Chehalis Neighborhood Profile

Demographics

Cost of Living

Quality of Life

The Chehalis Fire Department was established in April of 1893 and has a proud history of protecting and serving the citizens of Chehalis. As you might imagine, the   fire department has seen many changes in the community over the past 123 years of existence, but the one thing that has remained constant is the Chehalis Fire Department’s unwavering dedication and commitment to serving our community. The mission of the Chehalis Fire Department is to provide protection to life and property in an expeditious and caring manner by utilizing a team of compassionate and highly trained individuals.

Chehalis Firefighters are proud members of IAFF Local 2510. We run approximately 1900 a year and have an excellent relationship with the fire departments that boarder our response area.  

NATURE OF POSITION

Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials identification, fire prevention and public education duties. Maintains fire and medical equipment, apparatus and facilities.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general supervision of the fire captain. Supervision maybe extended to a command officer during emergency situations. Work is reviewed through personal conferences and evaluations, or a land written report, and department meetings reflecting results of projects assigned.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

May assist to coordinate, instruct or supervise the work of reserve firefighters, new recruits or other part-time departmental personnel as assigned.

ESSENTIALDUTIESANDRESPONSIBILITIES

Performs firefighting activities including, but not limited to the following: driving and operating fire engines, aerial apparatus and ambulances; operating pumps and related equipment; laying hose; and performing fire combat, containment and suppression tasks.

Performs emergency medical aid activities including, but not limited to, administering medical aid at both EMT-Basic and Paramedic level, and provides other assistance as required.

Participates in and/or conducts drills, attends classes in firefighting, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials, and related subjects.

Operates radios and other communications equipment.

Participates in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other related structures for fire prevention programs. Carries out duties.

in conformance with federal, state, county and city laws, ordinances, and regulations.

Maintains fire and medical equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Performs minor repairs to departmental apparatus.

and equipment.

Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of the facilities and equipment. Cleans and washes walls and floors; cares for grounds around station, makes minor repairs, washes, hangs and dries hose; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment.

Assists in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, communications, training programs, fighting fire, emergency medical response and hazardous materials activities.

Presents programs to the community on safety, medical and fire prevention topics.

Performs salvage operations including, but not limited to the following throwing salvage covers, sweeping water and removing debris.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS

Assists in department supervisory and administrative activities as assigned. Assistsinsupervisingandtrainingnewreservefirefightersasrequired.

DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

High school diploma or GED equivalent.

IFSAC Firefighter 1 certification, or completion within a 12 probationary period.

Washington State or National Registered Paramedic and the ability to obtain Lewis County reciprocity and MPD approval.

Must have and maintain AHA ACLS and PALS certification.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Basic knowledge of driver safety and first aid.

Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.

Ability to apply standard firefighting, emergency medical aid, hazardous materials, fire prevention and public education techniques.

Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical effort during emergencies, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat and smoke, or cold temperatures.

Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.

Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with other positions, other agencies and the general public.

Ability to read, write and speak the English language.

Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the general public and maintain composure in difficult and/or stressful situations.

Ability to perform effectively, efficiently and consistently the responsibilities of the position.

Ability to meet the physical demands of the job and to perform the essential job functions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Mustbe21yearsoldorolderattimeofemployment.

Must possess at the time of hire, a valid Washington State driver's license without record of suspension or revocation in any state.

No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history.

Must have WA State Paramedic Certification

Must be able to obtain Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVAP) certification or Commercial Driver's License (CDL) prior to completion of probation. 

NIMS 700, 100, 200

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTUSED

Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fire pumps, hoses and other standard firefighting equipment including, but not limited to the following: ladders, medical aid equipment, radios, pagers, personal computers and telephones.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee 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 employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, handle or operate tools or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, reach, talk, hear and smell.

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to100pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 300 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high precarious places and is frequently exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or air borne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals and risk of electrical shock and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or emergency medical activities when noise levels may be loud.

SELECTION GUIDELINES

Formal application, review of education and experience, appropriate testing and interviews, background check, physical agility, drug screening, pre-employment medical and psychological evaluation. NOTE: Appointees will also be subject to completion of a standard probationary period.

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 logical assignment to the position.

This position description does not constitute an employment agreement between the city and the employee and is subject to change by the city as its needs and requirements of the job change.

Chehalis Fire Department - Entry & Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic has 4 vacancies.

City of Chehalis is starting a new ALS program and will be hiring four candidates in the first quarter of 2024.

Entry Level and Lateral level wages are based on qualifications and full-time experience.  

$5,469 - $6,588 per month until December 24, 2025

After employees complete Engineer requirement/testing. Paramedic wages shall be $5,798 - $7,247 per month, until December 24, 2025

January 1, 2024 a minimum increase of 3.5% and maximum of 5%

January 1, 2025 a minimum increase of 3% and maximum of 5%

• Very generous Health, Dental, Vision - HSA package and State Retirement (LEOFF II)

• 4 platoon Schedule, 24 hours on, 72 hours off, No debit or Kelly day   
• Holiday: Employees shall accrue 8.66 holiday hours per month.
• Sick Leave: Employees shall accrue 22 hours per month to a max of 1440 hours.
• Vacation: Employee shall accrue 8 to 16 hours of vacation per month depending on years of service to max of 544 hours.
• Comp time accrual option is available.