What are the responsibilities and job description for the VOLUNTEER CHAPLAIN - FIRE DEPARTMENT position at City of Crestview, FL?
Description
Job Summary
Chaplain Volunteers must be trained in compliance with standards of their respective faith which allows them to be considered ordained.
Civilian volunteers serve at the discretion of the Chief of Fire and do not receive any salary or benefits except workers' compensation coverage. There will be no discrimination as to age, sex, race, or physical handicap in the selection of civilian volunteers. However, minimum age restrictions will be enforced. Volunteers are expected to have the ability, aptitude, and skills commensurate with their assigned duties.
Job Responsibilities
The below listed duties constitute only a summary of what may be required or encountered. The Chaplain must remain constantly alert and sensitive to the needs of every situation.
Chaplains may be called upon to:
- Offer counsel to department employees, their families, or the public who may have personal problems.
- Visit the station(s) and all shifts.
- Liaison with other religious leaders in the community.
- Assist with funerals, memorial services, award ceremonies, and other activities or special events. Fire fighter weddings will not be conducted by Fire Department chaplains.
- Accompany agency personnel during death and serious injury notifications.
- Visit sick or injured personnel at home or in the hospital.
- Assist with referral(s) to appropriate community agencies for assistance.
- Provide instruction in areas of ethical standards and spiritual fulfillment.
- Provide support services at the scene of major disasters.
- Attend agency open houses, parades and other employee social events with their families.
Qualifications
The individual appointed to the position of Fire Department
Chaplain must be:
- Willing to commit the necessary time, to support and ensure an effective, successful chaplain program.
- Aware that they may be asked to respond to situations at any hour.
- Aware that they will be on-call, on a rotating basis for 1 week/twenty-four hours a day.
- Serve 4 hours a month and complete monthly service form.
- Willing to serve a minimum of 1 year.
- Able to understand and relate to people holding religious commitments different from their own.
- Supportive of the need for the Fire Department in our community, advocate the value and philosophical statement for the Fire Department.
Chaplains will not:
- Respond to any fire scene or other situation unless specifically requested by the Fire Chief, Incident Commander, or other competent authority.
- Provide emergency counseling that may best be provided by an emergency mental health facility.
On the Scene Specific Duties:
- Watch for signs of fire fighter physical or emotional stress.
- Assist in providing for the fire fighter’s needs (water, other hydration drinks, i.e. Gatorade, snacks, rest).
- Assist those impacted by the emergency.
Post-Emergency Duties:
- Conduct follow-up to ensure victims are receiving necessary assistance.
- Ensure the firefighter(s) needs are met in the areas of on-the-job injuries, critical incident stress debrief, etc.
- The Chaplain shall make a “brief” written report for all field incidents, stating the number of members and/or victims contacted, what type of assistance was provided. Information that is confidential in nature shall not be included in this report. The completed report will be submitted to the Senior Chaplain, immediately following the incident.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
