The Job of a Mount Pleasant Firefighter

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department strives to hire the best candidates for fire fighting positions. Our goal is to employ individuals who are well qualified and dedicated to a career in the fire service. DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION HERE!

Mount Pleasant firefighters are required to perform a wide variety of tasks, including fire suppression and rescue, fire prevention, assist fire inspectors with building inspections, emergency medical care, and many other assignments. There are promotional opportunities to the positions of Fire Engineer, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain and Battalion Chief.

Overview of Firefighter Duties

The job of a firefighter is a challenging career. Firefighters must be able to respond quickly and coordinate their activities as an effective work team.

Firefighters perform work activities in a number of areas, including, but not limited to: fire prevention/building inspection, fire fighting, emergency medical care, technical rescue, and hazardous materials mitigation, disaster response (catastrophic events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, floods or any other disaster).

Firefighters encounter many challenges while they fight fires, such as identifying the source of the fire, appropriate suppression techniques, as well as search and rescue of potential victims. These conditions include extreme heat; smoke, fumes and working in confined spaces with limited vision.

The job of a Firefighter is often very physically demanding. Firefighters must be in peak physical condition both at the time of hire and throughout their career. Firefighters carry 70 to 100 pounds of equipment such as hoses, axes, ladders and chain saws. The work also includes the possibility that at any given time you may climb many flights of stairs. Firefighters often work at heights and in confined spaces to extinguish fires and rescue victims.

At the conclusion of a fire event, firefighters may provide continuous fire watch in the event of suspected arson, and will be responsible for the fire scene clean up including carrying out burned furniture and appliances, sweeping out and mopping up excess water and securing the scene.

When not responding to fires or emergency events, Firefighters are engaged in maintaining the fire apparatus, fire equipment and the fire station. The Mount Pleasant Fire Department also maintains an active fire prevention program that includes regular visits to area schools, day cares and many activities designed to enhance fire awareness to children.

The work schedule requires 24-hour shifts, assigned on an alternating basis. The schedule is a 24-48 shift rotation (24 hours on duty and 48 hours off duty).

While on duty the firefighters live and sleep at the fire station.

Firefighters must be committed to working effectively with the public of Mount Pleasant, as well as other members of the fire service. Teamwork and respect for diversity are very important aspects of this job.

Basic Qualifications

To be employed by the Town of Mount Pleasant Fire department you must have the following items in your possession prior to employment:

• Diploma from an accredited high school or pass a GED exam
• Valid drivers license
• IFSAC FireFighter I or equivalent
• Hazardous Materials Operations Level
• Current First Responder and CPR with AED certified

Pre-Employment Process

The following are tests applicants must pass prior to being hired by the Town of Mount Pleasant:

• Fire Department administered exam on basic firefighting and hazardous materials. Those candidates that successfully pass will be given an interview with a panel board.
• SLED criminal background check
• Polygraph test
• Psychological exam
• Physical exam with a drug test
• Physical ability test- described below


Physical Ability Test

This test is designed to see if individuals are physically able to perform the job of firefighter for the Town of Mount Pleasant.

Required Personnel: This test is required of all personnel that are issued bunker gear and have an opportunity to be involved in the mitigation of an emergency scene.

Test: The test is to be completed in order and will consist of ten individual stations. The test will be a timed event. Completion of event is mandatory for persons seeking employment and will have a minimum standard time. If already employed the completion of the event is required annually. New applicants must sign a wavier prior to taking the test. If there are multiple participants testing at the same time each one will have there own time keeper.

Required Equipment: Appropriate attire (i.e. shorts, sweats, shoes, etc.)

Equipment Provided by Town of Mount Peasant: Bunker Jacket, Helmet, Gloves, knee pads, and mock Self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

All events will be completed in appropriate attire and equipment provided. Time will commence at the beginning of station 1 and end after finishing station 10. Passing time limit is 8 minutes and 1 second

Station 1 – Dry Hose Advancement
This evolution will consist of advancing dry hose 130' around
obstacles.

Station 2 – Charged Hose Advancement
The participant will advance a charged hoseline approx 70'
while walking and then proceed to the entrance of a
diminishing clearance tunnel. Once advancement is made
through the tunnel and the nozzle is place in proper position
the candidate will proceed to next event.

Station 3 - Roof Ladder Climb
The participant will pickup a chainsaw and proceed up a
pre-positioned 14' roof ladder on a 9 foot simulated roof. The
participant will advance to a predetermined point and then
descend the ladder and place the power tool in its original
location.

Station 4 - Attic Crawl
The participant will pickup flashlight and crawl over
approximately 20' of ceiling joist that have a 3' overhead
clearance obstacles. Once flashlight is placed in its
original location, this event is finished.

Station 5 - Ventilation Prop
The candidate will pickup sledge hammer and advance up a
simulated roof. The candidate must strike the prop 30 times
using proper technique. Once descended and sledge hammer
placed back in its original position the candidate can proceed

Station 6 – Rescue Mannequin Drag
In this evolution the participant will advance a 165
pound mannequin safely 26 feet around obstacles. The
participant may not advance it via a rope, webbing or its
clothing. This event is complete once the head of the
mannequin is placed back in its original position.

Station 7 – Nested Ladder Lift and Carry
For this event the participant will remove a 14 foot roof
ladder from its normal nested position and then carry it a
predetermined length and then reposition it in its original
location.

Station 8 – Crawl
For this station the participant will crawl 56' in open area
on hands and knees or can crab crawl on hands and feet.

Station 9 – Ladder Extension
Participant will approach a pre-positioned standing 24'
extension ladder and using the halyard will fully extend
and then lower using a controlled technique.

Station 10 – Walk and Stair climb
Participant will walk up the ramp to the bleachers. Pickup
an axe at the first step and then climb 47 steps. Participant
will return to first step and place axe back in its original
position. The P.A.T. test is then completed, the time will
stop and be recorded.


Recruit Training

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department may periodically host a "rookie school". The school lasts approximately 12 weeks. During this time, you will receive instruction on the following topics:

• OSHA Hazardous Materials Technician
• Interior Structural Firefighter
• Red Cross Emergency First Responder, including AED operation
• Physical Fitness Training
• Basic Auto Extrication
• Liquefied Petroleum Gas Fire fighting
• Electrical Safety
• Lockout & Tagout
• SCBA and Cascade System Operation
• Public Speaking
• Building Construction
• Salvage & Overhaul
• Search and Rescue
• Foam Operations
• Material Safety Data
• Bloodborne Pathogens
• Airborne Pathogens;
• Accountability
• Pre-fire Plans
• Arson/Evidence Protection

Upon completion of the "rookie school", those who have been hired receive a probationary firefighter book. This book covers everyday operations of the fire department and covers many of the department’s Standard Operating Guidelines (SOG's). This book must be completed within 6 months – the length of a firefighter’s probationary period.

Salary

The starting salary for the position of entry level firefighter for the Town of Mount Pleasant is approximately $25,378.74 during the six-month probationary period. After the probationary period, the pay is increased to approximately $26,142.24 per year, with annual increases based on evaluations, and cost of living raises.

Employee Benefits

The Town of Mount Pleasant offers the following employee benefits:

• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Prescription card
• Workmen’s Compensation
• Paid vacation
• Sick days earned after the anniversary of the fourth month of employment

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department furnishes uniforms and protective clothing.

Incentive Programs

The Mount Pleasant Fire Department offers incentive pay for select qualifications and certification individuals may possess.

• IFSAC Firefighter II Certification and First Responder or higher medical certification ($1,000)
• South Carolina Emergency Medical Technician ($1,100)
• Field Training Officer ($1,400)
• Nationally registered Paramedic through SC DHEC ($9,375)

Educational Compensation

Personnel with a Bachelor's Degree will receive an additional $750.00 per year and personnel holding an Associate's Degree will receive an additional $375.00 per year.

Educational Reimbursement Policy

The Educational Reimbursement Program should not be considered a right of employees, but a privilege afforded those who are determined to be eligible and qualified and comply with the requirements of the Program. Any employee receiving tuition reimbursement assistance is encouraged to remain in the Town’s employ for a period of time that would fairly compensate the Town for monies spent on the employee’s behalf or return the amount reimbursed. Should an employee terminate employment with the Town in less than a year from the date of receiving tuition benefits, he/she will reimburse the town for the entire amount received.

Eligibility

Must be a regular, full-time employee who has successfully completed initial probation.

Program Requirements

1. Must receive training at an accredited college, university, high school, business or technical school, or through a recognized professional affiliate.
2. Maximum reimbursement is $500.00 per undergraduate course, and $700.00 per graduate course, provided funds are available and approval was granted prior to enrollment.
3. Must earn a grade of “C” or better for an undergraduate course, a grade of “B” or better for a graduate course, and must satisfactorily complete a non-credit course.
4. Reimbursement is for maximum of 2 courses or 6 credit hours, per semester.
5. May apply for only one semester at a time.
6. May be reimbursed for tuition only; charges for registration, books and other supplies are not reimbursable.
7. Must take courses on your own time.
8. Courses must be directly related to your job or have a direct value to the Town as confirmed by the Personnel Services Officer and/or Town Administrator.
9. Approval must be secured in writing from Department Head, reviewed by the Personnel Services Officer, and concurred with by the Town Administrator PRIOR to registering for the course; a late request normally shall not be considered.

Procedure

After completion of the course, you must submit the paid tuition statement for the course, your final grade report and the approved request for the appropriate amount of tuition reimbursement, to the Personnel Services Officer for final review. The Personnel Services Officer will sign and return the request to you to be submitted to finance for payment. No duplicate payments for the same course will be made if reimbursement from any other source is received. This procedure will apply for each course for which tuition is being reimbursed.