Firefighter

General Statement of Duties:

To perform general duty firefighting work involving combating and extinguishing fires; to perform rescue, life support and related duties; render aid to persons suffering injury or illness, transporting seriously ill or injured person to hospitals and other emergency centers; to perform specialized duties under emergency conditions which frequently involve considerable personal hazard; and to perform related work as required. A firefighter is subject to call at any time in case of emergency.

Supervision Received:

Work is normally performed under close supervision and specific work assignments are given by a superior officer both in fighting fires and at the station, however, under emergency conditions firefighters must be able to make independent decisions and take appropriate action as required.

Typical Examples of Work:

An employee in this class may be called upon to do any or all of the following: (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employee may be expected to perform.)

• Respond to alarms with Fire Company.
• Enter burning buildings with hose lines, operate nozzles and apply water or chemicals on a fire; operate fire extinguishers and special equipment as required.
• Raise, lower and climb ladders and ventilate burning buildings to carry off smoke and gases.
• Operate radiation and explosive gas detection equipment.
• Remove persons from danger by individual or team methods.
• Participate in overhaul operations to insure that fire is completely extinguished; perform salvage operations such as placing salvage covers, removing water and debris, gathering up and returning ladders and other equipment to trucks; assist in returning apparatus to service.
• Transport severely injured or ill persons by ambulance from the place of origin to hospitals or emergency centers.
• Operate life support equipment relating to ambulance operations.
• Administer first aid.
• Take part in training sessions.
• Assist in maintaining, testing and drying hose.
• Clean firefighting apparatus, hose, and fire stations; participate in test of equipment to maintain it in working condition.
• Perform routine household duties; including cleaning, cooking, making beds, caring for heating plants and grounds around station; paint and make minor repairs.
• Perform related work as required.
• Inspect commercial and residential establishments for fire hazards; participate in fire prevention programs and activities.
• Perform routine maintenance on fire hydrants necessary to maintain such equipment in serviceable conditions.
• Prepare reports concerning work activities and other performances as required.

Desirable Qualifications for Employment:

• Ability to quickly learn firefighting techniques, first aid and life support techniques, and the operation of all department apparatus.
• Ability to read and understand technical materials and rules and regulations concerning fire department operating procedures.
• Ability to effectually operate mechanical equipment, departmental vehicles and apparatus.
• Ability to analyze situations and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to cooperate with other workers; to accept lines of authority and maintain courteous relationships with the general public.
• Ability to participate in and complete technical training courses required as part of local, state or federal regulatory programs and for the general maintenance and improvement to skills necessary to complete assigned tasks.
• Good powers of observation and mental alertness.
• Good physical condition, strength and agility.
• Ability to meet all civil service qualifications.
• Vision must be at least 20/30 corrected to 20/20.
• Graduation from an accredited High School.
• Possess firefighter I and II certificates from a State of Michigan certified Fire Academy.
• Have a valid driver’s license, a valid State of Michigan Emergency Medical Technician license and other license required by local, state and federal governments.

An employee in this class, upon employment, will be required to enter into and successfully complete all necessary training in firemanship, including both in-service training with Ferndale Fire Department and other firemanship schools to which the employee may be assigned. All employees receive such further training as shall be deemed necessary by the Ferndale Fire Department or mandated by the State of Michigan or United States Government.

Ferndale, Michigan

July 1984

Amended by Civil Service Board August 21, 1984

Amended by Civil Service Board January 26, 1987

Amended by Civil Service Board August 28, 1995