HOW TO APPLY FOR A FIRE FIGHTER
POSITION
During the recruiting period, prior to the written and physical agility testing,
applicants must submit the three (3) items listed below. Failure to submit all
items prior to the written and physical agility tests will disqualify an
applicant from employment. Applications will only be accepted during recruiting
periods and no applications will be accepted after the recruiting period ends
and the job posting closes.
1. Application for employment
You may obtain a Town of Smyrna employment application in person at Smyrna City
Hall, 315 S. Lowry St. Smyrna, TN or on line at www.townofsmyrna.org /
Employment. All applications must be fully completed and signed. You may attach
a resume to the application and any relevant certifications. However, resumes
will not be considered in lieu of a completed employment application. This means
that you must complete without omission all questions on the employment
application, even if your resume contains similar information. Failure to fully
complete the employment application will disqualify you from consideration for
employment.
2. Proof of Education
The Fire Fighter position requires a high school education or GED equivalent.
You must submit a copy of your high school diploma, GED certificate or a
diploma/transcript of your attendance from an accredited college/university.
3. Current driving record *(Driving requirements
listed below in Job Description)
For insurance purposes, you must submit with your employment application a
current driving record. Driving records may be obtained at the Tennessee
Department of Safety, located at:
1035 Samsonite Blvd., Murfreesboro, TN (615) 898-8036
1150 Foster Ave., Nashville, TN. (615) 741-3954
If you need additional information or another location you may contact the
Tennessee Department of Safety at (615) 741-3954. Two forms of ID are required
when obtaining this record as well as $5.00 cash or money order.
You may submit your employment application, proof of education and driving
record by mail or hand delivery to Smyrna City Hall, 315 S. Lowry St., Smyrna,
TN 37167 attention HR Department-Fire Fighter position. City Hall is open Monday
thru Friday, 8:00 am till 4:30 pm. If you wish to receive confirmation that your
application has been received, please enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope.
(No phone calls please) After the posting closes, applicants will receive via
mail information about the testing schedule.
Applicants for Town of Smyrna Fire Fighter positions must pass a written and
physical agility test in order to be considered for employment. Fire Fighter
applicant testing is normally given twice a year.
Passing scores on the written and physical agility test do not guarantee that an
applicant will be hired. The Town of Smyrna strives to hire the best-qualified
applicants and considers various factors such as previous experience, the job
interview, references, etc.
Applicants who pass both the written exam and physical agility test will be
placed in an applicant pool. As openings occur, applicants will be selected from
this pool. Vacancies for filling open positions between test times will not be
posted. All job offers made are contingent upon the applicants satisfactory
results of a criminal background check, post offer psychological examination and
post offer physical and drug screen.
If the applicant pool is depleted prior to the next scheduled applicant testing,
a new round of applicant testing may be offered. If the pool is not depleted
before the next scheduled applicant testing, candidates will be required to
successfully complete new written and physical agility tests in order to be
considered for a Fire Fighter position.
If you are interested in a career as a Smyrna Fire Fighter, please continue to
monitor the HR website at www.townofsmyrna.org or our job hotline at (615)
355-5790 for any current job postings.
* (Complete Job Description and Driving Requirements)
JOB DESCRIPTION: TOWN OF SMYRNA Fire Fighter
____________________________________________________________
CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Fire Fighter
DEPARTMENT: Fire
REVISION DATE: 5/18/05
REPORTS TO: Shift Captain
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full Time
FLSA STATUS: Non Exempt
PAY GRADE: 10
JOB SUMMARY
The employee is responsible for work performed in combating, extinguishing, and
preventing fires and protection of life and property through fire fighting
activities. Duties also include other support services under close supervision
of shift captain. Independent judgment is used according to the situation and
sometimes different courses of action must be considered to complete the task. A
large part of duty time is taken up in Town wide inspections; performing
supervised training; and maintaining equipment, quarters, and grounds.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responds to fire alarms, connects hose, holds nozzle and directs water
streams.
Forces entry of premises for fire fighting, rescue and salvage operations,
uses chemical fire extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines, and other equipment.
Removes persons from danger; administers first aid to injured persons.
Positions and climbs ladders to gain access to upper levels of buildings.
Performs salvage operations such as throwing covers, sweeping water and
removing debris.
Carries charged hose line into structure for fire extinguishment.
Physically able to wear complete set of protective clothing and self-contained
breathing apparatus.
Participates in fire drills and attends training classes in fire fighting,
first-aid, and related subjects.
Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions, which may involve
extreme exertion under such handicaps as smoke and cramped surroundings.
Performs extreme strenuous and physical labor for extended periods under some
unfavorable conditions, frequently lifting objects weighing 50 to 100 pounds.
Performs duties requiring bending, crouching, stooping, climbing and crawling
in buildings or close quarters that may be filled with smoke.
Will carry a pager 24 hours per day / 7 days per week.
Will be subject to call back in emergency situations during unscheduled work
times.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide coverage in absence of other personnel.
Performs general maintenance work in the up-keep of fire department property :
cleans and washes walls and floors, makes minor repairs, washes and dries hoses,
mows yard, washes windows, paints, and otherwise maintains quarters.
May operate departmental radio communications on special assignments, receives
alarms, and notifies appropriate personnel, summons on-call personnel.
