Attends the scene of emergencies to minimise risk to community safety and security.

Attends the scene of fires and other emergencies; rescues and evacuates people stranded or trapped in dangerous situations; operates pumps, sprays water, foam and chemicals from hoses, portable extinguishers and other appliances to extinguish fires and to disperse or neutralise dangerous substances; cuts openings in buildings and crashed vehicles to free occupants; maintains site security systems; administers first aid; attends and participates in training activities, rescue classes, drills, demonstrations and courses in emergency and fire-fighting techniques; trains recruits in emergency procedures and practices; visits buildings and potential fire hazards to study access points and locations of hydrants; maintains tools and equipment.

• Employees work indoors in the control centre/duty room when awaiting calls.
• Employees frequently work outside when at incident scenes.
• Employees travel to and from emergencies/drills in emergency vehicles.
• Control Centres and vehicles are generally adequately heated and ventilated, but employees are required to work outside in all weather conditions.
• Shift work is frequently required.
• Employees are regularly required to deal with dangerous and difficult situations arising out of fires, chemical spillages and other emergency situations.
• Work situations may be stressful, distressing and personally hazardous.
• Wearing personal protective clothing and equipment is a constant feature.

• At times sedentary but often up to very heavy physical demand.
• Employees spend significant time sitting in vehicles and are regularly required to walk, stand, run and climb. They may stretch and reach frequently. Squatting or crouching and heavy lifting, pulling or carrying are likely to be necessary on an occasional basis. Twisting of the body or neck is likely to occur and employees may frequently bend.
• Contact with skin irritants or water is mitigated by the use of protective clothing.
• Repetitive movements are likely on an occasional to frequent basis.
• Driving of emergency vehicles is occasionally required.
• Use of a range of heavy and light emergency equipment and tools will be occasionally to frequently necessary.
• Mental skills necessary include communication, analysis and decision-making, problem-solving and emergency management.

A New Zealand Register Level 4 qualification or at least three years of relevant experience (ANZSCO Skill Level 3). In some cases relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification. For entry-level positions on-the-job training may be sufficient. Registration or licensing is required.

There are opportunities for flexibility of movement but they are limited.