Hutchinson Fire Department, 3201 East 4th Avenue, Hutchinson, Kansas 67501, 620-694-2871 has agreed to partner with the Hutchinson Community College in a paid Fire Service Internship.

HFD is an organization of continuous improvement that takes pride in improving its commitment to the community and has confirmed International Accreditation as well as a Class 1 rating with the Insurance Service Organization (ISO). HFD is 1 of 112 organizations in the world that currently holds both statuses. Establishing this:

• Provides greater community alignment.
• Encourages quality improvement.
• Facilitates input from and builds positive relationships with labor.
• Identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses.
• Allows for the establishment of an improvement plan.
• Provides data-supported decision-making.
• Communicates management and leadership philosophies.
• Ensures that our agency has a defined mission and related objectives.
• Encourages the development of organizational procedural documents.
• Is operating under industry best practices.

HFD protects 50,000 residents and covers 108 square miles encompassing the City of Hutchinson and suburban and rural Reno County Fire District #2. HFD responds to unique challenges within this area including having the number one wildland-urban interface fire threat in the State of Kansas resulting from thousands of acres of sandhill-covered grass and brush land, unique tourist attractions, a regional airport, three major rail lines, major highways, high-pressure underground pipelines and large gas storage facilities, salt mining operations, and sinkholes resulting from abandoned mine operations and natural hazard threats such as severe summer and winter storms, drought and high winds.

HFD operates 6 engine companies, 2 truck companies, Crossman 10 brush trucks, 2 water tenders, 2 reserve engines, and a heavy rescue trailer from 6 strategically located fire stations. Fire Headquarters is located in our Command and Training Center with a 4-story training tower with 2 burn rooms and 2 large, paved training pads located on 53 acres of land. The department provides fire suppression, basic life support EMS response (Tactical Emergency Medicine), hazardous material - technician level, technical heavy rescue (confined space, high and low angle, structural rescue, and water rescue), and wildland firefighting (with the possibility of federal deployment).

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

Goal:

The goal of the internship program is to assist the student:

• To apply concepts and skills acquired in the classroom to the work situation.
• To acquire job-related competencies not available within the school environment.
• To gain work experience through the relationship and responsibilities encountered during the internship.

Student Qualifications:

• Must currently be an associate degree student in good standing at Hutchinson Community College.
• Hold a current Firefighter I Certification or passed Firefighter I with a B or better.
• Meet all physical requirements specified by the Hutchinson Fire Department and be willing to take a physical examination paid for by the student. The physician's report must be submitted to the Internship Coordinator of the Hutchinson Fire Department before taking part in the internship program.
• Must successfully complete a fitness assessment test offered by the Hutchinson Fire Department.
• Attend an orientation session conducted by the Hutchinson Fire Department prior to the start of the internship.

Guideline:

• The student will work the standard shift at the Hutchinson Fire Department.
• The student shall be released from the internship obligation to participate in a department hiring process.
• The student will be allowed to leave the internship site to attend associate degree class(es) and must return immediately.
• Due to college policies, the student will be given the following days off: Labor Day, Thanksgiving Thursday-Sunday, and one week in March referred to as Spring Break. The student may choose to attend these days with permission from the Hutchinson Fire Department.
• The student must notify their immediate officer of any absence before it occurs.
• The student will participate under the direction of the Hutchinson Fire Chief, and other designated officers of the agency.
• The student will perform all firefighting duties and responsibilities as required by the Hutchinson Fire Department.
• The student will attend all training sessions as scheduled as long as they do not interfere with associate degree classes.
• The student will abide by all rules, regulations, and procedures established by the Hutchinson Fire Department or Hutchinson Community College.
• The student will be considered an additional person and is not to be used to replace a regular firefighter, nor will the student infringe upon the rights of the firefighters.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

The Hutchinson Fire Department Will:

• Provide learning experiences, which will contribute to, and be consistent with, the student's career objectives.
• Identify work activities, which the employer can provide to the student.
• Evaluate the student's performance and work attitude.
• The designated individual to supervise the student will:
  • Counsel the student as needed.
  • Answer questions and be accessible to the student for assistance.
  • Meet with the internship coordinator as needed.
  • Notify the Internship Coordinator, Deputy Chief Doug Hanen of any problems about program, student, or other matters of concern.
• Understands a student can be removed from the internship site if the Hutchinson Fire Department observes an unsatisfactory attitude or performance.

The Student Will:

• Notify the Hutchinson Fire Department of illness, absence, and/or tardiness.
• Conform to all regulations of the internship site.
• Fulfill all requirements for the internship and maintain passing grades in all courses taken concurrently with the work experience.
• Hold Hutchinson Fire Department information as well as emergency incident information in strict confidence and be aware that possible legal and academic ramifications could ensue with a breach of this confidentiality agreement.
• Discuss concerns/problems with the internship coordinator and agency supervisor.
• Keep an accurate record of participation hours and other necessary records.
• Accept the evaluation by the Hutchinson Fire Department and agree to work on areas where improvement is needed.
• Not sever internship affiliation with the Hutchinson Fire Department without first securing approval from the internship coordinator.
• Understand he or she can be removed from the internship site if the Hutchinson Fire Department observes an unsatisfactory attitude or performance.
• Understand he or she can be removed from the internship site because of conduct that might bring the Fire Science program or Hutchinson Fire Department in disrepute, or the internship site in jeopardy, or violates the Hutchinson Fire Department's rules or policies, or violates Hutchinson Community College's rules or policies.
• Disclose any and all legal interaction with law enforcement to the Internship Advisor within 24 hours of the encounter. Failure to do so will result in an immediate removal from the internship site.

