Fire Department Members & Job Descriptions

The Wrens Fire Department is comprised of 25 volunteer firefighters and 5 fulltime firefighters.  Volunteers are the backbone of the fire service. These men and women take their time, energy and effort to serve the citizens of Wrens and Jefferson County. 

A volunteer firefighter is a member of the public who offers to give their time to their local fire department for free. They do this to service their community and to help with the important job of tackling fires and medical emergencies. 

They respond to emergency calls and receive training, much the same as any firefighter. However, they usually do it on their off time from their paid jobs. They may work shifts at the station and/or respond to calls from their home or job site.

According to a 2018 NFPA survey:

1. NFPA estimates there were an estimated 1,115,000 career and volunteer firefighters in the United States in 2018. Of the total number of firefighters 370,000 (33%) were career firefighters and 745,000 (67%) were volunteer firefighters.

2. In 2018, 93,700 (8%) of the firefighters were female. Of the career firefighters, 15,200 (4%) were female firefighters. There were 78,500 volunteer firefighters who were female, which was 11% of the total number of volunteer firefighters.

3. Fifty percent of firefighters are between 30 and 49 years old.

4. There were 29,705 fire departments in the United States in 2018. Of these, 18% were all career or mostly career departments and protected 68% of the US population.

5. Nationwide 38% of fire departments provided no emergency medical services, 45% provided basic life support (BLS), and 17% provided advanced life support (ALS).

George Amos, Branden Anderson, Jimmy Bennett, Ethan Carver, Nadine Davis, Josh Hopper, Landry Johnson, Connor Kirkland, Joey Lamberth, Jack Lindley, Jordon McGinnis, Matthew Norton, Curtis Smith, Chad Stewart, Levi Summy, Sean Widener, Derek Zellner.

Job Summary: Performs responsible protective service work in fire suppression; does related work as required. Work often is performed under emergency conditions and frequently involves considerable personal hazard. Work may require strenuous exertion under such handicaps as smoke, fire, heat, cold, heights, and cramped surroundings. Elements of danger are presented through climbing to considerable heights, smoke inhalation, and other related hazardous situations. Performs emergency medical care per level of training/certification. Work is performed under immediate supervision.

Major Duties:

· Respond to emergency and non-emergency incidents; provide appropriate services as required including emergency rescue and fire suppression; perform search and rescue for trapped or injured persons; perform emergency medical and first aid services as needed; prepare reports regarding emergency incidents as assigned.

· Drive fire apparatus and/or operate fire apparatus on emergency calls or at incident scene.

· Operate numerous types of rescue, emergency and fire suppression equipment and apparatus as necessary; operate, inspect, repair and perform other technical tasks related to maintaining the apparatus, equipment, and facilities in the area of assignment.

· Participate in cleaning and maintaining facilities, grounds, equipment and apparatus; ensure that appropriate conditions are maintained at assigned facility; ensure that all equipment and apparatus is in a constant state of readiness for emergency calls.

· Participate in a variety of fire prevention operations, activities and programs including training, fire investigations; code enforcement and equipment operation and maintenance; participate in activities and operations in response to natural disasters, major accidents, incidents involving hazardous materials, and other emergency situations; identify, analyze and avoid hazardous and dangerous situations.

· Respond to a variety of hazardous materials incidents; to perform defensive or offensive activities which will be dependent upon levels of certification in accordance with state and federal regulations; maintain knowledge and training about hazardous materials.

· Study street and occupancy locations in assigned district; study building plans and fire prevention systems in buildings in assigned district.

· Assist with transportation of patients to medical care facilities; evaluate the condition of patients and assess pertinent information about medical profile and injuries; determine treatment in accordance with First Responder training.

· Participate in a variety of activities requiring travel including off-site inspections; respond to incidents on an on-call basis and under emergency conditions.

· Provide staff support and assistance as required including a variety of boards; coordinate community service workers with work details.

· Use departmental computer equipment to input, review and access records, information and other various data.

· Give tours of assigned facility, demonstrate fire equipment and apparatus, and participate in other educational programs for various groups and general public pertaining to a variety of life safety topics.

· Conduct fire suppression training classes.

· Operate rescue vehicle and related equipment; clean and maintain supplies, materials and equipment aboard rescue vehicles; submit requisitions for additional materials and supplies as necessary.

· Perform inspection and maintenance on fire hydrants in accordance with Fire/Emergency Management Department policy.

· Perform other related job duties and related job tasks as assigned by upper level supervisory staff.

 Job Summary: Engineers shall serve the public and protect lives and property, to perform a wide variety of administrative and technical tasks and functions in support of fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue/extrication, hazardous materials, emergency medical and other emergency services.

An engineer will have an intricate knowledge of the fire apparatus and pump operations. 

Major Duties: 

· All items listed under Firefighter as well as:

· Apparatus pump operator at training and emergency incidents.

· Instructs firefighters with pump operations

Pat Bell, Clint Bennett      

Job Summary: Lieutenants shall serve the public and protect lives and property by fighting fires and to assist the Fire Chief in monitoring the Fire Department operations. To perform a wide variety of administrative and technical tasks and functions in support of fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue/extrication, hazardous materials, emergency medical and other emergency services. Have an intricate knowledge of the fire apparatus and pump operations. Supervise firefighters at emergency incidents and training.

Major Duties:

· All items listed under Firefighter as well as:

· Assume the duties of Officer in Charge until relieved by a ranking Officer.

· Supervises assigned team during training drills. 

· Supervises assigned personnel during emergency operations.

Jeremy Brassell, Brandon Davis, Greg McDonald, Troy Stewart

Job Summary: Captains shall serve the public and protect lives and property by fighting fires and to assist the Fire Chief in monitoring the Fire Department operations. To perform a wide variety of administrative and technical tasks and functions in support of fire suppression, fire prevention, rescue/extrication, hazardous materials, emergency medical and other emergency services. Supervise lieutenants and firefighters at emergency incidents and training.

Major Duties:

· All items listed under Firefighter as well as:

· Assume the duties of Officer in Charge until relieved by a ranking Officer.

· Supervises two assigned teams during training drills.

· Coordinate training activities with the Training Officer.

Robbie Prescott

Job Summary: The Assistant Chief shall serve the public and protect lives and property by fighting fires and to assist the Fire Chief in monitoring the Fire Department operations. The Assistant Chief assumes the responsibilities of the Chief in his/her absence.

Major Duties:

· All items listed above, as well as:

· Monitors safety, training, work schedules and general operations of the Fire Department on a daily basis. Operations include building inspections; water system monitoring and associated flow and pressure calculations.

· Develops and provides fire safety instructions for community, groups and school presentations.

· Establishes/maintains equipment history logs; maintains records/history as required for Insurance Safety Office (ISO) inspections and reviews.

· Investigates all fires and determines cause and origin.

· Maintenance of fire apparatus, fire prevention equipment, department records, code enforcement and quarters’ upkeep.

· Day to day supervision of training, work schedules and records filed monthly as required.

· Active participation and inspection with Georgia Fire Marshal’s Office personnel of hazardous materials storage facilities, occupancy standards and enforcement of Georgia Fire Laws.

· Supervises maintenance of vehicles, equipment, testing of hose and pumps.

· Supervises and develops fire ground tactics in emergencies.

· Develops maps and hydrant locations for fire departmental use and keep such updated.

Keith Boulineau

Job Summary: The Fire Chief shall serve the public and protect lives and property by fighting fires and being directly responsible for the Fire Department operations and personnel.

Major Duties:

· All items listed above, as well as:

· Administer and supervise all departmental programs and operations.

· Prepares annual departmental budget.

· Communicated with Mayor and City Council, minimal standard training agencies, law enforcement agencies, Insurance Commissioner’s Office.

· Research, develop, implement, and enforce an occupational safety and health program

· Directly responsible for the safety and property of the city and its citizens by protecting them from fires.

· Acts as the City Building Inspector.

· Provides department updated at City Council meetings.

· Recruits and recommends new employees to the Mayor and City Council.

· Recruits, trains and supervises volunteers.

· Trains, evaluates and council department staff.

· Schedules work assignments

· Develops pre-fire plans for extinguishment.

· Monitors fire education to the public.