Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO)

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Eric Wilkins
5 years ago
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1 Fire Apparatus Operator (FAO) 1106 NATURE OF WORK This is skilled fire fighting work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, in responding to render emergency medical services, in responding to and mitigating other emergencies, and the operation and maintenance of fire department equipment, apparatus, and quarters. Work involves training with and operating all types of apparatus, vehicle and equipment. Involves training and participating in duties of protecting life and property by providing and/or performing fire suppression, fire prevention, light and heavy rescue, emergency medical services, and hazardous materials control activities, usually under supervision. Employees of this class are required to learn and participate in the operation of apparatus and the performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions which may require strenuous exertions under such handicaps as smoke, heat, and confined spaces. Employees of this class, while performing emergency activities, will frequently place themselves in extremely volatile and hostile environments. Although emergency activities are the most difficult and responsible areas of activity, a large portion of the time is spent in training in the techniques, methods, and organization of emergency operations, routine duties in the care and maintenance of fire department property, apparatus and equipment, and fire prevention, inspection, and pre-fire planning activities. Orders and directions are given by superior officers, but the work requires initiative and a thorough understanding by the individual of fire fighting tactics and strategy. May be called upon to supervise small work groups of paid on call fire fighters. EXAMPLES OF WORK (Any one position of this class may not include all duties listed, nor do listed examples include all duties that may be found in positions of this class.) 1. Respond to alarms with a suppression company or as an individual. Drives department vehicles and apparatus under emergency and non-emergency conditions in accordance with established standard operating guidelines. Operates pumps, aerial ladders and auxiliary equipment. Ensures proper placement and safe operation of apparatus at emergency scenes. Ensures the daily operational readiness of assigned apparatus and equipment. Lays and connects hoses, holds nozzles and directs fire streams. Raises and climbs ground ladders and aerial ladders or platforms. Selects and uses the appropriate type of fire extinguishers. Operates light and heavy rescue equipment. Prepares and uses department life lines and rescues ropes as required. Operates and uses a variety of hand and portable tools and equipment. Conducts water, ice, and high angle rescue operations under the direction of a

2 company officer. 2. Conducts various emergency operations in dangerous and hostile environments while wearing full protective clothing and breathing apparatus. Operates in atmospheres that are immediately dangerous to life and health. Ventilates burning buildings or buildings with other toxic atmospheres by opening windows, chopping or cutting holes in roofs and floors, and use of mechanical ventilation equipment. Conducts search and rescue operations to remove persons from danger. Administers first aid to injured persons. Performs emergency medical service duties as either a first responder or an Emergency Medical Technician, provides pre-hospital care as required and permitted by law and department regulations. Performs salvage and overhaul operations such as placing salvage covers, removing debris, and removing or rerouting water. 3. Participates in department and outside training. Reads and studies assigned materials related to fire fighting and prevention, emergency vehicle operation, emergency medical services, hazardous materials response, and multiple forms of rescue activities. Participates in scheduled training activities including both classroom and hands on evolutions. Helps create and instruct drills for new FAOs and initial training for firefighters preparing for the FAO test. Participates in area wide disaster exercises to test disaster response plans and verify skill levels of responders. Attends outside of department training activities such as state fire schools, seminars, and workshops. 4. Conducts regular inspections of department apparatus and equipment and performs general maintenance work in the care and upkeep of the fire department property. Makes minor repairs to property and equipment. Cleans and maintains department apparatus and vehicles. Performs daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance and safety checks on vehicles and firefighting equipment. Makes minor repairs to vehicles and equipment. Maintains records and prepares reports including maintenance reports Briefs oncoming shift FEO on status of vehicle and equipment. Maintains fuel level per department SOG. Cleans and maintains department emergency and non-emergency equipment. Conducts required periodic testing of department apparatus and equipment. Operates and maintains department Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA); dons and uses a SCBA during both emergency and non-emergency operations; conducts daily, weekly, and monthly safety and performance checks on SCBA s as mandated by OSHA and NIOSH. 5. Operates department communications and computer equipment during both emergency and non-emergency operations. Answers and responds to both emergency and non-emergency telephone communications. Operates radio and alarm communications equipment.

