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Cadet Firefighters

Position Function

Fire cadets are uniformed volunteers who work in an apprentice-style program designed to prepare cadets for a career as firefighters.

Supervision Received

The position of the cadet will be under the supervision of the cadet program advisor or higher position within the district.

Supervision Exercised and Responsibilities (Direct & Indirect)

None

Duties

  • Participate in and complete academic and physical training programs in preparation for future firefighter duties.
  • Will assist and participate in the response to fire alarms or other emergencies as assigned.
  • Lift and carry equipment.
  • Learn how to perform general maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of district apparatus, equipment, furnishings and structures.
  • Participate in fire drills and attend training classes in firefighting.
  • Assist with safety education, community and recruitment events.
  • Willingness and aptitude to learn the skills necessary to communicate effectively with a diverse population.
  • Possess good moral character exhibiting honesty, responsibility, and trustworthiness with a positive attitude.
  • Perform general housekeeping duties.
  • Assist with special projects as assigned.

Education and Training Requirements

  • Enrolled in high school. (In accordance with RCW 28A.200.010)
  • Current WA State driver's license (or acceptable state drivers license if active military).
  • Maintain auto insurance, if applicable.
  • Must complete the initial cadet skills task book prior to responding to calls.
  • If enrolled in a public or private high school, maintain a 2.5 GPA per quarter. If cadet falls below 2.5 GPA they will be suspended until confirmation of 2.5 GPA or above.
  • If in enrolled in home school, cadet will have to maintain state learning standards or assessments under RCW 28.655.070
  • Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations, objectively analyze the situation and detrermine and execute the proper course of action.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and to exercise independent judgement as required.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with training instructors, supervisor and fellow employees, and general public.

Physical Demands

  • Pass a required department physical
  • Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while in training (e.g., hose line operations, extensive crawling, lifting, and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using hand tools, forcible entry), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions, including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged periods.
  • While in training wearing the respirators required by the jurisidction (e.g., N-95, half-face elastomeric, PAPR, SCBA), which includes a demand-valve-type positive-pressure facepiece or filter respirator, achieving a successful fit-test and tolerating increased respiratory workloads.
  • While in training, be able to climb at least six (6) flights of stairs or walking similarly strenuous distance and incline in jurisdictions without tall buildings while wearing PPE and SCbA, commonly weighing 40-50 pounds (18-23 kg) and carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg).
  • Wearing PPE and SCBA that is encapsulating and insulated, will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration and can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2 degrees Fahrenheit (39 Celsius).

Work Enviroment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The employee frequently works near moving mechanical parts inside and outside in all weather conditions. Fifty to ninety percent of the work time is spent outside a building and exposed to the sun, wind, rain or snow. A cadet’s work location and environment are conditional based upon the location of an emergency and/or assignment. Personnel may find themselves working at, and/or in, any given residential, commercial structure or other structure within the jurisdiction and/or neighboring jurisdictions; on state highways, county roads, city streets and the like; open space such as open, pastures, fields, forests; office setting; apparatus bays etc. The noise level in the work environment is moderately noisy.