Firefighter I - EMT/Paramedic

Definition / General Purpose Protects life and property by performing firefighting, emergency aid, hazardous materials, and fire prevention duties. Maintains fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Supervision Received and Exercised Receives direct supervision from the Fire Captain. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Perform firefighting activities including driving fire apparatus, operating pumps and related equipment, laying hose, performing fire combat, containment and extinguishment tasks. Perform emergency aid activities including rescue, administering emergency medical aid and providing other assistance as required. Participate in fire drills and attend classes in firefighting, rescue emergency medical, hazardous materials, and related subjects. Operate radio and other communication equipment. Participate in the inspection of buildings, hydrants, and other structures in fire prevention programs. Maintain fire equipment, apparatus, and facilities. Perform minor repairs to departmental equipment. Perform general maintenance work in the upkeep of fire facilities and equipment, including cleaning walls and floors, caring for grounds around station, washing, hanging, drying hose, and polishing and testing apparatus and equipment. Perform salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris. Participate in training to develop and maintain certifications, skills, and knowledge related to fire prevention, suppression, rescue, and EMS care. Complete various duties as assigned to advance to Fire Fighter II. May not perform duties of a higher classification without written designation and approval by the Deputy Chief of Operations, the Fire Chief, or City Manager; pay for stepping up follows Texas Local Government Code 141.033(b). Work well with others and maintain a good, pleasant attitude. Perform other essential duties to ensure successful operations of the department. Communicate effectively and work with citizens who may have complaints about services provided. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with city officials, city employees, government agencies, media, and the general public. Follow directions. Maintain regular and timely attendance. Peripheral Duties Serve as a member of various employee committees as assigned. Perform other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements High school diploma or GED equivalent; no specific work experience required. Valid Texas Class B driver’s license without suspension or revocation in any state within six months of employment. Certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection as a Basic Structural Firefighter. Certified by the Texas Department of State Health Services as an Emergency Medical Technician – Basic, Intermediate, or Paramedic. Unless already Paramedic Certified or Licensed, enroll in a Paramedic program within one year and obtain Paramedic Certification within 180 days of course completion, maintaining certification or licensure for the remainder of employment. Complete Courage to Be Safe and Traffic Incident Management Program training within six months of employment. No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history. Proficient reading and writing in English. Pass entry‑level fire examination. Pass a medical exam including vision and hearing tests. Pass the department’s physical agility test and drug test. Complete NIMS/ICS 100, 200, 700, and 800 certification within six months of employment and comply with future NIMS requirements. Meet City of Copperas Cove response time requirements. May be required to pass a polygraph and psychological test. Preferred Requirements Texas Commission on Fire Protection Driver Operator–Pumper Certification. Texas Department of State Health Services Paramedic Certification or License. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Knowledge of city geography. Knowledge of local and state government operations, policies, rules, and laws. Knowledge of Microsoft Suite applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook. Ability to develop employees to ensure necessary skills and abilities exist for growth. Ability to cooperate as part of a team and receive direction from crew leaders during stressful and routine situations, maintaining a calm, mature composure and rational decision‑making. Ability to work in dangerous or hazardous environments involving stress, danger, personal risk, violence, and hostility. Ability to assess emergency situations calmly and act safely, quickly, and appropriately. Ability to perform standard calculations for safety, training, and rescue situations. Ability to meet departmental physical standards. Ability to make quick decisions in emergency situations based on limited information. Ability to work long hours in both emergency and routine assignments as part of an assigned crew of diverse employees. Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with employees, agencies, city officials, and the public. Selection Guidelines Must meet departmental physical standards and maintain all legal certifications required by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection and the Texas Department of State Health Services. Tools and Equipment Used Emergency medical aid unit, fire apparatus, fleet vehicles, fire pumps, hoses, and other standard firefighting equipment, safety equipment, ladders, first aid equipment, radio, pager, personal computer, phone, copy/fax machine, cameras, and other specialized tools as required. Physical Demands Frequent standing, walking, handling, and operating objects, tools, or controls; occasional sitting, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, speaking, hearing, tasting, and smelling; lifting up to 10 pounds frequently and occasionally beyond 100 pounds; vision requirements include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment Work regularly in outdoor weather conditions. Occasionally work near moving mechanical parts and high, precarious places; exposed to wet and humid conditions, fumes, airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, electrical shock, vibration, and risk of severe injury or loss of life when fighting fires. Noise levels are usually moderate, but may become loud during firefighting or EMS activities. Requires a flexible/rotating schedule. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr