Role of a Firefighter

Our organisation seeks intelligent, fit, community-minded people from all backgrounds who are looking for a unique challenge. To be a successful firefighter, you need a wide range of skills, knowledge and abilities. ACT Fire & Rescue firefighters are ACT Public Sector (ACTPS) employees and we seek to employ people who reflect our professionalism and values, along with the diversity of our society.

A successful recruit will have the following skills and attributes:

• Personal resilience and an ability to work effectively in challenging situations.
• Appreciation of the need to critically evaluate risk and adhere to safe work practices in
  situations that at times can be inherently dangerous.
• Effective and appropriate written and verbal communication skills.
• A commitment to service and help others, and an interest and ability to engage with members of the public.
• The ability to work shiftwork including nights, weekends and public holidays, flexibility in work
  locations within the ACT and an interest in ongoing development.
• The ability to demonstrate respect toward your colleagues, the community and all others, regardless
  of individual differences.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the capacity to work within, and contribute positively
  to, a small team working in close proximity.
• The ability to exercise self discipline and use sound judgement in ensuring assigned tasks are
  completed to required standards and within tight timeframes.
• A capacity to acquire new skills and demonstrated problem solving abilities.

The environments firefighters are required to work in include:

• Working at heights
• Working in enclosed spaces
• Working outdoors
• Getting wet during your work
• Working in situations where you may see seriously injured people and/or fatalities
• Working with a diverse range of people e.g. different ages, ethnic backgrounds etc.
• Getting hot/cold whilst working
• Carrying and operating equipment
• Working 10 or 14 hour shifts

ACT Fire & Rescue may, as part of their duties, be required to:

• Respond to Structure Fires
• Respond to Hazardous Materials Incidents
• Respond to Bushfires
• Respond to Chemical, Biological and Radiological Incidents
• Respond to Vehicle Fires
• Assess Fire Engineered Building Solutions
• Undertake Motor Vehicle Accident Rescue
• Ensure Fire Safety Compliance in Buildings
• Undertake Confined Space Rescue
• Conduct Fire Hazard Inspections
• Undertake Trench Rescue
• Provide Community Education
• Respond to Building Collapses
• Provide Emergency Medical Assistance
• Undertake Animal Rescues
• Coordinate Community Fire Units
• Conduct Fire Investigations
• Conduct Community Events Planning
• Provide Storm Damage Assistance
• Conduct Community Safety Planning
• Respond to Automatic Fire Alarms
• Provide Communications Support to Emergency Agencies
• Provide Assistance at Community events and to Community organisations