CLASS SPECIFICATION
SELF-CONTAINED BREATHING APPARATUS TECHNICIAN
DEFINITION OF CLASS:
This is skilled service, maintenance and repair work on fire/rescue respiratory
protection equipment, atmospheric monitoring equipment, and breathing air compressors.
The work involves troubleshooting equipment operational problems, making repairs
as indicated, and performing required maintenance work in compliance with regulations
and guidelines in order to ensure reliable protection to front-line County Fire
and Rescue staff. Contacts are with line Departmental staff to discuss equipment
problems and possible repairs; with Master Firefighter/Rescuers and a Fire/Rescue
Assistant Chief to discuss project coordination/inventory control; and with
representatives of companies providing self-contained breathing apparatus/atmospheric
monitoring equipment/compressed breathing air system equipment in order to discuss
technical problems and required parts. Employees in this class provide limited
direct assistance to the public.
An employee in this class is responsible for performing factory-certified repairs,
factory-mandated modifications, and periodic maintenance of emergency respiratory
protection equipment, atmospheric monitoring equipment and breathing air compressors.
In addition, the employee conducts regular flow testing and repair, and performs
quantitative fit testing using porta count equipment. The respiratory protection
equipment allows front-line fire/rescue staff to perform their work and survive
in dangerous and life-threatening conditions. A SCBA Technician performs work
which ensures the proper operation of the protective equipment. Performance
of this work requires considerable knowledge gained through equipment manufacturers'
training and maintaining training certification.
A SCBA/Atmospheric monitoring/Compressor Technician employs initiative in carrying
out standard work, but refers unfamiliar situations to the supervisor or a manufacturer's
representative. Performance of work requires the utilization of various tools
and equipment, and the application of different methods and procedures in accordance
with manufacturer's shop manuals. Complexity of the work involves utilization
of test equipment, which indicates whether various functions are working properly,
and when it is indicated that a function is not, determining the cause.
The work environment involves occasional exposure to cleaning fluids, lubricants,
and sealants/thread lockers, as well as equipment safety alarms when testing.
Special procedures must be followed when filling SCBA air tanks with very high
pressure air. Employees lift air packs with harnesses, which weigh nearly twenty
five pounds, and will lift their share (up to one hundred pounds) of very heavy
air storage tanks with one or two other staff when these tanks are removed and
transported for service and/or testing.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)
Performs annual operational flow testing of respiratory protective equipment
using a computer software program and posi-check machinery.
Troubleshoots problems with respiratory protection equipment, and completes
all types of in-house repairs.
Inputs information and data into the SCBA/equipment inventory and tracking control
system, and enters quality assurance information.
Conducts operations daily with porta-count machinery to meet fit testing requirements
for all personnel.
Issues and tracks respiratory protective equipment for all personnel.
Performs preventive maintenance and repair on compressed breathing air systems,
and conducts quarterly air quality sampling.
Performs periodic calibration, trouble shooting, and repair of atmospheric monitors.
Performs related duties as required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience: Experience in the operational use, care, and routine maintenance
of respiratory protection equipment, and familiarity with breathing air compressors.
Education and Training: Graduation from high school or High School Certificate
of completion recognized in the State of Maryland, or successful completion
of GED requirements. The necessary training and certification associated with
the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of respiratory protection equipment
/breathing air compressors/ atmospheric monitoring will be provided by the Department.
The employee must successfully complete this training and obtain certification
within one year of employment. The training will be during work hours and may
require non-local travel to specialized schools.
Equivalency: None.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of the operation of self-contained breathing apparatus systems. As
well as familiarity with breathing air compressors and atmospheric monitoring.
Knowledge of the methods and procedures for maintaining, trouble-shooting problems
with, testing and repairing self-contained breathing apparatus/breathing air
compressors/ Atmospheric monitoring equipment.
Knowledge of the operational standards and safety practices required in performing
this work.
Knowledge of, and ability to use the specialized tools, equipment, and computer
software involved in performing this work.
Knowledge of NFPA 1981 Open-Circuit Self-contained Breathing Apparatus Program.
Knowledge of OSHA/NIOSH Rules and Regulations pertaining to Respiratory Protection.
Ability to obtain and/or maintain technician certification based on current
SCBA equipment and Scott compressors.
Ability to maintain accurate logs and records, and to prepare up-to-date reports.
Ability to occasionally lift objects and equipment weighing up to one hundred
(100) pounds.
Ability to perform assignments at locations outside the Maintenance Shop.
LICENSE:
Ability to obtain certification, within one year of employment, in the SCOTT
2.2//4.5 Air-Pak 50 maintenance and overhaul, SCOTT Integrated Pak-Alert, SCOTT
Compressed Breathing Air, and Industrial Scientific courses.
Possession of a current motor vehicle operator's license issued by the State
in which the employee resides.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD:
Individuals appointed or promoted to this class will be required to serve a
probationary period of six (6) months, during which time performance will be
carefully evaluated. Continuation in this class will be contingent upon successful
completion of the probationary period.
MEDICAL PROTOCOL: Core II Exam and Drug/Alcohol Screen
Class Established: May, 2005
Revised: December, 2005
April, 2010
January, 2013