Fire Employment

Firefighting in today's society is both challenging and exciting. If you are interested in becoming a City of Huntsville firefighter, here are the qualifications:

You must pass a written test, a physical abilities test and a medical exam, be at least 18 years old, possess a high school diploma or a GED, possess a valid driver's license and have a good driving record. Applicants must also have 20-20 vision or eyesight corrected to 20-25. You must be in good general health, be of good character and reputation and you must have never been convicted of a felony or serious misdemeanor.

A firefighter in Huntsville earns an annual salary between $34,257.60 and $52,395.20 per year.

Huntsville Fire & Rescue has three crews working shift --24 hours on 48 hours off.

A firefighter receives 6 days vacation per year for the first 10 years of employment, 7.58 days per year after 10 years of employment and 9.1 days per year after 15 years of employment.

Employees also receive 6 sick leave days per year, which may accumulate indefinitely.

The City of Huntsville offers 11 paid holidays each year.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OFFERED ARE:
Life Insurance

State of Alabama Employee Retirement System

Health Insurance

Longevity Pay

Long-term Disability

Bereavement Leave

Unemployment Insurance

Workman's Compensation Coverage

Firefighters are provided uniforms and equipment. Shift work is required: 24 hours on-shift and 48 hours off-shift, subject to emergency call. The City of Huntsville offers group hospital and medical coverage, a retirement system that allows retirement with 25 years of service under the Alabama Employee's Retirement System, and paid group life insurance.

Qualified applicants will be placed on a waiting list and positions may be offered as vacancies arise.

NATURE OF WORK:

This is skilled fire fighting work in combating, extinguishing, and preventing fires, in answering emergency calls, and in the operation and routine maintenance of departmental equipment, apparatus, and quarters.

Work involves training for and participating in duties of protecting life and property through the performance of fire fighting and rescue activities. Employees of this class are required to learn and participate in the operation of apparatus and performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions, which may require exertion under such handicaps as smoke, heat, and cramped surroundings. Although fire fighting and emergency rescue work constitute the primary and most difficult and responsible areas of work, the major portion of assigned work time is spent drilling and studying methods, techniques, and organization, as well as maintaining departmental facilities, apparatus, and equipment. Work is usually performed in accordance with explicit instructions and well-defined procedures; however, performance of the work requires initiative and a thorough understanding of fire fighting and fire prevention principles and methods.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF WORK:

Responds to fire emergency alarms with a pump, snorkel, or ladder company; lays and connects hose; holds a nozzle and directs fog, chemical, and water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and related equipment.

Removes persons from danger; holds life nets; administers first aid to injured persons; and performs salvage operations such as throwing protection covers, sweeping water, and removing debris.

Performs search rescue and vehicular rescue operations; maintains and operates vehicle extrication equipment such as spreaders, cutters and rams.

Participates in fire drills and attends classes in fire fighting, first aid including basic life support and CPR, and related subjects; inspects buildings and premises for compliance with fire prevention ordinances, for pre-fire planning and familiarization activities and to check on complaints; participates in classes/training exercises in rescue, basic life support, Hazmat and vehicular rescue.

Responds to emergency calls for drownings, inhalator cases, accidents, catastrophes.

May perform other duties such as Hazmat, Aircraft Rescue, or any other special operation activities deemed necessary by the Fire Chief.

Performs general care and minor maintenance work in the upkeep of departmental apparatus and equipment; washes, hangs, and dries hose; washes, cleans, and polishes apparatus. Participates in special details for pumping flooded basements, tracing ammonia or dangerous gas leaks or smoke scares.

When assigned to emergency medical service first response, operates emergency vehicle with lights and siren, administers basic life support requiring independent judgment, and prepares EMS reports.

Performs fire station cleaning and maintenance.

Washes walls and floors.

Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:
Some knowledge of the street system, physical layout, and principal buildings of Huntsville, Alabama.

Ability to learn a variety of fire fighting duties, and methods, including the operation of fire fighting apparatus with a reasonable working test period.

Ability to prepare reports if assigned to EMS first response.

Ability to learn basic life support techniques, including defibrillation and CPR.

Ability to climb ladders and work from ladders at heights in excess of 100 feet.

Ability to remain calm and carry out emergency operations while facing the risk of serious personal injury or death.

When assigned to EMS first response, employee must have knowledge of pertinent streets, knowledge of state and local EMS policies, procedures and protocols, ability to drive defensively, and proficiency in communication policies of agencies outside the scope of Huntsville dispatchers.

Ability to evaluate dangerous life threatening conditions or hazards and use sound judgment in the safe mitigation thereof.

MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:
Graduation from high school or any combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the above listed knowledge, skills and abilities.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
May receive specialized training to answer hazardous materials alarms with units designed to handle explosives, radioactive materials, acids, and flammable materials to ensure situation stabilization; operates necessary clean-up equipment. Work is performed in and around a fire station, training room, fire apparatus, fire rescue vehicle, fire scene, emergency medical scene, and indoors or outdoors. Work exposes employee to fumes, odors, smoke, gases, chemicals, mechanical mechanisms, toxic substances, radiation, communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, moving traffic, electrical hazards, explosions, dangerous animals, extreme heights, unknown elements, life threatening conditions, atmospheres of up to 1000 degrees, irregular/protracted work hours, and extreme heat or weather conditions. May encounter potentially dangerous situations involving domestic violence, assaults or other violent crimes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Work requires the regular, and at times, sustained performance of heavier physical tasks such as walking over rough or uneven surfaces, bending, stooping, crouching, lying, crawling, kneeling, working with restricted and/or confined spaces, climbing, balancing on ladders, working at heights, and frequent to continuous lifting and carrying objects 50 pounds or over. Work requires the ability to abruptly perform maximum physical exertion without warm up and to sustain such exertion while wearing 45 pounds of protective gear. Work requires physical dexterity in the frequent and/or continuous use of hand-eye coordination and manipulative skills using finger, limbs or body in the safe and/or productive operation of vehicles, equipment, machines and tools. Work requires the ability to push and pull fire hoses and ladders over rough surfaces, up and down inclines. Work requires working in restricted or confined positions working with physical hindrances requiring bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, crawling, and crouching for extended periods of time. Work requires ability to perceive and/or discriminate colors, sounds, odor, and depth. Work requires ability to verbally communicate, attend to tasks without distractions, reason effectively, use effective judgment, maintain alertness and awareness, perform multiple concurrent tasks, exercise memory, learn, manage stress, function as a team member, and operate office equipment.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

State firefighter I and II certification; Emergency Medical Technician I certification and maintenance thereof with continuing education units if required by the position.

Compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standard 1001, standard on Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications.

Any Firefighter hired on or after January 15, 2001, shall possess at the time of employment or shall obtain within twelve (12) months of Employment Emergency Medical Technician I certification and licensure, and Hazardous Materials Response Technician Certification. Maintenance of licensure and certifications is a required condition of employment.

TO APPLY:

Interested persons may submit an online Job Interest Card by visiting the City of Huntsville’s website at www.hsvcity.com/hr/employment.php. If you would like additional information about becoming a Firefighter with the City of Huntsville, please contact the Human Resources Department at
(256) 427-5240, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM.