Fire Safety Internship Rotation - INACTIVE

CEDAR RAPIDS FIRE DEPARTMENT

INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

During the course of this internship, the candidate will be allowed to participate in a wide variety of fire department activities in order to gain the broadest base of understanding as to what this profession offers and as to what it demands as well. The extent of involvement in many of these activities will be determined by the discretion of the Company Officer or Division Manager. Certain activities, however, are considered restricted and the intern will not be allowed to directly participate in the following situations:

1) Entry or close proximity to any confirmed or potential hazardous environment requiring the use of respiratory protection and/or protective clothing, such as fire, toxic atmospheres, and chemical or biological hazards. Exceptions to this restriction would be simulated situations in a training environment;

2) Driving and/or operating any city-owned vehicle;

3) Performing any assessment, treatment, or entering a private residence during the course of a medical emergency incident.

Prior to the start of the internship program, the City of Cedar Rapids will provide the intern with an Intern Information sheet outlining city policy expectations, a copy of the city’s Electronic Media Policy, and a Confidentiality Agreement and will be issued an identification badge by the city.

Activity Descriptions (with number of Contact Hours)

Activity One: Fire Station Ride-Alongs (Partial-shift): Two 8-hour fire station ride-alongs will be scheduled throughout the internship, each at a different fire station with a different crew. An effort will be made to schedule these ride-alongs on those weekday shifts which would include a variety of activities and events related to the profession.

The Ride-Alongs will allow the intern to experience the normal routine of career firefighter, from the start of the shift through the end of the designated workday (7:00AM to 3:00PM). Duties will include station, vehicle, and equipment maintenance; scheduled training events; business inspections; and emergency responses. Through interaction with the firefighters, the intern will become familiar with the expectations and responsibilities of each rank and position within the fire crew; information and personal experiences related to the hiring process, and the requirements of incident reporting and record-keeping. Total Activity Hours: 16

Activity Two: Battalion Chief Ride-Along (Partial Shift): One 8-hr. ride-along accompanying the West or East Side Shift Battalion Chief (BC) will be included to gain insight in the BC’s duties as manager of multiple fire stations and crews throughout the course of the 24-hr. shift. This includes both routine supervisory duties, along with Command and Incident Management responsibilities on an emergency scene. Total Activity Hours: 8

Activity Three: Fire Service Public Education: During one 4-hr. partial work day, the intern will accompany the CRFD Public Education Specialist in the course of that Division’s daily routine, observing and participating in the development and delivery of various Pub Ed programs offered by the department. The goal in this activity is to gain a better appreciation of the importance of the fire department’s public interaction and life safety instruction. Total Activity Hours: 4

Activity Four: Code Enforcement Division: During one 4-hr. partial work day accompany the Code Enforcement Division, accompanying one or more Fire Inspectors in the course of their work with the business community. The intern will gain knowledge and appreciation of the importance of fire prevention codes and standards through on-site inspections of multiple business and industrial facilities in Cedar Rapids. Total Activity Hours: 4

Activity Five: Training Division: One 8-hr. work day in the CRFD Training Division will allow the intern to observe and assist in the activities and duties of the Training Chief, along with both the Fire Training and EMS Training Captains. This activity will include examining training program development, the training requirements of a modern career fire department, observing the delivery of classes and training sessions, along with participation in these events when deemed appropriate. Total Activity Hours: 8

Activity Six: Command and Support Staff Interviews: Eight interviews will be facilitated for the intern to meet with members of the CRFD Command and Support staff, including the Fire Chief, Assistant Chiefs of Operations and Support, the Public Information Officer, and the Fire Investigator. The intern will gain information on such topics as: the role of the Fire Department in the community; the relationship with the city’s political leadership; interaction with other city and outside agencies; budgetary issues; public perception and expectations of the department; and the concepts and techniques employed in fire and arson investigation. Total Activity Hours: 8

Activity Seven: Reading Assignment: During the course of the internship, the intern will be required to read the book “Working Fire” by Zac Unger. This book is a true-life account of a young man in Oakland, CA who decides to enter the fire service and then follows his life and career through the first few years as a paid firefighter. This book was chosen for its realism and accurate depiction of what the hiring process, rookie training academy, the probationary period is like, and describes how the choice of this career affects the individual and those close to them.

Self-Guided Activity

Total Program Hours: 48

Reporting Location: Central Fire Station – 713 1^st Avenue SE

Report to name and contact number: District Chief Andy Olesen (319) 286-5264

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This internship is designed to introduce the profession to interns that have not traditionally been interested in the fire service. Therefore, interested students do not need a background in volunteer firefighting to apply.

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This internship is only available in the Summer and is completed during the 4 weeks of June.

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