Volunteer Firefighter

Volunteers are paid based on meeting their commitments through an incentive program with the department twice a year.

DESCRIPTION:

Performs public safety work by providing all hazard fire suppression services by extinguishing and preventing fires, and protects life and property in emergency fire situations. Performs other related duties as required by the shift captain, shift lieutenant and/or other chief administrative officers of the department. All work is performed under close supervision of the assigned shift leader.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responds to emergency calls for fire and other emergency situations including removing individuals from dangerous and hazardous situations;
• Performs all activities necessary to combating, suppressing, and extinguishing fires and the protection of life and property;
• Assesses emergency medical problems by removing persons in danger;
• Responds to fire alarms, connects hoses, holds various types of nozzles, and directs water streams;
• Gains access to premises for firefighting, rescue, and salvage operations;
• Uses fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, various types of power saws, and other fire ground equipment;      
• Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings;
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing covers, removing water, and removing debris;
• Carries a charged hose line into structures for fire containment and extinguishment;
• Participates in fire drills and attends training classes in firefighting, first-aid, and other related subjects;
• Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency situations which may involve extreme exertion under conditions such as smoke and cramped surroundings;
• Performs extreme strenuous and physical labor for extended periods of time under some unfavorable climatic conditions; This can include frequently lifting objects weighing 50 – 100 pounds;
• Performs duties requiring bending, crouching, stooping, climbing, and crawling in buildings or close quarters that may be filled with smoke;
• Ability to operate fire apparatus safely and lift and operate firefighting equipment;

OTHER REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND DUTIES:

• Knowledge of the City of Pigeon Forge and Sevier County Geographic Region;
• Knowledge of the City of Pigeon Forge City Ordinances;
• Knowledge of the City of Pigeon Forge Employee Handbook Rules and Regulation;
• Knowledge of the City of Pigeon Forge Fire Department Policies, Procedures and Guidelines and the ability to comprehend, interpret, and apply regulations, procedures, and other related information;
• Knowledge of fire prevention and State and City regulations as applied to fire fighting and prevention;
• Knowledge of firefighting equipment and its intended uses;
• Ability to use Microsoft programs, social media, and typing and editing skills; this may include the use of modern office machinery;
• Ability to read, understand, and follow oral and written instruction;
• Ability to write required and necessary forms; paperwork must be in proper format including proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar;
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the departmental supervisory staff, co-workers, administrative staff, city commissioners, city departmental supervisory staff, employees and the general public;
• Ability to learn to operate a variety of firefighting equipment such as fire pump, fire hydrant, hydraulic tools, hand tools, power equipment, etc;
• Ability to learn to operate large fire trucks and various fire equipment safely; this includes driving skills;
• Ability to operate departmental radio communications;
• Ability to physically function at extreme heights and in close quarters;
• Ability to react in a timely manner in taking a different course of action that may become necessary in an emergency situation for the completion of an assigned task;
• Ability to learn and understand basic to complex principles and techniques and to use independent judgment in the absence of the shift supervisor;
• Ability to acquire knowledge of topics related to the job of a firefighter;
• Participates in routine cleaning and maintenance of washing and drying of fire hoses;
• Participates in annual hose testing that involves unloading and reloading of fire hose;
• Performs general maintenance work, cleaning and maintaining the fire station(s) which includes the sleeping quarters and other premise areas of the fire departments property, including washing walls, floors, windows, painting, and minor repairs of fire apparatus and fire equipment;
• Participates in required educational and training programs conducted by the Fire Department Training Officer and/or other Administrative Staff Officer or other outside creditable agency;
• Participates in flow testing of fire hydrants which involves taking caps off of hydrants and opening up the hydrant and checking water flow;
• Responds to “All-Calls;”
• Completes 24 hours of ride time per month;
• Perform all other work duties/tasks as required.