Fire Captain at City of Newton, NC

About the Department

Primary Reason Why Classification Exists
To serve as a first-line supervisor and participate in firefighting and emergency medical rescue work.
 
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class is responsible for performing all general duty firefighting work as the on-site supervisor with firefighting team or unit of 2 - 4 employees. Emphasis of the work is on taking command of a fire or emergency situation and may relinquish the command upon arrival of senior officer. Work includes supervising or providing emergency medical services, directing fire tactics, and use and placement of equipment such as hoses, ladders, hand tools, and cutting tools. This employee also participates in training classes, cleans fire equipment, and cleans the station house as a member of a fire team. Employees in this class also perform a secondary administrative responsibility such as managing technical rescue equipment and training, pre-fire planning and incident surveys, hose testing & maintenance, vehicle maintenance & records, and other areas. Work is generally performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves personal hazard. Work standards and procedures are well established and understood but independent judgment and initiative is required as an on-scene supervisor at fires or emergency medical calls. Work is performed under the supervision of a senior officer and is reviewed through observation, reports, and discussion concerning the quality and effectiveness of fire efforts and related duties.

Position Duties

• Serves in the capacity of an on-scene supervisor in response to emergencies; directs firefighters to connect hoses to hydrants and in the application of water or chemicals to fires; operates portable fire extinguishers to combat small fires; leads the forceful entry into burning structures and searches for and rescues occupants; performs basic life support, CPR, and basic first aid
• In absence a driver-engineer may operate fire apparatus; connects pump to water source and hoses to the pump; calculates friction loss, pumps water, and maintains pressures for nozzles based upon the hose sizes and fire conditions; monitors radio transmission and relays messages
• Takes charge at fire or emergency scenes; assesses situations, determines suppression methods, makes first attack on the fire, and determines placement of engine until arrival of senior officer
• Participates in post-fire operations such as cleaning and salvage; covering furniture and fixtures, sweeping and mopping water to minimize water damage; participating in retrieving, cleaning, and replacing all equipment
• May serve as shift commander
• Participates and/or provides training to assure proficiency in all firefighting techniques; trains for knowledge of all equipment and apparatus as well as their operations
• Conducts fire prevention education and helps develop escape plans
• Participates or provides pre-fire planning programs; conducts residential and business fire prevention inspections; prepares scale drawings and pre-plan firefighting strategies; maintains knowledge of sprinkled buildings and hydrant locations
• Participates in routine maintenance and servicing of equipment such as checking and filling self-contained breathing apparatus, washing and waxing trucks, checking batteries, fuel and oil levels, cleaning and drying hose, and inspecting hose/hose connections for damage and wear
• Attends lectures, studies manuals, participates in fire drills, and learns modern fire suppression techniques to maintain and develop skills; studies street and building locations
• Trains subordinates in procedures for checking flow and pressure of city fire hydrants
• Makes assignments and participates in fire station maintenance such as sweeping, mopping, painting, washing windows and other tasks
• Conducts tours of the fire station and other public relations work with schools
• Performs related work as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of the standard operating procedures of fire fighting, firefighting hazards and related safety precautions, and emergency medical treatment techniques
• Considerable knowledge of fire codes and general orders, bulletins, and training materials
• Knowledge of city geography and street locations, buildings, and hydrant locations
• Knowledge of effective communications techniques when interacting with the general public
• Knowledge of supervisory techniques to build respect and elicit full performance of staff
• Skill in the use of firefighting tools and equipment such as a pry bar, axe, hoses, nozzles, air packs, fans, shovels, rakes, sledge hammers, jaws-of-life, defibrillator, and other equipment
• Ability to conduct fire prevention and fire safety training to all age groups
• Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions; ability to perform difficult physical procedures for prolonged periods wearing protective clothing and in adverse weather conditions; ability to climb ladders and work at considerable heights; ability to carry or drag or assist in carrying or dragging persons and equipment up and down ladders and stairs or across flat surfaces; ability to chop holes or pry openings in doors, walls, ceilings, roofs, and other surfaces to effect ventilation; ability to screw in hoses connections and gate valves to fire hydrants; ability to apply hose clamps onto charged and uncharged hose lines; ability to hold charged hose lines and direct them at fire sources; ability to locate and to estimate distances between objects and persons inside or near burning structures
• Ability to demonstrate self-confidence, self-reliance, and to take action when required by the situation; ability to confront potentially dangerous situations, remain calm, apply common sense, make logical decisions, and work effectively in stressful situations
• Ability to train less senior employees in the proper techniques to extinguish fires, rescue trapped persons, dispose of hazardous materials, and operate firefighting equipment
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with members of the squad, company, station house, and the general public; ability to co-exist and work cooperatively with a group of individuals for twenty-four hours at a time without regard for such characteristics as gender, race, or cultural background

Other Qualifications

Physical Requirements

Work in this position is the first line supervision of firefighting personnel at fire scenes. The employee is subject to the same physical requirements of other fire employees which is heavy work requiring exertion of in excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or in excess of 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or in excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Employee must have the physical stamina to endure the rigors of intensive firefighting and salvage work. Employee must have the visual acuity to operate equipment and to distinguish colors and see peripherally in both eyes. Employee must pass an annual medical physical evaluation that is consistence with the job description as it relates to full firefighting duties. 

Working Conditions

The employee will be subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions including exposure to extreme heat (above 100 deg F) and extreme cold (below 32 deg F). Employee is subject to noise, vibration, and other firefighting hazards and a variety of physical conditions such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working in high places, exposure to high heat, and exposure to chemicals. Employee is subject to atmospheric conditions that may affect the respiratory system of the skin including oils and greases and are required to wear respirators or other self-contained breathing devices in certain instances. Employees frequently work in close quarters which could cause claustrophobia. Employee may be exposed to blood or blood-borne pathogens when providing emergency medical services.

Education and Experience

Completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Fire Administration, Fire Protection Technology, Emergency Services, or a field closely related to the work. Minimum of (3) years in the rank of Fire Engineer or higher is preferred. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain a valid NC Driver License; NC Non-Commercial Driver’s license (Class B) is preferred 
• Successful completion of the following North Carolina Certifications: NC Firefighter; Emergency Medical Technician Basic; Hazardous Materials Operators or Level 1 Responder; Emergency Vehicle Driver; Driver Operator Pumps; Driver Operator Aerial; Fire Service Instructor II; NC TR; NC Fire Officer II; additional certifications may be required.