Firefighter Applicant Handbook

Firefighter Applicant Handbook Peter D O'Neill Fire Chief Grand Forks Fire Department 1124 DeMers Avenue Grand Forks, ND 58201 (701)746-2566 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Revised November 2013 City of Grand Forks Grand Forks, North Dakota 58201

CONGRATULATIONS on your decision to seek a Firefighter position in the Grand Forks Fire Department. The Grand Forks Fire Department is an organization of sixty-six highly motivated personnel dedicated to preserving life and protecting property in the greater Grand Forks area. Persons selected can expect a challenging and rewarding career with a vital, vibrant organization. Work Schedule Firefighters work eight-hour shifts (8:00 AM until 5:00 PM) until rookie training is completed and then they are assigned to a shift. A shift consists of twenty-four hours on duty (8:00 AM to 8:00 AM on the following day), followed by 24 hours off-duty, 24 hours on-duty, 24 hours offduty, 24 hours on-duty, and 96 hours off-duty. The schedule then repeats. Sometime during nine working shifts, a half-shift (12 hours) is worked instead of a 24. This is to bring us to a 53 hour work week. The Grand Forks Fire Department operates on a three shift schedule. This means that each shift will work 121.667 shifts per year. Of those shifts, 13.8 are 12-hour shifts instead of 24 hours. Each fire station has a fully-equipped kitchen available to employees. Employees usually participate in family-style meals with other on-duty firefighters. Two meals per shift (noon and evening) are eaten during duty hours. Dormitory facilities are provided. Department Positions Uniformed Civilian 1 Chief 1 Senior Administrative Specialist 4 Battalion Chiefs 1 Administrative Specialist 1 Training Officer 1 Fleet Maintenance Mechanic 3 Fire Marshals 12 Captains 12 Fire Apparatus Specialists 15 Senior Firefighters 15 Firefighters Benefits Available Paid Holidays (9) Vacation Sick leave Medical insurance (75% paid) Sick leave incentive Personal leave day Tuition Reimbursement Fitness club membership discount Life insurance Long-term disability Flexible benefits plan Employee Assistance program Post-employment health plan Credit Union membership Deferred Compensation plan Defined Contribution Retirement plan Information regarding benefits can be discussed with Human Resources (701-746-2665) and will be provided during employee orientation upon hire.

Uniforms and Protective Clothing The department, at no cost to the employee, furnishes all protective clothing. An initial issue of uniform items is made. Thereafter, a yearly stipend of $250 is provided to cover uniform needs Training Program All employees shall complete an average of 60 hours of in-service training quarterly. All firefighters will be required to complete the Apprenticeship program and become a Certified Journeyman Fire-Medic within 3½ years of employment. Advancement Firefighters shall participate in the department s Department of Labor Apprenticeship program. Firefighter s shall make steady progress in the program and complete the program within 3½ years. Firefighters are responsible for maintaining current and valid licenses and certifications. In order to be eligible for promotion, satisfactory progress must be shown. Selection Process It is not necessary to have firefighting experience in order to do well on the written test. Information relating to typical test questions can be found in the training materials produced by various publishing firms, including: ARCO Publishing - Firefighter Civil Services Test Tutor Barron s Educational Series, Inc. Firefighter Practice Exams Delmar, Firefighter s Handbook, 1 st Edition, 1 st Printing Delmar, Introduction to Fire Protection, 1 st Edition IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 3 rd Edition, 5 th Printing IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting, 4 th Edition, 1 st Printing The following is the complete testing process and what you need to accomplish: 1) Fill out and turn in application to Human Resources Office by 5:00 PM on February 27, 2015. In order to compete in the selection process, you must first have an application on file with the Human Resources Department, 255 N. 4 th Street, PO Box 5200, Grand Fork, ND 58206-5200. Fax #701-787-3767. This is mandatory to participate in the selection process. 2) Transcript and Certification Requirements. Copies of school transcripts and current certifications must be submitted along with the application in order to be considered. Transcripts do not have to be official copies. 3) You WILL NOT be contacted again regarding the written examination. You must submit your application and then show up for the required test, on the scheduled date. This letter serves as the only notification of the REQUIRED written examination test date, and for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) orientation.

