Firefighter/Medic (Firefighter/Paramedic)

Job Announcement

One of the most dynamic counties in the nation. $10,000 sign-on bonus*

Fairfax County is home to diverse communities covering urban, suburban, and rural areas. With a population of over 1.1 million residents, the county boasts a nationally recognized school system, safe neighborhoods, extensive parklands, and bustling town centers. This urban county has a history of engagement and outstanding fire and rescue service delivery.

About the Department

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department (FCFRD) received a Class 1 rating from the Insurance Services Office (ISO) in 2014 and was accredited through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) in 2018. FCFRD is a premier all-hazards fire and rescue department providing basic and advanced life support (BLS and ALS) emergency medical services (EMS), fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, water rescue, life safety education, fire prevention, and arson investigation services. Approximately 2,000 uniformed, professional, and volunteer staff work across 39 strategically placed fire and rescue stations and administrative offices. FCFRD field personnel work one of three rotating 24-hour shifts. The FCFRD has 38 ALS engines, 13 ALS trucks/towers, five ALS rescue squads, four ALS chase vehicles, three tankers, a hazardous materials unit, and 43 emergency medical transport units. Several other types of apparatus, such as brush trucks, boats, and support vehicles supplement the department. FCFRD is also home to VATF-1/USA-1, an internationally recognized urban search and rescue team that can deploy throughout the world to assist in times of crisis. The department has been accredited through the Commission on Fire Accreditation International (CFAI) since 2018.

Duties include:

• Conducts patient assessment (e.g., evaluates the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central nervous systems)
• Provides basic and advanced emergency medical care to stabilize the condition of the critically ill or injured prior to transport to a medical facility

Confers with the supervising physician or hospital via radio or telephone, providing the patient's medical history and condition.

Administers medication via intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intraosseous, or sublingual routes

Administers advanced emergency medical procedures (e.g., inserting airways, interpreting, and treating cardiac arrhythmias, performing defibrillation, electronic pacing)

Participates in multi-disciplinary cutting-edge training to prepare for tasks such as tactical emergency casualty care (TECC) and Field-Available Component Transfusion Response (FACT*R)

Responds to emergency calls to protect life and property

Combats, extinguishes, and prevents fires

Participates in rescue extrication operations and provides emergency medical care to the sick and injured

Drives emergency apparatus, including, but not limited to transport units, engines, trucks, rescue squads, and tankers

Performs related work as required under direct supervision

Participate in Community Risk Reduction and Community Outreach activities

Work as part of a team and embody the department's Core Values

Note: Following the successful completion of the recruit school, incumbents will serve a 12-month probationary period. During their probationary period, they shall complete an ALS internship to become FCFRD-authorized ALS providers. The FCFRD also provides continuing education to personnel with paramedic certification during and following the probationary period. Following successful completion of ALS internship, paramedics are eligible for ALS incentive pay ($ 6,948 ) and additional ALS riding pay of $2-3/hour depending on apparatus assigned. If unsuccessful in completing the ALS internship, candidates will be moved to a firefighter position, and their pay will be reduced by two steps.

* Effective 7/1/2023, this position includes a signing bonus for fully qualified new county employees in the amount of $10,000.