Nature of Work

The City of Bellingham is now accepting Lateral Firefighter and Lateral Firefighter/Paramedic applications for the January 2024 Academy. Join the Bellingham Fire Department and support our mission of helping people every day!

The City of Bellingham is actively seeking qualified applicants for the position of Lateral Firefighter.

• Lateral Firefighter - $7,938
• Lateral Firefighter with Paramedic License - $7,938/mo plus $892.90/mo Engine Medic Premium until placed as Paramedic. Paramedic Premium is $1,339.35/mo.

The full monthly salary for Firefighter is $7,038/mo - $8,929/mo. Additional monthly premiums may be applied per assignment. Employees receive step increases annually in accordance with the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) 106 Collective Bargaining Agreement and City policy.

City of Bellingham employees receive medical, dental, and vision insurance as well as life insurance and long-term disability. Additional benefits include flexible spending accounts, a medical insurance opt-out program, and access to our employee assistance program. All eligible City employees are enrolled in a Washington State Department of Retirement Systems pension plan. Additionally, employees may elect to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation retirement savings plan.

Employees will receive 6 shifts off incorporated into the work schedule in lieu of holidays as outlined by the collective bargaining agreement. Upon hire, employees are provided a sick leave bank of 456 hours in addition to accruing 12 hours (40-Hour week) or 19 hours (Operations) per month in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement and Washington State Law. At the time of hire, employees are provided a vacation balance of 144 hours in addition to accruing 10 hours per month. Vacation accruals increase based on years of service. Leave accruals are based on 1.0 FTE, accruals and require employees to be paid status at least 96 hours/month.

For additional information regarding benefits and compensation Information please visit the following:

• Labor Agreements, Pay Schedules and E-Team Employee Handbook - City of Bellingham (cob.org)
• Employment Benefits - City of Bellingham (cob.org)

Closing Date/Time: Wednesday, August 30, 2023 4:30 PM Pacific Time

You must have a CPAT dated September 1, 2022, or more recent and it must be included as part of your application. We will accept CPAT certifications until 4:30PM on the closing date, August 30, 2023.

Upcoming Opportunities to learn about Becoming a Bellingham Fire Department Firefighter:

• Informational Sessions: The Bellingham Fire Department will be hosting optional virtual informational meetings about becoming a BFD Firefighter. Information will be shared specifically for Entry or Lateral but you are welcome to attend any session. Please click the session listed below to register. Registration is required to join the session. Sessions are not recorded.
  • Entry Firefighter:
    • Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 5:30pm
    • Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 9:00am
  • Lateral Firefighter:
    • Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 10:15am
• CPAT/Firefighter Demonstration: The Bellingham Fire Department will be hosting an optional demonstration for the CPAT at Station 43, located at 5368 Northwest Drive, Bellingham, WA. Each time slot is limited to 16 participants. If both sessions reach maximum capacity, July 8th may be added. Please click the session listed below to register.
  • Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 8:00am
  • Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 12:00pm
• Bellingham Fire Department- Academy Life Q&A Virtual Open House: The Bellingham Fire Department will be taking your live questions on tips on how to prepare for academy, the BFD culture, and life during the probationary year! These sessions are tailored for Entry Firefighters but all are welcome. Registration is required to join the session. This event is optional and will not be recorded. Space is limited.
  • Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 5:30pm
  • Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at 5:30pm (While this session is specifically geared toward women, it is an inclusive event open to all genders.)

NATURE OF WORK:
Firefighters provide emergency assistance and protective services to citizens. They are trained and equipped to protect life and property threatened by disaster, fire, explosion, hazardous materials, illness, accidents and other hazards. Activities include emergency prevention, emergency and non-emergency response, fire code enforcement, building inspections, training and drill and maintenance of apparatus, equipment, fire station and grounds. They perform a wide range of emergency work under adverse environmental and strenuous physical conditions. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment such as heat resistant clothing, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), and medical masks, gloves and gowns.

Firefighters may be required to drive fire apparatus or medical units and perform special firefighting, pre-hospital medical care, rescue work or other skills acquired by work experience and specialized training programs.

