PENTICTON FIRE DEPARTMENT AUXILIARY FIRE FIGHTER INFORMATION PACKAGE 2017
GENERAL INFORMATION The Penticton Fire Department is in search of passionate, tenacious and highly skilled individuals to become members of our team of Auxiliary Fire Fighters. Auxiliary Fire Fighters are a critical component of the Fire Department and provide support to career members at major incidents. They can be called upon at any time of day to assist with incidents such as structural fires, grass and interface fires, flooding, windstorms or gas line breaks. Joining the Auxiliary Fire Fighter team with the Penticton Fire Department is a great opportunity to become involved in the community as well as to obtain practical experience firefighting, in first aid as well as general emergency scene skills. Required Qualifications, Training and Experience: At least 19 years of age and physically fit Successful attainment of a High School Diploma or equivalent Ability to meet NFPA Vision and Hearing Requirements Valid BC Class 5 Driver s License Ability to Provide an ICBC Driver s Abstract with an Acceptable Driving Record Ability to Pass a Police Information Check Currently Reside within the Penticton Fire Protection Area or within a reasonable proximity, as determined by the Penticton Fire Department Legally entitled to work in Canada (Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant Status) Preferred Qualifications, Training and Experience: Completion post-secondary education (i.e. academic, technical, trades) or Fire Service related courses First Aid or Safety Training Practical working experience Available to respond to emergencies either day or night Previous Fire Fighting Experience Actively involved in the community Strong Swimming Ability Non-smoker Those wishing to be considered for this opportunity must submit their resume and any other pertinent documents to apply@penticton.ca prior to the completion closing date, July 21, 2017 at 4:00PM. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in a number of assessments including physical fitness testing, video-based aptitude testing and a panel interview. 2
AUXILIARY FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT PHYSICIAN CLEARANCE FOR TESTING 1. Hose Carry Timed. You will lift and carry over your shoulder a 50 2 ½ hose bundle (folded and taped) up five flights of stairs, set the bundle down and return back to the starting point, pick up a second bundle of folded hose, carrying the hose over your shoulder back up to the fifth floor landing, stepping on every stair. Time will start when you touch the first hose bundle at the start line. The time will stop when the second bundle of folded hose is on the fifth floor. You will be required to wear a turnout coat, helmet, SCBA (excluding face piece) for this event. This event simulated a Fire Fighter carrying hose up a high rise building. 2. Aerial Ladder Climb Not Timed. You must climb the aerial ladder (which is extended and unsupported) to a height of 70 feet and 70 degrees, touch the top rung and then return to the bottom. A helmet, safety harness and safety rope will be worn for this event. This event simulates manning ladder nozzle and tests ability to function in situation involving height. 3. Ladder Hoist Not Timed. In a hand over hand manner you will hoist and lower a 35 ladder to a height of 25. You will be in a turnout coat, helmet and gloves. This exercise simulates raising and lowering a ladder section. 4. Hose Drag Timed. There will be 150 feet of 2 ½ hose fully extended, attached to a fire truck and charged with water; static pressure on this line will be no less than 80 PSI and no greater than 100 PSI. Wearing turnout coat helmet and gloves, you will start at the fire truck and walk to the end of the 2 ½ hose with the nozzle attached to the end, drag the hose by the nozzle back across the start line. Nozzle must be laid down and not dropped. Time will start on the word GO and stop when the nozzle is laid on the ground. This exercise simulates dragging a charged working line at a large fire from position to position. 5. Victim Rescue Timed. Wearing a turnout coat and SCBA (excluding face piece) you will drag a victim (200 lbs.) for 50. You must drag the victim backwards and go 25 and around a cone and 25 back to the start line. Time will start on the word GO and stops when you cross the finish line. This simulates rescuing a downed Fire Fighter wearing full turn out gear. 6. Forcible Entry Timed. Wearing a turnout coat and a SCBA you will use a 9 lbs. shot mallet to drive a 165 lbs. metal weight a distance of 5 feet. Time will start on the word GO and will stop when the front edge of the weight crosses the end of the sled. This simulates the critical task of using force to open a locked door or opening in a wall. 3
