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HomeMy WebLinkAboutGII_Driver-Op_2015Beaumont Fire/Rescue Services Detailed Job Description Grade: II Classification: Driver/Operator Section: Operations Assignment: Driver/Apparatus Operator Reports to: Captain-Station/Crew Leader FLSA Status: Non -Exempt Distinguishing Features: This position exists to provide for the safe response of apparatus to fire and emergency medical calls for service, and for effective operation of pumper, ladder, and special firefighting apparatus and equipment at emergencies and routine assignments. The operation of apparatus requires constant alertness and observation to ensure it is being utilized within safe operating principles and practices. Personnel assigned to this position must make sound tactical decisions to provide for the safety, accountability, and rescue of firefighters. This includes attack line placement, Rapid Intervention Crew strategy, water supply and pump pressure management for various applications simultaneously, and tracking of personnel. Employees in this class may be required to relieve an officer of higher rank and, when so assigned, are responsible for the duties and job requirements of that position until relieved of those duties. Driver/Apparatus Operators may be assigned to work on special teams or assignments, which call for special abilities and knowledge attained through experience and training. Competencies: Competencies are a set of identified behaviors, knowledge, skills, and abilities that directly and positively impact the success of employees and the organization. Competencies can be observed and measured. When consistently demonstrated, competencies make employees particularly effective in their work. Competencies help lay out a roadmap to career success. Beaumont Fire/Rescue Services' established competencies for all positions include: • Understanding our Business • Achieving Technical and Functional Expertise • Serving our Customers • Getting Results • Working as a Team • Exhibiting Interpersonal and Communication Skills • Demonstrating Leadership and Personal Effectiveness Position Essential Job Functions: • Driving a fire engine, ladder truck, or specialty fire apparatus to and from emergency calls for service, drills, and routine assignments— Knowledge of traffic laws and street conditions in order to operate apparatus safety and expeditiously; • Knowledge of most direct and expeditious routes and studies them prior to incident response; • Selection of the most direct and expeditious route to alarm site; • Plan route and positioning of apparatus based on anticipated actions (i.e. arrival routes) of other companies when driving to multiple alarm calls; • Drive apparatus safely to designated place; • Maneuver and position apparatus at the scene. Communicating with individuals/crew while en route to and at the emergency scene to insure appropriate coordination of apparatus and personnel. Operating within the Incident Management System and departmental operating guidelines— If necessary, assuming command, directing and coordinating emergency scene activity within the parameters established by accepted incident management principles and department standard operating guidelines, until relieved by an Officer of higher rank; • Applying the Risk Management Model to tactical situations. Using appropriate tools, connecting or hooking up apparatus to water source and operating pump to supply water in appropriate pressure and volume— Correctly engage pump; • Lay and connect suction and discharge hose to apparatus; • Pump to hose lines, aerial devices, specialty nozzles, standpipe or sprinkler systems, master stream devices, or other apparatus; • Maintain consistent pressure by adjusting appropriate valves or governor; • Transfer from pressure to volume stage when necessary; • Monitor pump panel monitoring devices for inconsistencies; • Notify supervising officer or Command of any problems experienced during pump operations; • Shut down pump when ordered to by Command. • Stabilizing ladder trucks, elevating and operating aerial ladders and platforms in order to rescue victims, providing access for ventilation, operating master stream devices, etc.. • Providing direct medical assistance to persons requiring emergency attention or assists others in providing medical assistance. • Stretching line or using extinguisher to deliver water, foam, or other extinguishing agents to emergency scene. • Participating in training classes, benchmark practice, and drills to enhance job-related skills and abilities. • Willingness to attend external lectures, seminars, courses, etc. and read external documents (e.g. professional trade publications) to stay current in emergency services operations. • Facilitating the training of personnel so that they are properly trained to carry out their assigned duties— including planning, developing, conducting, or evaluating formal or informal sessions or drills, classes, or skills. • Reading internal memos, guidelines and polices to keep appraised of new developments in departmental operations and methods. • Reviewing, completing, filing, distributing, forwarding, and recording information in logs, forms, reports, and systems that must be completed as a routine part of the job; • Inspecting, cleaning, and maintaining personal gear and equipment