Job Description

Firefighter

CRITICAL DATES Physical Ability Practice 11/02/2026, Assessment Center 11/03/2026 POSITION SUMMARY This position is responsible for responding to emergency and non-emergency calls, including fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescues, and hazardous materials incidents. Duties include fire prevention, rescue operations, emergency medical treatment, public education, and ongoing training. The role also involves maintaining fire stations, equipment, and vehicles to ensure operational readiness at all times.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS The following duties are normal for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.

• Responds to fire alarms, medical emergencies, hazardous conditions, motor vehicle accidents, explosions, uncontained hazardous materials, airport emergencies, and other life-threatening situations to protect life, property, and the environment.
• Performs firefighting operations, including fire suppression, establishing water supply, advancing and operating hose lines, search and rescue, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul.
• Provides emergency medical services, including patient assessment, treatment, extrication, preparation for transport, and transportation to medical facilities per Jackson County Standing Orders.
• Communicate with hospital staff and other allied health personnel. Prepare patient care reports, billing information and other documentation as required by the department and supervising physician.
• Responds to non-emergency incidents, including public assistance calls, assistance to physically impaired individuals.
• Utilizes and operates specialized firefighting, EMS, and rescue equipment and tools with proficiency.
• Drives, operates, and maintains fire/EMS apparatus and equipment as prescribed by department protocols.
• Conducts inspections and preventive maintenance on fire apparatus, equipment, and tools to ensure operational readiness.
• Performs maintenance and cleaning of station quarters, facilities, and grounds.
• Participates in training, drills, and continuing education in firefighting, EMS, disaster response, and specialized rescue techniques.
• Works collaboratively with businesses, citizens, and other emergency response agencies, including law enforcement and mutual aid partners.
• Adheres to all safety regulations and ensures safe operation of equipment and vehicles.
• Reports all accidents and follows proper reporting protocols as required by department policies.
• Demonstrates professionalism, compassion, and effective communication in high-pressure emergency situations.
• Maintains a high level of physical fitness and job readiness.
• Serves as a CERT or CPR instructor as needed.
• Arrives on time for shifts, meetings, and department functions while maintaining regular attendance.
• Works extended hours, weekends, and holidays as needed to meet department operational needs.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS • High school diploma or equivalent. Must have graduated from a Firefighter 1 Academy, or have six (6) months' career or twelve (12) months' volunteer experience with a Fire Department.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS • Possession of, or the ability to obtain and retain, an Oregon driver license Class C by the time of appointment. • Must meet Ashland Fire & Rescue uniform and appearance standards and will be provided official department clothing during the period of employment. • ICS 100, 200, 700 and OSHA equivalent HazMat Emergency Responder within (12) twelve months of employment. • Must possess State of Oregon certified EMT license. • Current CPR certification.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS • Degree in Fire Protection Technology or Fire Science

SUBSTITUTION Any satisfactory equivalent combination of education, training and experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the duties of the job proficiently may substitute for the above requirements.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES KNOWLEDGE: • Fire department rules, regulations, city ordinances, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards, and the Standard Fire Prevention Code, along with other Federal, State, and local regulations. • Hazardous materials and hazardous substance reference manuals. • Fire suppression techniques, fire prevention, and emergency medical procedures. • Fire apparatus, including fire pumping, rescue, and aerial equipment. • Emergency medical and health techniques appropriate to certification levels. • Rescue techniques specific to individual specialties. • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including its purpose, use, and maintenance. • Safety procedures associated with assigned tasks. • Specialized firefighting, EMS, and rescue equipment, including ladders, hose lines, two-way radios, cameras, atmospheric and chemical sampling devices, hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic stabilization equipment. • City and department operating requirements, policies, procedures, and best practices, as well as local, State, and Federal regulations impacting department operations. • Administrative policies and procedures related to municipal fire and rescue activities. • Research methods, report writing techniques, and statistical analysis. • Office practices, computer software, and applications relevant to the position. • Mathematical calculations required for operational and administrative duties. SKILLS: • Operating fire apparatus and pumping equipment, as well as hydraulic, electric, and pneumatic rescue and stabilization tools. • Analyzing complex administrative issues, defining problems, evaluating alternatives, and recommending effective solutions. • Organizational and time management to handle high workloads while adapting to shifting priorities. • Researching and comprehending complex written materials. • Preparing and maintaining accurate and concise records and reports. • Communicating detailed and sensitive information concisely and effectively, both orally and in writing. • Training and instructing personnel in firefighting, EMS, and rescue procedures. • Operating computers and utilizing software necessary for job functions. • Managing fire scene operations, delegating tasks, and establishing priorities during emergencies. • Effectively interacting with diverse populations and demonstrating cultural competence. ABILITIES: • Quickly assess hazardous situations and determine appropriate actions. • Perform above-ground firefighting and rescue operations. • Recall street layouts, addresses, and fire hydrant locations within first response areas. • Maintain self-control, think critically, and adapt under stressful conditions. • Act decisively in time-sensitive and life-threatening emergencies. • Follow oral and written operational instructions and guidelines accurately. • Communicate effectively in emergency situations, request assistance appropriately, and coordinate efforts with team members. • Maintain professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality while handling sensitive information. • Build and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, other agencies, and the public. • Uphold ethical standards and professional integrity at all times. • Work required hours, including extended shifts, weekends, and after-hours emergency response. • Perform physically strenuous tasks under hazardous and dangerous circumstances.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description 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 or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor.

• Requires occasional exertion of up to or exceeding 100 pounds of force, including lifting, carrying, and maneuvering patients and equipment; regularly involves prolonged sitting; frequently requires standing, speaking, hearing, using hands for fine motor tasks, and performing repetitive motions. • Occasionally involves walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and reaching with hands and arms. • Work is primarily performed in the field, often in unpredictable and uncontrolled environments. • Frequently exposed to outdoor weather conditions, including extreme heat, cold, rain, and hazardous road conditions. • Requires working in high-risk areas, including confined spaces, high places, and areas with limited access; may involve exposure to moving mechanical parts, industrial machinery, high-voltage power sources, and hazardous materials. • Potential exposure to fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, biological hazards, and infectious diseases; risk of electrical shock, vibration-related injuries, and working in unstable or dangerous environments. • Requires responding to life-threatening emergencies with potential exposure to traumatic incidents, violent situations, and emotionally distressing events. • Demands rapid decision-making under pressure, often with limited information and evolving circumstances. • May involve extended shifts of 24 hours or longer, working under conditions of fatigue, stress, and physical exhaustion. • Requires intense concentration and quick judgment in assessing emergency situations, ensuring both personal and public safety. • Requires close vision, distance vision, depth perception, color distinction, night vision, and peripheral vision. • Must effectively communicate using vocal projection to exchange critical information, provide clear instructions, and coordinate with team members and bystanders. • Hearing ability must be sufficient to perceive normal spoken word levels, distinguish important sounds in noisy environments, and respond to emergency signals. • Requires the use of specialized personal protective equipment (PPE). • Must adhere to strict safety protocols to minimize risks of exposure to bloodborne pathogens and communicable diseases.

Nothing in this job description limits management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an

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