Firefighter 2025

Primary Function

Firefighter/EMT’s work as a team member to perform general operational fire suppression duties and emergency medical services, while working under the direction of a company officer or designee of the Fire Chief.  
Firefighter/EMT’s are responsible for responding to the scenes of fires and emergency incidents; providing emergency medical services; regularly maintaining firefighting equipment, apparatus, and quarters. In emergency situations, firefighter/EMT’s may perform hazardous tasks requiring strenuous physical exertion for extended periods of time in a varying degree of environmental conditions.
The work of the sworn firefighter involves a full commitment to the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire’s mission.   
Mission:  We, the Lancaster City Bureau of Fire, dedicate our efforts to provide for the safety of and welfare of the public through preservation of life, property, and the environment.

You must meet the following criteria to be considered an eligible applicant:

AGE: At least 18 years of age at the time of appointment to a firefighter position.
EDUCATION: Must be a high school graduate and possess a valid high school diploma, or alternatively a GED certificate.   
CITIZENSHIP: Must be a citizen of the United States.
RESIDENCY: Though not a requirement at the time of application, upon successful employment with the LCBF, all recruits must be able to offer proof of residency within a 13-mile radius of the center of Lancaster City.  This is contractual requirement with the IAFF Local 319 and would go into effect the day that the recruit firefighter is sworn in.  
LICENSE: A valid motor vehicle license is required.  
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants must successfully pass a background investigation.

We are interested in candidates that embody our core values of quality, teamwork, integrity, and respect.  We strive for excellence in everything that we do and our ideal candidates will possess the following skills and behaviors:

• Be healthy and physically fit and are committed to maintaining and improving a healthy and fit lifestyle.
• Exhibit good communication skills through listening to others and being clear and confident in your communication; candidates must be able to read, write, and speak English fluently.
• Display a commitment to serving the community.
• Demonstrate and maintain a desire to grow and improve their skill set through education and training.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations and demands of the fire service.

For more information, please visit lcbfcareers.comExamples of Principle Duties & Responsibilities

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency situations including but not limited to fires, medical injuries and illnesses, vehicle accidents, hazardous materials spills, technical rescues, false alarms, and flooding.
• Participates in emergency and non-emergency situations through firefighting, driving apparatus, operating pumps, aerial ladders/platforms, treating sick and/or injured persons within the scope of certified skills (EMT), medical assists, identification and management of hazardous materials, assistance to the Police, and vehicle rescue and extrication.
• Follows safe practices within the assigned unit and while responding to incidents.
• Maintains equipment in a state of readiness and performs maintenance to prolong the life of equipment.
• Maintains personal protective gear.
• Participates in training exercises.
• Interacts with the public in a professional manner.
• Performs general fire station building and grounds maintenance as required.

Education, Training and Experience

• Graduation from high school or completion of a GED is required.
• Upon being hired as a recruit firefighter, successful completion and graduation from the HACC Fire Academy is required.

 
Licenses and Certificates

• Possession of a valid Pennsylvania State Driver’s License is required.
• Upon being hired as a recruit firefighter, successful completion of NIMS 100, NIMS 200, Haz Mat Awareness, Haz Mat Ops, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, CPR, and NR-EMT is required.  

• Knowledge of safe practices as defined by the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS), and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
• Ability to read and interpret plans, maps, and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to drive apparatus.
• Ability to operate radio equipment.
• Ability to use SCBA, control breathing, replace cylinders and complete donning procedures.
• Ability to organize and initiate NIMS until command is transferred.
• Ability to operate as a member of a team in a vision obscured environment.
• Knowledge of modern theory, principles, techniques, and tools of firefighting including entry, exposure, ventilation, ladder practices, hose practices, pump practices, hydraulic, salvage, rescue and overhaul.
• Knowledge of firefighting equipment and related maintenance.
• Knowledge of medical equipment and related maintenance.
• Knowledge of the geography and street layout of the City of Lancaster, including the location of streets and fire hydrants.
• Skilled in the use of computers and software programs including Microsoft (Word, Excel), Emergency Reporting software, and PlanIt.
• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, with personnel and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of LCBF operating procedures.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others including representatives of other agencies or governmental units.
• Proven ability to work as part of a team and ability to collaborate successfully with others.
• Proven ability to adapt to new or changing situations and exhibit flexibility in making improvements to work processes and operations.
• Proven ability to commit to excellence in service and continuous improvement.  

Work Characteristics/Conditions
 
Scheduling
Firefighter/EMT positions involve shift work and shift rotations necessary to provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year (weekends and holidays included). Members are assigned to a platoon which will work a tour of duty that consists of two (2) day shifts (10 hours each) followed by two night (2) shifts (14 hours each) with four days off between each tour of duty.
 
Environmental Factors

• Firefighter/EMT positions involve exposure to and requires the individual to function in the presence of the following:
• Inclement weather, to include extreme heat/cold, rain, snow, wind, etc. for extended periods of time;
• Operating in proximity to electrical power lines and/or other hazards;
• Loud emergency sirens and lights, including flashing lights;
• Fire, smoke, hazardous materials - as close proximity as necessary to provide emergency services;
• Persons and/or articles with contagious/communicable diseases;
• Hazards associated with emergency driving and working in and around traffic;
• High background noise, poor visibility and drenching from hose lines and/or fixed protective systems;
• Hazardous environments including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces;
• Hazards associated with natural and man-made disasters.
  
  

DISCLAIMER
The duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Lancaster City Bureau of Fire and the employee, and the duties of a Firefighter/EMT are subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. This position description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person assigned to this position. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required to perform the job.

Salary : $58,143