What are the responsibilities and job description for the Firefighter (Firefighter/EMT) position at City of Rochester, NY?
General Description
Pursuant to Rule VII of the Rules of the Civil Service Commission of the City of Rochester, eligibles for Firefighter must be residents of the City of Rochester. Residency will be determined based on the address on file in the Office of the Commission 90 days prior to the commencement of the physical ability examination associated with that certification. Residency shall be defined as an applicant's home, that is, where the applicant regularly lives. The Commission may require such proof of residence as it deems necessary and reserves the right to investigate any and all claims of residence.
City of Rochester's Definition of Residency: The actual principal domicile of an individual where the individual normally sleeps, maintains usual personal and household effects, and lists as an address on tax filing, voter registration, postal address, motor vehicle registration, rents or lives in a structure that pays City of Rochester taxes, etc.
This work primarily consists of preventing loss of life and damage to property resulting from fires or other life-threatening situations. It includes the fighting and prevention of fires, rescue, emergency medical service, and inspection. Work is often physically stressful and strenuous. Firefighters receive intensive training as recruits and detailed instruction at the fire scene from supervisors. Routine inspection and maintenance work is performed under general supervision. Firefighters perform related work as required.
To obtain more information on the Firefighters and Recruitment, please visit the following link:
https://www.cityofrochester.gov/departments/rochester-fire-department/rochester-firefighter-jobs-and-recruitment
Typical Work Activities
- Responds to fire alarms and emergency calls with fire company;
- Locates fires, sizes up and relays information to officer-in-charge;
- Makes openings for ventilation and entry;
- Evacuates, searches and removes people from hazardous areas;
- Raises, positions and climbs ladders and enters burning buildings wearing protective clothing and breathing apparatus;
- Lays, connects, carries, drags and operates hose lines and nozzles;
- Drives, rides, or operates firefighting apparatus, and places apparatus and equipment as necessary;
- Operates power tools, digs, moves heavy objects and/or works in hazardous areas to rescue or extricate victims of various kinds of accidents;
- Inspects and maintains firefighting equipment;
- Provides emergency medical treatment for injured or ill persons;
- Lifts injured or ill persons;
- Conducts periodic inspection of buildings or private homes for fire hazards;
- Communicates and receives information via radio, telephone, electronics, written and face to face;
- Fills out reports by hand or uses a personal computer;
- Evaluates dynamic situations at emergency scenes and makes decisions on how to safely proceed with
- limited information;
- Performs salvage operations at scene of fire, such as removing furniture, covering furniture with tarpaulins, and cleaning debris.
Minimum Qualifications
High School Diploma* or Equivalent*.
- Candidates who expect to receive this degree or diploma by August 1, 2025, may participate in the examination. If successful on the examination, you will NOT be certified for appointment UNTIL you have SUBMITTED proof of completion of the requirements to the City of Rochester Examination Administration unit. Proof MUST be submitted no later than 2 (TWO) MONTHS after the completion of your degree or diploma; failure to do so will result in removal of your name from this list.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
- Possession of a valid driver's license at the time the background investigation begins and at appointment, and throughout the duration of employment.
- Possession of a valid NYS driver's license at the time of appointment.
- Candidates must be at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of appointment.
- Candidates must successfully complete the Rochester Fire Academy training class.
- Must pass a medical examination in accordance with the standards set forth in the most recent edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1582: Standard on Comprehensive Occupational Medical Program for Fire Departments. Adherence to the standards set forth in the most recent edition of the above will be required throughout employment as a uniformed member of the Rochester Fire Department.
- Possession of an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT- BASIC) certification issued and/or approved by New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services by completion of the Firefighter Recruit Class. This certification must be maintained throughout employment in this title.
Exam Information
This written test will be in multiple choice format and will test for general abilities needed to succeed in entry-level Firefighter training and on the job. No previous knowledge of firefighting work is necessary to succeed on this test.
Part 1, Written Examination:
This written test will be in multiple choice format and will test for general abilities needed to succeed in entry-level Firefighter training and on the job. No previous knowledge of firefighting work is necessary to succeed on this test.
Reading Ability:
These questions test your ability to read, retain, recall, and comprehend written material.
Mathematical Reasoning:
These questions test your ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide.
Map Reading:
These questions test your ability to read street maps and to orient yourself with basic written instructions pertaining to a graphical map.
Writing Ability:
These questions test your ability on grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
Human Relations:
These questions test for your interpersonal competencies.
Study Guide:
To Be Added – When we have the updated Study Guide available, we will notify all candidates that the information has been added.
Part 2, the qualifying Physical Agility Screening Test
Also known as the Beep or PACER test is an aerobic cardiovascular endurance test that consists of a series 20-meter runs to determine whether a candidate possesses a minimum VO2 or oxygen uptake level. For more information regarding the Physical Agility Screening Test click the go to the Rochester Fire Department website at:
Blue Lion Fitness : Everything you need to know about the beep test
Beep Test Academy YouTube Video on the beep test protocol
Part 3, the Background Investigation - The scope of the background investigation will include but not be limited to the following areas: records of education, employment, military service, criminal record, driving record, illegal drug usage.
City Residency Requirement:
Pursuant to Rule VII of the Rules of the Civil Service Commission of the City of Rochester, eligibles for Firefighter must be residents of the City of Rochester. Residency will be determined based on the address on file in the Office of the Commission 90 days prior to the commencement of the physical ability examination associated with that certification. Residency shall be defined as an applicant's home, that is, where the applicant regularly lives. The Commission may require such proof of residence as it deems necessary and reserves the right to investigate any and all claims of residence.
City of Rochester's Definition of Residency: The actual principal domicile of an individual where the individual normally sleeps, maintains usual personal and household effects, and lists as an address on tax filing, voter registration, postal address, motor vehicle registration, rents or lives in a structure that pays City of Rochester taxes, etc.
ELIGIBLE LISTS
After the written portion of the exam, the names of successful candidates will be placed on a list of eligibles in rank order of final scores. The list will be established the Civil Service Commission for at least 1 year, but may be extended up to 4 years. The Multi-Stage Fitness or Shuttle Run Physical Agility Screening Test background, the Background Investigation and the medical examination will be administered later, the dates have yet to be determined. Candidates who fail any of these tests will be removed from the Eligible List and will be required to retake the next examination. The Commission reserves the right to process candidates on the qualifying tests only in such numbers necessary to produce enough eligibles to meet department's needs through the life of the list.
For full-time employees:
The City of Rochester offers a complete benefits package to full-time employees including health care, dental, vision, retirement, deferred compensation plans, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, long-term disability, holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
For less-than full-time employees:
The City of Rochester offers numerous growth opportunities to include the potential to transition into full-time, permanent employment.
