Firefighter

An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of firefighting tasks. Positions in this class require the performance of physically demanding work involving fire suppression and the provision of emergency medical care. Work is frequently performed under conditions where personal injury or injury to others can occur; employees must be capable of reacting with speed and composure under these conditions and must exercise some initiative and independent judgment in determining proper actions to take. Under general supervision, employees are required to participate in training and/or station drills in order to maintain and increase proficiency in skills necessary to perform assigned duties.

Work is performed on a 24-hour shift, including weekends and holidays and is reviewed through observation and results obtained.

To receive consideration the STANDARD FIREFIGHTER CERTIFICATION in addition to all documents listed in the minimum requirements & license must be submitted at the time of application. 

**If you have applied in the past all documents MUST be resubmitted with the new application.**

An employee in this class is responsible for performing a variety of firefighting tasks. Positions in this class require the performance of physically demanding work involving fire suppression and the provision of emergency medical care.

Work is frequently performed under conditions where personal injury or injury to others can occur; employees must be capable of reacting with speed and composure under these conditions and must exercise some initiative and independent judgment in determining proper actions to take. Under general supervision, employees are required to participate in training and/or station drills in order to maintain and increase proficiency in skills necessary to perform assigned duties.

Work is performed on a 24-hour shift, including weekends and holidays and is reviewed through observation and results obtained.

Searches structures to locate persons trapped or injured, obtain information on source, extent or spread of fire, and determine structural stability and possible hazards; removes burning objects from structure; uses hand and power tools to ventilate structure; positions and climbs ladders; pulls hose from truck, connects and operates or aids firefighter who is operating hose; extricates victims from damaged motor vehicles; administers first aid; performs driver engineer’s job when required; salvages property from damaged structures; restores order and security of damaged structures.

Performs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and other emergency medical procedures; might take individual’s vital signs, records and evaluate to determine status; assists in preparing individuals for transport and accompanies to hospital.

Participates in area surveys; maintains and updates records on persons, buildings, construction in progress, and any other information necessary to effectively provide assistance.

Participates in station drills or other training to keep up-to-date on necessary skills; performs duties such as watch, apparatus/equipment maintenance, and general housekeeping.

Performs related work as required.

Knowledge of: firefighting and rescue methods and techniques; first aid and CPR techniques; firefighting terminology; characteristics of fire; standard firefighting and rescue tools and equipment and their uses; search and rescue techniques and equipment; the street system and physical layout of the city.

Ability to: perform first aid or CPR; communicate effectively orally, in writing, and by use of hand signals; function efficiently under stressful conditions; lift, carry, and maneuver bulky and moderately heavy equipment; perform work requiring considerable physical exertion under hazardous conditions; work cooperatively and interact effectively with all types of people in a variety of situations; operate a variety of firefighting and rescue equipment.

Skill in: the use and care of all pertinent hand tools and equipment.

Ability to lift over 60 lbs., mostly standing and walking; a combination of working indoors and outdoors. Requires frequent use of computer, typing and viewing a monitor.

To become a Firefighter with the City of Tampa, the following requirements must be met:

• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Lawful to work in US (for unlimited duration).
• Possess a high school diploma or equivalency certificate as issued by the Florida State Board of Education.
• Current CPAT (and) FireTEAM from the National Testing Network (NTN) (No attachment needed this is provided by NTN).

• Possess a valid driver’s license (must have a Florida license upon hire).
• Current State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance
• Current State of Florida or National Registry EMT-Basic (or) Paramedic Certificate.
• Current CPR (and) (or) ACLS Card.
• Birth Certificate. 
• High-School Diploma (or) Equivalency Certificate. 
• Current seven (7) Year Driving History (Florida residents www.flhsmv.gov).   ***Driving records must be within last 30 days***

To receive consideration all documents must be submitted at the time of application. 

**If you have applied in the past all documents MUST be resubmitted with the new application.**

A non-user of tobacco or tobacco products (including E-Cigarettes) for at least one (1) year prior to application. Continue to be a non-user of tobacco or tobacco products (including E-Cigarettes) while on or off duty for the duration of employment with the department (per F.S. 633.34 and International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Bargaining Agreement, Article 27.5, as evidenced by a sworn affidavit of the applicant). Tattoo or decal that are visible to the public while wearing a uniform must be approved. 

Successfully pass a background investigation, driving record check, psychological evaluation, polygraph examination, and a medical examination that includes drug testing.

Obtain Florida Paramedic Certification within three (3) years of employment. Failure to provide proof of and maintain active enrollment in a State of Florida approved Paramedic program within 24 months of employment will result in termination. 

Requirements for out-of-state applicants: If you received your Firefighter training in another state, contact the Florida State Fire College in Ocala to learn how to become certified in the State of Florida (www.floridastatefirecollege.org). If you received your EMT or Paramedic training in another state, contact the State of Florida EMS Office in Tallahassee to learn how to become certified in the State of Florida (http://www.floridahealth.gov/licensing-and-regulation/ems-system/index.html).

APPLICATION PROCESS:

To be considered for employment as a Firefighter with the City of Tampa follow these steps:

COMPLETE CPAT & FIRETEAM: Prior to submitting an application for employment as a Firefighter, you MUST successfully complete both the Candidate Physical Abilities Test (CPAT) and the FireTEAM assessments. The National Testing Network (NTN) offers both CPAT and FireTEAM. To learn more about CPAT and FireTEAM and to sign up for testing go to www.nationaltestingnetwork.com. Tests are offered multiple times a week, including Saturdays. During the registration process, make certain you select City of Tampa to receive your test results; upon completion of CPAT and FireTEAM your test results will automatically be forwarded to us.

COMPLETE THE EMPLOYMENT APPLICATION: Employment applications are not accepted until CPAT and FireTEAM are successfully completed. Once successfully completed, log onto www.tampagov.net/jobs and fill out the application for employment. Be certain to complete all sections of the application. All information provided on your application (as well as in all other phases of the employment process) must be true, accurate, up-to-date, and without omission.

SUBMIT YOUR SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Legible copies of the documents must be submitted at the time of application. Applications are not processed until all required documents have been received by Employment Services. ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT the time of application. Only applicants who successfully complete these steps will have their application forwarded to Tampa Fire Rescue for further consideration.

• Birth Certificate. 
• High-School Diploma (or) Equivalency Certificate. 
• Valid Driver’s License (must possess a Florida license upon hire). 
• State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance (www.floridastatefirecollege.org).    
• State of Florida or National Registry EMT-Basic (or) Paramedic Certificate (www.doh.state.fl.us). 
• CPR (or) ACLS card. CPAT/Fire Team Certificate (www.nationaltestingnetwork.com). (No attachment needed this is provided by NTN).
• Current seven (7) Year Driving History (Florida residents www.flhsmv.gov).   ***Driving records must be within last 30 days****     

          If applicable:

• College Diploma (and/or) Transcript. 
• Department of Defense Form 214 (Military Discharge Long Form) stating “Character of Service” (www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/get-service-records) 
• Veteran’s Compensable Service-Connected Disability Rating.   

ALL DOCUMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED AT TIME OF APPLICATION. 

**If you have applied in the past all documents MUST be resubmitted with the new application.**

Possession of a valid Florida Class E or higher driver’s license and all other certifications mentioned above.

Evaluation of training and experience; CPAT (pass/fail; scores valid one year from testing date); FireTEAM (pass/fail; an assessment needs to be taken, only the assessment does not require a minimum score); driving record check; background investigation; polygraph examination; psychological evaluation; pre-employment medical with drug testing.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.

HELPFUL HINTS FOR COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION: Please register before you begin the application process. This will enable you to view and re-use information from previously submitted applications to complete and submit any future applications. Please make certain your application is complete and the information you provide clearly demonstrates that you possess the minimum job qualifications as stated in the job announcement. Resumes can be submitted in support of an application, but not in lieu of an application. Resumes and copies of certifications or other required documents may be attached to your online application.