7. Confined Space Simulation Not Timed. Wearing a turnout coat, SCBA and a blacked out face piece, you will search a narrow passageway and retrieve one or more small victims. This test assesses ability to function in confined areas. 8. 12 Minute Run Run laps on a track for 12 minutes. Must complete 4 laps on a 400 meter track. Wearing appropriate track shoes and clothing 9. Push-ups Do push-ups, does not have to be continuous, for one minute,. Must complete 10 push-ups. Wearing appropriate track shoes and clothing. 10. Plank - Hold a plank position for 30 second. Wearing aoorropriate track shoes and clothing Is this individual taking any medication that could affect normal physiological responses to exercise? No Yes If yes, please explain: Is their resting heart rate and blood pressure measurements within the normal ranges? No Yes Is there any medical reason that this individual should not undertake very strenuous exercise? No Yes If yes, please explain: Does their Vision and Hearing meet the requirements of the attached NFPA 1582 Standard for Vision and Hearing? No Yes 4
Vision Acuity Candidate can identify red, green, or both Visual acuity without correction Visual acuity with correction Yes No Left 20/ Right 20/ Left 20/ Right 20/ My signature below confirms that this applicant has been given a medical examination and is medically cleared to undertake the Auxiliary Firefighter Physical Fitness Assessment described above. Physician's name: Date: Office or Clinic Address: Telephone: Signature: CANDIDATES MUST HAVE THE ABOVE INFOMRATION COMPLETED BY HIS/HER PHYSICIAN AND SUBMIT THIS FORM PRIOR TO UNDERTAKING THE AUXILIARY FIREFIGHTER PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT 5
EXCERPT FROM NFPA 1582 (2013 EDITION) 6.4 Eyes and Vision 6.4.1 Category A medical conditions shall include the following: 1. less than 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or spectacles, uncorrected 2. Color perception monochromatic vision resulting in inability to use imaging devices such as thermal imaging cameras Far visual acuity less than 20/40 binocular, corrected with contact lenses or spectacles, or far visual acuity 3. Monocular vision 4. Any eye condition that results in the candidate not being able to safely perform one or more of the essential job tasks 6.4.2 Category B medical conditions shall include the following: 1. Diseases of the eye such as retinal detachment, progressive retinopathy, or optic neuritis 2. Ophthalmological procedures such as radial keratotomy, Lasik procedure, or repair of retinal detachment 3. Peripheral vision in the horizontal meridian of less than 110 degrees in the better eye or any condition that significantly affects peripheral vision in both eyes 6.5 Ears and Hearing 6.5.1 Category A medical conditions shall include the following: 1. Chronic vertigo or impaired balance as demonstrated by the inability to tandem gait walk 2. On audiometric testing, average hearing loss in the unaided better ear greater than 40 decibels (db) at 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 3000 Hz when the audiometric device is calibrated to ANSI Z24.5, Audiometric Device Testing 3. Any ear condition (or hearing impairment) that results in the candidate not being able to safely perform one or more of the essential job tasks 4. Hearing aid or cochlear implant 6.5.2 Category B medical conditions shall include the following: 1. Unequal hearing loss 2. Average uncorrected hearing deficit at the test frequencies 500 Hz, 1000 Hz, 2000 Hz, and 3000 Hz greater than 40 db in either ear 3. Atresia, stenosis, or tumor of the auditory canal 4. External otitis, recurrent 6
5. Agenesis or traumatic deformity of the auricle 6. Mastoiditis or surgical deformity of the mastoid 7. Ménière's syndrome, labyrinthitis, or tinnitus 8. Otitis media, recurrent 9. Surgical procedures to correct or improve hearing or other conditions of the ear MANDATORY RECRUIT DOCUMENTATION & TRAINING Candidates will be required provide: Two professional references and their contact information Proof of Secondary School or equivalent completion A current Police Information Check A current Driver s Abstract A copy of a valid BC Class 5 Driver s License Auxiliary Fire Fighters will be required to participate in Recruit Training, which will take place during scheduled evening and weekend drills. Mandatory Recruit Training will include: Orientation Communication Safety & Accountability Personal Protective Equipment Necessary protective clothing and equipment will be provided. Application Packages will be available on the City of Penticton s website www.penticton.ca during recruitment periods. 7