Gravenhurst Fire Department Applicant Information Guide by Town of Gravenhurst

Town of Gravenhurst – Fire and Emergency Services

GRAVENHURST FIRE DEPARTMENT Applicant Information Guide

2021

Prologue

The community of Gravenhurst has been served by its Fire Department for over 140 years and during this time, literally hundreds of community members have stepped forward to come to the aid of their neighbors in times of need. That tradition of selfless service continues to this day! Gravenhurst firefighters come from all walks of life – carpenters, home makers, truck drivers, mechanics, nurses, teachers, paramedics, electricians, local business owners… all have one thing in common – the desire to make a real difference in our community. And while being a firefighter can be exciting and fulfilling, it is a demanding and dangerous profession whether you do it as a volunteer or a paid firefighter in a larger community. In Gravenhurst, we place a great deal of emphasis on training, because the training we provide OUR firefighters gives them the confidence and skills to work under the worst of conditions. Whether its in the heat of August, or the dead cold of a Muskoka February, our firefighters are trained and equipped to get the job done. Make no mistake, it’s a difficult job that will demand a lot from you and your family. Missed birthdays and family dinners; missed hockey practices or dance classes; and missed sleep opportunities. But the rewards you reap by truly reaching out and helping others is a reward that you simply cannot get anywhere else. Think you’ve got what it takes? Then read on… and if you decide you’d like to try and earn a spot on our team, take the first step by filling out an application today. It might just change your life!

Introduction to the Gravenhurst Fire Department

The Gravenhurst Fire Department provides emergency fire and rescue services to the residents of the Town of Gravenhurst in the southern end of the District of Muskoka. The department serves a community of 11,600 permanent residents with a summer population of approximately 35,000. Gravenhurst is a community with a land mass of almost 500 square kilometers that is characterized by tall coniferous and deciduous trees set amongst pristine lakes and rivers and the granite of the Canadian Shield. The department consists of a full time Fire Chief, Deputy Chief, Training Officer, Fire Prevention Officer and Administrative Clerk as well as approximately 60 volunteer officers and firefighters. The community is served by three stations and eleven major pieces of fire apparatus. Our stations are located as follows: Station 1 – 190 Harvie Street (downtown Gravenhurst) Station 2 – 1030 Kilworthy Road (just west of Hwy 11) Station 3 – 1622 Barkway Road (in the former Ryde Township) The department responds to approximately 280-300 incidents annually and has an operating budget of approximately $1 million. Dispatching services are provided by the Orillia Fire Department. Our department does not provide medical response services, or technical rescue services aside from water/ice rescue and vehicle extrication. The departmental motto – UT ALII VIVANT – is Latin and translates as “So Others May Live”. 3

Job Description and Physical Demands Firefighter

Firefighters are responsible for all of the various firefighting and rescue duties needed to save lives and protect the property of residents and visitors including environmental protection activities that are within the scope of work as authorized by Town Council. They are required to be physically fit so that they may rapidly and efficiently perform these duties under emergency conditions, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, frequently while exposed to hazards and extreme weather conditions. Firefighters also routinely check vehicles and equipment and train continuously. Each station conducts regular activities during the evenings each week. Periodically weekend training sessions are required in order to facilitate more in-depth training. Firefighters exercise a considerable degree of independence but are most often under the direction of a supervisor – a Lieutenant, Captain or Chief officer.

Job Description and Physical Demands – Firefighter (continued)

The atmosphere inside a burning building contains products of combustion, flames and heat. In addition, during fire extinguishment with water, steam is created resulting in almost 100% humidity and elevated ambient temperatures. With these conditions, compounded by the insulating properties of the protective clothing, natural body cooling efforts virtually cease to function, which can result in elevated body-core temperatures. Firefighters are required to perform many tasks requiring a great degree of physical effort including:  search for, and rescue victims, carrying or dragging them to safety;  maneuvering fire hose which is heavy and hard to handle due to the nozzle reaction forces during water discharge (similar to dragging and holding 50 – 100 kg or more);  carry, raise and climb ladders;  climb flights of stairs to reach upper floors in high-rise buildings, carrying firefighting equipment up to 50 kg or more;  lift, carry and operate portable pumps, electrical generators and power tools, etc. some of which the mass is from 20 kg to 50 kg or more;  Repetitive bending, lifting, swinging, pulling and pushing from various positions, including such as on a sloped roof, from a ladder, or in a crawling/crouching position. Selected firefighters are required to drive and operate fire apparatus such as cars, vans, rescue units, pumpers, tankers and aerial devices. Many of these units are considered heavy-vehicles, and require a skilled operator who is physically fit and alert. In addition to the physical demands, there are related psychological stresses, as firefighters never know when the next alarm will sound. Depending upon the time of day or night, firefighters may go from a totally relaxed state, even sleeping, to a fully excited state when the alarm sounds. Research has indicated that heart rates can virtually double at this time. 5

Initial Training

Recruit firefighters in Gravenhurst undertake approximately 120 hours of initial training over 5 months before becoming integrated to an emergency response role. This initial phase of training is demanding, both from an academic and physical perspective. Self-directed studies via computer and in a team atmosphere with other firefighters from Gravenhurst. In addition to “at-home” studies, firefighters gather together in their own stations and in neighbouring departments over multiple evenings and weekends to gain and hone all of the skill sets that will see them qualify to the National Fire Protection Association standard for firefighters (NFPA 1001).