to ensure proper and safe operation. • Performing general maintenance and upkeep to department property. • Touring commercial and non-commercial buildings and sites to gather pre -incident planning information. • Inspecting buildings and premises for compliance with fire codes or hazards, to check on complaints, and assist in the investigation of arson cases. Page 2 of 6 • Engaging in activities which have an impact on the department's image within the community—public education, assistance, other related initiatives. • Participating as a fire department representative at community events. • Participating in physical fitness activities to maintain physical conditioning. • Assisting in resolving problems or questions referred by staff, department or City administrators or employees, City Council persons, or the public. Assignment -Specific Job Functions: • Searching assigned area to locate victims and obtain further information about incident, following standard search procedures. • Assisting, hoisting, carrying or dragging victims from emergency area by means of interior access (stairs, hallways, etc.) or, if necessary, by ladders, fire escapes, or other means of egress— using rescue harnesses, ropes, backboards or other equipment. • Carrying, raising, extending, and climbing ground ladders to perform search, rescue, and other operations. • Performing triage and stabilizing patients by following established emergency medical treatment protocols. • Assisting at the operations -level at hazardous materials operations including decontamination of persons or equipment, unless otherwise trained. • Assisting at the operations -level at technical rescue operations— vehicle and machinery extrication, confined space, structural collapse, rope, high angle, top water, trench and excavation, unless otherwise trained. • Prying open, cutting, or breaking down doors, or otherwise forcibly enter structures, vehicles, aircraft, or other entrapments in order to search for victims and provide access to the emergency scene, using appropriate department -issued or department -approved equipment. • Opening or breaking windows, chopping or cutting holes in roofs, breaching walls or doors and placing fans at windows or doors to remove heat, smoke and/or gas from structures or entrapments. • Moving and covering furniture, appliances, merchandise, and other property; cover holes in structures and stabilizes damaged structural components; redirecting or removing water to minimize property damage, or participating in other salvage operations— using tarp, ropes, mops, squeegees, and other tools. • Opening walls and ceilings, cutting or pulling up floors, and moving or turning over debris to check for hidden fires which could rekindle or spread— using hooks, axes, saws or other equipment. • Examining the incident scene and preserving evidence to help determine the cause of a fire or other emergency. • Picking up, cleaning up, and returning to service equipment and vehicle so that the company can be available for service. • Inspecting hydrants for operational use and providing seasonal maintenance. Reauired Knowledize_ Skills_ and Abilities Knowledge of... • Current industry standards and best practices of progressive emergency services organizations; • The geographical layout of the City of Beaumont, street names and numbers, and hydrant locations; Defensive driving practices and procedures; Page 3 of 6 • Safe operating practices and procedures for emergency apparatus and equipment used within the department; • Maintenance procedures of various types of apparatus and equipment used by the department; • Hydraulics and their application to the operation of fire apparatus; • Generally accepted and department -specific practices, procedures, techniques, methods, instruments, and equipment; • Principles, policies and procedures relative to emergency medical and technical rescue operations; • Principles, policies and procedures relative to firefighting, salvage and overhaul operations; • Principles, policies and procedures relative to hazardous materials incident operations; • Principles, policies and procedures relative to inspection, public education and information activities; • The laws, regulations, policies, and procedures relevant to emergency services response activities; • Organizational philosophy and ethical policies that direct all personnel in the discharge of their duties; • Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar; • Human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation. Skill in... • Making quick and accurate assessments of emergency situations, and determining appropriate mitigation actions relative to water supply and demand; • Determining how a system should work, and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes; • Using logic and reasoning to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems; • Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions; • Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions or situational requirements; • The operation of emergency medical equipment; • The operation of fire equipment and apparatus; • Fire, emergency medical, and hazardous materials practices; • Rescue and extrication procedures; • Filling out forms for documentation; • Performing physically strenuous activities in a high stress environment; • Communications