Firefighter

The Position

JOB SUMMARY

Under close supervision of a company officer is responsible for extinguishing fires, rescuing persons and property from danger, including water rescues, and performing salvage and related follow-up work. Incumbents are also required to perform lifesaving rescue techniques as part of other emergency operations. While emergency responses constitute the primary focus of a firefighter's responsibility, considerable time is spent in study, training, inspecting, and maintaining equipment and apparatus, and in cleaning and maintaining quarters. Duties involve an element of personal danger and incumbents must be capable of functioning as an integral part of a work unit in order to ensure the safe and efficient performance of duties. Work is performed in accordance with direct instructions and well-defined routines and under the immediate supervision of a ranking officer. Work is reviewed through written reports for adherence to established policies and procedures.

ESSENTIALJOBFUNCTIONSAND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Protects citizens during emergencies.

• Responds to emergencies with a fire company or rescue unit.

• Answers medical emergencies as part of an engine company, as a basic life support unit or on a rescue unit as an advanced life support/transport unit.

• Removes, extracts, and rescues persons from danger.

• Recognizes acute and chronic symptoms requiring care; administers life-saving rescue procedures to injured or afflicted persons.

• May work on a rescue crew and, in this capacity, may also be required to perform a leadership role on an ALS unit.

• Performs salvage operations including throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, removing debris, and placing smoke ejectors.

• Connects hose to hydrants and pumps; joins hose section and connects nozzles to hose; enters burning buildings with or without hose lines; operates nozzles and plays stream of water or fog on fires.

• Operates hand fire extinguishers and similar equipment in extinguishing fires; raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.

• Makes daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notifies supervisor of defects; performs cleaning and maintenance tasks in and about assigned station.

• Aids in the mitigation of other emergencies as directed by supervisor.

• Attends instruction sessions in firefighting methods; equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, and related subjects; may conduct drills and classes in these and other areas.

• Mitigates chemical spills by recognizing hazardous material situations; makes identification of unknown substances through the use of specialized testing equipment; sets up decontamination procedures; assists state agencies in the removal/disposal of hazardous material.

• Prevents fire damage by conducting surveys and inspections for hazards and enforcing codes.

• Prepares citizens to prevent fire damage by developing and conducting educational and training programs. Provides educational information and lectures to community organizations and schools on other Fire and EMS related topics.

• Effectively and positively represents the City in delivering and performing work with colleagues and clients, irrespective of gender, race, religion, age, disability, political affiliation or belief, or sexual orientation.

• Establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors and managers.

• Ensures availability of water at fire scene by testing hydrants, requesting and expediting repairs, and verifying repairs.

• Ensures operation of equipment by completing preventive maintenance requirements, following manufacturer's instructions, and troubleshooting malfunctions.

• Notifies supervisor of needed repairs.

• Evaluates new equipment and techniques.

• Maintains operations by following policies and procedures and reporting needed changes.

• Provides information by completing reports.

• Maintains technical knowledge by attending educational workshops, studying publications, and participating in scheduled drills.

• Maintains fire station building, grounds, and related equipment by completing maintenance schedules.

• Prepares paperwork if acting in leadership role in emergency.

• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.

• Performs related work as required for this position description only.

The Requirements

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS: Applicants are required to complete an on-line employment application, and furnish a valid copy of the following documents (all documents must be scanned and uploaded):

• High School diploma or GED

• Current Certificate of Compliance from the Florida Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. If this certificate is four years old or older, proof of currency in accordance with Florida Statute 633.414 is required.

• Current State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician(EMT) certification is required.

• Current State of Florida Paramedic certification (preferred at date of hire).

• Current American Heart Association (AHA) Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) certification (preferred at date of hire).

• A valid County Wide Physical Ability Card from Broward Fire Academy, Coral Springs Fire Academy or City of Hollywood's Fire Rescue and Beach Safety Department and/or current National Testing Network (NTN) Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) card (required at date of hire). An applicant may apply for this position without having a valid county wide physical ability card. A valid card must be provided at time of hire.

• Certificate of completion of an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC).

• Valid Driver's License with an E endorsement.

• Fire/Rescue Department's Personal History Statement (PHS) Booklet (completed and notarized). This document must be scanned and uploaded to your application. This booklet can be downloaded by clicking the following link:http://www.hollywoodfl.org/DocumentCenter/View/4759

The Personal History Statement booklet must be completed in legible handwriting. Once the PHS is completed and notarized, applicant must scan and upload, as one (1) complete .pdf file(MAX FILE SIZE ~ 10MB),the PHS followed by all applicable documents in list order on page 2 from the PHSto the online application before submitting it. (Submitted Online ONLY - We are no longer accepting hardcopy PHSbooklets)

NOTE: Please retain your original PHS and supporting documentation as it will be required at point of interview.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Non-tobacco use: In accordance with Florida Statutes, applicants selected for a firefighter position must sign an affidavit affirming that they have not been a user of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one (1) year immediately preceding their application for employment and throughout employment (included in PHS documents).

• Must be 18 years of age.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of firefighting principles and practices.

• Knowledge of tools, equipment, and apparatus used in firefighting.

• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting and resume duties within a reasonable probationary period.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.

• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.

• Ability to keep simple records and prepares reports.

• Ability to perform water rescue.

• Skill in the use of firefighting tools.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional relationships with work colleagues, supervisors, managers and the public.

The Examination

1.Fire-related Written Examination............................50%

2.EMS-related Written Examination .........................50%

3.Command Staff Interview.......................................PASS/FAIL

4.Extensive Background Check............................... PASS/FAIL

(Applicants who are considered for employment will berequired to pay $62.00 for the background investigation.)

5.Medical Exam/Drug Screen.................................. PASS/FAIL

APPLICANTS MAY HAVE ADDITIONAL POINTS ADDED TO THE FINAL SCORE ON THE CERTIFIED FIREFIGHTER ELIGIBILITY LIST BY SUBMITTING A DD214OR PROOF OF COMPLETION OF THE FOLLOWING TO HUMAN RESOURCES WITH APPLICATION:

1.PARAMEDIC.................................................................................................................5 Points

2.AS DEGREE IN FIRE SCIENCES OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SCIENCES.......... 2.5 Points

3.BS DEGREE IN FIRE SCIENCES OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SCIENCES............5 Points

4.HOLLYWOOD FIRE/RESCUE EXPLORER PARTICIPANT (2 yrs)............................. 1 Point

MAXIMUM POINTS OBTAINABLE FOR SECTIONS 1-4............................................11 Points

(Note: Items 2 & 3 maximum of 5 points)

Additional Information

All successful applicants will be required to pass an extensive background which may include criminal history searches, driving history checks, credit report, courthouse searches, education verification, employment verification, professional license verification, or other search methods as deemed necessary for the position. In addition, the applicant will be required to undergo a medical examination, which may include a drug screening, prior to appointment.

EMPLOYMENT OF RELATIVES: The City of Hollywood has an Ordinance which regulates the employment of relatives of City employees. Effective January 28, 2008, a relative may only be hired under the following additional conditions:

• The relative must have competed in an appropriate examination process as determined by Human Resources and be placed on a civil service eligibility list;

• The relative must be among the top three ranked candidates available on the certified eligibility list unless expanded by the Civil Service Board;

• The Department or Office Director and the Director, Human Resources must demonstrate that it is in the best interests of the City of Hollywood to hire the relative of a public officer or employee.

As of 12/15/2005 the City will require all newly hired employees to sign an affidavit affirming non-usage of tobacco or tobacco products within the last year prior to submission of application and will continue to be a non-user of tobacco products throughout employment with the City of Hollywood.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION: The Employment Office will make reasonable efforts in the examination and workplace to accommodate persons with disabilities. Please advise Human Resources of special needs by calling (954) 921-3216.

All applicants receive consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, abilities, marital status, political affiliation, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or gender identity and expression (except as limited by law, Personnel Rules, Collective Bargaining Agreements, or bona fide occupational disqualifications).

The City of Hollywood is an Equal Opportunity / Equal Access Employer.