Emergency Medical Technician (Firefighter Trainee 56)

Polk County Board of County Commissioners • Bartow, FL

17h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is a responsible technical and skilled work/apprenticeship in the Fire Rescue field, where the individual will work and study to complete required training programs and gain practical experience necessary to become a State of Florida certified Firefighter. The individual is trained and licensed as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). This position may require a physical ability/agility test and requires the physical, developmental, and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities, and duties of the job. The job description provides for the range of duties to be performed for this position and is not intended to reflect all duties that are required within this position.

Requirements

• Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma.
• Certifies under oath that he/she is not addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance.
• Is at least 18 years of age.
• Certifies under oath that he/she is free from any physical or mental defect or disease that might impair his/her ability to drive an emergency vehicle and perform his/her duties.
• Have not accrued 12 points within 36 months or 18 points within 48 months.
• Have not been convicted of alcohol/drug-related offenses within 36 months.
• Have not been convicted of two (2) alcohol/drug-related offenses within 10 years.
• Have not had a suspension, revocation, or restriction due to moving violations or alcohol/drug-related problem, including failure to take a breath test within the 36 months prior to application for this position.
• Applicant be licensed in the State of Florida license as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
• Have not had two (2) failures to pay fines within 36 months.
• Have not had two (2) seatbelt violations within 36 months.
• Have not had three (3) lapses of insurance within 36 months.
• No serious traffic violations such as leaving the scene or driving on a suspended license within 36 months.
• Must pass a drug screening test.
• Must pass a medical screening.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• Shall be fingerprinted and subject to Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security check.
• Must obtain and maintain FBI CJIS Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, as a condition of employment.
• Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure.
• Must have a telephone while employed with the Fire Rescue Division, as employee is subject to on-call duty in emergencies.
• Must attend fire academy and obtain certification as a Florida certified firefighter upon first available fire academy class opening.
• Successfully complete training to obtain the required State of Florida Firefighter Certification and must maintain such certification.
• Pass the required physical agility test within one year of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine the proper course of action.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly under emergency conditions.
• Ability to learn and efficiently perform a wide variety of firefighting and emergency medical care duties, methods, and techniques.
• Ability to climb stairs in multiple story buildings carrying heavy tools and equipment.
• Ability to learn and perform physically demanding duties, such as carrying victims and/or heavy equipment. Work may require lifting very heavy weight occasionally, heavy weight frequently and moderate weight constantly.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by the job.
• Ability to understand and execute complex oral and written instructions quickly.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Ability to work as a part of a team, supporting and assisting Fire Rescue personnel and other BoCC personnel as instructed.
• Ability to exercise sound, independent judgment as required.
• Ability to cope with stressful situations firmly, courteously and tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.

Responsibilities

• Learn and participate in the operation of firefighting equipment and apparatus.
• Attend classes, study, learn, and perform firefighting and emergency rescue, including the administration of emergency medical treatment, under close supervision.
• Study and perform conducive safety and comfort manners and methods in the handling and treatment of patients and fire victims.
• Learn Florida safety requirements and privileges when responding to non-emergency and emergency calls, including both fire and emergency medical calls.
• Perform work in accordance with explicit instructions and well-defined procedures.
• Study and perform skills in defensive driving methods.
• Learn and become familiar with the roadway/highway systems within Polk County.
• Learn and perform general maintenance and cleaning work in the upkeep of Fire Rescue equipment, vehicles, furnishings, and structures.
• Assist Fire Rescue personnel with maintaining the fire truck and other Fire Rescue vehicles in an efficient, operational condition, including checking gas, oil, water, belts, and tires.
• Participate in specialized training and learn to perform Fire Rescue work, including work which involves an element of personal danger and requires working on extended shifts.
• Study and practice the principles of fire rescue and emergency medical techniques in a wide variety of emergencies, under close supervision.
• May perform work assisting Fire Rescue personnel in enclosed areas and may be required to wear personal protective equipment.
• Study and learn how to assist Fire Rescue personnel in responding to alarms of fire and/or medical emergencies in commercial, residential and multiple story structures, and at automobile accident scenes.
• Participate in fire drills and attend training classes in firefighting, emergency medical techniques, and related subjects.
• Learn to assist Fire Rescue personnel and operate fire rescue apparatus to and from a fire or rescue scene over the optimal route in the safest and most efficient manner in accordance with the Division’s policy.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Report for work as directed when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

Benefits

• Program training costs reimbursement if voluntarily terminates employment within two (2) years after obtaining minimum standards firefighter and/or emergency medical technician certification.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED