City of Belleville is currently recruiting for Volunteer Firefighter positions. The rewards of being a Volunteer Firefighter are extensive and the work is exciting, yet challenging. Below is a summary of key components of the position.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Responsible for all fire suppression duties necessary to save life and property. Combat, extinguish and/or prevent fires by rapidly and efficiently performing varied duties as required under emergency conditions (frequently involving considerable hazard).
- Provide emergency medical response and aid; perform rescue/extrication operations where necessary to prevent loss of life or further injury from any cause.
- Provide service assistance with respect to, but not restricted to the following: police, paramedics and public.
- Responsible for station maintenance and upkeep of firefighting equipment and fire department property.
- Responsible for upgrading and maintaining skills/knowledge and physical requirements to current standards.
- Perform duties in fire prevention, public education or other duties as assigned.
Emergency Call Response
- Operate any vehicle or equipment as assigned.
- Perform a variety of rescue related duties to protect the public and lessen severity of injuries.
- Lay and connect hoses; hold nozzles and direct high pressure water streams.
- Raise, climb and work from ladders.
- Operate all equipment associated with the control and extinguishment of fire or other incidents.
- Wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing while working in noxious and/or smoke filled environments.
- Ventilate buildings and/or areas to release heat, smoke, or fumes.
- Place salvage covers to protect property and prevent water damage.
- Perform overhaul operations in order to ensure that the fire has been completely extinguished.
Medical Emergencies
- Operate equipment, check safety of immediate area and bring required medical equipment to the scene.
- Assess situation/victims by taking medical history, visual and vital signs
- Conduct appropriate intervention, including CPR and other first-aid as required
- Assist paramedics - convey information, lift and carry heavy patients, etc.
- Manage crowd/by-standers/victim's relatives, etc.
Other Emergencies
- Perform a variety of rescue related duties to protect the public and lessen severity of injuries related to motor vehicle accidents, confined space entrapment, water hazards, industrial accidents, incidents involving hazardous materials, etc.
- Assess and perform extrication of the victim's in motor vehicle accidents.
Non-Emergency Duties
- Perform various maintenance duties to apparatus, equipment and department property.
- Participate in departmental training programs to be proficient, knowledgeable and up to date with respect to equipment and procedures for firefighting, medical and other emergencies.
- Participate in public relations projects involving visits, demonstrations, parades, etc., as directed.
- Assist with on-the-job training of other firefighters.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Have a valid Ontario class G driver’s license or higher with a satisfactory drivers abstract to the City of Belleville and be maintained.
- Have a Grade 12 High School Diploma, or approved equivalent.
- Live and/or work within the volunteer response area, preferably.
- Be able to communicate in English both in speaking and writing.
- Be able to conduct routine maintenance and cleaning of stations and all types of apparatus and equipment used
- Be able to obtain an Ontario class DZ driver’s license during the probationary period.
- Be able to work in a highly structured work environment and follow the rules, regulations and procedures of the Belleville Fire & Emergency Services Department.
- Be capable of learning and performing the various methods and techniques used in extinguishing and preventing fires and in rescue techniques.
- Have the ability to acquire a general knowledge of hazardous materials, poisonous substances, arson detection, life safety systems and other job-related subjects, and be familiar with the procedures associated with these subjects.
- Have the ability to make decisions and to react calmly and quickly in emergency situations.
- Maintain the physical strength and agility to perform hard work and operate all firefighting/rescue apparatus and equipment, as well as safety equipment under adverse conditions, frequently, for prolonged periods of time.
- Not have any criminal convictions for which a pardon has not been granted.
VOLUNTEER FIRE – RECRUITMENT PROCESS
- The recruitment process is based on the service requirements of each Hall.
- You may be required to participate in any and/or all of the following: Interviews, Written Assessments, and Practical/Physical Assessments.
- You are required to provide two (2) employment-related references, as deemed appropriate by the Corporation.
- Offer Letters – conditional on all requirements of the position.
- Onboarding and recruit training.
Required Documentation if Successful:
- Proof of Qualifications/Documentation (originals must be provided for verification): Grade 12 Diploma, or equivalent work experience, post-secondary, or fire-related education
- Canadian Police Information Centre (C.P.I.C.) including Vulnerable Sector - An original from within 15 days of the start date.
- Volunteer Firefighter Medical Certificate - You must successfully meet the minimal medical criteria.
- Driver's License – At minimum valid G Class.
- Driver's Abstract – from within 15 days of the start date.
- Proof of Social Insurance Card (SIN).
Note:
- Offer of Employment letters sent by Human Resources remain conditional until you submit ALL required documentation by the established deadlines provided and to the satisfaction of Human Resources.
- Orientation is completed at your assigned Station and conducted ongoing, based on a schedule determined by the station commander.
- You are not permitted to participate in Fire Calls until you have successfully completed the core training.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Maintaining or Gaining Professional Credentials
- We require all new Volunteer Firefighters to successfully pass the required training sessions scheduled by Fire Services personnel including achieving any NFPA certification required for their achieved role.
- Achieve a valid Ontario minimum class “D” Driver's License, with “Z” endorsement, within one-year from your date of hire.
- In addition to suppression calls, we expect you to attend requisite on-going training offered throughout the year at individual Halls.
- You must maintain the credentials required to perform the job.
- It is your responsibility to:
- stay current with ‘best practices',
- maintain your professional knowledge
- maintain credentials by attending scheduled training hours each year.
Hours of Work and Compensation
- We expect Volunteer Firefighters to be available for call-out to suppression calls, as the need or emergency arises.
- Place of residence and work-location are considered when assigning respective Halls.
- We encourage you to consult with your Station Commander to determine your ability to attend suppression callouts during your regular work hours.
Costs
- You are responsible for all costs related to obtaining required documentation, excluding medical examinations.
Confidentiality
- All personal information submitted for employment purposes is collected under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Individual Privacy Act.
- During the course of employment you will have access to and be responsible for records containing confidential and/or personal information. You are not to disclose or release it to any person at any time, except if legally required.
HOW TO APPLY:
City of Belleville – Employment Opportunities
We thank all applicants who apply but advise that only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please be advised that the City of Belleville uses email to communicate with their applicants for open job postings. It is the applicant’s responsibility to include an updated email address that is checked frequently and accepts emails from unknown users. As we send time-sensitive correspondence regarding recruitments via email, it is imperative that applicants check their email regularly. If we do not hear back from applicants, we will assume that you are no longer interested in the job posting.
Applicants will be required to provide at their own expense a satisfactory criminal reference check dated within the past six (6) months and if deemed a requirement of the position, a driver’s abstract to the Human Resources Department on or before the date of the interview but no later than the commencement of employment if selected.
The City of Belleville is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes and work environments. We will accommodate the needs of applicants under the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) throughout all stages of the recruitment and selection process. Please advise the Human Resources Division to ensure your accessibility needs are accommodated throughout this process.
Personal information and any supporting material will be administered in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA).