Dear Firefighter Applicant:
What follows in this booklet is information regarding the necessary qualifications and the procedures that must be followed to become a Firefighter with the City of Brentwood. You will find that the process is not easy. It is rigorous, time consuming, and physically demanding. A large number of candidates compete for only a few openings each year.
Although the process is difficult, you will find that employees of the Fire Department and the Personnel Department are most willing to assist you in any way possible. If you have problems or questions regarding any part of the testing and selection process, please feel free to ask. It is our job and desire to assist you. You may be the special person for whom we are looking.
If you are chosen to join the Fire Department you will find that your hard work and perseverance were a good investment. Wages are competitive, benefits are substantial, and advancement depends only on your desire and willingness to work hard.
The Brentwood Fire Department is looking for men and women who want a challenging and rewarding lifetime career. If you are physically fit, have 60 semester hours of college credits (or 30 semester hours and 2 years paid firefighting experience), like working with people, and want a career you can be proud of, then the Brentwood Fire Department wants to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Kenny Lane
Fire Chief
TABLE OF CONTENTS
DEFINITION
OF FIREFIGHTER
ESSENTIAL
FUNCTIONS
ENVIRONMENTAL
FACTORS
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
GENERAL
PROVISIONS OF FIREFIGHTER SELECTION
APPLICATION
PROCEDURE
PROCEDURE
FOR TESTING
WORK
SCHEDULE
PAY
PROVISIONS
ADVANCEMENT
BENEFITS
UNIFORMS
AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
HOME
TELEPHONE REQUIREMENTS
RESIDENCY
REQUIREMENTS
TRAINING
PROGRAM
SAVINGS
CLAUSE
The entry level position in the Brentwood Fire Department is that of Firefighter. The Fire Department has long recognized a need for professional standards attained through a well-defined system of instruction. Besides traditional firefighting activities, the Department is very active in fire prevention and pre-hospital emergency medical care. Due to the wide array of skills normally possessed by firefighters, we often assist other City departments in numerous ways.
This position, under close supervision of a Lieutenant and/or Captain, performs emergency response tasks and participates in fire prevention and life safety activities.
FOR ALL LEVELS OF THIS POSITION: With knowledge of the theoretical basis for techniques used in firefighting, fire prevention, medical care, and other emergency response and non-emergency activities:
FOR ENTRANCE AS RECRUIT FIREFIGHTER: An applicant must have 60 semester hours of college credits (or 30 semester hours and two years paid firefighting experience), must be 19 years of age before hire date, must be a citizen of the United States, must possess a valid driver's license, and must attain appropriate standing following administration of entrance examination.
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS OF FIREFIGHTER SELECTION
Applications for Firefighter are available and will be accepted at the City Personnel Office, 5211 Maryland Way, Brentwood, Tennessee 37027, on a continuing basis, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
There shall be no discrimination against applicants for employment because of race, creed, color, national origin, sex, age, or political affiliation. Wherever in this document the terms "he," "him," or "his" are used, they shall be deemed to be equal to "she," "her," or "hers."
The Fire Department prefers applicants who are 21 years old or older, but will accept exceptional applicants as young as 19 years of age.
Applicants must be of good moral character and must not have committed a felony. This will be determined by a thorough background investigation.
Applicants must pass a physical fitness test. (See description on page 4.)
Applicants must pass a written test.
Applicants will be orally interviewed by the Department's officers.
Applicants receiving job offers must pass the prescribed medical examination, as administered by a licensed physician selected by the City.
Applicants will be tested for the use of illegal drugs.
Applicants must pass a polygraph test.
Your opportunity for employment may be enhanced if you have Emergency Medical Technician certification or other medical or fire service experience or education.
The City of Brentwood fully subscribes to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are in need of special accommodations for any part of the following process, please notify the City of Brentwood Personnel Department so that reasonable accommodations may be made available.
Fully complete an application form and submit it to the Personnel Department. (Do not leave any space blank.) Although resumes are accepted, please do not submit additional certifications at this time.
When a test date has been set, all applicants applying since the last previous testing, who meet minimum requirements, are sent a notice indicating the next scheduled test date. Applicants are required to respond by the established cut-off date if they intend to test. Any applicant failing to respond is removed from the test list. No make-up test will be given.
After the closing date for applications, all applicants meeting minimum requirements are sent notice of the date, time, and location of the testing.
