Firefighter-Paramedic

Don’t just join a department. Help build one. We’re looking for motivated, service-driven Firefighter Paramedics who want to be part of something from the beginning. This is more than an opportunity to continue your career in the fire service. It’s an opportunity to become a founding member of a new Fire Rescue Department and help establish the culture, traditions, standards, and sense of teamwork that will define it for years to come. Why join us from the start? Be a Founding Team Member — Join during a defining moment and help build the foundation of a new Fire Rescue Department. Help Shape the Culture — Be part of a team built around service, safety, professionalism, accountability, and teamwork. Make an Immediate Impact — Use your fire service and advanced medical skills to make a difference when people need help most. Build Something That Lasts — Help establish the traditions, expectations, and standards future members will inherit. Learn and Grow — Continue developing your fire service and clinical skills while growing professionally with the department. Be Part of the Team From Day One — Work alongside professionals who share a commitment to serving the community and building a strong department together. What You’ll Do As a Firefighter Paramedic, you’ll be on the front line of our mission to protect lives, property, and the community. You’ll respond to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, and other incidents while providing advanced emergency medical care and supporting the safe and effective delivery of Fire Rescue services. As a founding member, you’ll also have something most firefighters never experience—the opportunity to help establish the traditions, teamwork, and culture of a new Fire Rescue Department. What We’re Looking For We’re looking for Firefighter Paramedics who bring together strong fire service skills, clinical judgment, compassion, and a commitment to serving others. The ideal candidate is dependable, adaptable, and prepared to make sound decisions in challenging and rapidly changing situations. We’re looking for professionals who take pride in providing excellent patient care, support their crew, communicate effectively, and maintain a high level of readiness. Joining a new Fire Rescue Department also requires flexibility and a willingness to contribute. There may not always be an established tradition or a familiar way of doing things. Founding members will have the opportunity—and responsibility—to help create them. If you’re ready to serve the community, provide exceptional emergency care, be part of a strong team, and help build the traditions and foundation of a new Fire Rescue Department, we encourage you to apply. Salary/Step Placement Salary/Step Placement: The salary range listed for this position reflects the full range of the applicable salary step schedule. The starting salary and step placement for the selected candidate will be determined based on verification of the candidate’s current salary step, relevant experience, education, certifications, qualifications, and other applicable factors. Placement within the salary range is not guaranteed and may vary based on the selected candidate’s verified qualifications. Candidates receive further communication via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices. The purpose of this position is to protect life and property through fire suppression, rescue, advanced emergency medical services, fire prevention, training, and other emergency response activities. Employees in this classification perform skilled firefighting, rescue, and advanced life support emergency medical duties under emergency conditions that may involve significant physical exertion, heat, smoke, limited or zero visibility, hazardous environments, and sustained mental concentration. Work is performed under the supervision of departmental officers and in accordance with established Fire Rescue policies, procedures, protocols, and medical direction. Employees must exercise sound independent judgment and respond quickly, safely, and effectively during emergency situations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary. Responds to fires, fire alarms, emergency medical incidents, rescues, hazardous materials incidents, natural disasters, and other emergency situations as assigned. Performs fire suppression operations, including hose evolutions, water supply, fire attack, forcible entry, ventilation, ladder operations, search and rescue, salvage, and overhaul. Locates, rescues, carries, transports, and assists victims from structures, vehicles, waterways, and other hazardous environments. Provides advanced life support patient care within the scope of practice of a State of Florida Paramedic and in accordance with departmental medical protocols and medical direction. Performs patient assessment, develops and implements treatment plans, administers authorized medications and procedures, reassesses patients, and modifies treatment as indicated. Directs and supports appropriate patient care provided by EMTs or other authorized personnel and ensures accurate and timely completion of required EMS documentation. Checks medical equipment and supplies; ensures proper inventory, replenishment, replacement, maintenance, and operational readiness of ALS equipment and medications. Inspects, cleans, maintains, and ensures the operational readiness of firefighting, rescue, EMS, apparatus, equipment, tools, and personal protective equipment. Participates in company, station, and departmental training, drills, critiques, physical fitness activities, EMS continuing education, and quality assurance activities. Assists with fire prevention activities, public education, community engagement, pre-incident planning, special events, and station tours as assigned. Performs station duties and maintains living quarters, work areas, apparatus, equipment, and facilities in a clean, safe, and ready condition. Completes required fire, EMS, equipment, inventory, and other departmental reports and records accurately and timely. