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

The City of Homer is accepting applications for:

Full-Time Firefighter/ Basic Emergency Responder

or Firefighter/ALS EMT/ Driver Operator

Starting salary for Firefighter/Basic Emergency Responder is $66,758.00 or higher $$$, DOE, with attractive benefits.

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

Residency requirement:

Employees of the Homer Volunteer Fire Department are required to live within a 15 minute maximum response/ drive time to Fire Station 1

Employees will work 24 hours on and 48 hours off (56 hour/week schedule)

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

Questions? Please email:

Fire Chief Kirko mkirko@ci.homer.ak.us

or

Deputy Fire Chief Kahles jkahles@ci.homer.ak.us

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 and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.
2. Perform vehicle readiness checks, equipment inventories and other related task.
3. Performs emergency aid and rescue activities including administering Basic Life support and providing other assistance as required.
4. Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects.
5. Receives and relays fire calls and alarms. Operates radio and other communication equipment and keeps logs as required.
6. Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs.
7. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Perform minor repairs to departmental equipment and returns equipment to full service following any use.
8. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station; makes minor repairs; wash and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.
9. Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
10. Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris
11. Serves on various employee committees.
12. Performs a wide range of clerical duties. Assists with the Fire Departments information management system. Enters and maintains records, billing information, emergency service reports, training records, statistics.
13. Perform other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• One year of experience with 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; working knowledge of Basic Life Support Care.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to 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 of time under conditions of 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.
• Must be a State of Alaska Certified Firefighter 1 with preference given to Firefighter 2.
• Must be a Certified State of Alaska EMT 1 with preference given to advanced level of care certifications.
• Must have or be able to obtain within one month from the date of hire a CEVO or EVOC certification for Fire and EMS vehicles.
• Must be 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 drivers' license with a 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 a 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 the English language; Bi-lingual applicants are preferred.

Licenses/Certifications:

• Possession of, or the ability to obtain within 12 months of employment the State of Alaska Advanced Life Support certification.
• Must successfully pass the State of Alaska FADO certification course in its entirety within 12 months of employment.
• Possession of, or the ability to 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 the performance of all aspects of duties. Carries out procedures at a department level. Responsible for decisions which 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. Work 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 performance of firefighter or EMT duties. Moderate exposure to adverse weather conditions. Required to work shifts that rotate through holidays and weekends with the occasional overtime requirement. 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 the physical ability requirements for a Firefighter/EMT as defined in Department policy. Full time employees are 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 as well as assist training, maintenance and support services within the Fire Department.

JOB FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR ACTIVITIES:

1. Assist with training fire personnel, volunteers, rescuers, and medics; assures that personnel are ready and prepared for duty, are adequately trained and equipped under the direction of an assigned Company Officer.
2. Responds to emergencies and performs fire suppression, rescue, hazmat and emergency medical duties as required; assumes emergency incident scene command as required.
3. Operates and inspects all emergency, fire, rescue, medical and life saving tools, equipment, and vehicles.
4. Ability to operate all Fire Department pumps in a safe and efficient manner.
5. Maintains required departmental and emergency response records.
6. Reviews status of vehicles and equipment; recommends equipment replacement and repair options; supervises the preventive maintenance program for routine care of vehicles and equipment.
7. Assist with preparing, edits, updates and coordinates the production of training materials.
8. Provides emergency medical and fire training for emergency responders.
9. Reviews changes in fire and emergency services laws, rules, regulations and policies.
10. Conducts health and fire safety inspections of commercial properties.
11. Updates and maintains a variety of files, records, charts and other documents; gathers, compiles and synthesizes data; maintains appropriate records and prepares reports as required.
12. Periodically leads and manages multiple resources during emergency responses and training as assigned.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Three years of experience with 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 drivers' license with a 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 a 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 the English language; Bi-lingual 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 the performance of all aspects of duties. Carries out procedures at a department level. Responsible for decisions which 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. Work 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 performance of firefighter or EMT duties. Moderate exposure to adverse weather conditions. Required to work shifts that rotate through holidays and weekends with the occasional overtime requirement. 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 the physical ability requirements for a Firefighter/EMT as defined in Department policy. Full time employees are subject to a 14 day work schedule as defined in the employee work agreement signed at the time of hire.