SUMMARY Controls and extinguishes fires, protects life and property, and maintains fire fighting equipment of the City. Assists senior firefighters and engineers in fire suppression, rescue operations, and fire equipment readiness. Performs emergency first aid at the scene of fires or accidents and ensures fire stations and equipment are ready for all emergency and non-emergency situations by performing the following duties.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Reporting relationships, work assignments, and work schedules may be subject to change in order to meet City needs or operational requirements. Attendance at work and the ability to get along with the public, supervisors, and co-workers are essential elements of this position. Other duties may be assigned. Responds to all emergency calls for fire suppression.

Responds to fire alarms and other emergency calls.

Performs search and rescue operations as required. Removes persons from burning buildings and extricates victims from vehicle accidents.

Lays and connects hose lines and operates hand-held and stationary fire nozzles.

Selects hose nozzle, depending on type of fire, and directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire.

Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings or to assist individuals from burning structures.

Creates openings in buildings for ventilation or entrance.

Performs salvage operations at fire and accidents scenes. Protects property from water and smoke by use of waterproof salvage covers, smoke ejectors, and deodorants.

Drives and operates all fire and rescue apparatus, including ambulances, in a proper and safe manner.

Participates in periodic fire and disaster drills. Also participates in individual and group training courses including firefighting theory and practice, and emergency medical techniques.

Participates in periodic inspections of buildings for fire hazards and makes recommendations for corrections and improvements.

Inspects and tests fire hydrants for physical condition, operation, and water flow supply.

Performs a wide variety of routine tasks in connection with the maintenance of the fire station, living quarters, and grounds.

Assists with fire prevention and public fire education and public health and safety programs.

Participates in continuing study, education, training, and drill activities to achieve further certification.

Develops and maintains required skills, and mental and physical readiness.

Assists in examining sites of fires and collects evidence to ascertain causes of fires.

Assists in investigating false fire alarms.

Responds to calls from schools and parents to instruct children in dangers of fires.

Assists in examining fire site to determine burn pattern and detect presence of flammable materials and gases and incendiary devices.

Maintains inventory of equipment and fills out inspection tags and reports.

Tests for presence of gases.

If Paramedic Certified

Assesses nature and extent of illness or injury to establish and prioritize medical procedures to be followed or need for additional assistance.

Restores and stabilizes heart rhythm on pulseless, non-breathing patient.

Monitors cardiac patient.

Initiates intravenous fluids to administer medication or drugs, or to replace fluids lacking in body.

Performs endotracheal intubation to open airways and ventilate patient.

Administers injections of medications and drugs.

Inflates pneumatic anti-shock garment on patients to improve blood circulation.

Administers initial treatment at emergency scene and takes and records patient's vital signs.

Assists in extricating trapped victims and transports sick and injured persons to treatment center.

Observes, records, and reports to physician patient's condition and reaction to drugs, treatments, and significant incidents.

Drives mobile intensive care unit to emergency scene.

Communicates with Physician and other medical personnel via radio-telephone.

Places patients on stretcher and loads stretcher into ambulance, usually with help of other paramedics or Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

Takes sick or injured persons to hospital, or convalescents to destination, using skill and caution in driving to avoid sudden motions detrimental to patients.

Administers first aid as needed. Renders first aid such as bandaging, splinting, and administering oxygen.

Shackles violent patients.

Reports facts concerning accident or emergency to hospital personnel.

Assists in lifting patient onto wheeled cart or stretcher and into and out of ambulance.

Keeps patient calm and in prone stationary position on stretcher during ambulance ride.

Changes soiled linen on stretcher.

Performs other duties as required.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES None.

QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Ability to earn certifications as Firefighter I and II.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE High school diploma or general education degree (GED).

LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively with other firefighters and supervisors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY Able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• State of Arkansas EMT(B) Certification
• Valid Drivers License
• Licensed Paramedic (if paramedic qualified)

PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to outside weather conditions. The employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts; high, precarious places; fumes or airborne particles; toxic or caustic chemicals; risk of electrical shock; explosives; and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The City of Bentonville is committed to providing equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, political status, disability status, or genetic information, as required by all federal and state laws. The City’s commitment extends to all employment related decisions, terms and conditions of employment (including job opportunities), promotions, pay and benefits.