Firefighter/ Basic Emergency Responder or Firefighter/ ALS EMT/ Driver Operator

cityofhomerak; Homer (AK); On-site; USD 60,300 - 73,700; Full time

Job summary

The cityofhomerak is seeking a Full-Time Firefighter/Basic Emergency Medical Responder and Firefighter/ALS EMT/Driver Operator based in Homer, Alaska. The role includes responding to emergency calls, performing firefighting activities, and providing basic life support. Ideal candidates will have a solid foundation in emergency services, along with certifications from the State of Alaska.

Successful applicants are expected to comply with residency requirements and possess excellent communication skills. A competitive starting salary of $67,000 or higher is offered alongside attractive benefits.

Qualifications

• Must pass pre-employment drug screening and physical exam.
• Valid State of Alaska driver's license preferred.
• Must be fluent in English.

Responsibilities

• Respond to emergency calls and firefighting activities.
• Perform emergency aid and rescue activities.
• Assist training fire personnel and volunteers.

Skills

Emergency services experience

Excellent organizational skills

Communication skills

Firefighting techniques knowledge

Ability to perform under stress

Education

High School Diploma or GED

State of Alaska Certified Firefighter 1

State of Alaska Certified EMT 1

Job description

Full‑Time Firefighter/ Basic Emergency Medical Responder or Firefighter/ALS EMT/ Driver Operator

Starting salary for Firefighter/Basic Emergency Responder is $67,000 or higher, DOE, with attractive benefits.

Applicants who meet the qualifications listed for Firefighter/ALS EMT/Driver Operator will qualify for higher rates of pay based on experience.

Residency requirement: Employees must live within a 15‑minute drive time to Fire Station 1.

Work schedule: 24 hours on, 48 hours off (56‑hour week).

Successful applicants must pass pre‑employment drug screening, an NFPA approved physical examination, and a comprehensive background investigation. Must be able to annually pass the physical exam, fit test, and meet physical ability requirements for a Firefighter and EMT as defined in Homer Fire Department policy.

Questions? Please email: [e-mail]

Firefighter/ Basic Emergency Medical Responder

General Functions: Multifaceted position that responds to emergency calls as a Firefighter‑Basic Life Support EMT.

Job Functions and Major Activities:

1. Perform firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishment tasks.
2. Perform vehicle readiness checks, equipment inventories and other related tasks.
3. Perform emergency aid and rescue activities including administering Basic Life Support and providing other assistance as required.
4. Participate in fire drills, attend classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
5. Receive and relay fire calls and alarms. Operate radio and other communication equipment and keep logs as required.
6. Participate in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs.
7. Maintain fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Perform minor repairs to departmental equipment and return equipment to full service following use.
8. Perform general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; clean and wash walls and floors, care for grounds around station, make minor repairs, wash and dry hose, wash, clean, polish, maintain and test apparatus and equipment.
9. Assist in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
10. Perform salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.
11. Serve on various employee committees.
12. Perform a wide range of clerical duties. Assist with the Fire Department’s information management system. Enter and maintain records, billing information, emergency service reports, training records, statistics.
13. Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• One year of experience in emergency services or equivalent combination of experience/education.
• Working knowledge of modern office procedures and use of computers and software programs. Requires excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of driver safety and Basic Life Support Care.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn and apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods under extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to meet the other requirements listed below.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• State of Alaska Certified Firefighter 1 (preference given to Firefighter 2).
• Certified State of Alaska EMT 1 (preference given to advanced level of care certifications).
• Obtain within one month from date of hire a CEVO or EVOC certification for Fire and EMS vehicles.
• Willing to learn and demonstrate a positive attitude.

Other Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must possess a valid State of Alaska driver’s license with CDL preferred.
• Must be a United States citizen or naturalized citizen.
• Must pass a physical examination and drug urinalysis test.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or have disqualifying criminal histories in the past seven (7) years.
• Must endure a personal, professional, and moral background investigation to determine honesty, maturity, and dependability.
• Must be able to work shift work and attend additional job specific training as scheduled.
• Must be fluent in English; bilingual applicants are preferred.

Licenses / Certifications

• Possess or obtain within 12 months of employment the State of Alaska Advanced Life Support certification.
• Successfully pass the State of Alaska FADO certification course in its entirety within 12 months of employment.
• Possess or obtain within 12 months of employment the State of Alaska Firefighter 2 certification.
• Other courses as required by the Chief or designee.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Firefighter‑II certification, Driver/Pump Operator certification, two‑year Fire Science, Fire Service Administration, or related degree desired.

