15 Essential Job Tasks (and Descriptions)
Reference NFPA 1582, Chapter 10
10.1.1 The fire department shall evaluate the following 15 essential job tasks against the types and levels of emergency services provided to the local community by the fire department, the types of structures and occupancies in the community, and the configuration of the fire department to determine which tasks apply to individuals:
(1)* Wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) while performing firefighting tasks (e.g., hose line operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, forcible entry), rescue operations, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions, including working in extremely hot or cold environments for prolonged time periods *A.10.1.1(1)
A member, while wearing full protective clothing (i.e., turnout coat and pants, helmet, boots, and gloves) and SCBA, is required to safely perform a variety of firefighting tasks that require upper body strength and aerobic capacity. For those not familiar with fire suppression, the following specific details inherent to the activities in essential job task 1 are offered:
Lifting and carrying tools and equipment (e.g., axe, Halligan tool, pike pole, chain saw, circular saw, rabbet tool, high-rise pack, and hose) that weigh between 7 lb. and 20 lb. (3.2 kg and 9 kg) and are used in a chopping motion over the head, extended in front of the body, or in a push/pull motion.
Advancing a 1-3⁄4 in. (45 mm) or a 2-1⁄2 in. (65 mm) diameter hose line, which requires lifting, carrying, and pulling the hose at grade, below or above grade, or up ladders. In addition to the weight of the hose itself, a 50 ft (15 m) section of charged 1-3⁄4 in. (45 mm) hose contains approximately 90 lb. (41 kg) of water, and a 50 ft (15 m) section of 2-1⁄2 in. (65 mm) hose holds approximately 130 lb. (59 kg) of water.
Performing forcible entry while utilizing tools and equipment (e.g., axe, Halligan tool, chain saw, circular saw, or rabbet tool) that requires chopping, pulling, or operating these items to open doors, windows, or other barriers to gain access to victims or possible victims or to initiate firefighting operations.
Performing horizontal or vertical ventilation utilizing tools and equipment (e.g., axe, circular saw, chain saw, pike pole) while operating on a flat or pitched roof or operating off a ground or aerial ladder. This task requires the firefighter to chop or push tools through roofs, walls, or windows.
Other tasks that could be performed can include search and rescue operations and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions, including working in extremely hot and cold environments for prolonged time periods. (2) Wearing the respirators required by the jurisdiction (e.g., N-95, half-face elastomeric, PAPR, SCBA), which includes a demand-valve-type positive-pressure facepiece or filter respirator, achieving a successful fit-test and tolerating increased respiratory workloads (3) Exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (i.e., infectious) and nonbiological hazards, or heated gases, despite the use of PPE and SCBA (4) Climbing at least six flights of stairs or walking a similarly strenuous distance and incline in jurisdictions without tall buildings while wearing PPE and SCBA, commonly weighing 40–50 lb. (18–23 kg) and carrying equipment/tools weighing an additional 20–40 lb. (9–18 kg) (5) Wearing PPE and SCBA that is encapsulating and insulated, which will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration and can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C) (6) Working alone while wearing PPE and respirators required by the jurisdiction, searching, finding, and rescue-dragging or carrying victims to safety in hazardous conditions and low visibility (7) While wearing PPE and SCBA, advancing water-filled hose lines up to 1 3⁄4 in. (45 mm) in diameter from fire apparatus to occupancy [approximately 150 ft (50 m)], which can involve negotiating multiple flights of stairs, ladders, and other obstacles (8) While wearing PPE and SCBA, climbing ladders, operating from heights, walking or crawling in the dark along narrow and uneven surfaces that might be wet or icy, and operating in proximity to electrical power lines or other hazards (9) Unpredictable, prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion as required by emergency operations without benefit of a warm-up period, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration (10) Operating fire apparatus or other vehicles in an emergency mode with emergency lights and sirens (11) Critical, time-sensitive, complex problem solving during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that are further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions (12) Ability to communicate (i.e., give and comprehend written or verbal orders) while wearing PPE and respirators required by the jurisdiction under conditions of high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hose lines or fixed protection systems (e.g., sprinklers) (13) Functioning as an integral component of a team, where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or death to members of the public or other team members (14) Working in shifts, including during nighttime, that can extend beyond 12 hours (15) Performing emergency medical service (EMS) tasks, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or lifting or moving patients, while wearing PPE and respirators required by the jurisdiction
10.1.2 The fire department shall provide the fire department physician with the list of essential job tasks, as developed per 10.1.1, to be used in the medical evaluation of individuals.
10.1.3 The fire department physician shall consider the physical, physiological, intellectual, and psychological demands of the occupation when evaluating the individual’s ability to perform the essential job tasks.
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