Fire and Life Safety Educator

NATURE AND SCOPE

The Fire and Life Safety Educator (FLSE) is responsible for coordinating any and allpublic education functions of the Addison Fire Protection District.  The FLSE is also tasked with expanding programs and developing new programs to reach as many people as possible.  They shall oversee all the various school, senior and community programs in place within the District.

Also, they will be responsible for ensuring a positive public image is presented. The FLSE will work through social media, community outreach and other means available to reach the public we serve.

The FLSE will report to the Battalion Chief in charge of Public Education.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Develops, coordinates and presents public education programs and special events for the Fire Protection District, including those that highlight the Fire and Life Safety mission.
• Responsible for expanding and developing new programs.
• Working with inter-governmental and community partners to ensure the District’s safety message can reach the largest and most diverse audience possible.
• Plans, schedules, prepares and executes community displays with community partners to promote the safety and prevention message while ensuring and promoting the AFPD image— Includes District marques.
• Plans and schedules station tours for community organizations and groups ensuring fire and life safety messages.
• Create new programs to reach underserved populations.
• Fill in for instructors in the various public education programs when needed.
• Help plan and run large public education events, including the annual open house.
• Ensure that all classes, visits or events are properly scheduled and entered into the appropriate calendars to ensure that they are covered.
• Schedules and distributes information about CPR classes. Secures instructors, maintain equipment, records, and certifications of instructors and students.
• Establishes public Fire and Life Safety program priorities.
• Determines community needs as they evolve (fall prevention, hoarding, helmet safety, etc.) and implement appropriate audience programs to meet those needs.
• Ensure that classes are tracked for quality assurance and accreditation.
• Evaluates and measures program outcomes.
• Develops program policies and training manuals.
• Creates and develops accurate educational materials; updates the current Fire and Life Safety curriculum as required to meet department objectives.
• Represents Addison Fire Protection District in various organizations throughout the State up to the State level; collaborates with other communities on various programs and projects.
• Serves as an information resource to the community in program areas.
• Assists the Fire Marshal/Battalion Chief in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and priorities of operations with regard to public education.
• Creates a comprehensive public Fire and Life Safety education report for policymakers, so educational strategies, goals, objectives, activities, impacts, and outcomes are clearly described.
• Documents and prepares written reports of all public Fire and Life Safety educational activities.
• Assists in preparation of the Division budget related to fire and life safety education and associated projects.
• Assists with special reports, projects, and records; responds to requests for Division and District information.
• Attend meetings that pertain to public education or as assigned by a chief officer.
• Assist in answering phones and greeting visitors to the station when in the office.
• Assist with translation as needed.
• Respond to questions or requests for classes in a timely manner.
• Responds to fire scene and other emergencies as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned by a chief officer.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY & SKILLS

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities must be possessed or obtained in a reasonable amount of time by an employee if he or she wishes to be considered for this position:

• High School Diploma or GED
• Fire and Life Safety Educator certification from the Office of the State Fire Marshall within a year of hire
• Experience in fire suppression
• Experience in Emergency Medical Services
• American Heart Association CPR/First Aid Instructor
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Experience with computers, social media, and other communications technology
• Ability to speak comfortably and clearly in front of crowds consisting of various ages and background

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE & TRAINING

• Bilingual Spanish speaking strongly preferred
• Juvenile Fire setter Interventionist certification from OSFM
• EMT certification
• FF Basic certification
• FF Advanced certification
• Specialty rescue and services experience (HAZMAT, TRT, Dive, etc.)
• NIMS training
• OSFM Instructor certification
• Car seat technician

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Understand that this job entails working not only in an office or school environment but also in a variety of places and situations.
• Be able to lift and carry equipment needed for classes.
• Be able to move boxes of supplies to keep supplies organized and neat.
• Be able to stand and walk for extended periods at events.
• Be able to demonstrate to and assist the public in practicing various fire safety actions such as stop drop and roll, evacuation drills, stay low in smoke, exiting through a window, etc.
• Be able to be outside for a variety of weather conditions for events throughout the year.
• Be able to deal with the stress of public speaking.
• Be able to deal with the public, sometimes in a conflict or high-stress
• Be able to appropriately handle emergencies in the station or at an event.