Wasatch Fire District is Hiring!

The Wasatch Fire District is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Full Time Training Officer.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• In charge of all Fire Department training for Fire and EMS
• Develops training programs for Fire and EMS crews
• Maintains recognized national Fire and EMS standards
• Works with local, state and federal agencies to make sure training requirements are met and training certificates are kept up to date
• Works with online training programs to spread information to crews and volunteers
• Tracks all training records

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED
• Fire I and Fire II
• Hazmat Operations Awareness
• AEMT or higher
• Knowledge of the English language, both verbal and written.

Resumes will be accepted beginning Monday May 18, 2020 and ending at noon on Friday May 29, 2020.  Please email all resumes to kristen@wasatchfire.org .  A detailed position description can be obtained below.  Wasatch Fire District is an equal opportunity employer and a drug/alcohol free workplace.  Wage range $22-30/hr DOE.  Benefits and retirement available.

Position Title: ………. Training Officer

Division: ……………. Operations

Supervised by: ………Fire Chief

Supervises: ………….. Not a Direct Supervisor

Status: ………………..Full Time/ Hourly /Non Exempt

Standard Shift: …….. 4/10’s or 5/8’s

GENERAL PURPOSE

Administer all department training for Fire and EMS personnel

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general guidance and direction of the Fire Chief.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Not a direct supervisor.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• In charge of the development and implementation of all fire and ems training
• Ensures that the fire department and its employees remain up to date with all trainings in accordance with national standards.
• In charge of the development and presentation of educational programs for initial and continuing education for the department
• Maintains, inventories and supports EMS training equipment
• Maintains all department training records
• Assists with the administration of the Fire and EMS core competency program for all firefighter/EMT’s
• Trains the public and county personnel in emergency care and fire safety prevention.
• Performs duties as directed by the fire chief
• Maintains positive working relationships with WCFD members.
• Instructs classes in assigned subject areas.
• Instruct safety classes.
• Assists in developing plans for emergency preparedness and training crews for different emergency scenarios
• Assists with the educational component of clinical treatment pathways for practice of paramedics
• Conducts or organizes training for personnel in code enforcement.
• Provides public education in fire prevention, including giving talks, demonstrations, and presentations before community groups, and other organizations or institutions.
• Conduct monthly after-hours trainings for fire and ems volunteers.

PERIPHERAL DUTIES

• Assists in other district administrative activities, as assigned.
• Respond and assist fire and ems personnel as needed.
• Promote a safe working environment throughout the district
• Communicate professionally via phone and email.
• Work with computer training programs as well as basic computer programs such as word and excel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical
• Fire Fighter I Certification from Utah Fire and Rescue Academy, or equivalent from other state fire certification programs
• Fire Fighter II Certification from Utah Fire and Rescue Academy, or equivalent from other state fire certification programs
• AEMT or higher
• First Aid/CPR
• Hazmat Awareness Certification from Utah Fire and Rescue Academy, or equivalent from other state fire certification programs
• Hazmat Operations Certification from Utah Fire and Rescue Academy, or equivalent from other state fire certification programs

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of:
• Modern fire prevention principles, procedures, techniques and equipment.
• Modern medical procedures, techniques and equipment with a specific focus on first response treatments.
• Fire suppression techniques and equipment.
• Working knowledge of:
• Firefighting tactics.
• Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment.
• Computer programs such as word and excel
• Email communications
• Ability to:
• Follow verbal and written instructions.
• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Establish effective working relationships with WCFD members, other agencies, and the public.
• Effectively apply standard fire prevention techniques.
• Act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Meet Special Requirements, as listed.

DESIRABLE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Any additional continuing education in Fire Science.
• Experience working with volunteers in fire, EMS, or dual service.
• Paramedic Certification
• Knowledge of training programs such as image trend.
• Familiarity with:
• Wasatch County Fire District area, including familiarity of all of Wasatch County.
• Wasatch Fire District Policies and Procedures.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be 18 years or older at time of hire.
• Must possess, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid Utah State driver’s license.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal histories within the past seven years.
• Must have and maintain EVO (Emergency Vehicle Operator) License
• Must be able to read, write, and speak the English language.
• Must meet insurability requirements of district insurance carrier.
• Must keep all required licenses up to date and active
• Must participate in continuing education and certifications as assigned by the Fire Chief

SELECTION GUIDELINES

May include any or all of the following: Formal application, review of education and experience; written examination and assessment center; personal interview; background/driver’s license verification and check; hiring list; offer of employment; post offer physical examination including drug screen.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

Vehicle, radio, pager, personal computer, calculator, telephone, tape recorder, photo and video equipment, detection and monitoring equipment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the member is frequently required to stand; sit; walk; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.  The member is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  The member must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 175 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the member works primarily in office, vehicle, and outdoor settings in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night.   Work is occasionally performed in emergency and stressful situations.  Individual is exposed to sirens and hazards associated with fighting fires including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents, and oils.

