PRN Firefighter/Paramedic

JOB IDENTIFICATION:

POSITION SUMMARY: 

This is a skilled position that entails firefighting, rescue, emergency medical care, and other related emergency services. Firefighters participate in programs designed for the prevention of fires and the saving of life and property. A Firefighter is responsible for rapidly, efficiently, and safely performing various duties under emergency conditions frequently involving considerable hazard. The work includes routine duties in the maintenance of firefighting vehicles, equipment, and fire service facilities. While specific orders and directions are received from an Officer in the normal course of maintenance duties and firefighting, considerable independence of judgment and action is allowed in circumstances of extreme urgency where referral to a superior for instructions is not possible. Additionally, a Firefighter/ Paramedic will respond to medical emergencies and provide prehospital ADVANCED LIFE SUPPORT care to victims of injury or illness. A Firefighter/ Paramedic is ordinarily the highest medical authority at an emergency medical scene, and as such, makes medical decisions based on standing orders, protocols, and orders from on-line and off-line medical direction. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform firefighting actives including driving fire apparatuses, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, and performing fire combat, containment, and extinguishment tasks.
• Perform emergency aid activities, including administering first aid and providing other assistance as required.
• Attend classes in firefighting, emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects with successful completion. 
• Receive and relay fire calls and alarms. Operate radio and other communication equipment.
• Participate in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs.
• Maintain fire equipment, apparatuses, and facilities. Perform minor repairs to departmental equipment.
• Perform general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment; clean and wash walls and floors; care for grounds around station; make minor repairs; wash, hang, and dry hose; wash, clean, polish, maintain, and test apparatuses and equipment.
• Assistant in developing plans for special assignments such as emergency preparedness, hazardous communications, training programs, firefighting, hazardous materials, and emergency aid activities.
• Present programs to the community on safety, medical, and fire prevention topics.
• Perform duties as certified Paramedic according to criteria and standard set forth by the department’s standard operating procedures.
• Other duties as assigned by supervisors.

LICENSE & CERTIFICATIONS: 

• Valid driver’s license
• Oklahoma and National Registry, Paramedic license is required.

REQUIRED TRAINING (WITHIN 2 YEARS FROM HIRE DATE- IF TRAINING IS AVAILABLE):

• Firefighter I IFSAC Certification
• Wildland Firefighting Fundamentals
• Swiftwater Rescue
• Vehicle Extrication

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

• Working knowledge of driver safety.
• Working knowledge of first aid.
• Ability to learn the operation of fire suppression and other emergency equipment.
• Ability to learn to apply standard firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention techniques.
• Ability to perform strenuous or peak physical activities during emergency, training, or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold, or smoke.
• Ability to act effectively in emergency and stressful situations.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the general public.
• Ability to make independent judgments which have considerable impacts on the organization.
• Frequent contact requiring courtesy, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Knowledge of HIPPA and ability to maintain confidentiality at all times.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT USED:

Typewriter, calculator, copy machine, personal computer, fax machine, telephone, measuring devices, camera, power tools, hand tools, chain saws, shovels, brooms, ladders, exhaust fans, automobile, fire trucks, ambulance, patient restraints, first aid equipment, oxygen, electronics test equipment, general medical equipment, patient lifting devices, breathing apparatuses, steel-tip boots, hearing and eye protection, firefighting clothing/equipment, and hazardous chemical clothing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job (includes functions as described in NFPA 1982). Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, an employee is regularly required to talk and hear; use hands or fingers to handle and feel; occasional use of the telephone and computer; requires manual dexterity and visual acuity to operate firefighting equipment frequently and a computer or other standard office equipment occasionally. Employee may sit occasionally but will also need mobility and ability to stand and walk continuously for long periods of time.

This position will require the employee to be able to perform strenuous work for extended periods of time, while performing some or all the following:

• Wear a respirator (SCBA).
• Climb six (6) or more flights of stairs while wearing fire protective ensemble weighing at least 50 lbs. or more while carrying equipment/tools, typically weighing an additional 20lbs. to 40 lbs.
• Perform expected duties while wearing fire protective ensemble that is encapsulating and insulated and will result in significant fluid loss that frequently progresses to clinical dehydration which can elevate core temperature to levels exceeding 102.2°F (39°C).
• Search, locate, rescue-drag, and carry victims ranging from newborn to adult weighing over 200 lbs. to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility.
• Work in unpredictable emergency situations for prolonged periods of physical exertion without benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest periods, meals, access to medication(s), or hydration.
• Work in dark, confined, disorienting spaces; work in overheated environments; work under adverse and stressful conditions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in outside weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts, in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. It is reasonably anticipated that the individual will be exposed to blood-borne pathogens and other infectious materials in the course of their duties.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMT activities when noise levels may be loud.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

DISCLAIMERS:

This job description encompasses and describes most but not all tasks and responsibilities of the job. The management reserves the right to change the nature of the job and the job description with or without warning, as well as to give special consideration to circumstances related to the essential job functions on a case-by-case basis. The incumbent may be required by the management to perform other duties as assigned.