Performing a full range of technical, firefighting, and emergency medical services work, the Firefighter prevents, combats, and extinguishes fires, protects lives and properties, and maintains firefighting equipment. This role responds to various emergencies, keeping equipment and personnel in a state of readiness. The incumbent is expected to exercise good judgment, independence, initiative, and professional expertise in day-to-day operations and must work effectively as part of a unit during emergencies.
Responsibilities
Perform all duties of a Firefighter/EMR/EMT and participate in all phases of fire company operations as assigned
Respond to fire, emergency medical, and other emergency services calls as needed
Control and extinguish fires by selecting appropriate diameter hoses and nozzles, advancing these appliances to the seat of the blaze, and directing extinguishing agents thereto
Remove people from dangerous or hazardous situations through approved means, administering basic life support functions, and performing key fire suppression responsibilities
Perform aggressive search and rescue operations in heated and smoke-filled environments, usually with minimal to no visibility, while wearing a personal protective ensemble (PPE), including SCBA
Participate in After Action Reviews for the benefit of the affected company members and the entire organization
Utilize various forms of firefighting equipment in fire suppression and/or rescue operations, including halyards on extension ladders to reach windows, balconies, and roofs of fire structures and heavy hydraulic actuated tools and hand tools in vehicle extrication
Remove victims of hazardous environments from structures, sometimes requiring climbing and use of ladders
Reduce fire loss by the removal of personal property and by overhaul and complete extinguishment of all flaming materials
Perform minor preventative maintenance and vehicle inventory in accordance with Department policies and procedures, including maintenance of accurate, up-to-date records and logs and the writing of reports
Inform appropriate personnel of apparatus/equipment status and/or maintenance issues
Perform fire hazard inspections and pre-incident surveys of residential, commercial, and industrial structures
Assist with public education efforts as needed, including giving station tours and representing the District in meetings with the public
Provide emergency medical care including, but not limited to, all aspects of pre-hospital basic life support
Rescue trapped civilians or fellow firefighters by breaching wood or masonry through the use of sledgehammers, fire axes, or other appropriate methods
Crawl through reduced diameter openings and work within confined spaces to complete emergency searches or to free victims or other firefighters from a spreading fire in certain situations
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Drag or carry victims (or other firefighters) within a hazardous atmosphere to safety in the most efficient and expedient manner
Search concealed spaces in ceilings and walls by penetrating, both with pike poles and other tools
Perform salvage and clean-up operations during emergency and nonemergency situations
Clean, perform basic repairs, and maintain equipment and apparatus in the field and at an assigned station
Perform and assist with maintenance of fire station and surrounding grounds
Participate in training exercises as required
Attend continuing training to maintain certifications, to learn new techniques and protocols, and to become proficient in new equipment, tools, and apparatus
Study fire prevention, fire protection, firefighting, emergency medical and rescue techniques, and other subjects that may be required or deemed necessary
Maintain a current level of knowledge at all times related to the provision of basic emergency medical care
Learn how to operate and drive apparatus in routine and emergency situations and how to properly care for equipment, tools, and vehicles
Communicate with the established command structure via two-way radio, voice, hand signals, or other verbal or visual cues
Perform community service and public education activities as necessary
Act as a courteous and professional Department liaison to the public when answering questions, performing demonstrations, or hosting station visits
Participate in daily physical training
Follow orders and directives from supervisors and perform other firefighting and appropriate duties as assigned
Exhibit composure and good situational awareness on emergency scenes to effectively respond to, support, and communicate with crews while serving as either primary operator of apparatus and/or equipment or secondary on-scene support
Lift, carry, drag, lay, and connect hose lines from hydrants and equipment to scene
Carry EMS equipment, tools, and other equipment from vehicle to scene
Meet the requirements under NFPA 1500, OSHA 1910.134, and the Awendaw McClellanville Fire District’s Respiratory Protection Plan for wearing the Awendaw McClellanville Fire District approved respirator
Be available via phone or pager during off-duty hours for AMFD to adequately and consistently staff its various facilities and functions for routine work situations and emergency occurrences
Perform other related duties as required by the Fire Chief
Requirements
High school diploma or equivalent General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
18 years of age or older
Ten-year driving record
Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination, including a drug screen, fingerprint, background check, and reference check
Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to work in the United States
Licensure as an EMR, EMT, or Paramedic by the State of South Carolina Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
Firefighter courses listed under the firefighter section of the Professional Matrix, completed through the South Carolina Fire Academy or other accredited fire service institutions
IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter I&II
National Incident Management System (NIMS-ICS) Incident Command training or equivalent, including Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, and 400, as well as IS 700 and 800
Meet the qualifications to wear a tight-fitting respirator by passing a medical evaluation in accordance with Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.134 by promotion date and maintain certification
Knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques of firefighting and emergency operations, including structural and wildland firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials, and emergency medical care; communications and other equipment
Knowledge of Department fire apparatus and equipment design, operation, maintenance, and safety factors
Knowledge of effective operation of apparatus and/or equipment at an incident, and understanding of cause and effect regarding said operation
Knowledge of Public Education practices
Knowledge of local area geography, including streets, hydrants, drafting terrain, high life-hazard occupancies, and target hazards
Knowledge of appropriate usage of EMS/Firefighting equipment for various emergency and non-emergency situations
Knowledge of firefighting standard operating procedures; fire protection systems and their connection locations, Knox box locations, equipment and supply locations on the apparatus, and other required emergency response information
Knowledge of National Incident Management Systems (NIMS/ICS)
Knowledge of Department, local EMS, and County protocols and guidelines regarding patient treatment
Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical activities during emergency, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold, or smoke
Ability to establish working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public
Ability to utilize basic office equipment including calculator, fax machine, copy machine, and personal computer with knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel, and Outlook
Skill in operating motor vehicles (automobiles, fire apparatus and vehicles) requiring a standard Class E South Carolina Driver's License
Skill in operating hydraulic and pneumatic rescue tools, portable fire pumps, ground ladders, ground monitors, etc.
