Firefighter / EMT / Paramedic

1. Performs firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose and performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks.
2. Receives and relay fire calls and alarms; operates radio and other communication equipment.
3. Performs basic life support services per protocol and provides additional assistance as required.
4. Assesses the level of medical emergency and uses correct/effective treatment until patient is transported to the hospital. Identifies diagnostic signs which may require communications with medical facility for advice and direction.
5. Administers prescribed drugs and performs defibrillation, as required, and per protocol.
6. Keeps records and observes patient responses.
7. Inspects and maintains fire equipment, apparatus, facilities and grounds and performs preventative maintenance/minor repairs to department equipment. Notifies superior officer of any defects to equipment, apparatus, etc.
8. Checks and prepares equipment and supplies for treatment; cleans, disinfects and maintains medical equipment.
9. Performs housekeeping duties to crew building.
10. Wears, uses and maintains protective clothing to include self-contained breathing apparatus.
11. Presents programs to the community on safety, medical and fire prevention topics.
12. Participates in continuing training and instruction programs by individual study of technical material and through attendance to scheduled drills, classes, and training fires.
13. Performs general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment.

• Knowledge of elementary chemistry, physics and mechanics as applied to fire suppression.
• Knowledge of up-to-date treatments and medicine at the level of an EMT.
• Knowledge of the street system and geography of the City.
• Knowledge of emergency medical aid at the level of an EMT.
• Knowledge of fire behavior and principles of fire spread.
• Knowledge of emergency response records systems, communications equipment and use, fire computer applications and incident reporting procedures.

• Skill in operating firefighting and medical equipment at the level of an EMT.
• Skill in driving aerial, pumpers and emergency vehicles.
• Skill in making quick decisions without little to no outside input.
• Skill in working independently as well as in teams.

• Ability to learn new technical firefighting principles and techniques, brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology, and put new skills and knowledge to use.
• Ability to climb and work at extreme heights and conditions above the ground, including operating from a ladder truck from various heights and angles. 
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical activities, requiring endurance and agility, during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heart, cold or smoke.
• Ability to operate pumpers, aerials ladder and various mechanical equipment (after training).
• Ability to effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to quickly assess a victim's needs and appropriate care.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, City officials, other agencies and the general public.
• Ability to perform effectively in emergency and stressful situations, including the responsibility for remaining calm and carrying out all duties with the recognition of the threat to life and property.
• Ability to operate a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to keep simple records and prepare clear-cut, concise reports.
• Ability to work within a command structure requiring strict adherence to the following of orders.
• Ability to perform effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• General mechanical aptitude.

• The primary duties of this position are performed in a work environment in which the employee is subject to potential personal danger.
• Ability to maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities which may include performing life threatening firefighting activities in an emergency situation; running, walking, crouching or crawling during emergency operations; moving equipment and injured/deceased persons; climbing stairs/ladders; performing life-saving and rescue procedures; walking, standing or sitting for extended periods of time; operating assigned equipment and vehicles.
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing and other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively, including during emergency situations which may involve a high degree of noise.
• Sufficient vision and other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to effectively operate at a fire or related emergency scene.
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate equipment used in firefighting.
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to perform all duties involved in protecting life and property.

1. Possession of a high school diploma or GED.
2. Must be at least 18 at the time of appointment; age limit of 40 at the time of appointment.
3. Must be a United States citizen or hold a permanent resident card.
4. Must possess a valid State of Ohio driver's license or be able to obtain an Ohio driver's license prior to appointment.
5. Possession and maintenance of valid Ohio Firefighter I & II and Ohio EMT-B certifications.
6. Must retain all certifications required of the position and the State of Ohio. An employee in this capacity is responsible for ensuring that all certifications are current and that all necessary continuing education requirements are met.
7. NIMS 700, 800, 100 and 200
8. Must obtain Paramedic Card within 36 months from date of hire (full-time personnel only).

Full-time positions are part of the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 606. Details about the compensation and benefits for this position can be found in the agreement by clicking here. 

The class specification which appears above is intended to be sufficient merely to identify the class and be illustrative of the kinds of duties that may be assigned to the position allocated to the class and should not be interpreted to describe all of the duties which may be required of employees holding a position assigned to this class. 

The City of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act (ADAAA), the City of Delaware will provide reasonable accommodations, upon reasonable request, to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer. 

Salary Information

• Entry-level, full-time FF/EMT = $75,097.33/year (based on a 50-hour week schedule) 
• Entry-level, full-time FF/Paramedic = $78,852.97/year (based on a 50-hour week schedule) 

