FIRE ENGINEER

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, responds to fire alarms, emergency medical calls, and other emergency calls to protect life and property; drives, operates and maintains fire apparatus, may supervise an engine crew; participates in fire training, fire prevention, public education, station and equipment maintenance activities, assumes command of a company in the absence of a Company Captain.  Supervision is received from Fire Captain; supervises Firefighter/Paramedics in the absence of a Fire Captain.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Responds to alarms involving fire, all types of accidents, gas leaks, flooded structures, hazardous substances, and life saving and rescue work.
• Drives pumping engine, truck company, brush engine or other fire apparatus to required location in a safe manner.
• May supervise Firefighter/Paramedics as assigned.
• Places fire hoses, sets ladders, operates fire stream, ventilates and enters burning structures to extinguish fires and performs rescue services.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations during and after fires to remove hazards and prevent water drainage. 
• Performs first aid and life saving duties.
• Operates pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps.
• Washes, polishes, and performs preventative maintenance on fire apparatus and equipment.
• Performs hose and apparatus repairs.
• Instructs fire personnel in operation and care of fire equipment.
• Cleans and maintains fire stations and grounds, as necessary.
• Makes fire prevention, and pre-fire planning inspections in commercial, industrial, and municipal facilities.
• Assists with maintenance on hydrants.
• Supports and assists Firefighter/Paramedics as needed on medical calls.
• Engages in or conducts drills.
• Studies and keeps up to date on city geography, department rules, regulations, procedures, and other training and job related materials. 
• In the event of a major fire or emergency, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time.
• Presents programs and participates in the department’s public relations program.
• Demonstrates fire equipment and techniques to the general public.
• May be required to act as a Company Captain.
• Performs related work as required by the Company Captain.
• Performs related work as required.  

QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Firefighting and EMS procedures and equipment.
• Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of incident safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous materials incident procedures; and confined space and technical rescue techniques.
• Hazardous materials, fire prevention procedures and related codes.
• Rescue operations and procedures.
• California vehicular laws.
• Mechanical operation and maintenance of pumping engines, aerial ladder and platform trucks.
• Safety principles and practices related to the Fire Service. 
• Policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Escondido Fire Department and the City of Escondido.
• Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical services operations.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Principles of effective supervision and training.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Algebraic and arithmetic computations.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Principles and practices of customer service

Ability to:

• Operate assigned fire apparatus and equipment efficiently in a manner consistent with safety principles.
• Perform competently in dynamic, highly stressful situations; command fire department staff and operate vehicles and radios.
• Work cooperatively with others and deal tactfully with the general public.
• Give simple oral instructions to others.
• Carry out specific and general instructions with minimum supervision. 
• Maintain physical endurance and agility.
• Make accurate observations and rapid judgments.
• Prepare and present programs to department staff and the public. 
• Keep records and prepare reports.
• Meet and deal tactfully and effectively with the public in all types of situations.
• React quickly and calmly in all types of emergency situations.
• Speak effectively before public gatherings.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work cooperatively with other departments, City officials, and outside agencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:
Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Driver Operator 1A
Driver Operator 1B
Fire Command 1A
Fire Command 1B
Fire Command 1C
Basic Incident Command Systems / ICS I-200 Certification
Intermediate Incident Command System / ICS I-300 Certification

A transcript must be submitted by the final filling date.

Experience / Training: Must have two and one half (2-1/2 ) years of full-time experience in fire suppression in an organized fire department.

Must be an Escondido Fire Department certified driver, certified to operate all department apparatus at time of application, and have completed the Certified Driver Program Parts I and II.  

Experience with the Escondido Fire Department is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certificates - Possession of a valid Class B or C California Driver’s License with Firefighter endorsement. EMT-1 certification. Possession of a valid CPR certification at time of application.

All Fire Safety Personnel hired from City of Escondido eligibility lists after January 1, 1989, shall be required to remain a nonsmoker and refrain from the use of any tobacco product throughout their employment as a member of the Escondido Fire Department.

Residency Requirement - Must reside within a one-hour normal driving time of Fire Station #1, or must comply with the following requirement:

1. Employees shall not be allowed to reside in Mexico.
2. Employees unable to meet departmental requirements for filling overtime on short notice may be ineligible for certain categories of overtime (i.e., sick leave relief, etc.).
3. Modification of an employee’s work schedule in order to mitigate the personal impacts of long-distance commuting will not be permitted.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Physical: CONSTANT simple grasping and repetitive use of hands to hold radios, equipment and property; fine finger dexterity to manipulate apparatus controls, computer keyboard and writing utensils; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

FREQUENT walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, climbing, balancing and squatting; upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; bending and twisting at the waist; pushing, pulling and reaching above and below shoulder level; power grasping; walking on uneven ground; driving; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds from below waist to above shoulder level; lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 100 lbs with or without assistance.

OCCASIONAL running, crawling; lifting and carrying objects and persons weighing more than 100 lbs. with or without assistance. 

Environmental: Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and temperature swings working indoors and outdoors; extreme noise of emergency equipment; heavy equipment and moving mechanical parts; mechanical and electrical hazards of burning equipment, facilities and materials; explosive hazards of gases and explosive devices; radiation hazards of locations having exposure to radioactive materials; fumes, odors and dust of atmosphere at fires and other emergency sites; biological hazards of bodily fluids, airborne and blood-borne pathogens; toxic substances of burning materials.  Work is performed in 24-hour shifts, with time allowed for meals, breaks and sleeping subject to interruption as required by emergency situations.  In the event of a major fire or emergency situation, incumbents may be called in from off-duty to work an extended period of time.  Work is performed at the fire station and in the field at emergency sites and other locations.  Work setting is both formal and informal, team oriented, having both routine and variable tasks.  Work pace and pressure is variable, frequently fast-paced and high pressure.

Communication: VISION (must be no less than 20/40 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20) to observe situations, use computer.  HEARING of instructions, radio messages, emergency tones, alarms and other warning devices.  SPEAKING to give oral instructions and to respond to citizens.  WRITING to complete required incident reports and records.  READING of manuals, reports and training materials.

Date: December 2010
Revised by JP/Department

Date: May 2009
Revised by JP/Department

Date: March 2002
JV/Department