Firefighter

City of Wilmer; Wilmer (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equal Opportunity Employer

Job summary

City of Wilmer in Texas seeks a dedicated Firefighter to perform fire suppression, EMS care, rescues, and hazardous materials responses under the direction of a frontline officer. You will participate in training, inspect facilities, educate the public, and maintain equipment, while meeting station schedules, safety protocols, and continuing education requirements.

Candidates must have high school diploma, Texas EMS certification or paramedic, valid driver's license, and pass physical demands.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Paramedic certification or EMT-Basic certification with future paramedic plan required within set timeframe.
• Must understand basic fire protection concepts and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Administer first aid and EMS care per certifications and protocols.
• Inspect and maintain station facilities and equipment.
• Conduct pre-fire inspections of businesses.
• Participate in training and departmental committees.
• Provide public education and engage with the community.

Skills

Fire suppression

EMS knowledge

Public education

Hazardous materials

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Fire Science coursework

Tools

Emergency equipment handling

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY: The position of a Firefighter operates under the direction of a frontline officer. Performs a variety of highly technical and specialized tasks involving and/or related to fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, fire prevention, fire inspections, administration and other special assignments as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Administers first aid and emergency medical care to injured/ill persons consistent with their level of authorized EMS certification, established medical protocols, and standard operating procedures.
• Secures safety of the incident scene.
• Follows established universal health precautions in the treatment and care of patients.
• Inspects, tests, cleans, and maintains station facilities, grounds, equipment, and apparatus.
• Conducts pre-fire inspections of businesses.
• Participates in daily training exercises and instruction to increase performance.
• Works shift schedules including weekends, holidays and extended hours in emergency, disaster, or other situations influenced by heavy workloads or other staffing difficulties.
• Participates on department committees and attends meetings as required.
• Conducts public education activities.
• Must learn streets and routes within the City and surrounding areas to include the location of medical facilities to ensure expeditious response times.
• Attend scheduled training necessary to maintain EMS certification and minimum continuing education credit as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services and/or Medical Control Physician.
• Regular and consistent attendance at the assigned work hours is essential.
• Provide excellent customer service skills when dealing with the public.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of fire suppression and prevention principles and practices, and emergency medical services
• Knowledge of specialized communication equipment
• Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
• Knowledge of operational characteristics, services, and activities of a comprehensive fire suppression program
• Knowledge of technical aspects of fire prevention and suppression including operation of fire hydrants, use of ladders, use of water and various chemicals to suppress fire, salvage and rescue operations.
• Knowledge and skills in the use and care of all fire department equipment.
• Knowledge of procedures and techniques involved in responding to and handling incidents involving hazardous materials.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations
• Exercises sound judgment and rational thinking under dangerous circumstances
• Evaluates various options and alternatives and chooses an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
• Ability to become familiar with city streets and broader service area.
• Knowledge of laws and ordinances pertaining to jurisdiction.
• Ability to stay physically fit and able to adequately perform all duties.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED: The frontline officer will assign work in terms of general and sometimes specific instructions. This position may also receive daily direction from the Shift Captain(s). Work is evaluated by the frontline officer for adherence to instruction and established standards. This position does not supervise any other positions.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Must continue to adhere to all physical requirements as noted in the listed abilities above.
• Must be able to wear up to 50 lbs. of fire equipment while working
• Must be able to push, pull, lift, and carry up to 100 lbs.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, crawl, kneel, reach below the knee and overhead.
• Fumes, chemicals, dust, odor: Exposed to extremely toxic and hot gases, fumes and smoke; exposure to hazardous substances
• Exposure to extreme changes in temperature: Exposed to extremely high temperatures in enclosed spaces from fires
• Vibration: Vibration occurs when using power equipment such as chain saw, or riding in an engine or truck
• Light: Duties may be performed at night, or inside buildings where visibility is extremely poor due to thick smoke or electricity outage
• Noise: Exposed to loud and very loud noises from pumps, engines, trucks, sirens, and loud voices from commanders and fellow Firefighters
• Ventilation: Exposed to extremely poor ventilation conditions at fire scenes
• Hazards: Exposes to fall hazards from climbing ladders or stairs; exposed to burn and smoke/gas inhalation hazards from working around fires and/or combustible materials; exposed to electrical shock hazards, especially if working around electrical lines; exposed to fast moving traffic at MVA scenes

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent, preferably supplemented by college level courses in Fire Science.
• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License: Class B Preferred (Must obtain Class B within first six (6) months of employment or earliest available time frame, as a condition of continued employment.
• Must read, right, speak, and understand English. Bi-Lingual preferred.
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (Structural), AND
• Texas Department of State Health Services Paramedic Certification OR,
• Texas Department of State Health Services EMT-Basic Certification (Must obtain Paramedic within first two (2) years of employment or earliest available time frame as a condition of continued employment.)
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) 100, 200, 700, and 800 or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
• National Fallen Firefighter Foundation Courage to be Safe certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
• National Traffic Incident Management (TIM) certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
• NFPA 1851: Cancer Related Risk of Firefighting certification or ability to obtain within six (6) months of employment.
• At least 18 years of age at time of application

The City of Wilmer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or protected veteran status.