4.5. SR 09-03-2013 City of
Elk - Request for Action
River O.
To Item Number
Mayor and City Council 4.5
Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by
Consent September 3, 2013 T.John Cunningham,Fire Chief
Item Description Reviewed by
Position Description for On-Call Firefighter Cliff Anderson,Assistant Chief
Lauren Wipper, Human Resources Representative
Reviewed by
Cal Portner, City Administrator
Action Requested
Approve by motion the updated position description for on-call firefighter.
Background/Discussion
Consistent with the Fire Department's 2013-2017 Strategic Plan, a review of the position description for
the on-call firefighter has been completed. While the overall duties and responsibilities has remained
consistent, a few changes have been incorporated that are in-line with best practices,the department's
strategic plan and recommendations from the League of Minnesota Cities (LMC).
• Changed immediate supervisor to lieutenant which is consistent with the Fire Department chain-
of-command.
• Updated the position summary to accurately reflect the position of the on-call firefighter.
• Added fire prevention,public education, community outreach and other related assignments.
• Changed residency requirement from a geographical boundary to a timed response.
The residency requirement was changed based on best practices across the state and on the
recommendation of the LMC. In a white paper published by the in 2011, the LMC writes,in part:
"Bylaws sometimes establish a radius within which firefighters are expected to live. Cities are
prohibited from requiring residency as a condition of employment. This includes and applies
to volunteer firefighters. Cities can impose a reasonable response time,but it should be
based on minutes rather than miles.
"Remember that Minnesota law requires firefighters responding to an emergency to follow
all traffic laws,including posted speeds. Policies related to response time should be based on
normal driving behavior."
As the department transitions to formal policies and procedures, this change will also be reflected in those
documents,including the process in which the department's command staff will utilize to determine
whether or not a candidate satisfactory meets the eight minute response time requirement. This includes
online mapping software and,if required, actual driving tests. Consistent with past practice, current
firefighters will be exempt from meeting the new requirement unless they change their primary residence,
in which case they must live within the eight minute requirement.
P a w E R E U 6 Y
NaA f RE]
The adoption of the new on-call firefighter position description will also serve as the foundation in which
to formalize officer job descriptions,which is currently underway.
Financial Impact
None
Attachments
• New on-call firefighter position description
• Old on-call firefighter position description (with strikethrough)
N:APubhc Bodies\Agenda Packets\09-03-2013\x4.5 sr OC FF Job Description.docx
City of �' City of Elk River
1E, .Z.EOn-Call Firefighter
River Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Fire Lieutenant
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
Per City Compensation Plan Non-Exempt 9/2013
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
Under general supervision of an officer,the on-call firefighter provides fire suppression,rescue,
medical and other emergency care in accordance the rules and regulations, administrative policies
and operational procedures of the department. Helps keep the department in a constant state of
readiness and assists with fire prevention and public education.
Essential Functions
1. Responds to emergencies as required.
A. Performs firefighting activities,including laying and pulling hose, retrieving and/or
setting up equipment, forcible entry, search and rescue,ventilation and other fire-
scene responsibilities.
B. Performs rescue/extrication by retrieving and/or setting up equipment, operating
equipment or performing other duties.
C. Renders medical care.
D. Performs hazard identification and mitigation activities.
E. Investigates alarms.
F. Drives and operates fire fighting apparatus and equipment.
G. Performs other duties as directed.
2. Participates in training.
A. Participates in drills and other department training activities to maintain and upgrade
firefighting skills.
B. Attends outside training activities such as fire schools, sectional schools, etc.
3. Maintains departmental and personal equipment.
A. Maintains tools, apparatus, and equipment in functioning condition.
B. Keeps the station and premises neat, clean, and in good order at all times.
C. Maintains fire apparatus and equipment as part of a team under the supervision of an
officer.
4. Performs fire prevention and public education.
A. Assists with conducting fire prevention,public education, community outreach and
other related assignments.
Page 1
5. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
❑ Knowledge of fire fighting techniques and procedures.
❑ Skill and ability to apply fire fighting techniques and procedures.
❑ Skill in operating various fire fighting apparatus and equipment.
❑ Ability to follow city and department rules and regulations, administrative policies and
operational procedures.
❑ Ability to administer first aid and CPR.
❑ Ability to respond to fires during work hours when called upon.
❑ Ability to maintain required attendance and training requirements.
❑ Ability to learn a wide variety of fire fighting duties.
❑ Ability to work with others and effectively carry out orders and written instructions.
❑ Ability to work as a team member under stress.
❑ Ability to present a positive and professional image of the city and the fire department.
Minimum Qualifications
❑ High school graduate or equivalent.
❑ Must be at least 18 years of age.
❑ Valid Class C Minnesota driver license.
❑ Must live within eight (8) minutes of an Elk River fire station.
❑ Must satisfactorily pass the firefighter's physical exam.
❑ Must satisfactorily pass the firefighter's physical ability test.
Preferred Qualifications
❑ Training in fire fighting techniques.
❑ Experience as a firefighter.
❑ 1403 Basic Firefighter I &II or NFPA 1001.
❑ First Responder certification.
❑ CPR certification.
❑ Current EMT/Paramedic.
❑ If not self-employed,must have employer's written permission to attend fires during
working hours.
❑ Post secondary or technical college courses in firefighting.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River's discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
Page 2
x4.5 at new OC FF Job Description
City City of Elk River
of
Elk Paid On-Call Firefighter
River Position Description
Department: Immediate Supervisor:
Fire Fire efLieutenant
Pay Grade: FLSA Status: Last Updated: (date)
Per City Compensation Plan Non-Exempt q'/3,/0-2-9j2013
Positions Supervised:
N/A
Position Summary
The Paid On CaR Firefighter cofftrols and extinguishes fires, protects life and propefty,performs
fire prevention and resette,maintains equipmew and property as vo�dnteer for the City. Works
under the direct supefvision of officers. Alay direct others at fire scenes and station When assigfted
Under general supervision of an officer,the on-call firefighter provides fire
suppression,rescue,medical and other emergency care in accordance the rules and regulations,
administrative policies and operational procedures of the department. Helps keep the department in
a constant state of readiness and assists with fire prevention and public education.
Essential Functions
1. .Responds to emergencies as required.
A. Responds to alarms afid other emergeficy cal erforms firefighting activities,
including lag and pulling hose,retrieving and/or setting up equipment, forcible
entry, search and rescue,ventilation and other fire-scene responsibilities.
fires.
B. Performs rescue/extrication by retrieving and/or setting up equipment, operating
equipment or performing other duties.
C. Renders medical care.Elftf6cts reessecues and refiders first aid to if1jured.
D. Performs hazard identification and mitigation activities.
C—.E. Investigates alarms.
D F. Drives and operates fire fighting apparatus and equipment.
£-G. Perfoifns duties at the scefie as directed by fire depaftment office rs.Performs other
duties as directed.
2. Participates in training.
A. Participates in drills and other department training activities to maintain and upgrade
firefighting skills.
B. Attends outside training activities such as fire schools, sectional schools, etc.
3. Maintains departmental and personal equipment.
A. Maintains tools, apparatus, and equipment in functioning condition.
B. Keeps the station and premises neat, clean, and in good order at all times.
C. Maintains fire apparatus and equipment as part of a team under the supervision of an
officer.
Page 1
4. Performs fire prevention and public education.
A. Assists with conducting fire prevention,public education, community outreach and
other related assignments.
4-.5. Performs other essential job duties.
A. Regular and timely work attendance.
B. Follows all safety procedures.
C. Participates in safety training.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
❑ Knowledge of fire fighting techniques and procedures.
❑ Skill and ability to apply fire fighting techniques and procedures.
❑ Skill in operating various fire fighting apparatus and equipment.
❑ Ability to follow city and department rules and regulations, administrative policies and
operational procedures.
❑ Ability to administer first aid and CPR.
• Ability to respond to fires during work hours when called upon.
• Ability to maintain required attendance and training requirements.
• Ability to learn a wide variety of fire fighting duties.
❑ Ability to work with others and effectively carry out orders and written instructions.
❑ Ability to work as a team member under stress.
❑ Ability to present a positive and professional image of the city and the fire department.
Minimum Qualifications
❑ High school graduate or equivalent.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Valid Class C Minnesota driver license.
• .Must live
within eight (8) minutes of an Elk River fire station.
❑ Must satisfactorily pass the firefighter's physical exam.
❑ Must satisfactorily pass the firefighter's physical ability test.
Preferred Qualifications
❑ Training in fire fighting techniques.
❑ Soffie expenence as volunteer fire fighter.-Experience as a firefighter.
❑ 1403 Basic Firefighter I &II or NFPA 1001.
❑ First Responder certification.
❑ CPR certification.
• Current EMT/Paramedic.
• If not self-employed,must have employer's written permission to attend fires during
working hours.
❑ Post secondary or technical college courses in firefighting.
This Position Description is not intended to be all-inclusive. It is within the City of Elk River's discretion
to assign additional duties and responsibilities or remove duties and responsibilities at any time.
This Position Description does not constitute a Contract of Employment.
Page 2
x4.5 at marked up OC FF-job DescdptionPaid On CA Fifefightef.doc