4) Take the written exam on Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 9:00 AM. The written exam will be given at the Grand Forks Public Safety Center, 1220 South 52nd Street, Grand Forks, North Dakota. a. Have picture ID available for registration. b. Be on time for the exam, late arrivals may not be allowed to participate. c. This is mandatory to continue in the selection process. 5) The written test will be scored and an eligible candidate list will be created for those that will be continuing in the selection process. Candidates meeting the cut-off score will be contacted and they will advance to the CPAT. We expect to have approximately twentyfour candidates continuing in the process. Candidates not meeting the cut-off score will not be considered any further; however, we appreciate your interest in employment with the Grand Forks Fire Department, and encourage you to apply for any future openings. 6) For those continuing in the process, the following dates and times are scheduled for the mandatory CPAT practices. These sessions will be conducted at the Grand Forks Public Safety Center, 1220 South 52nd Street, Grand Forks, North Dakota. Department fitness personnel will be available to answer questions about preparing for the CPAT. a. Session #1 --- Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Orientation and preparation session. b. Session #2 --- Saturday, April 4, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Orientation and preparation session. c. Session #3 --- Saturday, May 9, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Timed practice run. d. Session #4 --- Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Timed practice run. 7) Take CPAT exam. This test will begin at 9:00 AM on Monday, June 8, 2015. You will be contacted by mail as to when you should arrive. This is mandatory to continue in the selection process. Candidates passing the CPAT will automatically advance to the interview process. 8) Interview. The interviews will begin at 10:00 AM on Monday, June 8, 2015 and will continue through Tuesday, June 9, 2015, as needed. This is mandatory to continue in the selection process. IMPORTANT INFORMATION The Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) standard states that it is mandatory for all candidates to participate in the orientation, preparation and timed practice run sessions prior to taking the test. If you choose not to participate in these sessions, you will be required to sign a waiver acknowledging that you are aware of the pre-test opportunities, and that you have declined to include them in your preparations to complete the CPAT portion of the selection process. The timed practice runs will not count as passing the CPAT. The test must be completed on the assigned day. A letter or certificate of passing will be accepted from other CPAT licensed sites, if that CPAT was completed within 9 months of our scheduled testing date; i.e. from 09/09/2014 to 06/09/2015. If you have any questions, please contact Kelli Flermoen at (701) 746-2569 or kflermoen@grandforksgov.com or call Human Resources at 701-746-2665.

NOTE: Any individual requiring special accommodations is asked to notify the ADA Coordinator at (701) 746-2665 of these needs as soon as possible. Additional Testing Information A. Written exam The written exam is related to the duties of a firefighter. It will be a multiple choice exam of at least 150 questions. Candidates with a passing score will move on in the selection process. You will be notified by mail. B. CPAT orientation, preparation and timed practice run sessions These sessions will cover all of the events involved in the CPAT. You will be given the opportunity to see each event demonstrated, the equipment involved, and to practice the events. You will be afforded the opportunity to take timed practice runs of the CPAT. You may also find additional information regarding the CPAT on the internet. Certified fitness trainers will be on site to assist you with fitness and exercise guidance to prepare for the CPAT. C. CPAT All candidates who pass the CPAT will be interviewed. Please be prepared as your interview may fall on the same day, (you will have time to clean up and change clothes). For those who fail a portion of the CPAT, the selection process ends at the point of failure. The CPAT consists of the following eight events: Event 1 Stair Climb Event 2 Hose Drag Event 3 Equipment Carry Event 4 Ladder Raise and Extension Event 5 Forcible Entry Event 6 Search Event 7 Rescue Event 8 Ceiling Breach and Pull D. Interview This will be a board interview made up of at least one Fire Department officer and one Human Resource s representative. There may also be an I.A.F.F Local #242 union officer present during the interview. E. Eligibility Register Those candidates that have passed the written exam, the CPAT and the interview will be ranked in order of combined score, and placed on an eligibility register. This register will generally be in effect for one year. Those remaining on the register when it expires are encouraged to apply for the next selection process, as a new register must be created and the process started again at the expiration of an eligibility register. F. Offer of Employment Appointment to employment will be made by the Mayor. The Mayor will be given the top 3 candidates on the list for each opening (1 opening = 3 candidates). The Mayor may select any of the top 3 candidates. A conditional offer of employment will be made upon the Mayor s selection. The conditional offer is contingent on the results of the physical exam, health screening, psychological evaluation, drug screening and background investigation. G. Physical exam, health screening, psychological evaluation, drug screening and background investigation Following the conditional job offer the candidate will be examined, screened, evaluated and investigated. The presence of illegal drugs, evidence of a medical condition which indicates that the candidate cannot perform the essential functions

of the job, or inconsistencies in the investigation will result in withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment. All of the exams and screening will be at our expense. H. American with Disabilities Act The Grand Forks Fire Department fully subscribes to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act compels the department to make a conditional offer of employment before any testing related to any medical condition which occurs. The conditional offer of employment will be withdrawn if subsequent testing reveals that the candidate, with reasonable accommodation by the department, cannot perform the essential functions of the job of Firefighter. I. When an offer of a firefighter position is made, a candidate may be asked to sign: 1) An agreement that they will not use tobacco products of any kind while on-duty for the length of their employment with the department. 2) An agreement stating that they understand and that they will comply with the department s Standard Operating Procedures, Guidelines and Policies. It is the policy of the Grand Forks Fire Department to require that its employees live within twenty (20) minutes drive time of the city limits of Grand Forks or within thirty (30) minutes drive time of Central Fire Station, as written in department SOP 106.01.