Decision‑Making Responsibilities

Requires ability to exercise independent judgment in all duties. Carries out procedures at a department level. Responsible for decisions that may involve possible loss of life or destruction of property. Activities are a major source of potential liability to the City. Moderate budget authority at division level. Requires confidentiality.

External Visibility / Contact

Low contact with key city personnel and frequency of presentations/attendance at public meetings. High frequency of contact with general public. Low frequency of contact with government officials and key service personnel.

Working Conditions

High frequency of exposure to hazardous situations in performing firefighter or EMT duties. Moderate exposure to adverse weather. Must work rotating shifts through holidays and weekends with occasional overtime. May be requested to be on call for emergency calls. Must be able to annually pass the physical exam as required by NFPA, fit testing, and meet physical ability requirements for Firefighter/EMT as defined in Department policy. Full‑time employees subject to a 14‑day work schedule as defined in the employee work agreement signed at the time of hire.

Firefighter/ALS EMT/ Driver Operator

General Functions: Multifaceted position that responds to emergency calls as a certified Firefighter‑Driver Operator‑ALS, EMS provider, and assists training, maintenance and support services within the Fire Department.

Job Functions and Major Activities:

1. Assist with training fire personnel, volunteers, rescuers, and medics; assure that personnel are ready and prepared for duty, adequately trained and equipped under the direction of an assigned Company Officer.
2. Respond to emergencies and perform fire suppression, rescue, hazmat and emergency medical duties as required; assume emergency incident scene command as required.
3. Operate and inspect all emergency, fire, rescue, medical and life‑saving tools, equipment, and vehicles.
4. Operate all Fire Department pumps safely and efficiently.
5. Maintain required departmental and emergency response records.
6. Review vehicle and equipment status; recommend replacement and repair options; supervise preventive maintenance program for routine care of vehicles and equipment.
7. Assist with preparing, editing, updating and coordinating the production of training materials.
8. Provide emergency medical and fire training for emergency responders.
9. Review changes in fire and emergency services laws, rules, regulations and policies.
10. Conduct health and fire safety inspections of commercial properties.
11. Update and maintain a variety of files, records, charts and other documents; gather, compile and synthesize data; maintain appropriate records and prepare reports as required.
12. Periodically lead and manage multiple resources during emergency responses and training as assigned.
13. Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Three years of experience in emergency services or equivalent combination of experience/education.
• Working knowledge of State, City and Federal statutes, rules, codes and regulations.
• Working knowledge of modern office procedures and use of computers and software programs. Requires excellent organizational and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Fire Department policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of firefighting and emergency services techniques and procedures, and related safety and legal issues.
• Strategy and tactics for management and deployment of personnel and equipment in fire and emergency situations.

Minimum Requirements / Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Certified as an IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter 1 and 2.
• Hazardous Materials Operations level certification.
• Certified FADO in all four disciplines as outlined by the state of Alaska or equivalent certification as approved by the Chief or designee.
• State of Alaska EMT 3/NRAEMT or higher ALS certification. EMT 2 with prior experience may be accepted at the discretion of the Chief or designee.
• Meet all requirements of a Firefighter for HVFD.

Other Requirements

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Must possess a valid State of Alaska driver’s license with CDL preferred.
• Must be a United States citizen or naturalized citizen.
• Must pass a physical examination and drug urinalysis test.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony or have disqualifying criminal histories in the past seven (7) years.
• Must endure a personal, professional, and moral background investigation to determine honesty, maturity, and dependability.
• Must be able to work shift work and attend additional job specific training as scheduled.
• Must be fluent in English; bilingual applicants are preferred.
• Obtain any other certification deemed necessary by the Chief or designee at the department’s expense.

Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Associates Degree in Fire Science, Fire Service Administration or related field or equivalent experience/college credit hours. Licensed Intensive Mobile Intensive Care Paramedic. Fire Officer I.

Decision‑Making Responsibilities

Requires ability to exercise independent judgment in all duties. Carries out procedures at a department level. Responsible for decisions that may involve possible loss of life or destruction of property. Activities are a major source of potential liability to the City. Moderate budget authority at division level. Requires confidentiality.

External Visibility / Contact

Low contact with key city personnel and frequency of presentations/attendance at public meetings. High frequency of contact with general public. Low frequency of contact with government officials and key service personnel.

Working Conditions

High frequency of exposure to hazardous situations in performing firefighter or EMT duties. Moderate exposure to adverse weather. Must work rotating shifts through holidays and weekends with occasional overtime. May be requested to be on call for emergency calls. Must be able to annually pass the physical exam as required by NFPA, fit testing, and meet physical ability requirements for Firefighter/EMT as defined in Department policy. Full‑time employees subject to a 14‑day work schedule as defined in the employee work agreement signed at the time of hire.