OPENING DATE: 06/30/16

CLOSING DATE: 08/22/16

THE POSITION

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

1. Lateral transfers will be required to attend a modified Firefighter Recruit Academy to learn Santa Barbara County Fire operations protocols. The academy will be approximately 8-weeks in duration and will cover topics such as wildland firefighting, hose lays, breathing apparatus, ladder evolutions and knots.
2. Responds to fires; makes forced entries into grounds or buildings by climbing walls or fences; cuts locks, chains, hasps, and bolts to gain entry to locked areas; breaks or cuts doors, windows, walls or roofs using hand and power tools; and cuts or pries open vehicles, machinery or collapsed building material to reach fire or to free trapped victims.
3. Assesses potential effect of weather, wind, and humidity at fire scene; assesses the smell and color of smoke to ascertain materials burning; locates and operates controls to shut off or control utilities; receives and follows orders from officer at fire scene; quickly and thoroughly examines all areas including supporting surfaces to judge their stability; and observes progress of fire to anticipate conditions requiring change of firefighting tactics.
4. Carries or drags charged or empty hose lines to fire scene, around obstacles, or up ladders; inspects charged hose lines and removes kinks, takes up slack and tightens leaking couplings; selects and operates appropriate class of fire extinguisher; hoists hose sections and other equipment; selects appropriate ladder; uses hose strap to secure ladder to building; ascends and descends aerial ladder; hoists or lowers tools and equipment from top; and climbs, works from, and descends ladders carrying people or equipment and using appropriate safety equipment or procedures.
5. Determines appropriate place to cut ventilation hole at structural fire; and creates ventilation by opening or forcing doors and windows, and by cutting or breaking walls and roof using chain saws and axes with a minimum and necessary force.
6. Notifies occupants to vacate premises and determines safest evacuation route; stabilizes the surrounding area by controlling traffic and crowds; calms emotionally distressed or distraught victims, relatives, and friends, and provides assistance to displaced or evacuated persons.
7. Protects Fire Department and civilian property from damage by cutting or boring holes in ceiling or walls, and by removing water from areas; observes bystanders to protect salvaged property from theft; removes fire debris; and locates, identifies, and retrieves fire equipment and apparatus used.
8. Performs rescue operations by moving and carrying heavy objects, equipment or materials, or by cutting or prying open vehicles to gain access to or to free trapped victims or bodies; carries or assists conscious, unconscious, or deceased victims down ladder or stairs; climbs or crawls through confined spaces; responds to mass casualty incidents such as air disasters; and performs rescues from hazardous chemical or gaseous areas.
9. Extinguishes grass fires with various hand tools; constructs fire lines in brush or wooded areas; chops brush and ground cover for extended periods of time, using hand tools to clear land or create a fire break in terrain unsuitable for equipment; transports wildland firefighting equipment and victims up and down steep slopes.
10. Responds to medical emergency calls by treating a range of injuries at scene using EMT techniques; administers closed chest cardiac compression to victims of heart failure; checks pulse and respiration of victims to determine whether circulation and respiration are functional; determines priorities for treatment; operates various medical equipment; determines when a victim should be moved; moves victim from scene to ambulance; reads labels on medication containers and medical supplies and selects correct product based on the specific situation.
11. Inspects commercial heating, cooling, ventilating, and electrical systems, standpipe and sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and pre-connected fire hoses, fire escapes and stairways, fire detection and alarm systems; conducts hazardous and flammable material storage inspections, and recommends corrections for unsafe conditions or practices; inspects fire exits to ensure appropriate markings and proper operation; inspects large public assemblies to detect fire safety hazards; completes inspection reports; inspects hydrants for damage and tests them for proper functioning; makes on-site visits to facilities to become familiar with specific hazards; explains and demonstrates fire prevention methods and common fire hazards.
12. Interacts with other staff to obtain information regarding previous shifts activities and changes in equipment status; maintains cordial relationships with other members of shift under conditions of monotony and of extreme stress; maintains, inspects, and inventories equipment; cleans assigned area of fire station and assists other firefighters by dusting, washing, mopping, and waxing; straightens up own quarters including changing linens and making own bed; places firefighting clothes and equipment in readiness; participates in a program to maintain and improve physical strength and endurance; reports and prepares for duty on time; maintains proper attire; displays colors; sleeps in fire station during shift; answers telephone and gives information to callers; conducts station tours and rides-along, and demonstrates and explains fire equipment; and presents fire education programs; completes time sheet.
13. Attends fire-related courses, seminars, conferences, and other non-departmental training; attends departmental training sessions in station; listens to and participates in discussions and demonstrations; attends EMT training courses; studies comprehends firefighting training materials; keeps up-to-date on pertinent information related to firefighting; studies maps and diagrams of direct routes, locations of streets, water mains, and hydrants in station area; observes, participates in, and repeats station drills and training programs.
14. Under supervision, suppresses structural and wildland fires, responds to medical emergencies and hazardous conditions situations and other types of emergency and public service incidents; performs fire safety inspections; and performs related duties as required.
15. Recognizes and preserves evidence of arson; observes spectators at fire scenes to detect suspicious behavior; and during investigation guards premises where arson is suspected.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION