FIREFIGHTER PARAMEDIC

Under general supervision, performs advanced emergency response work in firefighting, emergency rescue, and hazardous material response. Work involves performing advanced life support, fire suppression, emergency rescue and/or hazardous material containment and operating associated equipment and apparatus; and training in the methods and techniques of emergency response operations, patient care, and the use of equipment and apparatus. Employee may be required to act as an emergency medical supervisor from time to time. Employee is also responsible for inspecting and maintaining equipment, performing fire inspections, and performing various maintenance and custodial duties at the assigned fire station. While in an acting supervisor position, reports to a Battalion Chief.

 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description. 

* Responds to emergency calls for fire suppression, medical assistance, hazardous materials incidents, motor vehicle accidents, natural disasters, explosions, bomb threats, rescue operations, downed power lines, and other emergency situations; responds to instructions from dispatcher.
* Maintains a state of readiness/preparation for emergency response; checks/maintains stock of equipment and supplies on fire vehicles and in fire station; tests hoses/pumps on apparatus; re-loads equipment and apparatus following response to emergency calls; prepares apparatus for subsequent emergencies.
* Provides protection of life and property; suppresses, controls and extinguishes fires; performs search, rescue, extrication of victims, and forcible entries; assists individuals from burning structures; positions/climbs ladders of various heights to access upper levels of buildings and perform rescue operations; establishes openings in buildings for entrance, ventilation, or salvage; ventilates smoke and gas from buildings; performs salvage operations such as throwing salvage covers, sweeping water, and removing debris; assists with cleanup activities.
* Drives, operates, and monitors a variety of fire/emergency vehicles/apparatus as needed; determines best route to reach location of emergency calls; performs safe driving functions in various weather conditions; positions apparatus and equipment for optimal use of equipment and hose.
* Locates water supplies to fight fires; lays out, connects, and maneuvers fire hoses/nozzles; operates pumps and directs stream of water or chemicals onto fire; disconnects and rolls used hoses.
* Administers first aid, artificial respiration, life support, advanced life support, or other level of medical care according to level of certification; works to stabilize patients at incident scenes; determines nature and extent of illness/injury; obtains, records, and monitors patients' vital signs; administers initial treatment at emergency scene; communicates with medical personnel at emergency treatment facility to obtain instructions regarding further treatment and to arrange for reception of victims at treatment facility; performs physical lifting techniques associated with moving patients between incident site, stretcher or ambulance; completes or ensures completion of required records/reports.
* Conducts patient assessments; assesses nature and severity of illness/injury and identifies life threatening problems; determines/prioritizes appropriate medical treatment/procedures and need for additional assistance; performs patient triage; takes and records patient's vital signs; performs physical examinations and obtains patient history; assesses status of patient's neurological system, cardiovascular system, circulatory system, skeletal system, orthopedic system, motor and sensory skills, and level of consciousness.
* Performs Paramedic functions; provides advanced emergency medical care to sick/injured persons, which may include providing advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), pediatric advanced life support (PALS), basic trauma life support (BTLS), pediatric care, obstetrical care, advanced airway management, and/or drug treatments; provides advanced level of care for victims of cardiac or respiratory arrest; performs cardiac monitoring and defibrillation; maintains circulation and controls bleeding; provides spinal management and immobilization; provides fluid resuscitation by IV; manages trauma injuries, bleeding, and post-traumatic shock; administers injections of medications and drugs, including drugs to treat emergency cardiac conditions, following established protocols; performs invasive and non-invasive procedures on patients with life-threatening conditions, per established procedures or as authorized/directed by physicians.
* Inspects buildings for pre-fire plans, fire hazards, and compliance with fire prevention ordinances; inspects structures for stability.
* Provides assistance to other public service agencies or outside organizations as appropriate; assists law enforcement personnel with traffic control; assists with public service functions such as rescuing animals, cleaning up road hazards, or other tasks as assigned.
* Operates or utilizes various emergency vehicles and emergency/medical equipment, tools and supplies, which may include fire apparatus, fire engine, ladder, ambulance, pumps, generator, air compressor, hose, hydrant, ladder, extinguisher, self-contained breathing apparatus, extrication tools, hydraulic tools, air bags, cutting torch, chain saw, mechanic tools, axe, gas detector, ventilation fan, defibrillator, cardiac monitor, glucometer, pulse-oximeter, medical/first aid supplies, or radio communications equipment.
* Follows safety procedures, utilizes safety equipment, and monitors work environment to ensure safety of employees and other individuals.
* Performs general maintenance tasks necessary to keep vehicles, buildings, quarters, hydrants, apparatus, equipment and tools in operable condition, which may include inspecting/testing equipment, inspecting hydrants, replacing fluids, greasing equipment, replacing parts, washing/cleaning equipment, or cleaning station/quarters; monitors equipment operations to maintain efficiency and safety; reports faulty equipment for necessary maintenance work.
* Prepares or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, fire incident reports, run reports, patient care reports, billing statements, maintenance records, apparatus inspection forms, self-contained breathing apparatus inspection forms, nozzle inspection records, training records, hydrant test forms, pre-fire plans or other documents.
* Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, checklists, inspection forms, maintenance records, pre-fire plans, maps, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, orders, publications, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
* Maintains records, logs, and files of work activities; maintains current map books, manuals, policies/procedures, and other materials for reference and/or review.
* Communicates via telephone and/or two-way radio; communicates effectively and coherently over radio channels while initiating and responding to radio communications; provides information and assistance; takes and relays messages; responds to requests for service or assistance.
* Creates/maintains positive public relations with the general public; provides information and education to the public regarding fire safety, fire prevention, and firefighting; conducts blood pressure checks for the public; installs smoke detectors; participates in parades and civic events.
* Communicates with supervisors, employees, dispatchers, other departments, fire officials, law enforcement officials, medical providers, patients, family members, witnesses, property owners/occupants, utility companies, civic organizations, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
* Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge and awareness of applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures; maintains an awareness of new equipment, methods, procedures, and advances in the profession; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in physical fitness training and continuing education activities; attends shift meetings, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
* Performs Emergency Medical Technician functions; administers basic life support to sick/injured persons; performs invasive and non-invasive procedures on patients with life-threatening conditions, per established procedures or as authorized/directed by physicians.
* Performs Cardiac Technician functions according to level of certification; administers cardiac care and a higher level of basic emergency medical care to sick/injured persons as authorized and directed by physicians; provides an advanced level of care for victims of cardiac or respiratory arrest; monitors and evaluates EKG rhythms; interprets electrocardiograms; determines appropriate medication, dosage, and route of medication; administers injections of medications and drugs, including drugs to treat emergency cardiac conditions, following established protocols; performs invasive and/or non-invasive procedures on patients with life-threatening conditions, per established procedures or as authorized/directed by physicians.
* Performs general/maintenance work associated with maintaining fire station, grounds, quarters, and related facilities; operates related equipment.
* Is eligible for consideration for assignment to the Fire/EMS Training Bureau and Fire Marshal's Office.
* Serves as a back-up EMS supervisor.
* Serves as an EMS skills preceptor. 
* Performs other related duties as required.