Combat Test
Not all fires are the same, and it is not possible to anticipate every emergency scenario. However, a firefighter who can complete the evolutions listed in the recommended time possesses the level of fitness necessary to meet most emergency demands.
Conditions: The Combat Test is performed wearing full protective gear, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) without breathing air, which will be furnished. The participant should pace himself, keeping in mind that sufficient reserve must be maintained to accomplish the subsequent tasks. All weights and measures are approximate. All five (5) tasks are performed consecutively, without breaks.
Task 1 - High Rise Stair-Climb Evolution
Carry a high-rise standpipe pack (3 sections of 1" hose) up to the third floor of the training tower, depositing the hose on the landing of the third floor in a designated area. The free hand may be used to assist in the climb by pulling on the handrails. The participant may run up the stairs, but must walk down the stairs, making contact with every step. The event starts when the participant picks up the hose load, and ends when the participant reaches the bottom of the stairs. Going "all out" on this event can put the participant into an anaerobic condition from which rapid recovery is difficult. Not unlike the scene of an actual fire, the participant needs to pace to ensure that sufficient reserve is maintained to perform once at the floor of the fire or on the subsequent tasks. Completion of this task starts the timing of the next event.
Task 2 - Ladder Hoist Evolution
Secure an extension ladder in place prior to the test. The fly section of the ladder shall be fully extended and retracted without losing control of the halyard.
Task 3 - Forcible Entry Evolution
The time for this event starts as soon as Task 2 is completed. Employing the Forcible Entry Simulator, and with an 8-pound sledgehammer provided, drive the beam five feet by striking the end of the girder. No pushing is allowed. The end of the device must be struck squarely and distinctly. Time for this event is completed when the end being driven crosses the five foot line. Completion of this task starts the timing of the next event.
Task 4 - 1" Hose Advance
After walking the required distance of 140 feet, pick up the nozzle end of the 150 foot charged 1" line and advance it 40 feet to the box marked on the pavement where the participant will open the nozzle and discharge water.
Task 5 - Victim Rescue Evolution
Lift and/or drag a 175 pound dummy a distance of 100 feet. The dummy (and participant) must cross completely over the finish line. This event is complete when the dummy and participant clear the finish line.
Other Considerations
The Department's test administrator reserves the right to interrupt the test without stopping the timer or stop the test completely to correct unsafe techniques or if the applicant appears to be in medical danger from stress or other cause.
An acceptable time on the test is ten minutes; anything over ten minutes is automatic disqualification. The test is very physically demanding. Applicants who have not had recent physical examinations should consult with their physician before participating.
Applicants who do not successfully complete the combat test will not participate in the remaining segments of the testing process.
75' Ladder Climb Test
Participants will be required to climb to the top of a 75' aerial ladder wearing full protective gear, look over the top of the ladder and identify an object below, then return to the ground. This will not be graded as part of the combat test.
Written Test
A written test related to the duties of the firefighter is given. Candidates receiving a score of 70% or more of the available points, and whose scores are among the top 30, will be placed on an eligibility list. In case of a tie score or scores on the lowest qualifying position on the list, all candidates with the tie score will be included on the list. Those on the eligibility list are then eligible to proceed to the oral interview phase of the procedure.
Officers Board Interview
After the written test the Department's officers will attempt to interview all applicants on the eligibility list. Those having traveled the farthest to the test site will be scheduled first. If interviews are not completed on this day, the remaining interviews will be scheduled at the Department's convenience. The number of candidates interviewed and the selection of those interviewed depends on candidate qualifications and Department's needs.
During this interview the interviewing officers will attempt to discover such things as whether or not the applicant has a sincere desire to make the fire service his career, whether or not the applicant is capable of working as a member of a team, the degree of education, knowledge, and experience the applicant possesses, and whether or not the applicant understands and is able to comply with job requirements such as residency, drivers license, telephone, and schedule compatibility.
Eligibility List Expiration
Candidates remaining on the eligibility list at its expiration (usually after one year) will be removed. Candidates may compete again in the selection procedure to be reestablished on the list. Notification will be given to those on the eligibility list of the next testing dates.
Chief of Department Interview
The Fire Chief will interview the top candidates from the eligibility list.
Offer of Employment
Selection for employment will be made by the Fire Chief and the Personnel Director. A conditional offer of employment will be made, contingent on the results of the medical examination, background investigation, and drug screen.
Americans with Disabilities Act
The Brentwood Fire Department fully subscribes to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This act compels the Department to make a conditional offer of employment before any testing related to medical condition occurs. The conditional offer of employment will be withdrawn if subsequent testing reveals that the candidate, with reasonable accommodation by the Department, cannot perform the essential functions of the job of Firefighter.
Medical Examination, Drug Screen and Polygraph Test
Following the tentative job offer the applicant will be medically examined, screened for the presence of illegal drugs, and given a polygraph test. The presence of illegal drugs, evidence of a medical condition which indicates that the candidate cannot perform the essential functions of the job, or inconsistencies of the polygraph will result in withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment. The exams will be at the City's expense.
Newly hired Firefighters work eight hour shifts until rookie training is completed and they are assigned to a shift. A shift will consist of twenty-four and one-quarter (24.25) hours on duty (7:00 a.m. until 7:15 a.m. the following day), then 48 hours off duty. Seventeen (17) hours are compensable work time; a designated sleep period of seven and one-quarter (7.25) hours (10:45 p.m. until 6:00 a.m.) are non-compensable time unless interrupted to answer emergency calls or to perform other duties as instructed by the supervisor, which shall be compensated in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) regulations.
Each fire station is furnished with a fully-equipped kitchen available to employees. Employees participate in family-style meals with the other on-duty firefighters. Two meals per shift (noon and evening) are eaten during duty hours. Dormitory facilities with bed and linens are provided.
Paychecks are issued bi-weekly on Fridays, for the two-week period ending the previous Sunday at midnight. Paychecks are deposited directly into the employee's bank account.
Regular rate of pay shall be calculated by the following formula:
Hourly Rate
Shifts worked per year (avg. each of 3 platoons) 121.66 shifts
Hours on duty per year (24.25/shift) 2,950 hours
Sleep time deduction (7.25 hours/shift) 882 hours
Compensable hours per year 2,068 hours
Annual salary compensable per year hours = hourly rate
In accordance with FLSA, all hours for which pay is received but for which work is not actually performed, such as sick time, bereavement time, military time, etc., shall not be considered as work time and shall not be counted in arriving at the aggregate hours for overtime purposes.
All leave time such as vacation, sick leave and holidays, etc., shall accrue in accordance with current policy, except that leave shall be accumulated in hourly units. For purposes of leave accrual, eight and one-half (8.5) hours shall constitute one "day." Brentwood Fire Department personnel on the twenty-four and one-quarter (24.25) hours tour of duty shall have two (2) days of sick leave, or two days of vacation leave deducted from accrued vacation or sick leave time for each twenty-four and one-quarter (24.25) hour tour of duty taken as leave. For purposes of military leave, each eight and one-half hours of compensable time off taken for military purposes shall constitute one "day."
Effective July 1, 2006 the minimum starting salary for a Firefighter is $31,886.40 per year.
General Requirements
Firefighters shall be Tennessee State Certified Firefighter II within 30 months from date of employment, and First Responder certified within one year. He is responsible for maintaining current, valid licenses and certifications. In order to be eligible for promotion, a Firefighter must be a Tennessee State Certified
Firefighter II, have completed probationary period with a letter of recommendation from his officer, successfully complete Pump Operations III at Tennessee State Fire School, successfully complete Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC), successfully pass two combat tests annually, and pass minimum company standards twice annually.
Paid
Holidays (9)
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King Day
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Friday after Thanksgiving
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
Firefighters have 8.5 hours added to accumulated vacation hours for each holiday, whether they are scheduled to work on the holiday or not. If your shift is scheduled to work on a holiday, you work on the holiday.
Vacation
Eight-and-one-half (8.5) hours of annual leave is earned per month of employment for the first 5 years, 12.75 hours per month after 5 years.
Sick Leave
Eight-and-one-half (8.5) hours of sick leave is earned per month of employment.
Attendance Bonus
In July of each year, employees who have taken no sick leave days off during the previous 12 months receive a $250 bonus. Those employees who have taken only one day (8.5 hours) sick leave off during the previous 12 months receive a $150 bonus.
Longevity
Employees with 5 or more years of employment receive $40 per year for each year of service, paid in December.
Medical Insurance
The premium for a traditional health care insurance program, including the benefits of a Preferred Provider Organization (PPO), is provided for the employee by the City, along with half the premium for dependent coverage. The annual deductible is $200 per individual. The maximum out of pocket cost is $1,000 per individual when using PPO.
Life Insurance
The City pays for $50,000 for death from illness, $100,000 for accidental death, coverage for all full-time employees. Dismem-berment coverage is based on the loss, in accordance with the established schedule.
Short-Term Disability
Employees with two or more years service who have medical disabilities preventing them from working may be paid 60% of their normal salary for up to 26 weeks in any 2-year period.
Long-Term Disability
The City provides, at no cost to employees, a long-term disability insurance program for full-time employees with at least two years service. The insurance normally pays 50% of the employee's base salary for a maximum of 10 years. Provisions are also included for partial or total disability and for temporary or permanent disability up to a total of 50% maximum from all Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS)/FICA sources.
In addition, employees suffering from long-term disabilities due to accidental injuries received on the job are eligible for disability benefits from the TCRS regardless of length of employment. For other long-term disabilities, TCRS provides benefits to employees with 5 or more years of service.
Dental Reimbursement Plan (Self-Funded Plan)
Coverage consists of 100% of the cost of routine preventive care of exam and cleaning, up to a maximum of $75 every 6 months. The plan also pays 50% of the cost of any other remaining dental or orthodontic expenses, up to a maximum of $450 per City fiscal year per individual covered under the plan. No contribution from the employee is required for eligible dependents.
Retirement
The City contributes for employees to the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. Employees become vested after 5 years and will be eligible for benefits upon retirement, based on their number of years employment and average salary for the last 5 years.
Tuition Reimbursement
All full-time employees with a minimum of one year service to the City are eligible. Employees must show that the course relates to or benefits his employment with the City. Tuition is reimbursed upon completion of a course at 100% for an "A," 80% for a "B," and 60% for a "C." The approval of the City Manager is required. Employees participating in this program may be required to refund money to the City if he leaves City employment in less than one year of receiving tuition reimbursement.
Educational Supplements to Base Pay
This applies to all full-time firefighters. The employee must show that the studies completed are applicable to his position with the City, although partial credit for degree programs in other fields may be granted. An amount of $50 per month for each year of acceptable college credit successfully completed, up to a maximum of $200 per month, may be added to the employee's base salary. City Manager approval is required.
YMCA Memberships
Through City sponsorship of YMCA programs, all employees are eligible for free memberships at the Brentwood YMCA. Family memberships are available at discounted rates.
Credit Union Membership
Credit Union Membership and participation in the services of League Central Credit Union and Tennessee Telco Credit Union are available through payroll deductions.
Deferred Compensation
The City maintains two employee programs for deposit of pre-tax dollars through payroll deduction into tax-deferred, access restricted savings accounts. After two years of full-time employment, the City will match dollar for dollar the employee's contributions up to a maximum 3% of salary. The groups who provide this benefit are the International City Management Association - Retirement Corporation (ICMA-RC) and Nationwide.
Emergency Medical Technician Training (EMT) Pay Incentive
Emergency Medical Technician Pay Incentive
The purpose of this incentive pay program is to encourage and compensate employees for emergency medical training and certification. It provides supplemental pay ranging from $75 to $200 per month for employees who become certified as an EMT, EMT-IV, or EMT-P. Employees must maintain certified status to continue receiving the pay incentive.
Employee Assistance Program
Confidential professional assistance is offered to any employee or family member who feels an experienced counselor can help resolve a problem. It assists in the areas of marital, family, children, financial/legal, alcohol abuse, drug and substance abuse, grief, anxiety, depression, stress, and any other personal/ emotional problems. Although there is no charge for this service, costs may be incurred if your counselor recommends outside help, but will work to minimize costs by locating a qualified referral source that may be covered in part or completely by insuranceVIII. UNIFORMS AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
All protective clothing is furnished by the City at no cost to the employee. An initial issue of duty uniform items is made and thereafter replenished with an annual uniform allowance.
IX. HOME TELEPHONE REQUIREMENTS
An employee must maintain a telephone in his place of residence and have the current phone number on file with the Department.
Employees shall permanently reside within a 60-mile radius of Brentwood Fire Station One.
All employees shall complete an average of 60 hours of in-service training quarterly. Two times annually, all employees will be required to meet or exceed the training evolution standards as established by the Department. Employees shall also successfully pass two job-related combat tests annually. All firefighters will be required to become Certified Firefighter II within 30 months of employment.
Information regarding pay, benefits, and other terms of employment is based on the best information available at the time this booklet is printed. It is expressly understood that all such information may be superseded by appropriate laws, regulations, policies, or other official document or action.