Firefighter or Firefighter First Class

The primary function of this series is to respond to fire, medical, and other emergencies and provide appropriate assistance in accordance with the specific level of training. Each of these classifications participates in equipment and building maintenance and continuous training on all phases of fire suppression, prevention, pre-plans, rescue, and emergency operation.

This is firefighting and rescue work, including controlling and extinguishing fires using various specialized equipment and techniques, evacuating persons from areas of danger, and performing emergency treatment. It also requires employees to respond to emergency medical calls and render care as required.

Distinguishing Features Of The Class

Firefighters work together in fire companies, performing general firefighting and rescue duties in assigned geographic areas of the district. The dangers inherent in the work represent conditions that can be only partially controlled through preventive measures. The work requires moderate to strenuous physical effort when using hose lines, ladders, and tools and performing rescues. A portion of an employee's work also consists of the routine maintenance of apparatus and equipment and maintaining them in a response-ready mode. The role of a firefighter includes active participation in EMS, public education, training, and physical fitness programs. Work is performed under the supervision of a company officer who reviews his/her progress through observation and review.

The actual work and requirements of the different levels may be essentially the same, but they are differentiated by certification, experience, and training. The department's SOP, in cooperation with the town's career ladder, determines the level for each class.

• Firefighter - Starting Salary : $57,476
• Recruit Firefighter Certifications
• Complete Firefighter probationary checklist within 6 months
• Obtain NC-EVD Certification within one year
• Obtain and Maintain NIMS Certifications within 1 year (ICS 100, 200, 700, 800)
• Obtain a Class B-Driver's License within one year
• Obtain NC Driver Operator Pumps Certification within 2 years
• Maintain all required Certifications
• Firefighter First Class - Starting Salary: $60,350
• Possess Firefighter Level Certifications and Requirements
• Must be 21 years of age at the time of the test date
• Hold the position of Firefighter with Wake Forest FD for two years prior to the test date
• No disciplinary action prior to one year of advancement
• Complete NC DR/OP Aerial certifications (Meet/Pass WFFD Aerial requirements within one year of obtaining FFFC rank)
• Maintain all required Certifications
  

Essential Functions

The duties listed below 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.

Essential Duties and Tasks

• Responds with personnel, equipment, and apparatus to fire, emergency medical, hazardous materials and rescue incidents
• May respond on an engine, ladder or rescue unit and perform duties such as: stretching hose lines, manipulating nozzles and directing streams of water, climbs aerial and ground ladders, conducts forcible entry, ventilates structures, utilizes handheld fire extinguishers, utilizes hand-tools, pneumatic tools, hydraulic tools, utility and rescue rope and other equipment
• Provides emergency medical care and assistance to sick and injured persons; removes entrapped victims from motor vehicle accidents and other hazardous situations; assists with loading and may participate in the transportation of sick and injured persons to appropriate medical facilities
• Performs rescue type operations involving water, high and low angle, trench, collapse, search, and confined space
• Performs salvage operations; throwing tarps, removing water and debris
• Wears protective clothing including self-contained breathing apparatus, while making entry into burning and smoke-filled structures to perform firefighting operations
• Assists in maintaining fire apparatus and equipment, and cleaning firehouse and the firehouse grounds
• Maneuvers and connects hose from engine; climb ladders, use fire extinguishers and other mechanical equipment as required; ensures that assigned hand tools and other equipment are on the apparatus and are in good working order
• Performs inspections and preventative maintenance on hydrants
• Conducts pre-incident surveys
• Assures readiness of equipment and apparatus
• Work may require additional training and associated duties for assignment to the Ladder Company or other specialized apparatus
• Completes duties in accordance with department SOG’S
• Responds punctually to alarms and to all assignments
• Safely operates a motor vehicle for the purpose of conducting official duties of the Wake Forest Fire Department
• Develops and/or assists in developing SOG/SOP’s and reviews their relevance to our department goals and objectives
• Addresses critical fireground safety hazards
• Communicates effectively with the command center and personnel, conveying unusual conditions and/or dynamics of an incident
• Attends in-service classes in firefighting, emergency medical service, and related duties to ensure that minimum company standards are maintained
• Participates in physical fitness activities to maintain physical conditioning
• Maintains regular and reliable attendance in accordance to the leave policies
• Demonstrates superior seamless customer service, integrity, and commitment to innovation, efficiency, and fiscally responsible activity
• May be required to move to other companies or stations on a daily basis, based on staffing needs.
• Performs other tasks as required.
  
  

Recruitment and Selection Guidelines

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of, and skills in, applying principles, practices and methods of modern fire suppression techniques
• Knowledge of fire department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Knowledge of North Carolina motor vehicle laws and Emergency Vehicle Driver rules and regulations
• Knowledge of the geographical layout of the Wake Forest Fire District, street names and numbers, and hydrant locations.
• Knowledge of Emergency Medical techniques.
• Possess good working knowledge of personal computers and experience with Microsoft Office software and should be familiar with Firehouse software
• Ability to work with a minimum amount of supervision
• Ability to recognize and correct safety hazards for firefighting personnel
• Ability to determine the need for apparatus and equipment repair and maintenance
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions
• Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, to groups and to individuals
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency situation and to determine the proper course of action
• Ability to report for work on time, complete assigned tasks within a reasonable period of time and perform the duties of the job for a complete workday
• Ability to concentrate and accomplish tasks despite interruptions
• Ability to effectively communicate on two-way radio system
• Ability to properly operate office equipment such as telephones, calculators, computers, and copy machines
• Ability to read and write at a high school graduate level
• Must be proficient in intermediate math skills
• Ability to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing job duties.
• Ability to work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration.
• Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to the outdoor elements.
• Ability to make fine, highly controlled muscular movements to adjust the position of control mechanisms such as operating levers, pedals, and valves.
• Ability to understand apparatus limitations as related to apparatus response and fire suppression activities.
• Ability to pass an annual SCBA fit test with minimal accommodations
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma is the minimum educational requirement

Preference given for candidates who possess an Associates degree or higher.

Special Requirements

All incumbent and new Firefighters must possess at the minimum the following qualifications and certifications and maintain them thereafter.

• North Carolina Firefighter II
• Hazardous Material Level I
• North Carolina EMT-B
• North Carolina EVD (within one year of hire date or based on availability)
• North Carolina Class B driver license (within one year of hire date)
• NIMS ICS 100, 200, 700, 800
  
  

The link below provides a brief summary of the major benefits provided to new full-time, regular employees with the Town of Wake Forest.

2023 Town Of Wake Forest Benefits Summary

Details about benefits and costs for full-time employees are available in the Human Resources Department.

The Town Provides

Group Insurance Plans

Health Insurance with Blue Cross Blue Shield NC

MetLife Dental

Superior Vision

Group Life Insurance with Unum

Long-term and Short-term Disability Programs

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Retirement Plan

Deferred Compensation (457) Plan And 401(k)

Social Security

Credit Union

Employee Assistance Program