Job Description
Job DescriptionCITY OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA JOB DESCRIPTION
Title: Fire Captain Date: August 03, 2021
Department: Fire Status: Full-time
Exemption: Non-Exempt W/C Code: 7704-21
GENERAL PURPOSE
This position is responsible for overall station management and responsible for planning, organizing, directing, coordinating, and supervising activities of an assigned shift, which includes the management of personnel, fire prevention and training activities, and oversight of major programs.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Under broad supervision, reports to the Assistant Fire Chief. SUPERVISION EXERCISED
Supervises shift personnel, volunteer firefighters, and others as assigned.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
This position operates with considerable latitude for independent decision-making.
Is responsible for the mitigation of emergencies through responsive and effective management of fire suppression, emergency medical, rescue, hazardous materials, and other man-made and/or natural disasters that pose a threat to public safety. Mitigation of emergencies may involve performing hazardous tasks requiring strenuous physical exertion for extended periods of time in cramped surroundings, hot, smoky environments with limited visibility and at considerable heights. Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.
Assures proper daily maintenance and operational readiness of apparatus, equipment, facilities, and personnel. Assure assigned personnel complete required training. Promote teamwork within the department. Authorizes and controls daily purchase of materials and supplies. Maintains appropriate daily staffing levels and manages personnel’s vacations, holidays and other absences. Support the other department divisions in achieving Department goals. Conduct company evaluations. Maintains discipline through administration of Department policies and procedures, including issuing discipline to the level authorized in policy, and makes effective recommendations to the Fire Chief on other related personnel actions. Accurately completes and processes forms, incident reports and other documents and ensures reporting performed by others on assigned shift are accurately completed.
Lead efforts to mitigate emergencies by providing a strong knowledge of National incident management system command and control at fire scenes, EMS incidents, rescue scenes, hazardous materials incidents; we have a few man-made and natural disasters, etc. Determines need for and type of equipment and personnel appropriate to the situation and dispatches in a timely manner, making appropriate decisions and acting deliberately in emergency scenarios.
Delivers safe medical care and treatment based on the individual needs of the patient and in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Delivers compassionate care and treatment of sick or injured individuals of a diverse community, suffering from non-urgent to life-threatening problems, frequently under unfavorable conditions. Effectively applies technical knowledge to complex problem assessment and solving to rescue persons or property, under diverse, and often stressful, circumstances.
Participates in treating patients, performing as a standby Firefighter, or performing other emergency actions. This would include performing extremely strenuous physical work while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), under some of the following conditions:
- Selects and deploys various hose lines and nozzles up to 5 inches in diameter to be used to direct water or chemicals onto fire.
- Carries, positions, climbs and works from ladders and other high areas under adverse conditions.
- Removes injured or incapacitated victims from danger and administer first aid as required.
- Use of power tools, and other mechanical equipment, to breech doors, walls roofs or floors, for various reasons.
- Communicates clearly and concisely using electronic devices and equipment. This includes the ability to do so while wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and SCBA under adverse conditions such as high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hose lines and/or fixed protection systems (sprinklers).
Organize, implement and manage assigned Department programs or specialized activities in support of Department goals and operations. This may include working closely with outside service providers/vendors, identifying and resolving problems that may arise and escalating issues as needed to the Fire Chief, meeting committed timelines, researching and summarizing findings to Fire Chief’s and preparing reports or other documents.
Complete training as required to meet Department, State and federally recognized and accepted standards, which may include classroom instruction, creating lesson plans, practical and hands-on instruction, evaluations of assigned individuals or group, examinations and certification in a variety of areas, and physical fitness training. Remain current on fire service principles and practices.
Performs duties according to applicable laws and ordinances; ensures that departmental activities and conduct conform to department standards.
Attends conferences and departmental meetings to keep abreast of current trends in the firefighting field; represents the department in a variety of local, county and state meetings.
Coordinates activities with other supervisors and other City departments and exchanges information with other fire departments.
Maintains contact with general public, department officers and other City officials in the performance of fire department activities.
Assists in developing plans for special assignments, emergency preparedness, hazardous communications and training programs.
