Applicant: What We Look For
Firefighter Prerequisites
In order to be considered for employment on the Madison Fire Department, you must:
- be a United States citizen;
- be at least 18 years of age;
- be a high school graduate or possess a high school equivalency diploma;
- possess a current driver's license;
- must be of sound mental and physical health;
- complete a rigorous academic and physical training program;
- far visual acuity <20/40 binocular, corrected with contact lenses or spectacles. Far visual acuity uncorrected shall be at least 20/100 binocular for wearers of hard contacts or glasses. Successful long-term soft contact lens wearers shall not be subject to the uncorrected criterion; and
- have normal color vision.
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Qualities Desirable in a Firefighter
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- motivation to serve
- effective communication skills
- physical, mental, emotional health
- ability to exercise sound judgment
- strong sense of responsibility
- compassion (even when stressed)
- ability to work as team member
- tolerance
- honesty and integrity
- problem-solving skills
- strong work ethic
- sense of humor
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Physical Demands & Working Conditions
While not an exclusive list, the following examples are meant to illustrate
some of the extreme physical demands and working conditions inherent
in the role of a firefighter.
Physical Demands
- Pick up and advance charged fire hoses.
- Force entry with axe/battering ram.
- Rescue/extricate victim(s).
- Perform CPR; apply bandages.
- Climb stairs with equipment weighing approximately 50 pounds.
- Strip and vent roofs, breach walls, overhaul burned buildings.
- Lift and climb/descend ladders (with victims).
- Visually determine fire status/hazards; assess patient conditions.
- Hear calls for help; identify fire noise, etc.
- Walk on roof tops under adverse conditions.
- Operate power tools and extrication equipment, and tie knots.
- Stoop, crawl, crouch, and kneel in confined spaces.
- Reach, twist, balance, grapple, bend and lift under emergency conditions.
- Run, dodge, jump and maneuver with equipment.
- All of the above may be performed wearing heavy and restrictive protective clothing/gear.
The physical demands of a firefighter are characterized by strength, endurance, coordination, agility and dexterity.
Working Conditions
- Work in extreme temperatures; day and night; in rain, snow and ice.
- Exposure to fumes, gases, noxious odors, dust and poor ventilation.
- Work in closely confined spaces.
- Work around potential hazards: fire, explosives, chemicals, electrical shock, structural hazards, fast moving vehicles, etc.
- Intense exposure to water and/other liquids.
- Exposure to blood, serious injuries and death.
- Exposure to a wide range of highly emotional and traumatic events.
- Exposure to noise and vibration from tools, equipment, machinery, etc.
- Work at height (e.g., on ladders, roof tops, etc).
- Work within restrictions of personal safety equipment (e.g., breathing apparatus, steel-tip boots, hearing and eye protection, firefighting turn-out clothing, and hazardous materials gear).
A firefighter must perform physically demanding work, requiring judgment, under adverse working conditions. |
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