Apparatus Operator

The Town of West Hartford; West Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 112,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Town of West Hartford is seeking candidates for a promotional examination for the position of Apparatus Operator. This role involves responding to fire alarms, operating pumps and ladders, and performing rescue work to protect life and property.

Qualified applicants must have at least two years of Firefighter experience with the West Hartford Fire Department and hold a CDL B license. The exam process includes written, practical, and vision tests, with an emphasis on safety and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Two years of firefighting experience, preferably with the West Hartford Fire Department.
• CDL B (or greater) license required to operate fire apparatus.
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions.

Responsibilities

• Drive fire apparatus to emergency scenes and select safe routes.
• Operate pumper and/or ladder with proper hydraulic principles.
• Inspect and maintain firefighting equipment; ensure readiness.
• Keep hydrants and routes in mind; report needed repairs.
• Attend company training drills and participate in standby during emergencies.

Skills

Firefighting

Hydraulics

Vehicle operation

Safety procedures

Education

CDL B License

Job description

Frontline Applicant Tracking - the Town of West Hartford

The Town of West Hartford Announces a Promotional Examination for the Position of Apparatus Operator.

Application Deadline: Monday, September 21, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. Salary: Paramedic: $111,800 - $119,886 annually; EMT: $104,702 - $112,788 annually.

All candidates must meet the eligibility requirements for this position as of February 15, 2027.

Job Purpose

Responsible for the safe response to and return from fire alarms of firefighters and fire apparatus. Perform skilled firefighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires, and performing rescue work.

Employees in this class are required to perform their duties under all conditions of weather and participate in the manual labor of firefighting. Hazards to personal safety arise from personal, mechanical, and natural conditions and include possible loss of life.

Essential Job Functions

• Drive fire apparatus to fire or emergency scenes for the preservation of life and property making certain proper route is followed.
• Operate pumper and/or ladder on assigned apparatus through proper application of hydraulic principles, maintain suitable water pressure in hoses and standpipes in the case of pump operator, and making certain that the aerial ladder on the truck has been properly raised and placed for hose connections as well as combating emergency athand in the case of the ladder truck.
• Use whatever equipment is necessary as directed to combat the fire or control the emergency.
• Keep posted on road conditions, routes to fires, and hydrant locations.
• Make inspection of all firefighting and rescue equipment and clean such equipment. Ensures that apparatus is ready to respond at all times.
• Reports all repairs or replacements needed in connection with firefighting and rescue equipment to the company officer.
• Remain on standby for all fires and emergencies (except on days off and vacations).
• Performs rescue, salvage, and related firefighting work as required.
• Attends company training drills as required.
• Takes desk watch daily and relays calls and alarms that come from the central emergency reporting center.
• Assists in fire prevention inspections and makes necessary reports.
• Removes snow near hydrants.
• Directs others in the proper operation of various types of departmental fire apparatus as needed.
• Perform general housework at fire station, which includes cleaning rooms, lavatories, and the physical plant and taking care of the grounds surrounding the station.

Non-Essential Job Functions

• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Comprehensive knowledge of the street system and physical layout of West Hartford, including hydrant location.
• Skill in the operation of motor vehicles and familiarity with all requisites of safety demanded by the fire apparatus under their control.
• Ability to operate pumps and aerial ladder on any type of apparatus and direct others in these operations.
• Knowledge and comprehension of the elementary principles of mechanics.
• Knowledge of building construction, and related state and local building codes including heating and electrical installation to be used in connection with work done off fire prevention inspections.
• Extensive knowledge of common causes of fire and adequate knowledge of salvage procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to develop skill in firefighting and emergency work and the use of fire fighting equipment and other lifesaving equipment within a reasonable period of time.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Knowledge of hydraulics and the latest fire prevention procedures.
• Ability to perform the essential job functions in the work environment as previously described.

Required Experience and Training

As of February 15, 2027, an applicant must have had at least two (2) years experience as a Firefighter in the West Hartford Fire Department in order to be eligible to apply for this promotional examination. Possession of a CDL B (or greater) State of Connecticut Operator’s License is required to operate fire apparatus in this position.