Skill in using appropriate hand and power tools (such as axes and prying devices) to gain entry into vehicles or structures
Skill in performing search and rescue functions inside burning buildings, and treating victims who require first aid
Skill in aiming and/or directing placement of fire streams
Skill in working in small, cramped areas to rescue trapped, endangered, or injured people
Skill in climbing ladders or steps, and working at heights greater than 10 feet to reach people trapped on building roofs
Skill in moving dirt and burned-building debris to rescue trapped or endangered persons, or to overhaul a structure
Skill in moving earth with various tools in fighting brush fires and rescuing trapped persons from cave-ins
Skill in moving objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more (five-inch fire hoses, EMS equipment, smoke ejectors, trauma boxes, persons on body boards, and salvage equipment) for distances of more than 20 feet
Skill in using common hand tools to perform tasks at emergency scenes or at the fire station
Skill in mixing gasoline and oil to fuel power tools used in firefighting and rescue activities
Skill in working with cleaning fluids and agents, chemicals, paints, or similar solutions, using personal protective equipment, while performing fire station maintenance duties and mitigating hazardous materials incidents
Skill in detecting natural gas leaks while performing emergency work; traffic sounds when approaching traffic at vehicle accidents in roadways; sounds of impending building collapse; calls for assistance; and alarms, sirens, and other signs of alarm or warning to remove self from danger and assist others in hazardous situations
Skill in working in a variety of weather conditions
Skill in entering data into a department computer (PC) or other keyboard device to document fires, first aid incidents, and fire prevention reports
Skill in monitoring firefighting performance to determine compliance with Awendaw McClellanville Fire District’s Standard Operating Procedures and related standards
Skill in distinguishing colors to identify chemicals involved in fires by smoke color, and to identify the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 704M System, Hazardous Materials
Skill in using appropriate Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), including a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), while performing firefighting-related tasks in environments that may be immediately dangerous to life (IDLH atmospheres)
Skill in meeting scheduling and attendance requirements
Ability to prioritize, assign, and direct personnel during emergency scene operations under stressful conditions
Ability to function as an Incident Commander, Sector, or Branch Officer as needed or assigned
Ability to evaluate subordinates' work performance to ensure conformance to standards
Ability to analyze data, such as documented work behaviors, evaluations, reports, and product information, to make recommendations to management regarding work performance, disciplinary actions, and the purchase or replacement of equipment
Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material to: perform work safely, and operate equipment at emergency incidents according to equipment instructions and preplans; perform emergency operation duties in accordance with department standard operating procedures; and identify, resolve, and/or refer life safety hazards in buildings
Ability to learn job-related material relating to EMS, supervisory, and firefighting duties through on-the-job training and in classroom settings
Ability to effectively size up an incident, respond quickly and effectively, and make necessary adjustments as incidents progress
Ability to communicate effectively with Captain and crew at incident scenes
Ability to perform minor preventative maintenance to keep equipment operational
Ability to maintain composure during emergencies and/or stressful situations, responding calmly, quickly, safely, and effectively
Ability to work effectively as part of cohesive unit during emergencies
Ability to perform all Firefighter and EMT duties
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions; ability to communicate verbally and in writing
Working knowledge of fire department policies and procedures, and the Incident Command System
Ability to exercise appropriate and safe judgment related to tactics of firefighting and emergency medical services
Ability to assist in training others in the requirements of the position
Ability to handle high levels of personal stress and to maintain composure under a variety of adverse conditions, including verbal and physical abuse, witnessing death and critical injuries and experiencing risk of personal harm
Benefits
Health, Dental, Vision and Life Insurance
Optional Life and Disability Insurance
Optional Medical and Dependent Care Spending Accounts
Annual and Sick Leave
Fourteen (14) recognized Holidays
South Carolina Retirement System (SCRS) State Retirement Plan
Police Officers Retirement System (PORS - as applicable)
Optional Deferred Compensation Program
Longevity and Merit Pay Increases
Leadership, Professional and Skill Development Training
Employee Assistance Program
Employee Well-being Program
Important Details
Application review begins immediately
About the Company
Charleston County Government offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. All work duties and activities must be performed in accordance with Charleston County Government’s safety rules and operating regulations, policies and procedures as well as federal, state, and local regulations. An individual in this classification must also have the ability to interact cooperatively with other County and allied agency personnel. The Awendaw McClellanville Consolidated Fire District and Charleston County Government has the right to revise this job description at any time. The duties listed are intended only as general illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. Job descriptions are subject to change by the County as the needs of the Fire District and requirements of the job change.
