Engine Lead Firefighter
The mission of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control (DFPC) is to serve and safeguard the people and protect the property, resources, environment, and quality of life in Colorado. DFPC's vision is to be the nation's premier state fire organization by acting with foresight, providing bold leadership, enhancing our partnerships, and exemplifying the highest level of professionalism in fire prevention and protection, while building a safe and supportive work environment for our employees. The Division achieves this mission and vision through its four sections : Center of Excellence, Fire and Life Safety, Professional Qualifications and Training, and Wildland Fire Management.
The Engine Lead Firefighter works as part of a firefighting resource - typically an engine crew, but may also be assigned to an helicopter module or suppression squad / module / hand crew to provide a range of firefighting and related services. As a crewmember and fireline lead, the primary purpose of this position is to function, at minimum, as a NWCG Firefighter Type 1 (FFT1) in support of fire suppression operations and mitigation projects (i.e. prescribed fire, hazardous fuel reduction, resource management). The position operates in alignment with DFPC's core values of honor, integrity, service, and loyalty.
Fire Suppression and Incident Response includes constructing fireline utilizing hand tools; cutting and clearing vegetation utilizing power saws; performing structure protection; conducting mop up and patrol operations; carrying out ignition operations; operating pumps; installing hose lays and water delivery systems; performing and assisting with rescue operations; operating and traveling in vehicles on and off-road; hauling and packing fire related equipment and supplies; using various tools and equipment such as chainsaws, shovels, drip torches, fusees, pulaskis; using various communication methods including radios; using maps, compass, GPS, and other technology and tools to gather information and navigate an incident; performing safety inspections, maintaining and repairing of tools and equipment; performing and following demobilizing duties, including required incident documentation.
Mitigation, Fuels Treatment and Resource Management Projects include cutting, clearing, piling, and disposing of treated vegetation; using tools and equipment such as chainsaws, firing equipment, portable pumps, chippers, air curtain burners and more; constructing firelines and prescribed fire burning as assigned; performing ignitions and holding operations; conducting mop up and patrol operations; using various communication methods including radios; using and maintaining on and off-road vehicles; hauling and packing fire related equipment and supplies; performing and mentoring others in safety inspections, maintaining and repairing tools and equipment; cleans, reconditions, and stores properly.
Fire Preparedness and Support and Other Duties as Assigned include establishing and maintaining the physical fitness level necessary to effectively perform hard physical labor for extended periods under adverse climate, fuel, and terrain conditions; mentoring and training new firefighters and validating readiness of assigned personnel; inspecting and maintaining crews response equipment, vehicles, tools, PPE and more; contributing to implementing processes to inventory tools, PPE, equipment; accounts for any safety issues; communicating repair / replacement needs to supervisor; collecting, compiling and calculating various wildland fuels and fire danger rating indices using appropriate tools and technology; communicating effectively with multichannel radios, preparing and programming radios for assignments and repair and / or replacement; ongoing training and professional development in the State of Colorado; CDPS, DFPC & WFMS standard operating policies, procedures & guidelines. This includes time-keeping systems, time & leave policies, incident documentation requirements, travel & purchasing policies and more; may assist or lead the logistics and instruction of various courses, training and events, such as wildfire suppression classes, incident management, structural firefighting, medical and first aid, job fairs and community outreach; assists other DFPC programs (reports, data entry, filing, training and testing, inspections, research, fire billing, logistics etc.) as needed and available to support the mission of CDPS and DFPC. Other duties as assigned.
Firefighter • Greeley, CO, US