The member occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, radiation, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet in office settings, moderate during daily work routines, and loud at emergency scenes.

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 employment agreement between the employer and member and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.  Wasatch County Fire District is an equal opportunity employer and maintains a drug and alcohol-free environment.

Fire Sprinkler Demonstration Video

Don Buckley,  with the Utah Fire Sprinkler Coalition came to Wasatch County earlier this week to put on a demonstration about fire suppression sprinklers.  We are so thankful to all of those who were able to come out and support Wasatch County Fire District and learn from this great demonstration!  For those of you that weren’t able to make it, we have put together a video and some key facts regarding fire sprinklers.

In this video the first 2 minutes shows a room without sprinklers becoming engulfed, the second part of the video shows the room with fire sprinklers and how effectively they suppress the fire.  Hope you enjoy!

Fire sprinkler facts and statistics:

*In the event of a house fire you have an average of 3 minutes to get out of the house

*The average time for a room to become fully engulfed is 4 minutes

*The average response time for a fire department is 6-10 minutes (or longer depending on the distance the fire department needs to travel, road conditions, traffic etc..)

*When the room in this demo is engulfed it is about 1,000 degrees

*The #1 cause of death for firefighters is cancer.  When materials are burned they release toxic fumes into the air, these toxins get on the firefighters gear and can be breathed in.  Fire sprinklers are “green” and help minimize toxin levels.

*If one fire sprinkler is triggered, they don’t all go off.  Fire sprinklers are triggered by heat, not smoke, and only the sprinkler in the area of the fire will go off.

*A fire hose puts out 150-250 GPM (gallons per minute), whereas fire sprinklers put out 13-25 GPM, causing much less water damage in a home.

*It takes an average of 6-12 months to be able to live in your home again after a fire.

*The overall cost to put fire sprinklers in a home is about 1%-2% of the cost of the home.

*THE MOST IMPORTANT THING ABOUT FIRE SPRINKLERS IS THAT THEY BUY YOU TIME TO GET YOU, AND YOUR FAMILY OUT OF THE HOUSE AND TO SAFETY!!!

FIRE SPRINKLERS SAVE LIVES!!

Here is a link with more information :

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Home-fire-sprinklers/Fire-Sprinkler-Initiative/Fire-sprinkler-coalitions/Utah-Fire-Sprinkler-Coalition

WHATS HAPPENING- Cabin explosion in Timberlakes and one of our off duty firefighters recognized by Heber City PD for assistance with flooding basement

Timber Lakes Fire Friday February 15th

Just before 7pm on Friday night Fire was paged for an explosion at a structure in the Timber Lakes subdivision. We were informed that there was one female in the home and possibly two others.
The female with her four children had arrived at the cabin to spend the weekend and as she entered through the garage she noted a gas smell and entered the home to check it out. The children remained in the car. After several minutes there was an explosion. The neighbors heard the explosion and noted flames coming from one side of the home. Three male neighbors arrived and heard the woman calling for help and found her trapped under a beam. They were able to lift the beam off of her and pull her out to safety.
Upon arrival of fire units the home was fully engulfed and they began fighting the fire in defense mode from above the home with the arial apparatus, as well as with hoselines from several points surrounding the structure.
The severe storm that had been forecast hit as crews were working the fire with heavy snow and wind causing low visibility and extreme road conditions. Wasatch County Fire has several 4×4 apparatus that remained on the scene and other units were realeased. There will be a crew at the scene during the night.
The woman was treated at the scene and EMS was informed that air transport had been grounded due to the storm. The patient was transported to Heber Valley Hospital suffering from burns and trauma from the collapse of the structure, and later by Life Flight ground transport to Salt Lake City.
Thanks to the heroic neighbors, the Timber Lakes maintenance crews, and the snow plows who all worked so hard to keep the roads open and accessable for us.

On January 27th off duty Firefighter Josue Armendariz and his family drove by a street with water running down the road.  They stopped to see if the could help out and Josue helped the officers and the homeowner help divert the water running into his house and down into his basement.  Thanks Josue for seeing the a fellow citizen in need and taking the time on the freezing cold night to stop and help.  Thanks also to Heber City PD for their “Busted” program.

Wasatch County Fire also has a Facebook page.  Please check out our page for more updated information about our department.

With the rapid growth and development Wasatch County Fire District is going through some growing pains and would like to share with you our goals for the future as we try to meet the demands for equipment, staffing needs and budget issues that are impacting us as we work to provide the best service possible to the residents of Wasatch County.

We are publishing a series of articles in the Wasatch Wave and have provided the link below.  Please let us know through the website, Facebook, by phone or in person your thoughts.

GROWING PAINS PART 1

GROWING PAINS PART II

Growing Pains Part III

Growing Pains Part IV_V2

Growing Pains Part VI