This class provides fire suppression, emergency medical, and other emergency and non-emergency services while attending the City of Richmond's Fire Training Academy for up to a 6-week period. The class is responsible for performing emergency firefighting and medical services, and ensuring that fire stations and equipment are in a continual state of readiness. This class works according to set procedures under direct supervision.

Incumbents may provide:

Fire suppression
Emergency medical services
Hazardous material response
Technical rescue (confined space, trench/excavation, and structural collapse) and water rescue (swift water and diving)
Hazard inspections
Fire cause/origination investigations
Community activities
General fire station equipment maintenance
Operation of emergency vehicles

As assigned, incumbents may also assist with training other employees.

Supervision Exercised/Received:

Exercised: This classification typically does not supervise other employees
Received: This classification typically reports to a Lieutenant or Captain; Note: Other reporting relationships may apply.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Responding to fire alarms, such as structure, vehicle, and brush fires
Emergency medical service
Hazard emergencies (e.g., electrical, gas, water utility incidents)
Elevator emergencies
Responding to weather events and natural and man-made disasters
Special operation incidents (hazardous materials, technical rescues, water rescues)
Driving and operating all types of emergency vehicles and apparatus
Removing persons from burning structures and other dangerous situations
Providing residential safety reviews and commercial buildings inspecting
Inspecting residential and commercial buildings for fire hazards
Participating in fire safety education and "Community Risk Reduction" (CRR) outreach initiatives
Participating in hazmat and pre-fire planning
Performing hazardous materials mitigation activities
Performing general maintenance in and around the fire station and to various types of equipment
Completing general forms and preparing regular reports
Other duties as assigned

Qualifications - Minimum Training and Experience:

High school diploma or GED at the time of application
Minimum of 18 years of age at the time of application
Minimum of 1 year of sworn firefighting experience with a career/municipal Fire Department at the time of application, not including time in the Recruit Academy
Must possess a current Virginia (VA) EMT certification in good standing at the time of application and does not expire within 6 months after the start date of the Fire Training Academy
Must possess Virginia Department of Fire Programs (VDFP) or VDFP recognized Firefighter I & II certifications, VDFP or VDFP recognized Hazmat Operations certification
Must possess Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification at the time of application
Must possess ICS700 & ICS800 and ICS100 & ICS200 certification courses at the time of application
Selected applicants must pass the Richmond Fire Candidate Physical Ability Test prior to graduation from Fire Training Academy
Requires a valid Virginia (VA) driver's license or the ability to obtain within 30 days of hire date

Special Requirements:

Selected applicants who are offered conditional employment must successfully pass the following 4 evaluations:

NFPA 1582 Medical Examination
Psychological Test
Drug Test
National and State criminal history records check and FBI fingerprint check Selected applicants who are offered conditional employment will be required to receive vaccines against various diseases or must provide proof of immunization.

Criminal Background and Driving Record: A conviction for any felony or entering pleas of no lo contendere in any felony charge automatically disqualifies an applicant. Conviction of more than one DWI/DUI automatically disqualifies an applicant. Conviction of one DWI/DUI within 3 years of the date of application or within 3 years of date of hire automatically disqualifies an applicant. An applicant is automatically disqualified if there are more than minus 7 traffic points on their Virginia driver's license (or the equivalent for an out-of-state license) at either their date of application or at their date of hire. An applicant cannot have been convicted of any offense that denies the applicant licensure as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Typical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge (some combination of the following):

Basic level of mechanical aptitude
Basic mathematics and science
CPR
Current strategies for all types of fire suppression
Electronic databases and related software applications such as FDM, mapping software, etc.
EMT-B
Geography of the City, including street system, hydrant locations, layout and location of public utilities, and potentially hazardous materials or substances
Virginia Department of Fire programs such as Firefighter I and II, Hazardous materials-awareness and operations
Working knowledge of first aid methods and emergency medicine

Skills (some combination of the following):

Completing various reports
Following simple oral and written instructions, adhering to policy and procedure
Maintaining technical knowledge
Operating, utilizing, and helping maintain fire department equipment
Participating in public education and community outreach programs
Performing custodial duties at the station
Providing fire suppression, firefighting, hazardous material response, different types of rescues, hazard inspections, investigations, and emergency medical services
Regulating water pressure
Rescuing people from harmful situations
Reviving people as needed
Staying physically fit
Suppressing and extinguishing fires
Using a variety of equipment such as fire engines, bag valve masks, ladders of various types and lengths, forcible entry tools, power saws, etc.
Working under extremely stressful situations, day and night

Abilities (some combination of the following):

Reading and comprehension
Conscientiousness
Dependability
Fluent in English
Good problem-solving
Mental alertness
Team player

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

Environmental Hazards: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond. Working conditions include exposure to hazardous materials such as chemicals, blood, and other bodily fluids, etc.; frequent exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as dusts, pollens, fumes, noxious odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation. Conditions include extreme heights; extreme noise levels; extreme heat and cold temperatures; wet and humid conditions; inadequate lighting; bright/dim lighting; work space restricting movement; traffic; and moving machinery. Conditions include environmental hazards such as dangerous animals/wildlife, disease/pathogens, explosives, disruptive people, imminent danger, violence, and a threatening environment. These conditions may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Physical Requirements and Working Environment: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraints. The essential duties of this classification require the ability to regularly climb, balance, stoop, kneel.