Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Duties

***THIS IS NOT A VIRTUAL POSITION, YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE WITHIN A COMMUTABLE DISTANCE OF THE DUTY LOCATION***

Major duties include but are not limited to:

• Controls and extinguishes fires, operates various nozzles and hose lines, makes connections to, and operates fire hydrants, performs forcible entries, ventilates structures, carries, raises, and lowers ground ladders, performs, or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools, portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul.
• Performs specialized rescues, hazardous materials spill response and serves as a driver operator of motorized firefighting vehicles.
• Responds to all emergency calls on Tomah VA Medical Center Grounds as well as requests for Mutual Aid by surrounding communities to extinguish fire when requested and approved by management. Attends periodic classes to keep proficient in operation of fire hose lines and nozzles, use of forcible entry tools, ventilation of structures, use of specialized rescue equipment and other fire and emergency skills needed to maintain proficiency.
• Has responsibility for a diverse fire protection inspection program which covers a myriad of locations and structures peculiar to a medical facility.
• Inspects medical and psychological facilities, multiple story buildings, administrative buildings, public assemblies, industrial shops, warehouses and residential quarters for fire safety violations and other conditions contributing to more extensive fire hazards.
• Inspects high hazard areas such as painting and welding operations. Inspections will be based upon complex National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Occupational Safety Health Agency (OSHA), Joint Commission and Department of Veteran Affairs standards and regulations.
• Conducts inspections, testing and maintenance (ITM) on fire detection and suppression systems such as, but not limited to sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers and fire hydrants.
• Conducts regularly scheduled and unscheduled inspections of all safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, automatic sprinkler systems, fire alarms, fire doors, exits, stairways, indicator posts, standpipe systems, self-contained breathing masks, as well as special inspections to ensure equipment is always operational.
• Inspects building structure and other facilities for compliance with fire protection and prevention regulations, including, new construction, alterations, or repair work in progress.
• Conducts general work planning daily, particularly in the areas of training and fire inspections.
• Prepares necessary reports as required upon returning from fire inspections, fire drills, annual inspections, and emergencies.
• Reviews, assess, and makes recommendations concerning Fire Department records of fire prevention inspections, air packs, extinguishers vehicle, hose, fire equipment, daily workloads, safety meeting and pre-fire planning.
• Reviews and assesses training programs for firefighters and inspectors on performing inspection tasks for firefighting apparatus, sprinkler systems, hydrants, control valve systems, fire pumps, and other identified work details.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 72-hour week, 144 hours per pay period; works a schedule of 48hrs on then 72hrs off, 48hrs on then 72hrs off, and 48hrs on then 48hrs off.
Recruitment & Relocation Incentives: Not authorized
Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

DESIGNATED DRUG-TESTING POSITION: Applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Applicants will not be appointed to the position if a verified positive drug test result is received.