Participates in annual hose test, which involves uploading and reloading fire
hose back on truck.
Participates in flow testing fire hydrants, which involves taking caps off
hydrant and opening up hydrant and checking water flow.
Performs Town wide Pre-Fire Inspections.
Occasionally drive truck when driver is absent.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must be at least 18 years of age.
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Must possess a valid drivers license issued by the State of Tennessee.
Must pass written fire fighter examination.
Must complete departments physical agility test.
Must complete and pass psychological exam.
Must pass a medical examination by a licensed physician and maintain physical
requirements.
Must live within ten (10) road miles of any corporate Smyrna Town limit or
relocate within 180 days after beginning employment.
Must complete basic fire fighting course at State Fire School.
Must be able to pass yearly SCBA fit test and medical questionnaire.
Must be able to respond to emergency situations during unscheduled work times.
Must pass or meet the Volunteer Firemans Insurance Service Motor Vehicle
Evaluation requirements. *These requirements are as follows :
Any individual who has a combination of two (2) Class B moving violation
convictions and/or chargeable accidents in a three (3) year period will be
issued a warning letter from the chief officer or administrative officer of the
emergency service organization.
Any individual who has a combination of three (3) moving violation convictions
and /or chargeable accidents in a three (3) year period will be issued a
suspension of driving department vehicles for a period of (90) days by the chief
officer or administrative office of the emergency service organization.
Any individual who has more than three (3) moving violation convictions or three
(3) chargeable accidents or any combination of more than three (3) of the
formerly stated violations in a three (3) year period will be issued a
suspension of driving department vehicles for a period of one (1) year. In
addition, the same individual would be required to complete an approved driver
improvement program and be re-certified to operate emergency vehicles.
VIOLATIONS: Designation of Type A and Type B violations are based on a
survey of state point systems. Violations receiving higher numbers of points are
classed as Type A.
TYPE A VIOLATIONS:
01. Driving while intoxicated.
02. Driving under the influence of drugs.
03. Negligent homicide arising out of the use of a motor vehicle (gross
negligence).
04. Operating during a period of suspension or revocation.
05. Using a motor vehicle for the commission of a felony.
06. Aggravated assault with a motor vehicle.
07. Operating a motor vehicle without owners authority.
08. Permitting an unlicensed person to drive.
09. Reckless driving.
10. Hit and run driving.
TYPE B VIOLATIONS:
Includes all moving violations not listed as Type A violations. (Exceeding the
posted speed limit is a Type B violation).
Note: Unusual circumstances with individual cases will be evaluated on a
one-to-one basis.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of fire prevention and Smyrna Fire Department Standard Operating
Guidelines and Town of Smyrna Employee Handbook regulations as applied to fire
fighting and prevention.
Knowledge of geographic area of the Town.
Knowledge of fire fighting equipment and its intended uses.
Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency situation and to determine
the proper course of action.
Ability to learn to operate a variety of fire fighting equipment.
Ability to learn to operate a large truck safely.
Ability to work under extreme weather conditions and dangerous heights.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with the
public and other employees.
Ability to wear heavy protective clothing for extended periods of time.
Ability to climb ladders.
Ability to operate power equipment.
Ability to physically and mentally climb to different heights and function in
close quarters.
Ability to learn to perform tasks utilizing various types of office equipment.
EQUIPMENT OPERATED
The employee will operate fire fighting equipment to include: nozzles, hoses,
self-contained breathing apparatus, power saws and generators. The employee will
also operate a computer, telephone, copier, and various other types of office
equipment.
WORKING CONDITIONS
All fire fighting and emergency operations must be performed during all kinds
of weather conditions and exposure hazards.
The employee is exposed to extreme heat, cold, smoke, hazardous chemicals, and
falling materials.
Frequent exposure to negative situations such as accident scenes and death.
General physical and working conditions are such that minor cuts, abrasions,
bruises or burns may occur with various tasks.
Mandatory overtime is sometimes required and works hours required are
evenings, weekends and holidays.
Will be required to enter cramped, confined spaces.
USUAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Physically able to wear for long periods of time the complete set of
protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus that consists of
approximately 100 lbs.
Performs extreme strenuous and physical labor for extended periods under some
unfavorable conditions.
Frequently lifts objects 100lbs or greater.
Performs duties requiring bending, crouching, stooping, climbing and crawling
in buildings or close quarters that may be filled with smoke.
Ability to climb ladders and work at heights of 65 ft or greater.
Ability to operate power equipment.
EMPLOYEE AWARENESS:
Implement and assure adherence to Town of Smyrnas policies and procedures
regarding Equal Employment Opportunity.
Adheres to Town of Smyrna initiative on business ethics and conduct.
Adheres to federal/state laws and regulations regarding MSDS, OSHA and EPA
compliance.
This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills,
duties, requirements, efforts or working conditions associated with the job.
While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job,
management reserves the right to revise the job, or to require that other, or
different tasks be performed when circumstances change (i.e. emergencies,
changes in personnel or workload etc.)
MANAGEMENT APPROVAL
_____________________________________ ___/___/___
Director's signature Date
EMPLOYEE UNDERSTANDING AND AGREEMENT
_____________________________________ ___/___/___
Employee's signature Date