CITY OF GRAND FORKS City of Grand Forks 255 North Fourth Street - P. O. Box 5200 - Grand Forks, ND 58206-5200 Human Resources (701) 746-2665 Fax # (701) 787-3767 FIREFIGHTER Salary Range 43 ($47,694.40 $56,095 - $67,315 annually plus fringe benefits) Individual will perform fire suppression, prevention, rescue, emergency medical, disaster aid and public education activities and various related activities. Position requires equivalency to the completion of twelfth grade. An Associates degree in Fire Science is desirable, as well as one year of firefighting experience, as well as possession of or the ability to obtain appropriate licensing, registration and certification. Application, job description and other information available at: Human Resources, City Hall, PO Box 5200, 255 N. 4 th St., Grand Forks, North Dakota, 58206 or by visiting our website at www.grandforksgov.com Deadline for submitting applications is 5PM, February 27, 2015. The City of Grand Forks is an EEO Employer.

FIREFIGHTER Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job. DEFINITION To perform fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue, emergency medical, disaster aid and public education activities; to maintain station equipment and apparatus; and to manage incoming phone calls and radio communications. SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives direction from assigned Fire Captain. ESSENTIAL AND MARGINAL FUNCTION STATEMENTS--Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: Essential Functions: 1. Perform fire suppression duties; identify, select and operate fire hoses, nozzles and appliances; place and operate ladders, fire service tools and equipment; provide pre-hospital emergency medical treatment as needed. 2. Identify the need for and implement forcible entry techniques; secure and safeguard the emergency scene. 3. Perform fire prevention duties; assist in conducting and preparing building pre-incident plans; execute and document fire inspection of buildings as assigned. 4. Respond to events of an emergency or non-emergency nature including hazardous materials incidents, multiple casualties or aircraft incidents; rescue trapped individuals. 5. Perform general maintenance and minor repairs on apparatus, equipment, and departmental property; perform weekly inventories on equipment as assigned. 6. Complete and utilize special training in apparatus operations and fire service hydraulics; maintain appropriate levels of certification. 7. Answer emergency and non-emergency telephone calls; dispatch fire apparatus and personnel according to departmental policies. 8. Perform public relations and education duties; demonstrate and display fire fighting equipment and apparatus.

Marginal Functions: 1. Prepare records, logs and reports as required. 2. Perform related duties and responsibilities as required. QUALIFICATIONS (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) Knowledge: Principles and practices of fire suppression and prevention; Principles, practices, methods and techniques of modern firefighting; Principles, practices and applications of emergency pre-hospital care; Operational characteristics of rescue and firefighting equipment and tools; Occupational hazards and standard safety practices. Skills: Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; Maintain mental capacity which allows for effective interaction and communication with others; Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities; Maintain effective audio/visual discrimination and perception to the degree necessary for the successful performance of assigned duties. Abilities: Learn to operate and test a variety of firefighter apparatus and medical equipment under emergency conditions; Learn to interpret, explain and enforce department policies and procedures; Achieve and maintain appropriate certification levels for fire fighting duties; React quickly and work productively under hazardous conditions; Perform surface water and ice rescue procedures; Understand and follow oral and written instructions. Experience and Training Guidelines Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: Experience: One year of firefighting experience is desirable. Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. (An Associates degree in Fire Science from accredited institution of higher learning is desirable.) License or Certificate Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid driver's license. Possession of, or ability to obtain within probationary period, an appropriate, valid National Registry as an EMT-B. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid semi-automatic external defibrillator certificate. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid pulse oximetry certificate. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid joint apprenticeship as a Fire Fighter and Fire Fighter, Senior. Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid OSHA hazardous materials operational level certificate.

WORKING CONDITIONS Environmental and Physical Conditions: Emergency scene and station environment; exposure to extreme heat, cold, hazardous or toxic atmospheres, noise, dust, grease, smoke, fumes, gases, explosives, potentially hazardous chemicals, electrical energy, potentially hostile environments, waste and infectious materials, human or animal body fluids; work at extreme heights; work in confined spaces; work in extremes of inclement weather; Essential and marginal functions may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking or standing for prolonged periods of time; heavy or moderate lifting; bending, stooping, kneeling, crawling; climbing with both legs and arms; operating motorized equipment and vehicles.