Firefighter - Paramedic

NATURE OF WORK 

This is a shift level position primarily concerned with emergency and non-emergency activities of both the fire suppression and EMS components of the Fire-Rescue Department. General duties include, but are not limited to, emergency medical services as a paramedic, firefighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires and operating firefighter apparatus.  

*Note: Base salary as shown includes 2.5% First Responder Pay and 17.5% Paramedic Incentive Pay. Shift Rate of $28.28 hourly, $2,714.82 bi-weekly, and $70,585.44 annually will commence upon completion of in-house training. 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Perform general firefighting duties or emergency management functions at a fire, fire related incident, medical emergencies or special operations such as but not limited to dive/hazardous materials scenes as assigned. Perform under dangerous, hazardous or strenuous conditions with skill, ability and courage.
•  Employees must be able to perform if qualified to do so required medical skills and techniques such as bandaging, splinting, establishing an intravenous, basic or advanced airway techniques, manual defibrillation or pleural decompression.
• Perform at an all-hazards level in the preparation for and the carrying out of all emergency functions necessary to mitigate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies and disasters. Mitigate the effects of natural and man-made disasters efficiently and safely using resources available including fire, floods, weather events, terrorist attacks and other dangers.
• Respond to emergency situations and be prepared to direct emergency situations, speak and enunciate clearly and at a level audible to others in loud or stressful situations. Employees are required to effectively communicate with bystanders, visitors, residents, patients or their families as well as other emergency responders in both emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Employees must be able to quickly respond to emergency vehicles, gain access to emergency locations in areas of difficult terrain or limited access. Employees are frequently required to stand and walk for extended periods, climb stairs or ladders, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch and crawl.
• Perform basic unit-level administrative functions; complete and file reports according to agency policies and procedures.
• Participate and assist in the coordination of community service activities and special assignments.
• Operate and effectively utilize all hose lines, nozzles, hose equipment, and appliances to extinguish fire or protect exposures.
• Operate and effectively utilize all forcible entry tools and equipment.
• Operate, function on and effectively utilize all Department ladders.
• Operate and effectively utilize all extrication equipment.
• Conduct rescue and building searches when assigned. Perform salvage and overhaul functions.
• Perform proper ventilation using all the tools or equipment as may be made available by the Department.
• Evacuate persons or property from hazardous environments.
• Perform on medical rescue scenes as assigned.
• Assist in performing scheduled mechanical check-out of their assigned vehicle.
• Assist with the scheduled check-out of all equipment carried on their assigned unit.
• Assist with the scheduled check-out of any medical equipment, medical supply inventories, and assist with the replenishment, replacement, and/or repair of these items as required.
• Document and notify the appropriate authorities of any mechanical or operational defects found during vehicle or equipment check-out.
• Maintain the interior and exterior cleanliness of their assigned vehicle at all times.
• Operate City vehicles in a safe and lawful manner at all times.
• In the event that the vehicle operated by an employee in this classification is involved in a motor vehicle accident, that employee is responsible for filling out any accident reports or other forms of documentation as required by City policy and/or Florida State Statute.
• Assist in the completion of proper documentation of fire calls as directed by the Station Officer.
• Report to the officer in charge at a firefighting emergency, in full protective clothing with SCBA, for an assignment of duties.
• Responsible for informing the Driver/Operator or Company Officer of any problems or missing equipment and/or equipment/tools from any vehicle at all times.
• Participate in all Department training activities as assigned.  This includes keeping all handouts, aids, maps, etc., as issued and maintaining notes or records of training or classes.
• Participate in community service activities and special details as assigned.
• Perform general maintenance work to care for Department property or equipment and general station cleaning duties.
• At all times represents the Department in a professional, courteous and considerate manner when dealing with fellow employees, City officials, or superiors within the Department, as well as employees and officials of other municipalities, County or private agencies and the public.
• Perform all Department activities in a safety conscious manner and utilize Body Substance Isolation (BSI) on all medical emergencies.
• Perform all other tasks and/or duties as required or assigned and for which the Firefighter has been trained.
• Has occasional contact with state, county and local inspectors, as well as members of the public and City personnel from other departments.   Interacts with contractors in giving and receiving information. Has frequent contact with public and most often must go on to the property of customers.

