Firefighter/Paramedic (48/96 Schedule)

POSITION SUMMARY The fundamental reason this position exists is to respond to emergencies and perform fire suppression activities, pre-hospital patient care, rescue, damage control, and property preservation. This position performs with limited supervision through department Standard Operating Procedures and established EMS Protocols and directives. Firefighter/paramedics are to maintain a state of readiness of facilities and equipment by scheduled inspections, cleaning, testing, and maintenance. This position promotes the health and safety of the department and community through education.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Under a 48/96 hour work schedule, the employee responds to fire and rescue calls and performs patient care, fire suppression, rescue, and ventilation in compliance with the departments SOP’s and directives on a scheduled and unscheduled basis.
• Follows written Standard Operating Procedures and verbal directives as applicable to firefighting activities and emergency medical services.
• Evaluates patients, selects and implements a course of medical action based on patient medical conditions; provides emergency medical care to patients under current protocols as authorized by the department Medical Director up to the individual level of certification.
• Assesses and coordinates the resources and personnel to facilitate safety and quality care for all patients.
• Safely operates ambulances and first response units within the guidelines set forth by the department.
• Promotes departmental policies, procedures, objectives, safety, infection control and quality assurance.
• Shall complete, or assure completion, and properly file the required forms of the Fire department.
• Participates in a Quality Assurance program through critiques and debriefings.
• Achieves improvement benchmarks as established by the quality assurance program.
• Conducts educational and public relations activities in health and fire safety.
• Lays charged fire suppression and water supply hose lines and connects hose lines, enters burning structures with fire suppression hose lines, operates nozzles, and reloads hose on fire apparatus.
• Maintains fire stations, apparatuses, and grounds in a clean and orderly manner; duties include general maintenance, sweeping, mopping, washing, and lawn mowing.
• Cleans and or decontaminates apparatus and equipment as outlined in the department’s Exposure Control Plan and applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
• Interacts effectively, professionally, and tactfully with the general public and all participating agencies, dispatch and law enforcement.
• Conducts educational and public relations activities in health and fire safety.
• Climbs stairs and ladders carrying equipment such as forcible entry and fire equipment, protective gear, and uncharged hose lines with nozzles.
• Wears personal protective equipment (PPE), including Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA), to enter hazardous or Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) environments. Firefighters may be required to wear PPE continuously for periods ranging from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on operational needs.
• Performs search and rescue operations and removes victims from hazardous environments by lifting, or carrying victims downstairs, ladders or across uneven terrain; makes life and death decisions during emergency situations.
• Carries and throws tarps; operates portable pumps, saws; breeches walls, moves or removes furniture or other objects and/or obstacles.
• Sizes up a motor vehicle accident scene; operates extraction tools such as hydraulic jaws, ram, and cutters; dismantles vehicles to safely extricate victims.
• Operates a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) ambulance to transport medical patients
• Communicates with Incident Commander, Base Hospital, and Emergency Medical Dispatcher (ESD).
• Cuts or creates openings in structures to ventilate smoke/gases using a power saw, ax or other tools.
• Operates and inspects fire hydrants.
• Moves and/or covers furnishings, removes smoke, and performs other salvage operations to minimize property damage.
• Attends in-service classes in firefighting, emergency medical service, and related duties in order to maintain the necessary continuing education hours to assure proficiency in firefighter and paramedic duties.
• Participates in physical fitness activities to maintain physical conditioning.
• Conducts and participates in training, code enforcement, fire education, skills enhancement and testing of fire hydrants.
• Participates in pre-fire planning, prevention, and inspection activities and becomes familiar with commercial building layout and chemical storage locations; participates in public safety education for members of the community.
• Records and reports on incidents.
• Assists in fire investigations as directed.
• Conducts special projects as assigned by supervisor.
• Identifies conditions that may result in damage or unsafe operation of fire apparatus and take appropriate corrective measures.
• Subject to after-hours call-out for emergency situations.
• Performs other duties as required; assists other divisions as necessary.
• Must arrive at work on time and must maintain a regular and reliable level of attendance.

Knowledge of:

• Basic skills of firefighting, methods, and techniques used in modern firefighting for the protection of life and property and how to render medical aid as required.
• Modern firefighting methods and techniques and problems.
• Ability to implement and operate under the Incident Command System.
• Laws and regulations relating to control and prevention of fires.
• Elementary physics, chemistry, and mechanics.

Skilled in:

• Using fire suppression techniques and other related emergency response procedures.
• Coaching and encouraging the professional development of assigned staff.
• Assembling and preparing data for report presentations.
• Negotiating and resolving difficult or sensitive complaints or concerns from departmental personnel or external sources.

Ability to:

• Understand and utilize situational awareness to mitigate emergency incidents and protect personal safety and the safety of others.
• Communicate ideas effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers and function as a team member.
• Drive a fire apparatus, placing it at a fire; connects to fire hydrant, operates pumps to maintain desired pressures to support fire suppression activities.
• Observe evidence at the scene and report findings to Captain and/or chain of command.
• Learn job-related material through structured lecture and reading and through oral instruction and observation; this learning takes place in both a classroom setting and in an on-the-job training setting.
• Observe or monitor objects to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.
• Make life and death decisions during emergency situations.
• Perform swift water rescue as trained by the department.
• Must possess physical strength, endurance, agility, and ability to produce extreme effort and energy for periods of time in highly stressful situations, retaining the presence of mind, working as a team member to mitigate an emergency.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS AND SAFETY HAZARDS Primarily in an outdoor environment with the ability to operate indoors when needed. May be exposed to extreme heat and cold during summer and winter months. Must be able to tolerate extreme fluctuations in temperature while performing job duties.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED

• Personal protective equipment, including breathing apparatus.
• Various hand tools, including but not limited to pike pole, Halligan bar, ax, sledgehammer, shovel, scoop, spade, squeegee, broom, and other small hand tools.
• Multiple types and sizes of hoses, nozzles, and hose appliances.
• Various fire apparatus including engines, ambulances, brush trucks, rescue trucks, and quints.
• Medical Equipment to include a cardiac monitor, airway kit, and medical kit.
• Extrication spreaders, cutters, rams, and the associated power plant.
• Multiple sizes and configurations of ground ladders.
• Various motorized and electric powered tools such as ventilation fans, chainsaws, and metal cutting rotary saws.
• Patient carrier devices such as stair chair and stretcher both loaded and unloaded.
• Standard office equipment including multi-line telephone, computer, tablet, copier, scanner, printer, etc.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED

• High school graduate or equivalent or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. A Bachelor’s degree with a concentration in fire science, fire protection, public administration or related field is preferred.
• Must pass a pre-employment drug screen, criminal background check, and MVR check.
• A Valid Class C Texas motor vehicle driver’s license and the ability to maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• A Valid Class B Texas Commercial driver’s license within Sixty (60) days of employment and the ability to maintain a satisfactory driving record.
• Shall possess a Certification through the Texas Department of State Health Services for the level of Paramedic within ninety (90) days of hire date.
• Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) Structural Fire Fighter Certification is preferred.