or his designee.

EDUCATION:

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years high school.
• Requires the ability to pass the Fire Basic Skills Examination.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Valid Class 'A' Illinois Driver's License.
• Working knowledge of the geography of the City of Mt. Vernon.
• Ability to organize duties and produce results in a timely manner.
• Good communication skills, written and verbal.
• Requires strict confidentiality in daily duties.
• Ability to successfully pass a background security and credit check.

SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Functions effectively in emergency stress situations.
• Gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Responds to requests for service and assistance.
• Keeps emotions under control and inspires respect and trust.
• Works with integrity and ethically.
• Ability to work well in group problem solving situations and use reason when dealing with emotional topics.
• Contributes to building a positive team spirit.
• Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences; educates others on the value of diversity.
• Follows instructions, responds to management direction; and takes responsibility for own actions.
• Ability to prepare and compile departmental data for use in various types of reports; writes clearly and
  informatively.
• Follows policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently, confidentially, and efficiently without direct or continued supervision.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the general public and fellow employees.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires the ability to pass the Fire Basic Skills Physical Examination.
• Employee is frequently required to stand; walk; run; sit; use hands and fingers to handle or feel; reach with hands; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk; hear; taste; smell.
• Run 30 feet, lift and carry 150 pounds for 30 feet.
• Climb ladder minimum of 50 feet.
• Carry fire hose.
• Lift from floor to overhead heights.
• Swing an axe.
• Use a chainsaw in the overhead position.
• Place ladders overhead and onto trucks.
• Use written sources of information, e.g. read reports, procedural documentation, reference materials.
• Perform detailed work requiring visual acuity including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Use non-verbal auditory sources of information, e.g., alarms, beepers, pagers.   

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:

• Residency within the limits of Jefferson County is required of all City Employees.