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FIRE FIGHTER JOB DECRIPTION

The goal of the Schonowe Volunteer Fire Department is to fill each position with
male/female applicants who demonstrate the interest and dedication required to be a
successful fire fighter. To do this it is important to give each applicant a realistic
description of the job and it's tasks. This will enable the applicant to decide for
himself or herself if he or she is willing to make the necessary commitment.

As a fire fighter you will be required to perform a large variety of tasks. These tasks
are very diverse and may include the rescue and care of victims, fire suppression,
clean up of fire and accident scenes, hazardous materials containment and community
service. We urge you to consider the entire job of a fire fighter and not just the
exciting or glamorous aspects.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE.

Emergency response calls can come in at any time of the day or night and require
immediate response. Sleep may be frequently interrupted as well as personal daily
activities.

Emergency call can and will cover anything from brush fires, structure fires,
automobile accidents, life threatening medical emergencies, non-life threatening
medical calls and false alarms. All must be responded to safely and professionally.

The active fire fighter must be expert at downing his or her turnout gear and mounting
the emergency vehicles quickly and safely when responding to a call.

As the firefighter gain both training and experience they will immediately size up each
emergency situation upon arrival at the scene. This size up will include the nature of
the emergency, protection of human life, and the manor in which to neutralize the
situation.

In addition to fire fighting and other emergency services, fire fighters are responsible
for gathering information from witnesses and other sources when at the scene. It is
critical that the fire fighter thinks quickly and obtains the information necessary to deal
with each unique situation.

To accomplish this, fire fighters must coordinate their activities and work as a team.
This includes all emergency personnel at the scene.

FIRE SCENES.

Fire fighting is a very dangerous occupation even when all the proper precautions are
taken. At a fire scene, the fire fighter must enter the burning structure, search for
victims, and search for the source of the fire and finally extinguish the fire. Fire
fighters may occasionally be overcome by smoke and unfortunately suffer injuries to
their person.

All fire fighting is very physically demanding and fire fighters are required to move
heavy equipment such as charged lines and ladders. They will also be required to use
axes, chainsaws, sledge hammers, and hydraulically operated rescue gear. In addition,
they may be required to climb many flights of stairs and to move victims to safety.

Due to the hazards inherent with a structure fire, fire fighters must always be
evaluating the structures condition to avoid being trapped by the structures collapse.

Emergency personnel use ladders and work at extreme heights to rescue victims and
fight fires.

Upon arrival fire fighters must locate hydrants and other sources of water to charge the
lines used in fighting the fire.

EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT.

Although fire fighters participate in search, rescue, and extrications they are restricted
in their ability to treat patients unless they are specifically trained to be an Emergency
Medical Technician or Paramedic. The average fire fighter should not proceed
beyond basic first aid or CPR. If a fire fighter wishes to be trained as an Emergency
Medical Technician or Paramedic, he or she will be allowed to attend the necessary
training at the districts expense.

RESCUE OPERATIONS.

Fire fighters use systematic procedures to try to find trapped victims without getting
lost or trapped themselves.

They must be ready to free trapped victims from a variety of situations including car
crashes, structure collapses, floods, chemical spills, and many types of unusual
occurrences. They must be trained with tools such as the 'Jaws of Life", and be able to
use them to effect a rescue without further injury to the victim.

OTHER.

When not on duty a fire fighter must constantly work at keeping the station and
equipment in excellent condition. Much of a fire fighters time is spent maintaining and
training with equipment. They are also called upon to teach residents and tenants, of
fie prevention and its value in preventing serious or deadly incidents.

PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS.

Fire fighters are on call 24 hours a day and are expected to respond when called.

Fire fighters are expected to volunteer to work on special activities and functions.

Fire fighters must be prepared to work during unusual and catastrophic events, such as
major fires, earthquakes, floods, or civil unrest.

The duties and equipment used in fire fighting make special physical demands on the
fire fighter.

Long hair, beards, nail length, jewelry, and even contact lenses generally have to be
eliminated in an effort to promote fire fighter personal safety. This is especially true
of interior fire fighters.

The fire service is regimented and fire fighters must receive and execute orders
promptly while functioning as a part of the team.