Firefighter Paramedic Position

Job Title: Firefighter Paramedic

Department: Fire

Job Type: Part Time/Full Time

Reports to: Lieutenant/Captain

Wage/Status: Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

The Firefighter Paramedic is a highly technical and specialized position that involves fire suppression, emergency medical services, rescue, hazardous materials incidents, fire prevention, pre-fire planning, fire inspections, administration, and other special assignments as required.

Responsibilities:

• Responds to emergency and non-emergency calls for service.
• Acts as commanding medical officer in absence of higher ranking paramedic officer.
• Administers basic and advanced life support to injured/ill persons consistent with established medical protocols and standard operating procedures.
• Secures safety of the incident scene.
• Determines medical status and priority of medical treatment.
• Stabilizes and immobilizes patients and prescribes a mode of transportation to emergency medical care facilities based on condition of patients.
• Follows established universal health precautions in the treatment and care of patients.
• Inspects, tests, cleans and maintains station facilities, grounds, equipment, apparatus and hydrants as needed.
• Conducts pre-fire planning activities.
• Conducts inspections of businesses to identify possible fire or life safety hazards and educates business owners in fire prevention.
• Participates in daily training exercises and instruction to increase performance.
• Responds to requests and inquiries from the general public, other Department personnel, and other Town Departments.
• Interprets and explains Town and Department policies and procedures to the public.
• Works shift schedules including weekends, holidays and extended hours in emergencies, disaster, or other situations influenced by heavy workloads or other staffing difficulties.
• Participates on Town/Department committees and attends staff meetings as required.
• Conducts public education activities that may include, but not limited to: children's birthday parties, block parties, station tours, Town events, Fire Prevention week.
• Assists in developing and presenting a variety of training programs.
• Must learn streets and routes within the town and surrounding areas to include the location of medical facilities to ensure expeditious response times.
• Attends scheduled training necessary to maintain certifications and minimum continuing education credit as required by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, and/or Medical Control Physician.
• Travels to conduct fire and life safety inspections, respond to calls for service, provide CPR and First Aid instruction and to attend meetings, conferences and training.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED certificate.
• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Certification as a Texas Commission on Fire Protection Basic Firefighter.
• Certification as a Texas Commission on Fire Protection Hazardous Materials Technician.
• Certification as a Texas Commission on Fire Protection Instructor Level I.
• Certification as a Paramedic through the Texas Department of State Health Services.
• Current on all Texas Department of State Health Services medical continuing education requirements related to Paramedic certification/licensure.
• Must successfully complete all medical control requirements to perform as a Paramedic.
• Must be eligible to hold a valid Texas Class B Exempt drivers license and obtain that license within six (6) months of employment.
• Must maintain a satisfactory rating on annual performance evaluation reports.
• Must pass a pre-employment and random drug screen, motor vehicle record checks, previous employment check, psychological evaluation, annual physical ability test, criminal background and annual Fit-for Duty medical examination.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of emergency medical services.
• Knowledge of ambulance operation principles and practices.
• Knowledge of fire prevention, suppression, and education methods, practices and procedures for a variety of fire, hazardous materials responses, emergency management systems and rescue operations.
• Knowledge and skill associated with operating specialized communication equipment.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and related hardware and software for development and maintenance of safety and health inspections, annual reviews, and other documentation.
• Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and rational thinking under stressful and/or dangerous circumstances.
• Ability to evaluate various options and alternatives and choose an appropriate and reasonable course of action.
• Skill in effective oral and written communications.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is performed in office and field environments.
• May be subject to repetitive motion such as typing, data entry, and vision to monitor.
• May be subject to exposure to extreme temperatures, extreme weather conditions, hazardous chemicals, toxic fumes, unstable buildings and structures, infectious diseases, body fluids, air and water borne pathogens.
• May be subject to wearing full protective clothing and self-contained breathing apparatus for extended periods of time.
• May be subject to extended periods of bending, reaching, kneeling, climbing and standing on ladders and lifts, walking over unstable surfaces and terrain, lifting and carrying up to 70 pounds unassisted, dragging up to 160 pounds unassisted, and handling and operating high pressure water hoses.
• May be exposed to hostile, angry or emotional citizens, patients and business owners.