Firefighters are subject to shift work and off-duty recall for major emergencies

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

• Responds to fires and other emergencies. Places equipment; lays and connects hose; operates high capacity pumps and directs water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, safety belts, lines and hooks; uses self-contained breathing apparatus; performs ventilation tasks above ground; and performs salvage and overhaul operations. Uses ropes, harnesses, carabiners, and anchors for special rescue situations. Identifies, isolates and mitigates hazardous material incidents.
• Provides basic and/or advanced life support medical assistance to citizens in non-emergency and emergency situations where life may be endangered. Sets up and operates equipment such as resuscitator, inhalator, oxygen, and cardiac monitor, defibrillation equipment, intravenous solution and medications.
• Maintains contact with communications center and Department to report initial observations, progress on handling incidents, and receive orders and instruction on handling event(s). Utilizes the incident command system.
• As qualified and appropriate to the incident, drives fire apparatus, drives medical or aid vehicles or pilots fire boat. Determines appropriate response routes to the emergency. Transports patients to hospitals or other destinations.
• Conducts inspection of residential, commercial and industrial buildings for possible hazards and violations of fire code requirements. May issue correction notices as directed by the Captain. Participates in the development of pre-incident plans on how to handle fire and medical emergencies at various businesses and facilities.
• Participates in the development and delivery of emergency prevention programs.
• Responds to various service calls providing assistance to citizens in situations that are not life threatening, such as requests for physical assistance, flooded basements, and complaints about unsafe or illegal burning.
• Participates in company and battalion training program and drill exercises. Instructs job skills to others. Researches, compiles, organizes and presents information at training and drill sessions.
• Periodically tests facility, equipment, apparatus and fire protection systems and maintains records of test information.
• Performs general and preventative maintenance on apparatus, equipment and facilities to ensure proper function and reliability.

ADDITIONAL WORK PERFORMED :

• Performs administrative and technical support activities for Fire Administration on a regular or special project basis.
• Prepares and maintains reports and records within assigned area of responsibility.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT :
The work environment includes 24-hour shift work including weekends and holidays. Work is performed at fire stations, on various apparatus, on the drill ground and at different emergency scenes. Performance of hazardous tasks under emergency conditions may require strenuous exertion in environments with limited visibility, exposure to hazardous or toxic chemicals and gases, extremes in temperature, cramped surroundings, exposed heights and in and around water. Firefighters also work with citizens experiencing a wide range of emotions (rage, grief, confusion, etc.) as a result of an emergency. There is frequent potential for exposure to toxic chemicals, extreme heat, and infectious disease which require the use of protective equipment.

Physical ability to perform job, including:

• Carry hose bundle of approximately 50 pounds and don personal protection and firefighting equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds to the scene of an emergency (sometimes to upper floors of businesses, apartments and hotels).
• Lay and operate hose lines (160 pounds per 50 feet of hose with 100 pounds of nozzle pressure).
• Stabilize and lift patients with backboard and cot.
• Carry, place and extend ladders in training and in emergencies.
• Operate power equipment such as a chain saw, portable generator, hydraulic jaws, smoke ejector, etc.
• Set up and operate master streams and aerial ladder pipes.
• While wearing protective clothing, performs heavy labor such as chopping, shoveling, moving furniture, equipment and merchandise.

Experience and Training

• Must have received a high school diploma or G. E. D.
• Candidates must not have smoked tobacco products for a minimum of 24 months prior to application to be considered for employment as a firefighter.
• Two years of full-time, paid experience as a structural firefighter with an agency responsible for residential and commercial fire responses, at least one year of which must have been within the last three years.
• Graduate of a recruit academy and/or National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1001 Firefighter I certification. Documentation of completion or certification required.

Necessary Special Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age.
• Must be a U. S. citizen or a registered permanent resident able to work in the United States.
• Successful completion of Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT).
• Employment contingent upon the following:
  • Passing a pre-employment drug test.
  • Passing a medical evaluation.
  • Passing a swim test, demonstrating the ability to swim at a distance, tread water, and retrieve a submerged weight.
  • Passing a criminal convictions check, child and adult abuse records check, and local background check with no felony convictions within the last seven years.
    • Misdemeanor convictions will also be reviewed. A misdemeanor conviction will not necessarily disqualify an applicant but offenses within the last seven years may, by their nature and recentness, reveal a lack of specific qualifications for the position.
• Valid Washington State driver’s license and good driving record. Candidates must submit a three-year driving abstract prior to hire.
  • No record of driver’s license suspension or revocation in any state within the last three years.
• Must possess or obtain a Washington State Emergency Vehicle Accident Prevention (EVAP) certification within 90 days of initial hire.
• Must possess Washington State EMT certification or have ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Willingness and ability to work at considerable heights (up to 100 feet) on a ladder.

Driver/Engineer assignment:

• Completion of departmental training and certification as Driver/Engineer.

Advanced Life Support:

• Certification as a paramedic in Washington State with Whatcom County MPD approval is required to provide advanced life support services.

Selection Process

• 
  The City provides individuals who have been arrested or convicted of a criminal offense an equal and fair opportunity to obtain employment.
• The City will not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after a conditional job offer has been made.
• The City will disregard the prior arrest and conviction record of an otherwise qualified individual unless the offense is directly related to the job position for which the individual has applied.
• The City will notify an otherwise qualified applicant about a potentially disqualifying conviction and give the applicant an opportunity to submit information regarding the accuracy of the criminal records as well as evidence of mitigation or rehabilitation, as appropriate.