Following an additional 7 months of training and actual response experience in their assigned stations, recruit firefighters who successfully demonstrate their newfound knowledge, skills and abilities, exchange their yellow helmets for the black helmet of a regular firefighter in an annual “graduation” ceremony.

Remuneration and Benefits

While we cling to the term “volunteer” firefighter, all of our firefighters receive remuneration for the training and emergencies that they attend based on Town Council approved hourly rates. In addition to regular pay cheques issued monthly, each firefighter receives:  Full WSIB coverage  Supplemental insurance benefits provided by VFIS including access to our “Employee and Family Assistance Plan” administered by Homewood Health  All required NFPA compliant personal protective clothing for structure fires (helmet, balaclava, individual SCBA facepiece, gloves, boots, bunker suits – pants and coat) and wildland fires (helmet, eye protection, fire resistant coveralls)  Uniform

Friendships and memories that last a lifetime are bonuses for those that qualify.

Other Duties as Assigned

Being a firefighter in Gravenhurst is much more than fighting fires however. If teaching youngsters about fire safety, or residents about fire extinguishers appeals to you, opportunities for this type of activity abound. And being a firefighter means being a part OF our community, so expect to get involved in the Santa Claus Parade, a ‘Habitat for Humanity’ build, a food or toy drive or any one of the dozen other activities that makes being a member of our Fire Department a wonderful way to give back.

Inclusion and Diversity Locus

No matter where you came from, who you are, or what your background is, we believe that there is a place for you with the Fire and Emergency Services at the Gravenhurst Fire Department! We work to remove barriers and biases within the recruitment and hiring process and to ensure that our fire service is a welcoming and inclusive workplace that is staffed by professionals who are reflective of the community we serve. We actively work towards building a culture within our organization that respects and values everyone for the contribution they can make. Women, men, indigenous people, racialized people, people of all walks, beliefs and lifestyles are welcome to join us in the service of our community. The focus of our efforts are to help ensure that: We are reflective of our community in all ways; We conduct community outreach efforts that promote inclusivity; We optimize recruitment and hiring processes; We identify and eliminate systemic biases and barriers; We provide supports post-recruitment; and We foster an increasingly inclusive and welcoming culture across our Department. Serving our community as a volunteer firefighter is a rewarding and enriching experience. There is no reason that a career in firefighting should not be equally inviting and accessible to all who are able and willing.

Hiring Process

The Gravenhurst Fire Department subscribes to the philosophy that a diverse team is a strong team and so if you are 18 years of age or older, in good physical condition, reside in our community, have a valid drivers license and are able to provide a clean “vulnerable sector” criminal background check, then you qualify to apply for a position with our team. Applications are available by downloading the application from the town’s website (www.gravenhurst.ca/fire), or by completing the application form online. Completed applications can be mailed in to our Gravenhurst Station (190-1 Harvie Street) . The submission of a formal resume is not necessary but is helpful during the screening process. Applications are reviewed/processed every spring in anticipation for the establishment of a recruit training class in the fall of each year. The hiring process consists of six stages: 1. Application screening process 2. Applicants are invited to attend a “Recruiting Open House” (mandatory) 3. Successful completion of the “Physical Aptitude Assessment” is required (see next page for more detail) 4. Selected applicants are then invited to appear before an interview panel 5. Selected candidates are invited to conduct pre-employment medical screening and police background checks (vulnerable sector) 6. Successful candidates are provided with a conditional job offer

Physical Aptitude Testing Summary

Being a firefighter is a physically demanding job, so all applicants must demonstrate an aptitude to do the type of work we routinely encounter at an emergency. The “Physical Aptitude Assessment” is administered by our own departmental assessors and consists of the following which must be demonstrated successfully by each selected candidate. 1. Ladder raise and climb – the candidate is asked to properly lift, carry, raise then climb a ladder; simulates placing and ascending a ladder at a structure fire. 2. Roof/wall /floor breach – each candidate utilizes a sledge hammer to strike a large truck tire multiple times; simulates cutting a roof, wall, floor with an axe. 3. Equipment carry – Each candidate is tasked with lifting and carrying two pieces of equipment (e.g. - electric fan, rescue tool) over a prescribed distance; simulates the ability to transport heavy equipment safely. 4. Stair climb – each candidate is required to pick-up a hose pack, then ascend, descend then re-ascend a flight of stairs; simulates work encountered at an apartment building emergency. 5. Limited visibility search – each candidate dons a fire department “bunker coat”, a “greyed out” air mask face-piece then crawls through a training maze; simulates a search and rescue. 6. Hose advancement – the candidate drags a charged hose-line across a prescribed distance on pavement, then flows water through the nozzle; simulates a fire attack. 7. Dummy drag – lastly, each candidate must drag a training manikin (approx. 170 pounds) over a prescribed distance and course; simulates a rescue of an unconscious person.

Need More Information?

If you’d like more information about becoming a member of the Gravenhurst Fire Department, we invite you to call us at 705-687-3414; check us out on YouTube (#Answer the Call Gravenhurst Fire Department); or follow us on Twitter (@GravenhurstFIRE).

Thank-you for thinking about joining our team!

Notes

Town of Gravenhurst - Fire and Emergency Services Gravenhurst Fire Department

190-1 Harvie Street, Gravenhurst, On P1P1S9 telephone: 705-687-3414 website: www.gravenhurst.ca/fire email: fire@gravenhurst.ca Twitter: @GravenhurstFIRE