Volunteer Firefighter Job Description

This is a Job Description offered as information only.
It is not an announcement of an open position or an offer of employment.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Under the direction and values of the Marion County Fire District No. 1, a volunteer performs firefighting, fire prevention, and emergency medical services duties, including combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires and applying skills and knowledge to save life and property. Drives and operates district vehicles and apparatus as directed or authorized. Maintains facilities and equipment and performs other duties as assigned.

A firefighter volunteer needs the ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; understand and follow oral and written instructions; make good judgments; act appropriately and calmly in emergencies; perform strenuous activities under hazardous and dangerous circumstances; establish and maintain effective relationships with other personnel and the general public; prepare complete, accurate reports using English grammar, spelling, and mathematics. Does related work as required and performs other duties as may be assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Work is performed under the general supervision of a company officer and/or Battalion Chief who reviews work for conformance with district policies, procedures, and guidelines.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervision is not a normal responsibility of positions in this classification.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
A person in this classification shall perform the essential functions as outlined below, given consideration and value for the Vision, Mission, and Five Basic Rules of Marion County Fire District No. 1. However, these functions do not include all of the specific essential functions that a person may be required to perform.

1. Responds to emergencies with the assigned company, lays and connects hose lines, holds nozzles and directs water streams, and utilizes chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment as may be required.

2. Raises ladders, ventilates fire to release heat and smoke, overhauls fire scene to prevent rekindling, and performs rescue work.

3. Provides emergency medical services as appropriate to EMT certification level, including report writing and related activities.

4. Covers and protects furniture, appliances, stocks, and materials using salvage covers.

5. Cleans fire stations, grounds, and services and cleans all fire equipment as assigned.

6. Participates in drills and classes and attends instructional classes, seminars, etc., as required and directed to improve abilities.

7. May be assigned to rescue vehicle.

8. Drives and operates vehicles as trained and approved.

9. Participates in, and conducts inspection programs, pre-fire planning programs, and other fire prevention programs as assigned.

10. Participates in community outreach/public service events as organized and approved by the district.

POSITION QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Upon successful completion of a district-provided recruit academy and prior to the end of probationary status, the individual will have demonstrated experience and applied knowledge of emergency medical procedures (to the extent of EMT certification level); fire suppression and fire prevention techniques, procedures, and methods; operation and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical equipment; English grammar, spelling, and mathematics. Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.

Safely operate fire and emergency medical equipment and vehicles (as trained and authorized) and use radios, pagers, personal computers, and telephones.  Have the ability to work harmoniously with other personnel.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from high school or satisfactory completion of the General Education Development.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Oregon Driver’s License within 90 days with a driving record consistent with district driving policies.
  • Must pass a district-provided physical examination by a licensed/accredited medical facility.
  • Must pass a district physical agility course.
  • Successfully pass a criminal background and personal history investigation.
  • NFPA Firefighter 1*
  • NFPA HazMat Operations, or equivalent*
  • NFPA Driver*
  • NFPA Wildland Interface Firefighter*
  • NIMS ICS 100, ICS 200, IS 700, IS 704, IS 705 and IS 800*

(* Will be provided during recruit academy.)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a person to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. A physical agility test will be required for this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this position, persons are frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to ginger, handle or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. Persons are occasionally required to sit, climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell.

The physical demands of this position in emergency situations require a person to frequently lift, exert pressure for pushing and pulling, and/or move up to 30 pounds. A person is also required to wear and use full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus weighing approximately 35 pounds while carrying or dragging a fire hose, climbing ladders, lifting patients, handling various fire equipment (i.e., fans, generators, power saws, extrication equipment, etc.) which would require the person to be able to move up to 200 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here represent those a person encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The duties of this position are performed regularly outside in all weather conditions. Duties are performed by the person near moving mechanical parts, and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes, or airborne
particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration, and extreme temperatures.

The noise level in the environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.