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. High school diploma or equivalent. Must possess a current State of Florida Firefighter Certificate of Compliance, Certificate of Statutory Compliance, or Certificate of Training. Must possess a current State of Florida Paramedic license/certification. Must possess a current Basic Life Support (BLS)/CPR and AED card. Must possess a current Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) card. Must possess a valid State of Florida driver’s license with any endorsement required by the City or Fire Rescue Department and an acceptable driving record. Must possess current Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) certification or equivalent training acceptable to Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue. Must meet all physical, medical, background, and other employment requirements established by the City and applicable law. Must maintain all required licenses and certifications as a condition of employment. Candidates with less than three (3) years of career firefighting experience must possess a current and valid Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) certification/card, completed within one (1) year of the application date, from a recognized testing agency or fire academy, in accordance with City and Fire Rescue Department requirements. Candidates with three (3) or more years of career firefighting experience are exempt from the CPAT requirement. Candidates with less than three (3) years of career firefighting experience must possess a current and valid Broward County Swim Test certification/card at the time of application. Candidates with three (3) or more years of career firefighting experience are exempt from this requirement. IMPORTANT NOTICE – CPAT AND SWIM CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Applicable to Firefighter/EMT and Firefighter/Paramedic applicants with less than three (3) years of professional firefighting experience. Due to limited testing availability, the City of Deerfield Beach has adjusted the submission deadline for the Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and swim certifications. Please note: Both the CPAT and swim certifications remain mandatory requirements. Applicants must successfully complete and submit both certifications before they can proceed to an in-person interview. This adjustment applies only to the certification submission deadline and does not waive either requirement. Applicants are encouraged to schedule and complete both certifications as soon as possible to avoid delays in the selection process.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Nationally Registered Paramedic (NRP) certification through the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is preferred. Previous fire rescue, advanced life support EMS, emergency response, or related public safety experience preferred. Additional fire service, rescue, hazardous materials, EMS, or technical certifications and training preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of modern principles, practices, equipment, and tools used in fire suppression, prevention, rescue, salvage, and emergency medical services. Knowledge of advanced life support principles, practices, medications, equipment, medical triage, trauma care, and current departmental treatment protocols. Knowledge of hazardous materials awareness and emergency response safety practices. Ability to provide basic and advanced life support care in accordance with applicable laws, medical protocols, and established standards. Ability to safely use, inspect, and maintain firefighting, rescue, EMS, and personal protective equipment. Ability to act quickly, calmly, safely, and efficiently in emergency situations and exercise sound judgment under stressful conditions. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions and communicate effectively by radio, verbally, and in writing. Ability to complete accurate and timely EMS, fire, inventory, medication, and other required records and reports. Ability to observe and analyze potentially dangerous situations and report them clearly and completely. Ability to perform strenuous physical tasks for extended periods under adverse physical and environmental conditions. Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, lift, carry, push, and pull persons, patient stretchers, equipment, tools, hose, and other materials. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, City officials, partner agencies, patients, and the public.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement. Performs very heavy and strenuous physical work requiring strength, stamina, agility, and coordination. Duties may require prolonged standing, walking, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling persons and equipment while wearing full personal protective equipment and SCBA.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken. Work is performed in fire stations, emergency vehicles, training environments, community settings, and emergency scenes. The employee may be exposed to fire, heat, smoke, hazardous materials, infectious materials, extreme weather, noise, confined spaces, unstable structures, traffic, water hazards, and other hazardous or potentially life‑threatening conditions.

WORK HOURS

Shift work is required, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Employees may be required to work overtime, emergency callbacks, declared emergencies, training assignments, and other hours necessary to meet the operational needs of the City.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE

The City of Deerfield Beach is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

ESSENTIAL SAFETY FUNCTIONS

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses. Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Note: During emergency conditions, all City employees are automatically considered emergency service workers. City employees are subject to being called to work in the event of a disaster, such as hurricane, or other emergency situations and are expected to perform emergency service duties as assigned. The City of Deerfield Beach values the service veterans and their family members have given to our country and supports the hiring of returning service members and military spouses. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Deerfield Beach