FIRE OFFICER 2

Definition

Under direction of the Fire Officer 4 or a Fire Officer 3, has charge of a battalion or group of fire companies engaged in providing fire protection for persons and property; formulates response strategies and action plans; orders company officers on specific operations to be carried out; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• Evaluates information received concerning the incident to modify and formulate an appropriate strategy.
• Designs action plan (attack plan) to implement strategy (advance line, ventilation, secure area, rescue).
• Evaluates need for evacuation of civilian and/or safety personnel from the emergency scene and/or surrounding area based on environmental and emergency conditions (wind, HAZMAT situation, fire progression, etc.).
• Inspects the fire premises by walking through and observing conditions to determine if fire has been extinguished.
• Directs officers on where and when to ventilate in order to execute strategy, when necessary.
• Designs appropriate strategies (defensive or offensive mode), based on incident conditions.
• Coordinates hose line placement and ventilation to support search and rescue operation.
• Evaluates conditions at the scene of the incident to determine if it is safe for firefighters to proceed with rescue.
• Evaluates fireground conditions to ensure sufficient personnel and apparatus are available at scene.
• Analyzes situation as described by dispatcher or first arriving company, en route, to prepare for incident and company assignments (increase or decrease in response level, etc.).
• Directs appropriate personnel to investigate incident to determine if there is a HAZMAT threat.
• Orders company officers on specific operations to be carried out (ventilation, rescue, exposure, protection, salvage, overhaul, secure building, etc.).
• Orders cessation of unsafe practices on fireground either in person or via the radio.
• Observes company personnel to ensure compliance with rules and regulations, general orders, and SOP's (grooming, fit for duty, uniforms, and gear).
• Directs company officers on hose placement and alternate water supply.
• Requests additional lines and personnel, as needed.
• Monitors physical condition of personnel (fatigue, steadiness, etc.) to determine if replacements will be needed.
• Evaluates information received via senses (eyes, ears, nose, etc.) regarding smoke, fire, explosion, etc., while approaching the scene to prepare response and plan of action.
• Directs company personnel to shut off utilities to maintain safety of emergency scene or to facilitate rescue.
• Coordinates attack of different companies by giving orders to each company (ladder placement, hose line placement, placement of apparatus, etc.).
• Orders priorities of rescue activities/operations where multiple victims are involved.
• Orders evacuation of civilian and/or safety personnel from the emergency scene and/or surrounding area to ensure their safety.
• Evaluates the conditions of the scene to determine the need for personnel, resources, and equipment.
• Evaluates condition of fire building (weakened floors, severity of fire) to determine its structural integrity and stability.
• Directs subordinates to perform various rescue and recovery operations (trapped in cave-ins, fire building, or vehicles, or hanging out windows, etc.).
• Orders implementation of action plan by assigning personnel.
• Orders primary and secondary search of building and/or emergency scene to ascertain presence and/or location of victims.
• Observes individuals on the job to identify any changes in behavior, either positive or negative.
• Inspects scene of incident to find evidence of fire.
• Directs company officers to investigate odors of all kinds (heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, industrial storage, utilities, spills, etc.) to determine cause.
• Orders fire personnel to transfer victim(s) to appropriate medical personnel in the absence of EMS personnel.
• Informs officers and others in battalion about changes in practices, policies, procedures, daily activities, and other information, either by phone or in person.
• Observes company officers on the fireground, in-house, and during training to assess performance and own effectiveness.
• Secures the danger area of a HAZMAT or toxic spill incident to prevent people (onlookers, unprotected fire personnel, etc.) from entering the area.
• Directs personnel to determine the condition of each victim/occupant in order to render proper assistance.
• Directs the extrication of trapped victims (in cars, sewers, wells, manholes, collapsed buildings, etc.) by giving instructions and orders to other personnel (EMS, rescue squad, police, firefighters, etc.).
• Assigns unit by radio or direct contact to physically assess the situation in a particular area of the incident (roof of building, exposure, etc.).
• Reviews NFIRS forms, in-house reports, daily logs and journals, company reports and/or other written communications, filled out by subordinate officers for completeness, correctness, and critical information (incident or on-going problem).
• Evaluates observed weather and road conditions en route to relay those conditions to incoming companies.
• 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.

Experience

Two (2) years of supervisory experience involving the extinguishing of fires.

CERTIFICATION

In accordance with NJAC 5:73-1.6(b), 8 & (d), effective February 17, 2000, applicants for this position must possess a valid Incident Management Level 1 certification issued by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety, Department of Community Affairs.

<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, the time spent in active military service during the periods specified in Civil Service Law and Rules will be deducted from the attained age.

License

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.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION

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

• Knowledge of fire behavior
• Knowledge of the effects of fire on a structure
• Knowledge of Department SOP's relating to search &amp; rescue
• Knowledge of occupancy collapse potential &amp; characteristics
• Knowledge of Department SOP's relating to fireground safety
• Knowledge of fireground evolution, tactics, strategies &amp; practices
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques &amp; philosophy
• Knowledge of the proper sequence for fire attack
• Knowledge of structure design, construction, &amp; their effect on fire behavior
• Knowledge of fire spread &amp; growth
• Knowledge of size-up factors
• Knowledge of the effects of weather &amp; intense fire conditions on personnel
• Knowledge of what constitutes a hazardous condition
• Knowledge of the characteristics of smoke, color, intensity &amp; volume
• Knowledge of fireload (building &amp; contents)
• Knowledge of Department SOP's relating to ventilation
• Knowledge of Department SOP's relating to HAZMAT
• Knowledge of dangers &amp; procedures for dealing with hazardous materials
• Knowledge of oral communication techniques
• Ability to delegate tasks to subordinates
• Ability to convey information via the telephone and radio
• Ability to give specific orders and information in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to recognize hazardous or dangerous conditions, actions, etc.
• Ability to anticipate need for additional resources
• Ability to formulate a plan of action in an emergency situation
• Ability to take decisive action
• Ability to recognize significant sensory cues on the fireground
• Ability to anticipate the risks involved in rescue operations
• Ability to anticipate fire behavior
• Ability to give constructive criticism in a positive manner
• Ability to correct subordinates when errors are observed
• Ability to anticipate changing circumstances, conditions
• Ability 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, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform 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 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.
• CODES: LG - CGS 9/01/00
• This job specification is for regional entity use only.

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.

Age requirement does not apply in those jurisdictions whose members are not enrolled in the Police &amp; Fire Pension System.

When an applicant has reached his/her 35th birthday, (s)he is considered to be over 35 years old. Age limits are based on the announced closing date for filing Department of Personnel applications.