The Recruiting Process

1. Online Application – To be considered for the position, candidates must submit an application. Once the application period closes, candidates will be invited to submit their National Testing Network scores. 
2. Written Exam - Completion of National Testing Network (NTN) exam with minimum passing scores in each area according to NTN's validated passing score levels (Reading 80%, Math 70%, Mechanical 60%, Human Relations 70%). 
   • The Human Relations Video Score is used to determine ranking for purposes of identifying top 30 highest scoring candidates and in calculating an overall score on the Eligible List.
3. Background Self Report – when applications have been reviewed and Firefighter I & II and EMT-B certifications have been confirmed, candidates will complete an online Background Self Report 
4. Physical Ability Test (PAT) – candidates must participate in and pass the City's PAT to move onto the interview.  External PAT, Firefighter Mile and the CPAT scores are not accepted
5. Panel Interviews – Candidates will be interviewed by a panel of 5-6 professionals from the City's Fire and Human Resources Departments. When available, a community citizen will also participate as part of the panel.
   • Candidates must obtain a minimum passing score of 70%
   • The panel interview accounts for 50% of a candidate's overall score
6. Ranking – A candidates overall score/ranking will be comprised of their weighted written exam and panel interview score plus additional points for college education, military status and paramedic certification.
   • Educational points – Associates Degree = 1 pt, Bachelor's Degree = 2 pts and Master's Degree = 3 pts. (Note: education points awarded for highest degree achieved only)
   • Military points – Honorable discharge, active duty or current reserve status = 1 pt
   • Paramedic certification points = 5 pts
7. Certification List – Eligible candidates will be placed on the Eligible List to be certified by the City's Civil Service Commission and will remain on the list for a period of one year unless hired, disqualified, withdrawn or passed over three times. 
8. Post-certification Steps:
   • Background questionnaire/waiver
   • Background check and BCI/FBI fingerprinting
   • Psychological indexes
   • Polygraph
   • Fire Chief Interview
   • City Manager Interview
   • Issuance of Conditional Offer of Employment
   • Psychological Examination
   • Pension Physical and Drug Screen
   • Appointment/Swearing-In

Disqualifiers

Candidates may be disqualified or removed from the recruitment process for, but not limited to the following, at any time:

• Inability to establish minimum requirements or qualifications
• Failure to pass any of the assessments, tests or oral review board required for the position

Felony and Criminal Activity

• Conviction of or admission to any crime classified as a felony under Ohio Revised Code or any other applicable state code.
• Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude or an offense of violence.
• Deception or fraud on application or examination.
• Making false statements of material fact in the application, testing process or during any part of the hiring process.
• Use, threatened use or attempt in using political influence in securing employment.

Driving 

• Conviction of, plea of "no contest,"  participation in a diversion program in lieu of conviction of an OMVI or equivalent offense, or conviction which is the result of a plea bargain from an original charge of OMVI  within the 36 months prior to the date of application.

Drug Use 

• DEA Drug Schedules
  1. Drug use is evaluated in accordance with the DEA’s controlled substance schedules (Schedules I through V), which classify substances based on their potential for abuse, accepted medical use, and safety under medical supervision.
     1. Schedule I substances (e.g., marijuana, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), MDMA (ecstasy), heroin, methaqualone, and peyote) are considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use under federal law.
     2. Schedule II-V substances have accepted medical uses but vary in their potential for abuse and dependency.
        1. Common Schedule II drugs/substances include Vicodin, methadone, Dilaudid, oxycodone, fentanyl, Adderall and Ritalin.  
        2. Common Schedule III drugs/substances include Tylenol with codeine, ketamine, anabolic steroids, and testosterone.
        3. Common Schedule IV drugs/substances include Xanax, Soma, Darvon, Darvocet, Valium, Ativan, Ambien, and Tramadol.
        4. Common Schedule V drugs/substances include antidiarrheal, antitussive, and analgesic drugs, including Robitussin AC, Lomotil, Motofen, Lyrica, and Parepectolin.
• FBI Drug Use Standards as a Benchmark
  1. We adopt guidelines similar to those used by the FBI in assessing drug history:
     1. No use of Schedule I drugs (excluding marijuana) within the last 10 years.
     2. No use of marijuana or cannabis derivatives within the last 12 months, regardless of state legalization.
        1. Cannabidiol (CBD) or hemp-derived products that consist of more than 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) meet the legal definition of marijuana.  
     3. No misuse of prescription drugs (Schedule II-V) within the last 3 years.
     4. No misuse of or over-the-counter/legally obtained substances (e.g., inhalants, solvents, etc.) within the last 3 years.
     5. No sale, distribution, manufacturing, or transporting of drugs of any kind within the last 5 years.
        1. Consideration will be given to whether the substance was sold with/without profit to the applicant, the amount sold was de minimus, and if the sales occurred when the applicant was a juvenile.  
     6. No use of any other drug of abuse (not including those listed above) within the last 5 years.
     7. No use of anabolic steroids without a prescription from a licensed practicing physician within the last 10 years. 

• Dismissal from public employment for just cause.

• The individual cannot be located, fails to report for an interview or other step in the selection process as directed by the Commission or Appointing Authority and/or fails to report for duty as directed by the Appointing Authority.
• The individual has tested positive on a required drug test in that the test showed the presence of a drug of abuse as defined in Sections 3719.011 of the Ohio Revised Code in a body fluid unless such substance is identified as a prescribed medication (prescribed medication does not include medically prescribed marijuana).  This provision is only applicable to entry level applicants.
• The individual has a documented pattern of poor work habits and performance with previous employers. This includes but is not limited to excessive absenteeism, poor quality of work, excessive tardiness, and inability to get along with others in a work environment or any thefts.
• Information showing that an applicant meets all of the minimum qualifications as stated in an examination announcement must appear on the application itself. No additional information will be accepted after the application filing deadline. Failure of an applicant to indicate on his application the qualifications as to education, certification, licensing, or any other requirement shall be sufficient cause to exclude an applicant from examination. A defective or incomplete application may be corrected by the applicant, and resubmitted by the filing deadline.  Certification of an individual to an eligible list who has not met all of the requirements of these rules shall not be considered a waiver of any requirements, and shall not bar removal of the applicant from an eligible list by the Appointing Authority or the Commission as a result of the failure.