WHAT WILL DISQUALIFY YOU:

In order to be eligible for employment with the Hutchinson Fire Department (HFD), an applicant must not have any of the automatic employment disqualifiers in his/her background. Applicants will be permanently disqualified for any of the following reasons:

• Conviction of a crime that would constitute a felony under the laws of this state or the United States.
• Conviction of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
• Confirmed history of selling, manufacturing, distributing, or transporting any controlled dangerous substance, narcotic drug, or marijuana in his/her lifetime.
• Conviction of any crime of a sexual nature or that involves acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to theft, fraud, false police reports, etc. Convictions as a juvenile will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Historically or currently listed on any sex offender registry.
• If military service, dishonorable discharge from any branch of the United States Armed Forces. The specifics of other non-honorable discharge codes will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• Any pattern of offenses that would tend to diminish or otherwise undermine the public trust in the fire prevention/fighting profession.

Termination of Agreement:

• This Agreement may be terminated immediately by the Hutchinson Fire Department or Hutchinson Community College, for any reason.

OTHER BACKGROUND CATEGORIES THAT WILL RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION

Information Disclosure

• Falsification, intentional misrepresentation, not completely truthful, or not fully disclosing ALL information requested throughout all phases of the application, selection, and pre-employment/post-offer process.

Active or Pending Charges

• Currently charged with, under indictment, or on probation or diversion for any criminal activity other than minor traffic violations (civilian or military).

Driving Record

• Conviction of, plead guilty or no contest to one or more major traffic violation(s) in the past 5 years.
• Conviction of, plead guilty or no contest to one or more moderate traffic violation(s) in the past 3 years.
• Conviction of, plead guilty or no contest to, or diversion for more than 2 minor traffic violations in the past 18 months or more than 3 minor violations in the past 3 years.
• Conviction of any driving violation classified as a felony offense will result in automatic and permanent disqualification.
• Any pattern of traffic law violations that indicate disrespect for traffic laws or disregard for public safety.

Major Violations:

• Driving under the influence (DUI)
• Refusal to take or failure of an alcohol or drug test
• Eluding law enforcement

Moderate Violations

• Drag racing or speed contest
• Speeding in excess of 20 MPH over the speed limit
• Leaving the scene of an accident
• Hit and run
• Open alcohol containers/possession
• License suspension or revocation resulting from moving violations or accidents
• Driving while license is suspended or revoked

Minor Violations

• Failure to yield
• Speeding (under 20 MPH over the speed limit)
• Illegal passing
• Defective equipment
• Stop sign/stop light violation
• Improper turn
• Following too closely
• At-fault accidents
• Inattentive driving
• Failure to provide insurance
• Texting while driving

Drug & Alcohol Use

HFD will evaluate an applicant's overall pattern and use of drugs and alcohol. If prior usage is believed to be a concerning factor, the applicant will be eliminated, temporarily or permanently, from further consideration. Disqualifiers include the following:

• Use of any controlled dangerous substance or narcotic drug, other than marijuana, within the past five (5) years, or has an established pattern of engaging in more than minimal experimentation* in his/her lifetime.
• Use of marijuana/cannabis within the past one (1) year or has an established pattern of extensive use of marijuana/cannabis over a substantial period of time.

• Use, purchase of, or possession of illegal or non-prescribed steroids within the past three (3) years.

• Use, purchase of, or possession of any non-prescribed medication within the past three (3) years or has an established pattern of prescription medication abuse.

• An established pattern of alcohol abuse.

• Any drug-related conviction that is classified as a felony offense will result in automatic and permanent disqualification.

*Note: Experimental drug use typically involves one-time or short-term use due to curiosity, peer pressure, or other similar reasons. Experimental usage will be evaluated based on the circumstances of involvement, length, quantity of use, etc.

The above list is not all-inclusive. An applicant may also be disqualified if the totality of his/her circumstances indicate that he/she would not be suitable as a Fire Fighter. Any activity that is not classified as an automatic/permanent disqualifier will be further investigated to determine your candidacy for employment.

Please be advised that if disqualified, our agency may not be able to share the specific records resulting in your disqualification due to federal and state regulations. However, we may be able to direct you to the applicable law enforcement agency to retrieve and potentially solve any disputes.

Click here for a complete job description:

The City of Hutchinson employs over 400 employees that serve our community every day. City employees make Hutchinson a great place to live, work, and play. We take pride in our work and it shows. Come be a part of a workforce that makes a difference! We're always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team.

The City of Hutchinson is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.