Firefighter EMT I

Firefighter EMT

The Firefighter EMT is responsible for preventing and extinguishing fires and providing care, treatment, and transportation for medical emergencies in the pre-hospital setting while providing said emergency medical care up to the basic life support level as approved by the Hernando County Common Medical Protocols. Medical Care at Fire/Rescue related scenes.

Examples Of Duties

The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Operates and maintains all types of apparatus and equipment used in fire/rescue activities.
• Responds to all alarms that are assigned by the dispatch center.
• Conducts pre-fire planning and enforcing of burn laws.
• Participates in pre-fire inspections and investigations of hazardous conditions found during routine area familiarization training.
• Repeated climbing as well as normal driving skills. Must be able to drive one handed while using the other hand to operate radio, sirens, and air horns.
• Connects and pulls charged fire hoses weighing more than 100 lbs. using entire body strength.
• Writes fire and medical incident reports in a concise and professional manner.
• Enters burning buildings for rescue or extinguishment activities, wearing protective breathing apparatus (approx. 40 lbs.).
• Climbs ladders carrying heavy tools, equipment weighing more than 60 lbs. and descending ladders carrying rescued victims using entire body strength. Ability to be positioned on the ladder for an extended period directing hose streams.
• Performs vehicle extrication including use of such equipment as hydraulic rescue spreader and cutting tools weighing approx. 60 lbs. and other hydraulic tools requiring a high degree of manual dexterity and upper body strength.
• Provides exemplary patient care, protocol, and policy compliance, and displays exceptional role model behavior towards all personnel and citizens.
• Stays informed on rescue related activities, supplies, and facilities in the department.
• Stays informed of new equipment and methods.
• Prepares and submits various reports as assigned by supervisor or other management staff.
• Performs lifting of patients of various size and weights from various heights and positions to stretcher, to medic unit and to hospital bed.
• Routinely testifies in court reference to his/her actions at fire, medical or vehicle crash sites.
• Performs cleaning and maintaining of fire engines, rescue units, fire stations and equipment and fire hydrants.
• Performs other non-emergency, maintenance, and clerical duties during shift.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by a supervisor or other management staff.
• The nature of the job requires the employee to be versatile and proficient in all areas of firefighting, rescue, pre-hospital medicine and training regardless of the current job assignment since a change of roles can happen at any moment and time, depending upon the emergency.
• Maintain compliance with the County Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy.
• Subject to the current department Random Drug Screening as detailed in the current Local 3760 CBA.
• May be required to testify in court, regarding his/her actions at training, fire, medical or vehicle accident sites.
• Attendance in accordance with HCFES Admin #127 & #135.

Typical Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
• Two (2) years of working with a paid or part-paid fire department or has attended Firefighter I, II and EMT classes within the past three (3) years.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain a clean police record and meet other requirements as further defined in Florida Statute 633.34 and Florida Administrative Code 64J, Emergency Medical Services.
• Obtain and maintain CJIS Clearance, for CAD access.
• This position is subject to the Hepatitis B Vaccine and other vaccines as needed.

Licenses, Certifications or Registrations

• Valid Florida Driver's License and be insurable by the current insurance carrier.
• State of Florida Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) License
• BLS Provider, department approved.
• EVOC Certification, current or pass approved department EVOC course.
• Florida State Firefighter II Compliance

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of modern firefighting principles, practices, procedures, and techniques.
• Knowledge of the operations and maintenance of all apparatus and equipment used in rescue activities.
• Knowledge of rules and regulations of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
• Employee is responsible for having a complete mastery of the current HCFES Common Medical protocols and retains the necessary skill sets to perform all BLS procedures set forth within the EMS protocols.
• Critical decision-making skills within the scope of the rank with HCFES.
• Ability to gain knowledge of the physical layout of the county street systems.
• Knowledge of all radio procedures used in the communication process.
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and the public.
• Knowledge of the current Medical Protocol as approved by the Medical Director.
• Knowledge of modern pre-hospital medical care standards, procedures & techniques.
• Ability to express oneself clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow oral & written instructions.
• Ability to interact with the department's Medical Director to ensure compliance and full understanding of his/her expectations.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to work within a paramilitary environment with a strict set of dress, appearance, and operational protocols.

Supplemental Information

Equipment Used

• Medical equipment and devices
• Communication Systems, radio, telephone, internet, and intranets
• computer based ePCR systems.
• Dispatch CAD Systems
• EMS Apparatus, as appropriate and required rescue equipment,
• Firefighting Apparatus and Equipment, as appropriate.
• Personal Protective Equipment as assigned.

Physical Abilities

• Ability to pass a department annual physical based on NFPA 1582 guidelines. Employees failing to successfully pass the annual physical will be referred to the department physician of record for final medical clearance for duty.
• Ability to pass annual physical agility test in allotted time demonstrating actual job tasks.
• Employee must maintain compliance with NFPA 1582 guidelines.
• Ability to complete post offer/pre-employment and annual examination.
• Employee is expected to participate in an on-going physical exercise program to maintain physical agility requirements.
• Ability to endure sustained acts of physical exertion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations including activities such as lifting/carrying, reaching, climbing, pulling, good near and distant vision (with or without correction), Good hearing (with or without hearing aid), kneeling, bending, pushing, standing, crawling, balancing, smelling, stooping, jumping, and running.
• Ability to respond to a vast array of medical emergencies, delivering quality emergency care to all patients always.
• Ability to undergo more than two (2) hours of related training daily.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a reported disability.

Environmental Conditions

• Must be able to battle thick smoke, intense heat and crawling through cramped areas while wearing heavy clothing and protective breathing gear.
• Hazardous conditions: Flames, fire, chemicals, smoke, heat, gases, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, electricity, poor ventilation, poor lighting, and related hazards and stressful situations.
• Exposure to body fluids, foul odors, and bio-hazardous human waste.