Bucks County Community College
Department of Public Safety Training and Certification
Student Enrollment Form
1760 South Easton Road
Doylestown, PA 18901
Ph: 215.340.8417
Fax: 215.343.6794
www.bucks.edu/publicsafety
Essential Job Tasks and Descriptions from NFPA 1582, 2013 edition
1) While wearing personal protective ensembles and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), performing
firefighting tasks (e.g., hoseline 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.
2) Wearing an SCBA, which includes a demand valve–type positive-pressure face piece or HEPA filter masks,
which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads.
3) Exposure to toxic fumes, irritants, particulates, biological (infectious) and non-biological hazards, and/or heated
gases, despite the use of personal protective ensembles and SCBA.
4) Depending on the local jurisdiction, climbing six or more flights of stairs while wearing fire protective
ensemble, including SCBA, weighing at least 50 lbs (22.6 kg) or more and carrying equipment/tools weighing
an additional 20 to 40 lbs (9 to 18 kg).
5) Wearing fire protective ensemble, including 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) While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, searching, finding, and rescue-dragging or carrying
victims ranging from newborns up to adults weighing over 200 lbs (90 kg) to safety despite hazardous
conditions and low visibility.
7) While wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA, advancing water-filled hoselines up to 2 ½ in.
(65mm) 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 personal protective ensembles 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 emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without benefit of
warm-up, 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 is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and
other distractions.
12) Ability to give and comprehend verbal orders while wearing personal protective ensembles and SCBA under
conditions of high background noise, poor visibility, and drenching from hose lines and/or fixed protection
systems (sprinklers), hear alarm signals, hear and locate the source of calls for assistance from victims or other
firefighters.
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 civilians or other team members.