Method of Selection

Examination: The examination will consist of a Written Test weighted 60% with a required 70% passing score, a Practical Test weighted 40% with a required passing grade of 70, and a Vision Test with pass or fail only. The total score is 100%. Time-in-Service awards 6 additional points. Applicants must obtain a passing score of 70 on the Written Test in order to qualify for the Practical Test. All applicants who achieve a passing score on the Written Test and prior to taking the Practical Test must be examined for visual acuity, color perception, peripheral vision, and depth perception. If the applicant does not meet the average standards for the vision test with or without accommodation, their application will be withdrawn, and the applicant will not be able to take the Practical Test. No grade will be given for the Vision Test, and the results of this test will not be included in the candidate’s final grade. Applicants who take the Practical Test must obtain a passing grade of 70; otherwise, their application will be withdrawn from any further consideration.

Applicants will be notified by email if they have met the minimum qualifications for the position and eligible to participate in the Written Test. The Written Test will be held on October 2, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. with a backup update of October 5, 2026. Human Resources will notify candidates by email if they have passed the Written Test and therefore proceeding to take the Practical Test to be held October 13, 2026, through October 16, depending on the number of eligible candidates.

Eligibility List: Applicants who successfully pass the entire examination with a total score of at least 70 will be placed on an eligibility list in order of their final score.

Certification for appointment from the eligible list shall be made according to the Personnel Rules. No applicant will be promoted to this position, however, if they fail to satisfy all physical requirements which would prevent them from performing the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation. The physical requirements for the position are determined by the Fire Chief and a physician selected by the Human Resources Department. Any employee promoted as a result of this examination must satisfactorily complete a six (6) month probationary period.

Reading List

• Pride and Ownership: A Firefighter's Love of the Job by Rick Lasky
• Pumping and Aerial Apparatus Driver/Operator Handbook, 3rd edition
• Ladder Owner's Manual - TBD

Policy Directives

• PD1.20 Driver Responsibility and Safe Vehicle Operations 02-11-2020
• PD1.24 Safety 02-16-2021
• PD1.32 Vehicle accident procedures 04-12-2017
• PD1.33 Driver Responsibility-Vehicle Inspections 02-02-2020

Standard Operating Guidelines

• 4.1 Structure Alarm Response 2-3-2021
• 4.2 Box Alarm Response 07-27-2020
• 5.4 Highway Roadway Safety 3-21-2023
• 5.5 Emergency Evacuation of Hazardous Environment 07-27-2020
• 6.1 Craning Operations with the 107' Pierce Ascendant Aerial 01-09-2023
• 11.9 Initial MVA Response-Extrication 04-20-2020
• 13.1 High Service Area Water Supply 04-22-2020
• 13.2 Renbrook School Dry Hydrant System 04-23-2020
• 13.3 Prospect Hill High Service Water Supply 04-27-2020
• 13.4 Water Supply Operations 04-29-2020
• 13.5 Sprinkler Supply Operations 04-29-2020
• 13.6 Private Industrial Water Supply Operations 05-11-2020

Training Bulletin

• TB 21-02 Inclement Weather Driving 1/30/2021
• TB21-03 Roadway MVA Response 2/12/2021
• TB21-04 Driving with Due Regard 3/1/2021
• TB 24-03 Forestry Hose Deployment 4/18/2024
• TB 24-10 Brush Skid Unit Operations 10/29/2024
• TB 25-03 Bloomfield Ave. Water Supply 6/10/2025
• TB 26-09 WHFD Standpipe Kit 8/20/2026

At the Practical Test, knowledge of the Town of West Hartford streets, Fire Department SOG’s, Policy Directives, and West Hartford Apparatus Operator Manual will be conducted.

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

It is the policy of the Town of West Hartford that discrimination in any way on the basis race, color, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender identity/expression, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, military/veteran status, political belief, criminal record, disability or any other protected status in accordance with the requirements and any exceptions under applicable state or federal law toward employees is strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.

The above description is intended as illustration of the various types of work that may be performed and are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. It is intended as a guide for personnel actions and must not be taken as a complete itemization of all facets of any job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The Town of West Hartford provides reasonable accommodations to persons with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need an accommodation on the application or testing process, please contact the Human Resources Department at 860-561-7488 or email Alan Horner.

Individuals who do not have access to a computer or need assistance completing an online application may visit the Noah Webster Library or its branches for access and assistance.