Firefighter - EMT

Firefighter/EMT

To protect life and property by controlling and extinguishing fires, performing first response emergency medical techniques and patient care procedures, responding to disasters and other emergencies. Must comply with all county and department policies and procedures and ensure the maintenance of department equipment, apparatus, and stations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Lieutenant.

Essential job functions include:

1. Responds to fire alarms in the county; drives and operates all emergency response vehicles and apparatus in a safe and lawful manner.
2. Performs fire suppression activities.
3. Assists in rescue operations; administers emergency medical care to sick and injured persons.
4. Performs salvage and overhaul operations at fire scenes.
5. Maintains and checks fire equipment for serviceability and assists in minor repairs and maintenance of equipment as directed. Performs routine cleaning of apparatus and facilities daily.
6. As required, attend training sessions for firefighting, rescue techniques, emergency medical care, and other training areas.
7. Prepares and submits routine records and reports.
8. Assists in departmental activities in preparation for a significant emergency, such as a hurricane, other natural or manmade disasters, and assists with aftermath activities such as inspection, clean up, and disaster relief.
9. Participates in fire prevention activities and training to improve public awareness of fire safety.
10. Essential functions as described in the current edition of NFPA 1582.
11. Abides by department and county policies, represents the department and county in a professional, courteous and considerate manner.
12. Maintains regular physical attendance during normal work hours as assigned at one of the county's offices or work facilities with the ability to work evenings, nights, weekends, work shifts, callbacks, and holidays as required.

Minimum qualifications include:

• Knowledge of telephone etiquette.
• Knowledge of building construction and how it affects fire behavior
• Knowledge of the streets, roads, and geography of the county
• Knowledge of firefighting techniques and procedures
• Knowledge of first response emergency medical principles and procedures
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of various types of firefighting apparatus
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of various types of EMS Transport vehicles
• Ability to operate office equipment
• Ability to work effectively with the public, co-workers, and related agencies
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions
• Ability to follow through on designated tasks
• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions
• Ability to work rotating shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to respond to work when off duty as required, including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Ability to use and operate protective respiratory equipment, including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA)

Education and experience include:

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of an acceptable equivalency diploma
• Valid Florida driver's license of the correct class for the vehicle driven and driving record acceptable to the insurance provider
• Certificate of Compliance (Florida Certified Firefighter II) as per Florida State Statute 633.406(1)(a)
• Florida Certified Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-B) or Florida Certified Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-P) as per Florida State Statute 401.27
• Possession and maintenance of a current American Heart Association (or approved equivalent) CPR card; as well as ACLS if a Paramedic
• Must possess or obtain the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications within six (6) months of employment

Essential physical skills include:

• Must be able to meet medical/physical requirements as identified in FS 633.412 (e) and NFPA 1582
• Ability to pass SCFEMS Physical Ability test
• Heavy work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up-to 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects
• Crawling: Moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet
• Kneeling: Bending legs and knees to come to rest on knee or knees
• Balancing: Maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, or crouching on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces
• Stooping: Bending body downward and forward bending spine at the waist
• Climbing: Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using feet and legs and/or hands and arms. Body agility is emphasized
• Crouching: Bending the body downward and forward by bending legs and spine
• Reaching: Extending hand(s) and arm(s) in any direction
• Walking: Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly for long distances
• Standing: Particularly for sustained periods
• Sitting: Particularly for sustained periods
• Pushing: Using upper extremities to press against something with steady force to thrust forward, downward or outward
• Pulling: Using upper extremities to exert force to draw, drag, haul, or tug objects in a sustained motion
• Lifting: Raising objects from a lower to a higher position or moving objects horizontally from position-to-position
• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing, or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with the whole hand or arm
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm
• Feeling: Perceiving attributes of objects such as size, shape, temperature, or texture by touching with the skin, particularly that of fingertips
• Talking: Expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Those activities in which they must convey detailed or essential verbal instructions to other workers accurately, loudly, or quickly
• Ability to receive detailed information through oral communications and to make fine discriminations in sound, such as when making fine adjustments on machined parts
• Repetitive motions: Substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers
• Ability to pass department's Physical Ability test
• Able to wear and function while wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) and fire protective clothing
• Ability to pass "PPE" mask fit test procedures

Vaccinations include:

• Hepatitis A within sixty (60) days of employment
• Hepatitis B within sixty (60) days of employment
• Tetanus within sixty (60) days of employment

Environment conditions include:

• Works inside and outside in various weather conditions with noise, slippery surfaces, and uneven surfaces
• Extreme cold: Temperatures below 32 degrees for periods of more than one hour
• Extreme heat: Temperatures above 100 degrees for periods of more than one hour
• Noise: Sufficient noise to cause the worker to shout to be heard
• Vibration: Exposure to oscillating movements of the extremities or the whole body
• Hazardous situations: Proximity to moving mechanical parts, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places (up to 100 feet), and exposure to chemicals
• Atmospheric conditions: One or more of the following conditions that affect respiratory conditions or the skin: Fumes, odors, dust, mists, gases, or poor ventilation

Reasonable accommodation will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.