Prepares fire and hazardous incident reports and keeps the necessary records.
Supervises, trains, motivates and evaluates assigned staff; reviews progress and sets performance goals; recommends commendations and disciplinary action to the Assistant Fire Chief.
Recommends, enforces and abides by Fire Department rules and regulations, general operating procedures and standard operating procedures.
Provides compassionate Basic Life Support emergency medical treatment by doing an evaluation, treatment and stabilization of the critically ill or injured; responds to emergency rescue situations involving potential loss of life or bodily injury; maintains self-control, manages and directs patient care at the scene of a pre-hospital emergency.
Remains on 24-hour emergency call status.
Participates in safety training, make suggestions as necessary; serve on committees or inspection teams when appropriate. Works according to good safety practices as posted, instructed, and/or discussed.
Reports unsafe conditions or defects in equipment. Refrains from any unsafe behavior or act that might endanger self or fellow worker(s). Reports all accidents and incidents (including near misses) as soon as they occur. Follows safety rules and regulations and uses personal protective equipment.
Maintains prompt and regular attendance; adheres to City policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness.
Provides exceptional customer service to internal and external customers.
Required to report to the City’s Emergency Operations Center for emergency duty anytime the Emergency Operations Plan is activated.
PERIPHERAL DUTIES
Performs related duties as required and/or directed by the Fire Assistant Chief. Serves on various employee or other committees as assigned
DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:
- Associate’s degree in fire science or related field preferred; and,
- Four (4) years of progressively responsible supervisory experience and training in fire service programs; and
- Completion of the South Carolina IFSAC Firefighter II, Driver/Operator, Fire Instructor I, Fire Officer I; or,
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Extensive knowledge of: modern fire suppression and prevention principles, procedures, techniques and equipment; First Aid and CPR techniques and their applications; applicable laws, ordinances, departmental standard operating procedures and regulations.
- Skill in operating the listed tools and equipment.
- Ability to: train and supervise subordinate personnel; perform work requiring good physical condition; communicate effectively orally and in writing; exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions; effectively give and receive verbal and written instructions; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, supervisors and the public.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
- No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history within the past 10 years.
- Must be able to obtain a valid South Carolina driver’s license, including Class E endorsement.
- Must possess or obtain and maintain certifications in CPR, First Aid, First Responder, and IFSAC Fire and Life Safety Educator I.
- must meet Department’s physical and medical standards, as well as physical standards of the National Fire Protection Association.
TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED
Standard firefighting equipment, including, but not limited to, fire engines and motor vehicles, fire suppression equipment, power tools, self-contained breathing apparatus, rescue equipment, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses, personal protective equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, and various office equipment, such as a two-way radio, pager, personal computer, phone, fax, copier, calculator, typewriter, audio/visual equipment, camera and other related tools and equipment.
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 frequently required to sit; talk and hear; stand; walk; use hands to handle or operate objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, crawl, kneel, or crouch and taste or smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move more than 165 pounds in certain situations. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics 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.
Work is performed in office, vehicles and outdoor settings; in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations.
Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and hazardous materials situations, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils, dirt, ashes and infectious diseases. Work requires the use of protective equipment and safety devices.
The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock and vibration.
The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in the office setting and loud at an emergency scene.
SHIFT RESPONSIBILITIES AS ASSIGNED:
A Shift.
Oversees Budget and assigned areas of responsibilities:
- Buildings and Grounds (includes training facility property)
- Supply for buildings
- Uniforms
B Shift.
Oversees Budget and assigned areas of responsibilities:
- Department training (Fire & (EMR) ASHI program)
- Maintains Training Facility and Props
- Training records (Fire &EMS)
- Medical Supply
C Shift.
Oversees Budget and assigned areas of responsibilities:
- Vehicle and equipment maintenance
- New equipment purchases
- Communication equipment
SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, review of education and experience; background check; related testing and interviews; physical agility; Fire Chief’s recommendations; post-offer drug screening and medical examinations and final selection. Other job related tests may be required.
The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.