Join the frontline of excellence with the City of Gastonia Fire Department. The City of Gastonia is seeking dedicated and skilled Certified Firefighters to join elite team. As a Certified Firefighter, you'll play a vital role in protecting lives and property, responding to emergencies, and upholding the high standards of safety and professionalism that our community expects and deserves. With state-of-the-art equipment, ongoing training opportunities, and a strong commitment to teamwork, we provide the tools and support you need to excel in a fast-paced, rewarding career.
A Certified Firefighter with the City of Gastonia Fire Department is responsible for protecting lives and property by responding to fires, medical emergencies, and other incidents. This role requires performing strenuous work under emergency conditions, learning and applying fire suppression techniques, following oral and written instructions, and maintaining cooperative relationships with coworkers and the public.
To be considered for a Firefighter-Certified position, candidates must possess their North Carolina Firefighter Certification AND their North Carolina Emergency Medical Technician Certification.
The following job functions are typical for a position of this nature. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each function satisfactorily. Other job functions and duties may be required as assigned. Percentages for each function are subject to fluctuations.
Responds to emergency incidents and alarms with an engine, ladder or rescue company; lays lines and connects hoses; holds nozzles and directs water streams; climbs ladders; forces entry; ventilates buildings; uses chemical fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines and other equipment; performs rescue operations; Performs salvage operations such as applying salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris; provides initial emergency medical treatment and life support to patients30%Assists in maintaining fire apparatus and equipment, and cleaning fire station and grounds ensures that assigned hand tools and equipment are on apparatus and in working order25%Performs inspections and preventative maintenance on hydrants5%Participates in continuing training and instruction program by individual study of technical material and attendance at scheduled drills and classes30%Preplans buildings and premises for familiarization and fire hazards5%Training and associated duties for assignment to the Hazardous Materials Response Team5%
- Knowledge of firefighting techniques, procedures, and mechanics as applied to fire suppression
- Basic understanding of technical firefighting principles and techniques
- Familiarity with principles of hydraulics as they apply to fire suppression
- Ability to quickly learn and retain the street system and physical layout of the City of Gastonia
- Skill in understanding/following oral and written instructions
- Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with colleagues and the public
- Capability to keep accurate records and prepare simple reports.
- Demonstrated physical endurance and agility to perform demanding tasks under strenuous conditions.
- Ability to operate and maintain firefighting tools and equipment effectively.
- Awareness of safety protocols and ability to adhere to them in high-pressure situations.
- Strong problem-solving skills and ability to make decisions in emergency scenarios.
- Willingness and capacity to engage in continuous training and professional development.
- Effective communication skills to relay critical information in emergency and non-emergency situations.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
- High school diploma or equivalent
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FIREFIGHTER-CERTIFIED:
- NC Certified Firefighter, NC Emergency Medical Technician, NC Hazardous Materials-Operational Level certifications upon hire
- NIMS Requirements: IS-700, IS-100, and IS-200 within one year of hire
- Passing grade on Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) prior to hire
- A valid driver's license with acceptable driving history
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Additional information can be found on the City of Gastonia Fire Department website
Physical Demands/Work Environment2. The physical requirements of this position:
- The physical activity of this position includes:
- Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. This factor is important if the amount and kind of climbing required exceeds that required for ordinary locomotion.
- Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing or couching on narrow, slippery or erratically moving surfaces. This factor is important if the amount and kind of balancing exceeds that needed for ordinary locomotion and maintenance of body equilibrium.
- Stooping: Bending body downward and forward by bending spine at the waist. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
- Kneeling: Bending legs at knee to come to a rest on knee or knees.
- Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine.
- Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet.
- Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction.
- Standing: Particularly for sustained periods of time.
- Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances or moving from one work site to another.
- Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force in order to thrust forward, downward or outward.
- Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force in order to draw, drag, haul or tug objects in a sustained motion.
- Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position to position. This factor is important if it occurs to a considerable degree and requires the substantial use of upper extremities and back muscles.
- Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
- Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects, such as size, shape, temperature or texture by touching with skin, particularly that of the fingertips.
- Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly.
- Hearing: Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal spoken word levels with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication, and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts.
Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects.
- The visual acuity requirements including color, depth perception and field of vision:
The Worker Is Required To Have Visual Acuity
- To be the operator of trucks, forklifts, cranes and other equipment
- To determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned (i.e. custodial, food services, general laborer, etc.)
4. The conditions the worker will be subject to in this position:
- The worker is subject to outside environmental conditions: No effective protection from weather.
- The worker is subject to both environmental conditions: Activities occur inside and outside.
- The worker is subject to extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
- The worker is subject to extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour.
- The worker is subject to noise: There is sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level.
- The worker is subject to hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to high heat or exposure to chemicals.
- The worker is subject to atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect the respiratory system of the skin: Fumes, odors dusts, mists, gases, or poor ventilation.
- The worker is required to wear respirator.
- The worker is required to function in narrow aisles or passageways.
Drug Screening, Criminal Background, And Reference Checks Are Required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
The City of Gastonia is committed to creating and maintaining a work environment that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming. We value diversity and promise to honor your experiences, perspective, and unique identity.
The City of Gastonia is an Equal Opportunity Employer (M/F/H)
