Volunteer Firefighter

Position:                               Firefighter

Staff Member Type:           Volunteer

Reports to:                           Volunteer Representative; Operationally: Commanding officer

Department:                        Operations

FLSA Status:                        N/A - Volunteer

Supervisory:                          No

GENERAL STATEMENT:

A Volunteer Firefighter under the organizational direction of the Deputy Chief of Operations, and under the operational supervision and leadership of the Battalion Chief, Lieutenant, or senior firefighter, administratively supervised by the Volunteer Representative, shall provide interior and exterior fire suppression, rescue, public education, emergency medical response, operate fire response apparatus and equipment and/or other duties as assigned. All work performed shall be in accordance with all District, County, State and Federal laws and regulations, and District procedures, guidelines, rules, and the Staff Member Handbook. 

Volunteer Firefighters primarily participate for civic, charitable, and/or humanitarian reasons. While there is no salary for services rendered, the District acknowledges their invaluable contribution by offering certain benefits that may include health insurance, a fitness wellness benefit, retirement benefits and other incentives.  Volunteer Firefighter staff members, “in good standing” according to the definition in the Staff Member Handbook, shall be qualified for active service with the Aspen Fire Protection District and may be eligible for Fire District benefits as outlined in the Staff Member Handbook and the Benefits Guide based on participation status.

ESSENTIAL MEDICAL STATUS & PHYSICAL SKILLS:

• Respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents; provide appropriate services as required including emergency rescue and fire suppression; perform search and rescue for trapped or injured persons; perform emergency medical and first aid services as needed.
• Performs basic life support diagnostic and medical
• Operate fire apparatus or drive emergency vehicles, including ambulances and other assigned equipment, to and at incident scenes as qualified and required.
• Operate numerous types of rescue, emergency, and fire suppression equipment and apparatus as qualified and necessary; operate, inspect, repair, and perform other technical tasks related to maintaining the apparatus, equipment, and facilities in the area of assignment
• Participate in cleaning and maintaining facilities, grounds, equipment and apparatus; ensure that appropriate conditions are maintained at assigned facility; ensure that all equipment and apparatus is in a constant state of readiness.
• Participate in a variety of fire prevention operations, activities, and programs including training; equipment operation and maintenance; participate in activities and operations in response to natural disasters, major accidents, incidents involving hazardous materials, and other emergency situations; identify, analyze, and avoid hazardous and dangerous situations.
• Respond to a variety of hazardous materials incidents; to perform defensive or offensive activities which will be dependent upon levels of certification in accordance with state and federal regulations; maintain knowledge and training about hazardous materials.
• Study street and occupancy locations in Fire District; study building plans and fire prevention systems in buildings in Fire District
• Assist with transportation of patients to medical care facilities; evaluate the condition of patients and assess pertinent information about medical profile and injuries; determine treatment in accordance with EMT training; maintain contact with medical facility to prepare for patient arrival.
• Participate in a variety of activities requiring travel including off-site inspections; respond to incidents on an on-call basis and under emergency conditions.
• Use departmental computer equipment to input, review and access records, information, and other various data.
• Give tours of Fire District facilities, demonstrate fire equipment and apparatus, and participate in other educational programs for various groups and general public pertaining to a variety of life safety topics.
• Assist in the snow and ice removal operations and
• Operate rescue vehicles and related equipment; clean and maintain supplies, materials, and equipment aboard rescue vehicles; submit requisitions for additional materials and supplies as necessary.
• Prepare emergency medical incident reports regarding patients and incident
• Perform other related job duties and related job tasks as assigned by upper-level supervisory
• Performs other duties as

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of operational characteristics, services and activities of a fire suppression and prevention program.
• Knowledge of modern and complex principles and practices of firefighting and emergency response activities.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of Basic Life Support and
• Knowledge of Hazardous materials and chemical spill response
• Knowledge of geography and street layout of the District and surrounding
• Knowledge of operations, maintenance and repair of various fire apparatus and
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and Local laws, codes, and
• Ability to participate in firefighting and emergency response
• Ability to interpret and explain fire suppression policies and
• Ability to render emergency medical care as
• Ability to analyze emergency situations and develop appropriate courses of
• Ability to inspect, maintain and repair fire and medical apparatus, equipment and station building and grounds.
• Ability to respond to requests and inquiries from the general
• Ability to prepare and present public information and educational
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Skilled in report writing, driving, and use of computer, telephone, cell phone, two-way radio, copy machine, fax machine, and calculator.
• Skilled in firefighting, BLS, fire inspection, and public

EQUIPMENT, ENVIRONMENT, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

• Driving: Must be able to operate vehicles in the normal course of duties.
• Office equipment: Copier, fax, calculator, printer, scanner, phone, cell
• Computer equipment: Personal computer, laptop computer, tablet, Microsoft Office, and other software used in the profession and department.
• Other equipment: Fire Fighting and medical equipment, tools; Radios and pagers; District vehicles, apparatus, and equipment.
• Language skills: Reads, interprets, and analyzes technical documents, codes and regulations, and professional journals; writes reports, business correspondence, procedures, and proposals; presents information and responds to questions individually and in small or large
• Mathematical skills: Performs mathematical calculations utilizing basic mathematical calculations and formulas.
• Reasoning ability: Applies the principles of logic, scientific and medical thinking, and fire science judgment to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems using multiple, complex abstract and concrete variables to collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Physical activities: Sits for several hours at a time; may walk, stand, bend, stoop, reach, climb, carry, and lift for short to long periods of time.
• Lifting: May lift/carry and push/pull up to 100 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 180 pounds.
• Vision and hearing: Must be able to read paper and electronic documents. Must be able to differentiate colors and shades of color, use peripheral vision and depth perception; must be able to see at night and/or in dark spaces. Must be able to hear sufficiently to converse with others and participate in meetings with large and small groups.
• Exposure to environmental conditions: May be exposed to heat, cold, noise, smoke, water, odors, fumes, traffic, vibrations, grease/oil, and dust/dirt.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be at least 21 years
• High school diploma or GED
• Possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver’s License with satisfactory driving record or be able to obtain within thirty (30) days of employment.

• Ability to successfully pass a background check commensurate with the position of public trust associated with firefighters and the fire service.
• Valid Colorado Emergency Medical Responder (or higher) or be able to attain within 1 year.
• Valid BLS for Healthcare Provider card or equivalent or be able to attain within 1 year.
• Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Firefighter I certification (or higher) or be able to attain within 1 year.
• Valid Colorado, IFSAC or ProBoard Hazardous Materials Operations certification, or be able to attain within 1 year.
• NWCG S130/S190, or be able to attain within 1 year.
• ICS 100, ICS 200 and NIMS 700, NIMS 800, or be able to attain within 1 year.

REQUIRMENTS TO MAINTAIN ACTIVE VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTER “IN GOOD STANDING” STATUS:

• Must maintain certifications listed above (per scheduled re-certification time frames).
• Complete all participation requirements yearly based on Volun“Tier” program selection.

The above requirements may be subject to change as determined by CEO/Fire Chief.

NOTE:

The essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the above tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristic. The list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and does not encompass all functions and responsibilities inherent to positions within this classification.

Exemptions to any of the requirements in this job description may be granted by the CEO/Fire Chief.

The District reserves the right to change, update and/or amend this job description as the needs of the organization change.