Fire Fighter II

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Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Firefighter I:

Under general supervision, assist in suppression of fires, rescue and life savings operations; respond to emergency medical calls and render basic life support care in accordance with Merced County EMS Agency protocols; handle fire streams and other fire service equipment in suppression of fires; perform daily maintenance of stations, quarters, apparatus, and equipment; make required equipment checks and perform required fire prevention inspections; assist in putting apparatus and equipment back in readiness for other emergencies; prepare necessary reports and maintain necessary records; attends scheduled training drills; andperform related work as required.

Firefighter II:

Under general supervision, assist in suppression of fires, rescue and life savings operations; respond to emergency medical calls and render advanced life support care in accordance with Merced County EMS Agency protocols; obtain and possess Merced County EMS Agency Paramedic accreditation, handle fire streams and other fire service equipment in suppression of fires; perform daily maintenance of stations, quarters, apparatus, and equipment; make required equipment checks and perform required fire prevention inspections; assist in putting apparatus and equipment back in readiness for other emergencies; prepare necessary reports and maintain necessary records; attends scheduled training drills; andperform related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Incumbents learn firefighting and emergency response techniques and procedures while performing fire service functions. Incumbents are expected to increase their range of knowledge and abilities and develop their skills while in this classification.

Reports to

Fire Captain.

Classifications supervised

This is not a supervisory classification.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Respond to fire, emergency medical, rescue, and hazardous material incidents and emergency calls to protect life, property, and environment; perform tasks to suppress or control fires, limit damage, and reduce injury and death caused by fires, accidents, or other calamities; and respond to non-emergency calls for service as necessary.
2. Fight fires using proper fire suppression techniques; lay and connect fire hoses; direct water and chemical agents onto fires; raise, position, and climb ladders; ventilate and enter burning structures to extinguish fires and rescue victims; ensure there are no hidden fires; and provide emergency medical service care to trapped and/or injured persons as needed.
3. Respond to hazardous materials incidents; perform hazardous materials containment.
4. Place salvage covers, remove water and debris, and perform a variety of salvage operations.
5. Participate in drills and training exercises, classes, and activities including, but not limited to, those related to fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, technical rescue, extrication, physical fitness, and other related areas.
6. Participate in public relations, fire/safety education activities, and fire prevention activities including station tours, fire safety/fire suppression education away from the station, school education programs, group activities, fire drills, courtesy walk-through visits, and phone inquiries.
7. Participate in fire and life safety inspections; perform inspections of commercial, industrial, residential, and other buildings; identify fire and life safety hazards; and submit reports as needed.
8. Clean station living quarters, maintaining them in a clean and orderly condition; participate in building and grounds maintenance.
9. Study and review Fire Department rules, regulations, and operating procedures.
10. Maintain, clean and reload, and ensure the proper condition of fire and emergency response equipment.
11. Serve as an acting Fire Engineer, as needed.
12. Perform related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:
Appropriate safety precautions and procedures.
Fire department organization.
Federal, State and government agency laws and regulations pertaining to the Fire Department.
Maintenance procedures pertaining to fire department equipment, buildings and grounds.
Proper methods, materials, tools, and equipment used in firefighting.
Mathematical concepts and principles.
General principles of fire suppression and prevention.
Principles and practices used during emergency medical care.
Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area.
Computer operation and use of electronic media.
Merced County EMS Agency advanced life support treatment protocols for Firefighter II position
Advanced life support treatment skills for Firefighter II position

Ability to:
Perform a variety of fire suppression, fire prevention, emergency medical response, and technical rescue activities.
Read and understand firefighting materials and apply firefighting concepts.
Understand and carry out oral and written instructions.
Operate a variety of apparatus and equipment using safe practices.
Analyze emergencies and develop appropriate courses of action.
Respond quickly to changing situations under emergency pressures.
Perform complex tasks, work safely, and communicate with others during life threatening emergencies.
Engage in strenuous physical activities requiring agility, strength, endurance, and dexterity.
Understand and act in accordance with Department policy, rules, and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Perform Merced County EMS Agency advanced life support treatment protocols as Firefighter II position
Perform advanced life support treatment skills as Firefighter II position

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Firefighter I
Education/Training:
Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Experience:
No minimum experience requirements: one year of previous experience in the fire service or emergency medical field is desirable.

Firefighter II
Education/Training:
Must have completed a paramedic program and possess a California Paramedic license

Experience:
Must be a licensed paramedic in California, sponsored by Merced Fire Department to perform as a paramedic, and accredited with Merced County EMS Agency.
Firefighter ILicense or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License for operating firefighting equipment.
Possession of a California Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
Possession of a California Firefighter I (FF-1) certificate or completion of an approved Basic Firefighter I academy from the State of California.
California Firefighter II certification must be obtained within eighteen months of initial appointment to this job classification.Firefighter II:
License or Certificate:
Possession of an appropriate California Driver License for operating firefighting equipment.
Possession of a California Paramedic license and Merced County EMS Agency Paramedic Accreditation.
Possession of a California Firefighter I (FF-1) certificate or completion of an approved Basic Firefighter I academy from the State of California.
California Firefighter II certification must be obtained within eighteen months of initial appointment to this job classification.

Special Requirements:
New job candidates must meet stringent medical and physical standards.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential job functions.

Environment: Work is normally performed in a fire station environment and at reactive emergency, natural or man-made disaster, and routine fire prevention environments with frequent travel to different locations throughout the City; regularly work near moving mechanical parts and in areas of limited and restricted entry and exit; regularly exposed to outside weather conditions and constant moisture; occasionally works in high, precarious places; exposed to fumes or airborne particles, hazardous materials and chemicals, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration; above average exposure to life threatening situations; the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; however, the noise level is occasionally very loud when responding to emergency calls and when working at a fire or other emergency incident; and regular contact with other staff and the public.

Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability to work in an emergency response setting; walk, stand, sit, or run for prolonged periods of time; climb stairs and ladders quickly and exercising above average physical agility; walk on sloped, uneven, and slippery surfaces; stoop, bend over, and kneel frequently; crawl through a variety of areas on hands and knees; sufficient manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination to work with special equipment during emergency situations; lift and move objects weighing up to 100 lbs., without assistance and heavier objects with assistance; endurance to sustain extra physical effort for a substantial period of time; ability to perform emergency service duties while wearing special breathing apparatus; maintain corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; and use of office equipment, including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, and FAX.