Description
Working under the direct supervision of a Suppression Captain, who oversees the assigned shift or company, the firefighter role involves a variety of critical duties, including firefighting, rescue operations, providing medical aid, handling hazardous materials, conducting fire prevention activities, delivering public education programs, maintaining fire and rescue equipment, and ensuring the upkeep of fire department facilities. Firefighters are also required to participate in ongoing training to maintain and enhance their skills. Maintaining positive public and interagency relationships is essential to serving the community's best interests and fostering a favorable image of both the Fire Department and the City of Dawson Creek.
Duties and Responsibilities
- As a member of a shift, responds to emergency calls, lays, connects hose, holds nozzles, directs water streams, raises and climbs ladders, uses fire extinguishers and other related equipment.
- Uses and maintains protective clothing and equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus.
- Provides rescue, extrication and medical assistance as required.
- Ventilates buildings to release heat, smoke and toxic gases; provides salvage and overhaul at fire scenes.
- Drives and operates firefighting vehicles.
- Performs varied maintenance tasks on apparatus, equipment and facilities.
- Receives telephone and alarm system alarms, dispatches equipment, and takes action as required.
- Performs fire prevention and inspection duties under the direction of an officer.
- Performs clerical and related duties as required.
Minimum Qualifications
- Completion of Grade 12 or equivalent
- NFPA 1001 Firefighter II (Pro-board or IFSAC Accreditation)
- BC EMA First Responder License or BC EMR or BC PCP or equivalent
- Valid BC Class 3 Driver’s License with Air Endorsement or equivalent
- Ability to successfully pass a police information check
- Must live within the boundaries of the City of Dawson Creek as per the current residency policy
- Legal entitlement to work in Canada (You must be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident/Landed Immigrant)
Preferred Qualifications
- Work experience related to the job duties of a firefighter (Examples include: building construction, mechanical experience, driving large or emergency vehicles, wildland firefighting, first aid, nursing, paramedical experience, teaching or instructional experience)
- Completion of fire service-related courses (auto extrication, swift water rescue, high angle/rope rescue, confined space, hazardous material)
- SPP-WFF1 Wildland Firefighter
- SPP-115 Structure Protection
- Successful completion of a post-secondary education program (academic, technical, or trades)
- Volunteer experience in the emergency services field (firefighting, coast guard, search and rescue)
- Demonstrated community involvement
Additional Information
THE SCREENING PROCESS:
Written Exam:
A timed general knowledge examination will be scheduled and arranged by the Dawson Creek Fire Department. Candidates will be given one (1) opportunity to write the exam. The exam will be marked and scored on a percentage basis. A score of less than 75% will result in the candidate not being eligible to advance to the Physical Fitness Test. Candidates will be notified of their test results within two (2) hours of completion of the test.
Physical Fitness Testing:
Firefighter candidates are tested for physical fitness to ensure they possess necessary firefighter physical capabilities. The Dawson Creek Fire Department administers this physical evaluation program. Candidates will be required to successfully pass a medical examination and obtain a Medical Clearance signed by a licensed physician prior to participating in any Physical Fitness Testing. All of the tests are completed while wearing firefighting personal protective equipment (PPE) that weighs approximately 22 kg (50 lb). This ensemble includes: helmet, gloves, coveralls, boots, and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). You will not breathe from the SCBA, but you must wear it.
Failure of any section of this test, or not participating in the testing process, will result in the candidate not proceeding to the next section.
Agility Test:
- The candidate must climb a 75-foot aerial at 70 degrees to the tip and then back to the turntable. (A safety harness and line will be used.)
- The candidate, while wearing a blacked-out facemask, must enter and navigate a search area on their hands and knees and perform a simple task. The mask must remain on throughout the task.
The agility test is marked on a “pass or fail” basis.
Physical Fitness Test:
The candidate will be required to complete two (2) circuits of the following stations, excluding the dead blow hammer:
- Lift and carry 70 lbs up and down 136 stairs
- Hoist 35 lbs with a rope 27 feet
- Remove a 14-foot roof ladder from apparatus, place it on the ground, and return it
- Drag a 150 lb fire hose 150 feet
- Move 165 lbs weight 5 feet with an 8 lb dead blow hammer (only once)
- Drag 150 lbs Rescue Mannequin 50 feet
The physical fitness test is timed, recorded, and scored.
Interview:
A panel interview will be held with the top qualifying candidates. The panel will consist of the Fire Chief and/or Deputy Fire Chief, a Representative of the Union, and a Human Resources Representative with the City of Dawson Creek.
The interview will include behavioral-based questions that focus on things you have done in the past to achieve an outcome.