Fire Fighter Job Description
Martin Fire Department's goal is to fill each job with a person who is well-qualified, has an interest in the job, and who will be committed to a career in that field. To do this, we feel it is important to give each applicant a realistic description of the job and its tasks so that the candidate can decide for him or herself if the position is truly one in which there is interest and ability to do well. As a Firefighter, you will be required to perform a large variety of tasks. These tasks are very diverse and may include rescue and care of victims; fire prevention; clean-up; hazardous materials containment; and community service. We urge you to consider the entire job of Firefighter and not just the exciting or glamorous aspects.
Emergency Response
Emergency
response calls can come in at any time of the day or night and must be responded to
immediately. Sleep may be frequently interrupted.
Firefighters must be expert at getting themselves dressed in the appropriate
gear/equipment and onto the emergency vehicles quickly when responding to an emergency
call, regardless of what they might be busy with at the time the emergency call comes in.
Emergency
calls can cover anything - brush fires, structure fires, automobile accidents,
life-threatening medical emergencies, non-life-threatening medical calls, and
false-alarms. All must be responded to with the same speed and professionalism.
Firefighters must immediately size up each emergency situation upon arrival, including:
properties of the fire; probability of the fire spreading; the needs of victims; medical
conditions; effects of weather conditions; etc. in order to effectively deal with the
emergency.
Once on an
emergency scene, Firefighters are responsible for gathering information from witnesses and
other sources. It is critical that the Firefighter think quickly and obtain the
appropriate information to deal with each unique situation.
Firefighters must intimately coordinate their activities and work as a team. This includes
those Firefighters working directly with the emergency and those standing by to relieve
other Firefighters.
Firefighting is a dangerous occupation. Firefighters must enter burning structures. Once
inside the structure, firefighters must search for victims, the source of fire, and ways
to extinguish the fire. In this process, firefighters are exposed to extreme heat, smoke
and fumes.
Firefighting is very physically demanding. Firefighters carry 80 - 100 lbs. of equipment
such as hoses, axes, ladders, chain saws and extinguishers into and around the fire scene
to rescue victims and put out the fire. This may include climbing many flights of stairs.
Firefighters make forced entries into grounds/structures by cutting locks, breaking doors,
windows or roofs as needed to gain access to or ventilate structures. This may involve
using hand tools such as axes, sledge hammers, battering rams and power tools.
While at a
fire scene, firefighters must constantly evaluate personal safety by examining structures
for cracks, breaks, charring or partial collapse.
Firefighters use ladders and work at heights to rescue victims and fight fires. They must
raise, lower, rotate and extend these ladders. Ladders are at times used for purposes
other than climbing, such as bridges and carrying victims.
Firefighters locate hydrants and other sources of water. Firefighters connect hoses to
sources of water using various tools and considerable strength. Firefighters operate
hand-held hose lines without assistance and get the hose into position by dragging,
carrying or hoisting it into place.
Firefighters occasionally are overcome by smoke and/or are burned while working to put out
fires.
Firefighters are responsible for the clean up of fire scenes. Firefighters carry burnt
furniture, clothing, appliances, etc. from buildings to reduce fire and smoke damage.
Firefighters scoop, shovel, sweep and mop excess water and debris caused by the fire and
firefighting efforts. Firefighters tear down or shore up weak or dangerous parts of fire
structures such as floors, roofs or overhangs.
Firefighters now perform the tasks previously done by paramedics. Ordinarily, firefighters
will be canvassed for volunteers to perform paramedic duties. However, firefighters may
also be assigned to these duties. All firefighters are required to qualify as First
Responder (First Level of EMS) as a condition of probation.
Firefighters must assess a victim's general condition by checking pulse, respiration,
bleeding, consciousness, etc. This will require physical contact with the victims who will
often be bleeding from open wounds and/or have broken bones and other severe injuries.
Firefighters must use first aid and emergency medical techniques to treat victims to the
best of their ability.
Firefighters may also come into contact with victims who have died before they could be
rescued; sometimes, too, victims will die despite the best efforts of firefighters.
Firefighters use systematic search procedures to try to find trapped victims without
getting lost or trapped themselves.
Firefighters free trapped victims from a variety of situations including car crashes, cave
ins, structure collapses, flood channels, chemical spills, and all kinds of unusual
occurrences. Firefighters may be required to use special tools to accomplish a rescue.
After
locating and freeing the victim, firefighters must determine the safest path of
evacuation. Firefighters may be required to lift and/or carry the victim with or without
assistance in dangerous situations.
While not
out on a call, firefighters must constantly work at keeping the station and equipment in
excellent condition. Much of the firefighter's time is spent cleaning and scrubbing living
quarters, including floors and restrooms, the fire station, and the equipment.
Firefighters often come into contact with hazardous and infectious materials.
Firefighters conduct inspections for Pre-Fire Planning. Firefighters may have to educate
the general public in fire safety and fire prevention techniques.
Firefighters work 24-consecutive-hour shifts, living at the station for the entire period.
Firefighter shifts are organized on the following schedule: One day on the job, two days
off the job.
While on
duty, firefighters live and sleep at the station. Firefighters, male and female, sleep in
dormitory style quarters. Most stations do not have any physical barriers separating male
and female facilities, including bathing and toilet areas, and rely on an
"occupied/not occupied" system.
Firefighters are expected to volunteer to work overtime (extra shifts), and occasionally
may be required to work overtime. Firefighters may be away from home for days at a time
during severe emergency situations.
Firefighters work on holidays. Should your shift fall on a holiday, you will be expected
to work at the station over the holiday period.
Firefighters must work during unusual and/or catastrophic events such as major brush
fires, earthquakes, floods or civil unrest.
The duties
and equipment of firefighting make special demands on the physical attributes of
Firefighters. Personal preference for hair length, nail length, jewelry, etc. may be
overruled for firefighter safety.
The fire
service is regimented and firefighters receive orders which must be carried out promptly
and without question.
Firefighters pay for their meals while on duty. They also assist in food shopping, meal
preparation and clean-up.
Firefighters are required to complete and pass all training assignments. Some training
will require firefighters to attend training facilities located in other towns or possibly
other states and could stay away from home for days or weeks
at a time.