HOW TO APPLY FOR A FIRE FIGHTER POSITION

During the recruiting period prior to the written and physical agility testing, applicants must submit the items 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 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 / hr link.  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 without omission will disqualify you from consideration for employment.

2.    Proof of Education

The firefighter position requires a high school education or GED.  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 *(read driving requirements below)

For insurance purposes, you must submit with your employment application a current driving record.  Driving records may be obtained at the TN Department of Safety, located at:

1150 Foster Ave., Nashville, TN. (741-3954)

1035 Samsonite Blvd, Murfreesboro, TN  (898-8036)

If you need additional information or another location you may contact the Dept. 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.   After the posting closes, applicants will receive via mail information about the testing schedule.

Applicants for Town of Smyrna firefighter positions must pass a written and physical agility test in order to be considered for employment.  Firefighter 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 passing both screening examinations will be placed in an applicant pool.  As openings occur between test times, 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 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 firefighter position. 

If you are interested in a career as a Smyrna firefighter, please continue to monitor the HR website at www.townofsmyrna.org or job hotline at (615) 355-355-5790 for any current job postings.

Important Please Read:

Job Description and Criteria
Drivers License 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
STARTING SALARY $33,819.29

________________________________________________________________

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.

·        Perform Town wide Pre-Fire Inspections. 

·        Occasionally drive truck when driver is absent.  

QUALIFICATIONS
 

• Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license issued by the State of Tennessee.
• Must pass written fire fighter examination.
• Must complete department’s 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 ) miles of the corporate Smyrna Town limits.
• 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 Fireman’s Insurance Service Motor Vehicle Evaluation requirements.  These 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 and approved river improvement program and be re-certified to operate emergency vehicles.

Note :  Unusual circumstance with individual cases would be evaluated on a one-to-one basis.

VIOLATIONS

Designation of Type A and Type B violations are bases on a survey of state point systems.  Violations receiving higher numbers of points are classes 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 owner’s authority.

08.    Permitting an unlicensed person to drive.

09.    Reckless driving.

10.    Hit and run driving.
 

TYPE B VIOLATIONS

All moving violations not listed as Type A violations.  (Exceeding posted speed limit is a Type B violation).

Note :  Unusual circumstances with individual cases would 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 instruction. 

• 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 saw 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, abrasion, 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 Smyrna’s 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.

Home