Entry Level Firefighter Paramedic

Core Values: All employees of South County Fire are expected to hold themselves accountable for upholding and demonstrating our core values at all times: Integrity, Humility, Compassion, Family, and Trust.
 
Summary: This company-level position is a skilled para-professional who provides emergency and non-emergency Advanced Life Support (ALS) services to the sick and injured outside of a hospital setting and under the direction of the County Medical Director.  The Firefighter Paramedic (PM) also performs emergency and non-emergency services including fire suppression, execution of training drills, inspection and maintenance of fire equipment and high value apparatus, safety, and enhancing morale through leadership by example. The Firefighter-PM shall report to and is responsible to the Captain, who will evaluate performance.  Optimum performance is achieved based on the Firefighter-PM's ability to adequately perform all facets of the job duties and responsibilities. The shift Firefighter-PM shall work an assigned shift schedule in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement.
 
Supervisory Responsibilities:  None.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Participates in training activities, pre-fire planning, inspections, and other company programs that enhance a high state of readiness to respond to all emergency situations. Participation in specialized areas of fire service responsibility such as hazardous materials training, facility and equipment maintenance, and rescue techniques and capability is also required.
• Communicates with a culturally diverse community in a tactful and effective manner under emergency stress or property-/life-threatening situations.This may involve managing individuals in a highly agitated state.
• Rides in and/or drives department apparatus, as required.
• Attends all meetings and training sessions, as required by local, state, and contractual requirements.
• Delivers/administers ALS medical treatment and transportation to injured and ill patients in accordance with local, state, and nationally recognized standards.
• Transfers patients from emergency scenes to the ambulance and transports patients to the appropriate medical facility.
• Performs fire suppression activities and tasks including pump operations, ladder operations, salvage duties, raising and climbing ladders, removing persons from danger; uses chemical extinguishing agents and other tools and equipment as required.
• Assists in extricating trapped victims or moving obstacles in order to obtain access to patients.
• Pursues on-going career development and educational advancement to enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to responsibilities.

• May be provisionally appointed as acting Captain or MSO, on a voluntary basis, when minimum time in grade and requirements are fulfilled.
• Other duties as assigned within the scope of this job description.

Qualifications:
Knowledge Of:

• Modern firefighting principles, practices, techniques, equipment and procedures and EMS.
• Geographical area of service.
• Operation and maintenance procedures of fire department apparatus and equipment.
• South County EMS protocols, procedures and checklists.
• Departmental standard operating procedures.
• Rescue and hazardous materials response procedures.
• Training methods, procedures and material resources.

• Perform all duties of a firefighter.
• Perform as a Paramedic in Snohomish County.
• Perform as a pump operator and/or ladder company operator (only if fully trained in accordance with standards).
• Adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action during emergency operations with due regard to surrounding hazards, circumstances and safety.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with personnel and the public.
• Demonstrate predictable, reliable and timely attendance.
• Follow written and verbal directions and complete assigned tasks on schedule.
• Read, write and communicate in English and understand basic math.
• Maintain good physical conditioning and have the ability to carry out physically demanding tasks under dangerous and stressful conditions.
• Interact effectively with individuals and groups to achieve cooperation and support of departmental services, goals and objectives.
• Demonstrate proficiency in South County Fire software programs, including Microsoft Office applications and other programs as applicable.
• Operate all fire-based apparatus and equipment; and operations level hazardous materials equipment, rescue equipment and ALS EMS equipment.
• Maintain and project a calm, informational and persuasive demeanor in stressful situations.
• Strong organizational and problem solving skills.
• Effectively handle frequently changing priorities.
• Maintain confidential information as appropriate.

• Maintain a valid driver's license with acceptable driving record and the RFA approved defensive driving certificate.
• Participation in the South County Fire Respiratory Protection Program.
• Prior to Final Offer: Firefighter Mile results from National Testing Network scheduled through South County Fire during the Conditional Offer phase.

• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid Washington State Paramedic Certification (not required at the time of hire, but must meet WA State Department of Health requirements for reciprocity and attain before working as a paramedic)

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II, and HazMat Operations certification.

The following requirements must be met, or you will not move forward in the hiring process.

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver's license.
• Applicants are required to complete the Firefighter written exam through Public Safety Testing (PST) before applying.
• National Registry or Washington State certified Paramedic.
• Graduate of a Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs (CoAEMSP) accredited Paramedic Program and qualify for Washington State reciprocity.
• All new hire firefighters are required to participate in the Respiratory Protection Program.
• South County Fire is a tobacco-free, drug-free, and alcohol-free workplace.

• Current resume.
• Current Paramedic Card*. Your certification must meet these requirements:
  • National Registry or Washington State (Department of Health) Paramedic Certification only.
    • We do not accept out-of-state Paramedic cards. 
    • We do not accept any other BLS, first aid, or other certifications or courses, including Red Cross. 
  • Documents clearly showing your name, issuing agency, and expiration date. Documents without an expiration date or with dates that are expired are not acceptable. *If you are not currently certified, but in the process of becoming certified with National Registry or Washington State Department of Health, you will be required to provide certification via email prior to application deadline or you will be disqualified.
• If claiming Veterans Preference:  Attach copy of DD 214 form.

• IFSAC Firefighter I and II certifications.
• IFSAC HazMat Operations certificate.