3 Operates department computer systems for both routine and emergency matters. Dispatches various fire apparatus and personnel to respond to calls for service in both emergency and non-emergency operations. 6. Participates in inspection and pre-planning activities. Performs fire inspections, checking fire escapes, exits and related building appurtenances for compliance with fire prevention ordinances and applicable fire codes. Assists with pre-fire planning activities to become acquainted with building design, safety features, and hazards. 7. An employee in this class may be temporarily reassigned to a higher level classification as necessary. 8. Performs other related work as assigned. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS High school diploma and certified as having successfully completed and received a certificate for a recognized Firefighter I and II course fulfilling the requirements of the National Fire Protection Association Standard Minnesota certified Medical First Responder or higher. Must hold a valid Minnesota Drivers license. The driver s license must have no suspensions or revocations for driving-related offenses within the two (2) year period prior to the date of appointment. Successful completion of an approved apparatus operator course. Must hold current IFSAC Firefighter II certification and current IFSAC Fire Apparatus Operator Certification. Must have a minimum of five (5) years full-time experience as a Firefighter with the SCFD. All applicants must successfully complete the SCFD engine, aerial and tanker drivers training programs. In accordance with Minnesota Statutes 299N.05, must possess a valid Minnesota Fire Fighters License. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions. Must have the ability to safely drive and operate all department apparatus and equipment. Must have knowledge of the city street system, physical layout of the city and locations of fire hydrants and principle buildings within assigned area Must have knowledge of fire pump operations, hoselays, hydraulic calculations firefighting tactics, techniques, and methods. Must have the ability to maintain balance and safely work at considerable heights such as ladders, roofs of houses or office buildings under both emergency and non-emergency conditions; Must have the ability to reason and react calmly in emergency situations or situations involving personal danger; must have above average practical judgement in order to deal with unexpected, potentially dangerous situations in the course of duty;

4 must be able to operate independently and be aware of surroundings at all times in order to recognize possible danger to self or others; Must be able to follow orders without resistance and with full intention to comply effectively; Must be able to read, write, and speak English sufficiently to perform all testing; to understand complex, technical information related to firefighting and emergency medical technology and all other types of emergency services; to effectively communicate both orally and in writing; to read and comprehend instruments, dials, and other equipment; to recognize hazardous materials; to report occurrences; to follow written and oral instructions; to follow and obey street signage. Must be capable of tolerating long and stressful hours of duty including 24-hour shifts, ability to work in areas with exposure to various environmental conditions such as dust, dirt, noise, disagreeable odors, humidity, and extreme temperatures; Must have the ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting equipment, duties, and methods within a reasonable working test period; must be able to learn the operation of heavy automotive equipment; Must demonstrate honesty and integrity in personal behavior and attitudes; must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, other employees and the general public; must be capable of controlling his/her own impulses or emotions to at least an average degree so as to ensure the safety of the public; Must be free of conditions which would endanger self or others in the carrying out of duties; must be free of substance abuse (legal or illegal) in order to maintain effective job performance; must demonstrate a level of social maturity and self assurance sufficient to carry out tedious, unpleasant, or repetitious tasks; Must have the ability to distinguish colors, particularly red, green, and yellow, in order to operate equipment that has alarms and signals and to identify labels of potentially hazardous materials; Must have the ability to be mobile for long periods of time including but not limited to: standing, walking, kneeling, crawling, crouching, bending, stretching, and working overhead; Must have the ability to climb ladders up to 100 feet in height; work while wearing a self contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing; work in confined spaces; Must have the ability to perform duties in a highly stressful environment where encounters with violent, unpredictable and possibly contagious individuals as well as threats to life and personnel safety may occur; Must have sufficient mobility to perform fire fighting duties and treatment of emergency medical problems including moving necessary equipment and/or people weighing up to 150 pounds. Specific vision requirements of this job include distance corrected vision of 20/20 or less in one eye and at least 20/40 in the other; uncorrected must be less than 20/40 in one eye and at least 20/100 in the other. Must have normal vision fields in order to perform fire fighting tasks, respond to emergency medical calls, and perform inspections; Specific hearing requirements of this job include no hearing loss of 25 db or greater in each ear at cycles (speech frequencies), in order to

5 perceive detailed information through oral communication as well as to assist victims at fire and other emergency scenes and detect possible calls for assistance. Must be able to use a two-way radio; Must have the ability to detect hazardous odors; Must have sufficient ability and fine motor skills to assist in giving medications, perform treatments, take blood pressure, and perform other basic medical procedures as allowed by law for the level of training attained

Firefighter Job Description Norwich Fire Department

Firefighter Job Description Norwich Fire Department 1. GENERAL PURPOSE 1.1. This job description applies to the position of firefighter. 1.2. Protects life, property and the environment by performing fire