Fire Fighter

Works under the close supervision of the Shift Captain, however ultimately reports to the Fire Chief.  This position responds to structure, wildland, and rescue calls.  Non-Exempt, no supervision responsibilities are given to this position.  This position is responsible for carrying a pager and to have the ability to respond off duty.

Fire Fighters help protect the public against fire dangers by responding to fires and a variety of other emergencies. Although they put out fires, fire fighters more frequently respond to other emergencies. They are often the first emergency personnel at the scene of a traffic accident or medical emergency and may be called upon to treat injuries or perform other vital functions. This position also assists in teaching the public about fire prevention, and extinguisher usage.
 Essential Job Functions
The essential functions or 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.

• Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks; performs emergency aid activities for the ill and injured, including basic life support, and providing other assistance as required.
• Performs station house keeping duties while working on an assigned shift (such as cleaning, inventory, landscaping, vehicle maintenance, etc.); performs routine vehicle maintenance, such as servicing, fueling, washing, waxing, and checking fluid levels on fire department vehicles and equipment, including general maintenance work in the upkeep of the fire facilities and equipment; cleans and washes walls and floors; cars for grounds around stations; makes minor repairs; washes, hangs, and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and test apparatus and equipment and maintains crew quarters to make sure they are neat and clean
• Participates in fire drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects
• Receives and relays fire calls and alarms.  Operates personal computer, radio and other communication equipment
• Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention program
• Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, facilities and performs minor repairs to departmental equipment, apparatus, and facilities
• Responds to fire calls for structure or wildland fire suppression.  Enters burning buildings to locate and retrieve victims and to fight fires.  Extricates people from high angles, confined spaces, burning structures, wrecked vehicles, crashed aircraft, and other accident sites using ropes, ladders, and specialized equipment.  Responds to 911 medical calls. Lifts and carries medical equipment and wounded or unconscious people and administers basic life support and CPR techniques 
• Performs a variety of fire suppression activities, including driving and operating fire emergency vehicles, operating water pumps, laying and connecting hoses, holding nozzles, directing water streams, operating radios and climbing ladders. 
• Provides for the safety of self and other firefighters.  Some positions may act as incident commander in absence of shift supervisor.
• Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities
• Assess fires and situations and report conditions to supervisor to receive instructions, using two-way radio
• Positions and climb ladders to gain access to upper levels for buildings, or to rescue individuals from burning structures
• Move toward the source of a fire using knowledge of types of fires, construction design, building materials, and physical layout of properties
• Drive and operate fire fighting vehicles and equipment
• Presents programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris
• Utilizes a variety of fire fighting tools and equipment, including smoke ejectors, chain saws, and axes. 
• During the shift there are training sessions on structure fires, pump operations, and air packs all employees must attend 
• Completes daily activity reports and any other report as directed or needed. 
• Stabilizes hazardous spill sites and evacuates public. 
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job.  Employees may perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Other Responsibilities or Job Requirements

• May assist to coordinate, instruct, or supervise the work of volunteers or other departmental personnel as assigned
• Assists in departmental supervisory and administrative activities as assigned and assists in training new employees as assigned.
• Ensures that any on-the job injury is reported immediately and followed up with appropriate forms and actions.
• Assists with fire prevention activities such as fire education, inspection, investigation and code compliance matters.
• Some positions assist in training and instructing other firefighters, while other positions perform building maintenance and remodeling tasks. 
• Attends and/or training as required
• On occasion, becomes involved in public relations work and community service activities.
• Ensures any reports of harassment are immediately reported and appropriate actions are taken.
• Adheres to safety practices and standards, attends safety meetings and trainings.
• Completes personal timesheet accurately and timely.  Ensures time is reported based on actual time worked on the Employee Self Service website.
• Reports any suspected fraud, waste and/or abuse to the Fire Chief or Village Manager.
• Follows all Village of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Fire Department Policies including but not limited to Personnel Manual, IT Policy, Fire Standard Operating Guidelines and Fire Department policies
• The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job.  Employees may perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications
High School Education or equivalent required.  One-year experience in firefighting preferred. 
Must be able to pass criminal history checks and must be willing to take and pass a drug/alcohol test and comply with Village “Drug Free” Policy.

