Firefighter/Paramedic

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

A professional position responsible for the maintenance of firefighting skills and paramedic license, performance of basic and advanced life support skills, prevention and extinguishment of fires, the protection and saving life and property, and the enforcement of County and State fire prevention codes, as well as any law pertaining to the prevention and control of fires.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

The following statements describe the principal functions of the job and its scope of responsibility but should not be considered an all-inclusive list of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

• Responds to fire and EMS calls with a fire company and performs fire/EMS/rescue duties as assigned or assumed.
• Rescues and removes persons from danger.
• Operates various pieces of fire and EMS apparatus and equipment to deliver advanced life support skills and extinguish fires.
• Ventilates burning buildings to eject smoke, heat, and gases as directed.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations at fire scenes as directed.
• Performs cleaning and maintenance tasks on department buildings and equipment.
• Performs prevention and education activated as directed, to include fire hydrant maintenance if necessary.
• Performs annual testing and inspection of fire hose.
• Attends training in subjects pertinent to EMS, (ALS), firefighting, fire inspections, equipment operation, emergency medical treatment, and other related areas.
• Promotes and conducts public education programs as directed.
• Makes periodic visits to building to conduct pre-fire planning.
• Provides Basic and Advanced Life Support care (in compliance with Chapter 401, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 10D-66, F.A.C. according to the established County EMS Procedures Manual and applicable protocols and standing orders, to the person in need of medical attention.
• Administers pre-hospital emergency rescue and medical services, and advanced life support allowed within the scope of training.
• Occasionally fills in as a EMT on a BLS unit as directed by a ranking officer.
• Serves as an ambulance driver as needed.
• Handles emergency and non-emergency patient transfers as assigned, including both in-county and out-of-county.
• Completes necessary written reports, including patient reports, patient bills, and daily team and unit reports, in a timely accurate fashion.
• Cleans and maintains ambulance and equipment on a daily basis, including maintaining required inventory of ambulance supplies and equipment. Keeps signed station clean.
• Maintains a professional and safe unit and work area adhering to established safety policies and the image desired for the organization.
• Consistently follows Board policies and procedures.
• Responds productively to change and performs all other tasks as directed.
• Works productively with all personnel throughout the chain of command.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge and skill in the use of firefighting techniques, policies, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge and skill in the use of advanced life support emergency medical treatment practices.
• Ability to gain knowledge of street locations, geography, and types of building construction in their assigned district.
• Ability to know the various types of fire hazards within their assigned district.
• Ability to continually learn and update techniques and procedures in firefighting and emergency medical care.
• Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions.

• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, orally and in writing.

• Ability to drive and operate fire service vehicles and apparatus on and off-road safely under emergency conditions.

• Skill in the use and maintenance of firefighting and emergency medical equipment.

• Knowledge of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, and the use of other Advanced Life Support life sustaining practices and equipment.
• Knowledge of safety and comfort measures and methods in the handling and treatment of patients.
• Ability to become familiar with the roadway/highway systems within Highlands County.

• Knowledge of Florida safety requirements and privileges when responding to non-emergency and emergency situations.

• Knowledge of Florida traffic and driving regulations.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with co-workers (paid and volunteer), managers, supervisors, directors, elected officials, vendors and the general public.

PHYSICAL SKILLS:

This work requires the occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force; work regularly requires speaking or hearing, frequently requires sitting and repetitive motions and occasionally requires standing, walking, using hands to finger, handle or feel, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting; work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word and conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels and to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, using of measuring devices, operating machines, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activities; ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs., must meet physical and medical requirements for firefighter and hazardous material per N.F.P.A. Standards.
 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Graduation from high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

Must possess and maintain a valid Florida drivers’ license.  Florida Firefighter II Certificate of compliance required. Maintain current Florida Paramedic certification, and AHA/Advanced Cardiac Life Support certification (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), 16-hour Emergency Vehicle Operation (EVOC or CEVO), and Current CPR/AED for Health Care Provider (BLS). Must be approved by the E.M.S. Medical director to practice as a Paramedic.

OTHER JOB-RELATED REQUIREMENTS:

Disaster Essential. Paid FIREFIGHTERS in Highlands County will not be able to operate as volunteer FIREFIGHTERS in Highlands County. This does NOT preclude them from being administrative chiefs or administrative members of any Highlands County VFD. ACJIS is required as part of the background check process.

THE HIGHLANDS COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Does not Discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, religious belief, color, national origin, disability/handicap, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetics or any other legally protected group/class. We are proud to be a drug free workplace. Screening tests for illegal drug use may be required as a condition of employment