Fire Engineer

Forsyth County (NC); Winston-Salem (NC); On-site; USD 52,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Forsyth County Department of Emergency Services is seeking skilled Fire Engineers to respond to alarms, manage operations at the scene, and perform inspections and investigations. The role requires strong physical fitness, knowledge of firefighting methods, and the ability to lead incident command when needed.

Applicants must meet a high standard of training and certifications, including NC Fire Fighter Levels I & II and EMT Basic, with a history of working within a fire department.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required; firefighting experience preferred.
• Minimum two years as a career firefighter (three years volunteer counts as two) per NC requirements.
• Must hold NC Fire Fighter Levels I & II and EMT Basic or equivalent.
• Ability to operate firefighting equipment and perform incident command with safety.

Responsibilities

• Receives and responds to fire alarms; drives and operates firefighting equipment at scene.
• Performs fire operations including rescue, attack, extinguishment, salvage and overhaul.
• conducts fire origin and cause investigations and participates in fire prevention inspections.
• Maintains required training, certifications, and licenses; supports incident command during operations.

Skills

Incident command leadership

Firefighter operations

Equipment operation

Oral and written communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Two years of career firefighter experience

Tools

NFPA 1580 health standards

NIMS IC-100/200/700/800

NC Driver's license (Class B)

NC Fire Fighter Level I

NC Fire Fighter Level II

NC EMT Basic

Hazardous Materials Level I

Technical Rescue General (2008/2013)

Job description

Forsyth County Department of Emergency Services is seeking hard working and dedicated Fire Engineers. Fire Engineers receive and respond to fire alarms, technical rescues, medical calls and emergency/accidents. The employee may drive firefighting and rescue equipment and operate such equipment at the scene of a fire or emergency call with technician level proficiency depending on the assignment within the Fire Division. This employee must execute orders of their supervisor and on scene incident command staff promptly and efficiently and may be required to assume those roles in absence of higher levels of supervision or command. This employee is also responsible for the day-to-day operations and personnel assigned to their station or unit. Independent judgment and initiative are required in fighting fires and emergency rescues. Fire Engineers will also perform yearly fire prevention inspections, as well as conduct fire origin and cause investigations. Assumes command of day to day and incident operations of a company or shift in the absence of the Fire Captain.

The employee is expected to work a rotating shift that includes nights, weekends, and holidays. The employee may be called back for duty as deemed necessary by department administration. Work is performed under general supervision and by standard operating procedures and is evaluated through reports and by overall effectiveness of operations.

Special Requirements

This position has been identified to interact with children and must comply with NC G.S. 153A-94.2(b) “requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI." These checks must be conducted in accordance with G.S. 143B-1209.26, the statute which authorizes the SBI to provide a fingerprint-based state and national criminal record check to cities and counties.

• Advanced knowledge of the operation and maintenance of firefighting equipment used by various fire departments.
• Advanced knowledge of current firefighting methods including combustible liquid and structural firefighting principles, practices, and procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of salvage, overhaul, ventilation and fire rescue operations.
• Advanced knowledge of current firefighting and rescue strategy and tactics dealing with aircraft/airport rescue and firefighting.
• Advanced knowledge of all types of aircraft, airport facilities and capacities of apparatus and Equipment.
• Advanced knowledge of current technical rescue strategy and tactics dealing with, but not limited to, motor vehicles, high/low angle, confined spaces, swift water, trench, and structural collapse.
• Advanced knowledge of current strategy, tactics and techniques of fire prevention to include fire codes and investigation procedures.
• Advanced knowledge of the geographic and street layout of Forsyth County and its various fire districts.
• Advanced knowledge of, and ability to operate within the incident command system, as well as establish the incident command system on emergency incidents.
• Ability to wear self-contained breathing apparatus and be comfortable with the resulting increased respiratory effort, decreased vision, and limited range of motion.
• Ability to maintain physical and mental fitness necessary to operate on emergency incidents for extended periods of time.
• Ability to effectively manage emergency scenes in the absence of higher levels of supervision.
• Ability to effectively supervise day to day operations in the absence of higher levels of supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work under adverse conditions, atmospheres immediately dangerous to life and health, and at various heights while carrying gear and equipment in excess of 50 pounds.
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public.
• Ability to maintain records, and prepare accurate reports and documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret technical documents, manuals, and code material.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment and annual medical exam adhering to the standards of NFPA 1580.
• Lifting over 100 lbs occasionally, 50 - 100 lbs frequently or up to 20-50 lbs constantly.

Physically fit enough to carry fire equipment, walk over rough terrain, climb hills, load and unload vehicles, work outdoors for long periods of time in all types of weather. Ability to safely wear and work in a self-contained breathing apparatus without medical or physical restrictions. Ability to pass a pre-employment and annual NFPA 1580 physical and complete a physical agility evaluation.

Graduation from high school or GED required, two years of experience as a career firefighter (three years of volunteer firefighting experience is equivalent to one year of career firefighting experience).

Required Certifications

• NC Fire Fighter Level I and II
• NC Hazardous Material Level I (Operations Level)
• NC EMT Basic
• NC Probationary Fire Inspector Level I
• NC Technical Rescuer-General with Ropes (2008) or NC Technical Rescuer-General (2013) or NC Technical Rescuer with Ropes (2021), Additional Technical Rescuer specialty (ex. Swift Water Rescue, Surface Water Rescue, Trench Rescue, Heavy Vehicle Rescue, Passenger Vehicle Rescue, Confined Space, Structural Collapse
• NC Emergency Vehicle Driver
• NIMS IC- 100, 200, 700, 800
• Must have a valid N.C. driver's license and Class B License

Preferred Qualifications

• NC Fire Officer I, NC Instructor I (Preferred qualifications, must obtain within 12-months of hire/promotion)
• NC Standard Fire Inspector Level I (Preferred qualification, must obtain prior to expiration of current probationary level)
• IFSAC, ProBoard, National Registry, or equivalent certification may be considered in lieu of North Carolina certification.

Key Responsibilities

• Receives and responds to fire alarms; drives firefighting equipment and operates it at the scene.
• Conducts fire operations in rescue, attack, extinguishment, salvage and overhaul activities.
• Responds to hazardous materials calls; determines chemicals involved and what precautions to take to minimize losses.
• Responds to emergency medical calls and operates at the North Carolina EMT Basic level and within protocols determined by the NC Office of EMS and Forsyth County Medical Director.
• Responds to rescue and technical rescue incidents and operates at a technician level to determine appropriate tactics and necessary resources, and executes and/or directs such operations.
• Performs and directs a wide range of fire suppression activities at the fire scene; works closely with all Forsyth County emergency agencies.
• Conducts level I fire prevention inspections of all county occupancies requiring inspection by the NC Fire Prevention Code.
• Conducts fire origin and cause investigations.
• Prepares required reports and documentation.
• Actively participates in training classes, drills, and continuing education.
• Maintains all required training, certifications, and licenses.
• Maintains physical and mental fitness required to perform effectively as a Fire Engineer.
• Supervises day to day and incident operations in the absence of the Fire Captain.
• Understands and implements departmental and county policies.
• Performs all other assigned tasks of supervisors and command staff.
• Maintaining a specific license such as a driver's license in good standing, without a lapse or loss of a privilege to drive in compliance with North Carolina law, and in compliance with applicable DOT standards for commercial motor vehicle drivers if required to perform the duties assigned to the position.