EDUCATION  

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession GED equivalency diploma.
• PROOF OF HIGHEST LEVEL OF COMPLETED EDUCATION MUST BE SUBMITTED AS AN ATTACHMENT WITH APPLICATION. (Applications without attached proof of education will not be processed for consideration.)  

EXPERIENCE     

• Must be at least 18 years old (as required by Florida Statute 633.34-1) (Birth Certificate Required)
• Current valid Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Statutory Compliance or Certificate of Training issued by the State of Florida from the Bureau of Fire Standards & Training.
• Current valid State of Florida Paramedic Certification OR proof of enrollment as a fourth semester paramedic student OR proof of graduation from paramedic from paramedic school.  Certificate will be required for hire. 
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. (Must obtain State of Florida driver's license prior to hire)
• Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) certification.
• Certification by the American Heart Association as an Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Basic Life Support Provider
• Notarized affidavit regarding use of tobacco products (Florida State Statute 633.34(56)
• ICS 100 Certification
• ICS 700 Certification
• Social Security Card
• Release of information Affidavit 
• Upon appointment, successfully complete and pass all Firefighter- Paramedic skill evaluations as set forth by the Training Division

1. Firefighter Application Checklist. This checklist can be downloaded by clicking the link.  Print the packet, complete the forms and upload all the required documents.
2. Proof of Education
3. Copy of Driver's License
4. Birth Certificate
5. Social Security Card
6. State of Florida Firefighter Certification
7. State of Florida Paramedic Certification
8. EVOC Certification
9. Use of Tobacco Affidavit
10. Release of Information Affidavit
11. Basic Life Support Certificate 
12. Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Certificate
13. ICS 100 Certificate 
14. ICS 700 Certificate

•  Successfully complete and pass all firefighter skills evaluations as required by the City and the Department.
• Have the ability to efficiently and effectively operate all tools, appliances and equipment supplied by the Department that are used during emergency management, fire suppression, extrication, ventilation, forcible entry, salvage or the overhaul process.
• Identify hazards; identify construction, alarm, detection, and suppression features that contribute to or prevent the spread of fire, heat, and smoke throughout a building or from one building to another. 
• Able to conduct a pre-incident inspection or pre-plan activity and complete required documents and forms as determined by policies and procedures.
•  Have a firm working knowledge of current methods and techniques used in firefighting.
• Have the ability to keep equipment clean and operationally safe.
• Have the ability to drive and safely operate City vehicles in emergency and non-emergency responses.
• Have a working knowledge of the City's demographics and geographics and have a firm understanding and ability to properly utilize the Department mapbook and any other appropriate maps.
• Know the location of all area hospitals and be able to reach these facilities, from any area within the City or nearby areas adjacent to the City, using the safest and most expedient route.
• Have the ability to read and comprehend the various memoranda, bulletins, orders, policies, and other written documents concerning procedures and operations as set forth by the Department or other governmental agencies.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing; write reports, letters, and memos utilizing word processing and spreadsheet programs; operate in an information management system.
• Have the ability to react calmly, promptly and correctly in emergency situations.
• Have the ability to understand and follow oral or written instructions in emergency and non-emergency settings.
• Have a working knowledge of the City's fire hydrant and water distribution systems.
•  Have a basic working knowledge of the Incident Management System (including but not limited to ICS 100,200,700 and 800).
• Have a basic working knowledge of Medical Triage procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City officials, other City departments, fellow employees, supervisors, outside agencies, and the general public.

• Employees must have correctable vision acceptable for day or night time operation of emergency vehicles. Specific vision abilities required include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus in limited light or overly bright situations.  Employees must have the ability to accurately read medication name and dosage on drug labels and syringes. Must have color acuity adequate to make an accurate determination of skin and blood color.
• Employees must be able to hear and understand information provided by emergency responders and non-emergency responders in person and through radio communications in distracting environments and while responding with lights and sirens.  Employees must be able to listen to and determine lung sounds, auscultated blood pressures and other skills that may be required to effectively determine a course of action or treatment.

• Duties are performed in variety of environmental conditions and difficult locations which may include adverse and hazardous conditions including but not limited to varying temperatures and inclement weather, Tasks are occasionally performed at locations with exposure over, in and around water, which may   not be accessible to the physically handicapped.