and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public, etc. sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction; • Giving full attention to what people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; Ability to... • Understand and operate within the Incident Management System; • Learn and apply emergency services principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment to work situations; Page 4 of 6 • Operate heavy motor equipment at maximum operating efficiency consistent with needs, safety, and mechanical limitations of the equipment; • Understand apparatus and equipment limitations as related to response and emergency scene activities; • Learn and apply emergency services principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment to work situations; • Identify critical incident scene safety factors and address them appropriately; • Observe or monitor people's behavior to assess patient condition; • Observe or monitor objects and personnel to determine compliance with prescribed operating of safety standards; • Understand the effects of fire involvement and spread as related to the rescue of firefighters and civilians; • Work at heights greater than ten feet frequently; work at heights of up to 100' occasionally; • Move objects 40-60 pounds short distances (30 feet or more) frequently; hold 80-100 lbs. frequently; carry 50-150 lbs infrequently; lift or drag in excess of 150 lbs. of force occasionally; • Perform duties requiring frequent pulling of 40 pounds or more, such as removing hose from apparatus, pulling ceilings, starting power equipment, and opening doors on apparatus, as required; • Bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, grasp, and perform repetitive motions repeatedly or continually over time to perform emergency medical services, fire ground, or other response -related duties; • Lift arms above shoulder level to cut vent holes with an axe or force entry into vehicles using specialized tools; • Travel across wet, slippery, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; • Use self-contained breathing apparatus and protective clothing to prevent exposure to hazardous materials and infectious diseases; • Tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing job duties; • Work for long periods of time, requiring sustained physical activity and intense concentration; • Work in a variety of weather conditions with exposure to outdoor elements; • Within accepted safety practices, rely on sense of sight, hearing, touch, and smell to help determine the nature of an emergency and make operational decisions; • Understand apparatus and equipment limitations as related to response and emergency scene activities; • Operate equipment at maximum operating efficiency consistent with needs, safety, and mechanical limitations of the equipment; • Tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong— recognize potential problems; • Maintain control under extremely stressful conditions; • Make life and death decisions during emergency situations; • Learnjob-related material through structured lecture, reading, and computer-based instruction, through oral instruction and observation, and through hands-on activities; • Communicate ideas orally and in writing in the English language so that others will understand; • Understand and follow oral and written instructions in the English language; • Comprehend and make inferences from written material in the English language; • Communicate orally with customers, clients, or the public in face-to-face, one-on-one settings; • Work cooperatively with other City employees and the public; Page 5 of 6 Continue to learn new technical and operational methods to improve effectiveness and efficiency of operations; Exercise a high degree of self-discipline; Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others. Additional Requirements: • Some assignments will require performance of other essential and marginal functions depending on work location, assignment, or shift. • Some assignments require the use of City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid Class B driver's license, and have an acceptable driving record. • Employees in this class may be required to relieve an officer of higher rank and, when so assigned, are responsible for the duties and job requirements of that position until relieved of those duties. Minimum Acceptable Experience, Training, and Certification: • Meet requirements for promotion to Grade II — Driver/Operator. • Certified as Structure Firefighter — Basic, by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. • Certified as Emergency Care Attendant, by the Texas State Department of Health Services. Certified at the Operations Level for Hazardous Materials response, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards. Preferred Experience, Training, and Certification: • Texas Commission on Fire Protection certifications preferred: • Driver/Operator • Structure Firefighter — Intermediate or above • Hazardous Materials Technician • Fire Service Instructor — I or above Texas State Department of Health Services certifications preferred: • EMT— Basic or above Completion of accredited college hours in any of the following areas: • Fire Protection Technology • Emergency Medical Services • Occupational Safety and Health Page 6 of 6