Vocational/Technical degree with training emphasis in basic fire suppression and emergency medicine, or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.  Requires a valid driver's license.

Must hold or have the ability to acquire certification by the Commonwealth of Virginia as a Firefighter II. Must be certified as a Cardiac/Paramedic/Pediatric Advanced Level Emergency Medical Technician. Must have HAZMAT operations certification, EVOC Class III certification, certification in driver/pump operations, and Introduction to Technical Rescue Module II or equivalent. Must be authorized to operate in the Tidewater Emergency Medical Services (TEMS) region. Must meet all minimum qualifications for the position as outlined in Suffolk Fire & Rescue Career Path Policy.

 

* Considerable knowledge of the operating characteristics and service requirements of equipment and apparatus used in firefighting, fire prevention, rescue operations and hazardous material response.
* Knowledge of the hazards involved in emergency response operations and of the applicable safety precautions.
* Knowledge of basic emergency medical procedures and extrication techniques.
* Knowledge of street layout, subdivisions, buildings and the location of fire hydrants in the City.
* Knowledge of departmental policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
* Ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural or compositional characteristics (whether similar or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
* Ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving instructions, assignments or directions from superiors.
* Ability to read a variety of reports, correspondence, charts, forms, permits, etc. Requires the ability to prepare correspondence, reports, forms, etc., using prescribed formats.
* Ability to apply principles of rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
* Ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including emergency response codes, and fire, medical and legal terminology.
* Ability to utilize mathematical formulas; to add and subtract; multiply and divide; utilize decimals and percentages; understand and apply the theories of algebra and geometry.
* Ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
* Ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress and when confronted with emergency situations.
* Ability to operate and care for assigned emergency response apparatus and equipment.
* Ability to exercise initiative in meeting and resolving emergency situations.
* Ability to analyze situations quickly and correctly and adopt effective courses of action with regard to surroundings and circumstances.
* Ability to maintain routine activity reports.
* Ability to effectively express ideas orally and in writing.
* Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
* Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions when required.

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