FIRE FIGHTER

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

During an assigned tour of duty, extinguishes fires; performs rescue operations; aids in emergency situations involving hazardous or toxic materials; administers emergency medical treatment; maintains all related equipment, buildings and grounds; does related work.

Examples of work

• Attends daily roll call and briefing.
• Extricates victims from entrapment.
• Performs rescue operations such as searching for victims, identifying searched areas, and guiding or carrying victims.
• Aids victims at scene of emergency by administering emergency medical treatment such as first aid, CPR or EMT treatment.
• May request advice from hospital physician or emergency department.
• Radios the dispatcher for additional help if needed.
• Reports to the dispatcher the nature and extent of injuries to ensure prompt medical care on arrival.
• Prepares victims for transportation in an ambulance.
• May be required to transport victims to hospital or other emergency treatment facility.
• Loads and unloads equipment.
• Selects best route to scene of emergency.
• Drives and maneuvers fire apparatus for optimal firefighting position.
• Maintains radio communications with emergency personnel and relays information to facilitate firefighting and rescue operations.
• Identifies fire source and type and anticipates fire behavior.
• Searches for indications of fire cause and protects this evidence for later scrutiny.
• Interviews persons at scene of fire and writes down responses.
• Shuts off utilities at fire scene.
• Lays and connects hose to hydrants, standpipes, and intake and discharge valves.
• Directs water stream at or as near as possible to source of fire or other target to extinguish fire or to cool given target, and to prevent ignition.
• Transports tools, equipment, and/or people by specialized rope harnesses.
• Performs preparatory operations for the delivery of water to discharge lines and determines required pump pressure to provide appropriate pressure.
• Replaces and/or makes temporary repairs to damaged hoses and other apparatus.
• Locates and exposes hidden structural fires.
• Raises, lowers, positions and stabilizes straight ladders, aerial ladders or basket trucks.
• Operates master stream appliance or deluge gun.
• Operates portable generating equipment.
• Identifies and removes, or provides special protection from, flammable or hazardous materials.
• Removes or reinforces weakened structural parts.
• Secures or covers openings created by fire or firefighters.
• Removes water and pumps out flooded buildings and structures to prevent potential health and safety hazards and further structural damage.
• Covers or removes petroleum products on roadway to reduce fire hazard and slippery road conditions.
• Tours site and notes locations of firefighting resources, corridors, exits, and hazardous materials.
• Makes periodic inspections and issues citations to ensures compliance with safety regulations.
• Maintains records and files.
• Processes telephone and box alarms and determines nature of emergency, alarm box nearest the scene, and company responsibilities; records information.
• Monitors radio frequencies and relays relevant information.
• Maintains daily log of all house activities, such as time and nature of alarms, units responding, arrival and departure times, names of visitors, time and nature of phone calls, and time and nature of any unusual events.
• Inspects and inventories equipment such as first aid supplies, foam supply, batteries, and hand tools, and prepares replacement or repair lists.
• Promotes community fire prevention activities such as conducting and timing school fire drills, demonstrating apparatus at schools, parades, and other community events, serves as resource person.
• Explains firefighting activities and fire prevention practices.
• Maintains and makes minor repairs to firehouse and grounds and performs typical household tasks.
• Maintains apparatus, tools, equipment, and protective gear in proper working order and satisfactory condition.
• Maintains and performs minor repairs on fire vehicles.
• Checks all tools and equipment on fire apparatus at start of shift and on return to quarters from emergency.
• Inspects and maintains air pack, hoses and other fire apparatus.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from high school, vocational high school, or possession of an approved high school equivalency certificate.

<b>AGE:</b>

Not less than 18 nor more than 35 years of age at the announced closing date for filing applications for the position. In determining maximum age eligibility of veterans, time spent in active military service during periods specified in the Department of Personnel laws and rules will be deducted from the attained age.

License

Appointees must complete a firefighting training program approved by the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, Division of Fire Safety, within the timeframe specified by the Appointing Authority. Appointees are not permitted to participate in firefighting activities prior to completion of this training.

For some jurisdictions, once appointed, employees may be required to successfully complete an approved Emergency Medical Technician Program and maintain certification while employed as a Fire Fighter.

For some jurisdictions, once appointed, employees may be required to successfully complete CPR training and maintain a certification from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association while employed as a Fire Fighter.

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

<b>MEDICAL EXAMINATION:</b>

As a prerequisite for appointment, appointees may be required to pass a thorough medical and psychiatric examination to be administered by the appointing authority. Any psychological, medical, or physical condition or defect which would prevent efficient performance of the duties of the position, cause the appointee to be a hazard to himself/herself or others, or become aggravated as a result of performance of these duties will be cause for rejection.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Ability to use and maintain firefighting equipment and to learn the theory necessary for effective firefighting and equipment operation, after a period of training. Ability to apply basic techniques of fighting fires, after a period of training. Ability to perform strenuous physical activities such as lifting heavy firefighting equipment, climbing standard and aerial ladders, lifting, and carrying people and equipment for rescue and salvage. Ability to work under conditions of heavy physical exertion in extreme heat and dust, in high and confined areas and smoke filled spaces, and in all kinds of weather, and to maintain physical activity for prolonged periods of time. Ability to understand and apply principles of emergency medical and first aid treatment after a period of training. Ability to administer first aid, CPR and other emergency medical care, after a period of training. Ability to prioritize emergency medical treatment needs, after a period of training. Ability to understand and apply techniques used to administer pulmonary and cardiac resuscitation, after a period of training. Ability to understand and apply techniques used to administer oxygen, after a period of training. Ability to apply appropriate emergency treatment depending on the patient's condition, after a period of training. Ability to think clearly and to apply knowledge under stressful conditions and to handle more than one task at a time. Ability to remain calm in emergency situations. Ability to establish rapport with patients. Ability to understand and carry out instructions. Ability to record information in written form. Ability to function independently and without direct supervision. Ability to work closely with people, including functioning as a team member, and to exercise tact or diplomacy and display compassion, understanding, and patience. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month and/or variants of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. NOTE: Appointments may be made to positions requiring bilingual skills. - Bilingual in Spanish and English SPECIAL SKILL Applicants must be able to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in Spanish and English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. When applicants have reached their 35th birthday, they are considered to be over 35 years old. Age limits are based on the announced closing date for filing Department of Personnel applications. In accordance with NJSA 40A:14-45, following is an exception to the 35 year age limit. Applicants who are qualified firefighters having served in a volunteer fire company or force of the municipality for at least two (2) years preceding appointment may be not less than 21 years of age, nor more than 40 years of age. CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States. LC N/A12-Bilingual In Spanish And EnglishLC N/A12- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. 11/2/2007