Volunteer Emergency Responder

Job Description

Job Description

Salary : Stipend

All Volunteer Emergency Responders (VER) must abide by the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG), and the EMS protocols of the City of Lucas Fire-Rescue.

All VERs must comply with workplace policies and administrative procedures established in the City of Lucas Employee Manual.

All VERs shall :

• pass a background investigation and drug test;
• be at least 18 years of age;
• have a valid high school diploma or GED;
• possess a valid Texas Driver’s License;
• possess at least one fire certification (TCFP Basic or above or SFFMA Firefighter I & II);
• preference given to those with one EMS certification (DSHS EMT-Basic or above);
• understand the City of Lucas and the City of Lucas Fire-Rescue names and / or logos shall not be displayed in any manner unbecoming of the department;
• understand gear and uniforms issued are property of the City of Lucas Fire-Rescue. If you leave the department, you must return all gear and uniforms; and
• adhere to the City of Lucas Volunteer Emergency Responder (VER) Stipend Program Policy.

In addition, all VERs shall agree to successfully complete the following City of Lucas Fire-Rescue training :

• emergency vehicles operator’s course, which includes the department training to operate squads and ambulances;
• medical skills assessment, for those with an EMS certification;
• fire skills assessment, which includes a live fire component;
• successfully complete and document all department assigned training;
• participate in a minimum of one live structural fire training annually;
• successfully complete the annual physical ability test;
• successfully complete the annual mask fit test; and
• all EMS certifications remain your responsibility to renew, including payment of certification and / or recertification fees.

Eligibility

To participate in the Stipend Program, VERs in good standing shall agree to the following :

• Sign up for shift(s) in the Fire-Rescue scheduling software by the 15th of the current month for the next month's schedule.
• Once you sign up for a shift / event, it is your responsibility to be at that shift / event or find a replacement and notify the shift officer at least 24 hours in advance
• If you sign up for a day or night shift and there is an event during the shift, you may be assigned to cover the event.

This does not include additional nominal fees (stipends) for covering External Agency Events or City of Lucas Special Events during a scheduled shift.

The goal of the VER is to participate in the City of Lucas Fire-Rescue Staffing Plan in accordance with departmental strategies.

Position Purpose

Performs a variety of highly technical and specialized tasks involving and / or related to fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous material incidents, fire prevention, fire inspections and other special assignments as required.

Essential Functions

• Performs fire suppression activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.
• Participates in fire drills, attends classes in fire suppression, emergency medical, hazardous material and related subjects.
• Receives and responds to fire calls and alarms. Operates radio and other communication equipment.
• Participates in the inspection of buildings, and other structures in fire prevention programs.
• Maintains fire equipment, apparatus and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental equipment.
• Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment to include care for the grounds around the fire station.
• Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting hazardous materials and first responder and emergency medical services.
• Performs rescues or assist in recues, such as water, vehicle, trench, high angle, elevator, body recovery, confined space or any other rescue as needed.
• Presents programs to the community on safety, medical and fire prevention topics.
• Performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, water removal, and removing debris.
• Performs basic life support (BLS) activities in accordance with certification level.
• Adhere to the Lucas Fire-Rescue Standard Operating Guidelines and Procedures. Adhere to the City of Lucas Employee Manual.

Secondary Functions

• Assists in administrative activities as assigned.
• Assists in training activities as assigned.
• Attends classes that are required to maintain certifications, or as requested and approved.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Capital and / or Fiscal Responsibility

Responsible for adhering to all City of Lucas Purchasing Policies while performing purchasing tasks.

Credentials (minimum preferred)

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Working knowledge of basic life support (BLS) and / or advanced life support (ALS).
• Ability to operate fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to apply standard firefighting, first responder and emergency medical services, hazardous material and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke.
• Ability to analyze complex situations and problems, and use sound judgment in drawing conclusions and make decisions.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situation.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies and the general public.
• Ability to work through hazardous weather conditions.

Prior Experience

Previous firefighting / EMS experience preferred.

Tools and Equipment Used

Fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses and other standard firefighting equipment; power tools such as chain saws and hydraulic spreaders and cutters;

hand tools, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone and water rescue devices.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear;
• use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance;

stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and / or move up to fifty (50) pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to two-hundred (200) pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts.

Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and / or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, liquid chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderately quite in the office settings, and very loud at an emergency scene.

Leadership

Supervisor : Captain

Direct Reports : None