Licenses and/or Certifications
EMT Basic required, Advanced EMT preferred and must obtain IFSAC Firefighter I within one year from date of hire.  Must possess and maintain valid New Mexico motor vehicle operator’s permit of appropriate classification and endorsement as required (Class E).  Must agree to maintain a satisfactory MVR and minimum requirement of insurability as required by law.  MVR background checks will be conducted by the Village. 

Physical Demands

• Ability to maintain outstanding physical condition and cardiovascular stamina appropriate for the performance of rigorous assigned duties and responsibilities which may include sitting, standing, walking or running for extended periods of time, driving or riding in vehicles.
• Extreme exposures to heat and/or cold for extended periods, as well as adverse environmental conditions such as smoke, confined space, swift/deep water, noise, extreme height, wind, darkness and wetness
• Must successfully pass wildland fire pack test on an annual basis with minimum score of 45, arduous level.
• Lifts heavy boxes of supplies, equipment, and occasional adjustment of office furniture.
• Frequent pushing, pulling, lifting, and/or moving up to 75 pounds, during emergency situations will need to be able to push, pull, lift and or move up 200 pounds.
• Frequent squatting or bending required.
• Performs physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping and handling of materials

Work Environment

• Possess ability to adapt to inclement weather conditions and/or situations.
• Ability to drive, occasionally long distances.
• Ability to perform duties and adapt to flexible work schedules as established by management, which can be fairly irregular schedule, long hours, weekends, call back and holidays. Works Schedule is 48 hours on and 96 hours off but will change pending on others leaves and fire season.
• May be called when needed. (ALLCALL) responsible for carrying a pager to have the ability to respond off duty.
• Noise level could be moderate to loud in work environment.
• Ability to work in stressful environment and deal effectively with stress.

Travel Requirements
Limited travel - ability to travel for activities such as meetings, classes, and workshops in and out of the area including overnight travel as required.

 Knowledge of:  the policies, goals, and procedures of the Ruidoso Fire Department; the Uniform Fire Code, International Fire Code, the Life Safety Code, and the National Fire Protection Association code and standards; fire suppression principles, methods, techniques, and practices including the purpose and use of fire fighting tools, equipment, vehicles, and apparatus; basic life support and CPR; emergency rescue principles, methods, techniques, and practices including the purpose and use of rescue tools, equipment, vehicles, and apparatus; the street names and locations in the Village of Ruidoso and surrounding areas; principles and processers for providing customer and personal services.  This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Skill in: understanding and following oral and written instructions, policies, procedures, and guidelines; communicating, orally and in writing; active listening giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate and not interrupting at inappropriate times; critical thinking using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; operation monitoring watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly; service orientation always actively looking for ways to help people; judgment and decision making to consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one; completing and maintaining mandatory prescribed training courses and achieving certifications in firefighting and rescue; fighting structure and wildland fires; extricating people from wrecks, high angles, burning buildings, and confined spaces; establishing and maintaining routine working relationships with citizens, outside agencies, businesses, and employees.

Ability to: quickly respond to all response calls; listen and understand information and ideas presented verbally and in writing; time your movements or the movements of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or director of a moving object or scene; accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations; maintain composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Closing Statements 

• Any position that lists a minimum qualification for education level and/or license/certification will require the applicant to provide proof of documentation if selected for hire into the position.
• In the event of an emergency, employees are required to work to provide for the safety and well-being of the public, including the delivery and restoration of vital services.
• This job description is subject to change as the needs of the Village and Department change or the requirements of this position change.

Salary : $42,718 - $46,852