Fire Rescue Firefighter-Paramedic

Polk County•Bartow, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

This is responsible technical and skilled work in firefighting and paramedicine work in rendering out of hospital life support functions, other emergency care and rescue services including the preservation of life and protection of property against fire and related hazards. Duties include the operation and maintenance of Fire Rescue Division vehicles and equipment.

Requirements

Submit all certifications/licenses at time of application
Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated.
Graduate of an accredited high school or possess an acceptable equivalency diploma and have a valid Certificate of Compliance as outlined in the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal Uniform Fire Safety Rules and Standards Chapter 69A-37, or a verification letter indicating that the individual meets the above requirements and will be issued a Certificate of Compliance from the Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Office.
Must possess and maintain a valid certification card as a Paramedic issued by the State of Florida Department of Health
Is at least 18 years of age.
Certifies under oath that he/she is not addicted to alcohol or any controlled substance.
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 ambulance and perform his/her duties.
Meets the requirements in Florida Statute 401.281 as this position may be required to drive an advanced life support vehicle in the event of an emergency.
Have not accrued 12 points within 24 months or 18 points within 36 months.
Have not been convicted on alcohol/drug related offenses within 36 mounts.
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.
Must provide proof of insurance when required to use their personal vehicle as part of their daily job duties.
Possess a valid American Heart Association CPR "BLS for Health Care Providers" card or the American Red Cross Professional CPR card or American Heart Association (AHA) or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)
Possess a valid American Heart Association Advanced Cardiac Life Support provider or instructor card.
Must have a valid driver's license and be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
Possess the following National Incident Management System (NIMS) certifications: ICS-100: Introduction to the Incident Command System ICS-200: ICS for Single Resources and Initial Action Incidents IS-700: National Incident Management System, An Introduction IS-800: National Response Framework, an Introduction
Certification by the Polk County Office of Medical Direction to function as a paramedic under the license of the Polk County Fire Rescue Medical Director
Must obtain and maintain Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). Employees hired into this position after January 1, 2013, must obtain and maintain this certification as a condition of employment.
Applicant/employee shall be fingerprinted and subject to personal background investigation procedures to ascertain an evaluation and determination of moral character according to Chapter 69A-37 Firefighters Standards and Training.
Must be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide all units of measure.
Work requires lifting very heavy weight occasionally, heavy weight frequently and moderate weight constantly.
Ability to cope with mental and emotional stresses of the job.
Applicants who have not been employed by the Polk County Fire Rescue Division in a firefighter-paramedic capacity will be required to produce documentation that they have successfully completed the following from the National Testing Network: Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) or RPAT (if sponsored by PCFR) with an exam date within one calendar year. A Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ) at the time of application.
Lateral transfers (firefighter-paramedics) actively serving in a career fire department and having at least two years of service are exempt from the CPAT requirements and Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ).
Must have a telephone while employed with the Fire Rescue Division as employee is subject to call in emergencies.
This position will be required to report for work when a declaration of emergency has been declared in Polk County.

Nice To Haves

Candidates who possess technical competencies such as Hazardous Materials, Confined Space, Vehicle Machinery Rescue, Rope Rescue, or other state-recognized certificates.
Enrolled in paramedic school with a completion date within 12 months.
Candidates who agree to enroll in paramedic training immediately upon hire (40-hour schedule while in school).
Candidates who have completed a two-year degree or higher.
Valid HandTevy or Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) provider or instructor certification.
Valid International Trauma Life Support (ITLS) or Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) provider or instructor certification.
Valid Emergency Vehicle Operator Course Certification card or a recognized 16-hour course that is equivalent.

Responsibilities

Administers out of hospital emergency, fire rescue, medical care services, and advanced life support.
Under supervision of Fire Rescue Medical Director or a physician, performs the following by protocol and standing orders: defibrillate a pulse less non-breathing patient, administers intravenous electrolyte or glucose solutions, surgical cricothyrotomy on adult complete airway obstruction, needle cricothyrotomy on pediatric complete airway obstruction, intra osseous infusion on the pediatric arrest/trauma alert patient, performs gastric/tracheal suction by intubation, endotracheal intubation, administers injections, documents controlled substance use, and performs other procedures as allowed by emergency medical service rules and regulations and/or by the Fire Rescue Medical Director.
Must comply with the Polk County Fire Rescue Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan.
Work involves responsibility for the protection of life and property through firefighting and rescue operations, usually under close supervision.
Employees of this class are also required to learn and participate in the operation of firefighting equipment and apparatus.
Although firefighting and emergency rescue work, including the administration of emergency medical treatment, are the most difficult and responsible areas of activity, a major portion of time is spent on pre-fire surveys; training, studying methods, techniques and organization of firefighting and on routine duties in the care and maintenance of Fire Department property and equipment.
Work involves an element of personal danger and requires working on extended shifts.
Work is usually performed in accordance with explicit instructions and well-defined procedures; however, satisfactory performance of the work requires initiative and a thorough individual understanding of the methods, equipment and principles of firefighting, fire prevention, rescue and emergency medical techniques in meeting a wide variety of emergencies.
Firefighters with appropriate specialized training may work in the assignment of Hazardous Materials Technician, Technical Rescue Member, Apparatus Operator/Driver or assigned to an Emergency Medical Unit.
Responds to alarms of fire or other emergencies; dons personal protective equipment; works in enclosed areas; lays and connects hoses; holds nozzles which direct water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines and other equipment.
Responds to alarms of fire or other emergencies in commercial, residential and multiple story structures; climbs stairs carrying a myriad of firefighting tools or emergency medical equipment; performs search and rescue techniques for locating building occupants; operates and controls building fire suppression systems; operates building elevators under fire service control.
Responds to alarms of fire or other emergencies often performing duties for an extended period of time while wearing self-contained breathing apparatus in high temperatures and with limited vision.
Ventilates structures in accordance with applied knowledge; removes victims from serious auto accidents, structures on fire, or other dangerous situations; administers emergency medical care to injured persons; performs property conservation (salvage) operations; assists in cleanup operation after the fire is suppressed.
May be assigned as a driver of a vehicle or apparatus; checks radio operability; responsible for maintaining apparatus, equipment, inventory and other logs; may communicate by radio from fire, rescue and other emergency scenes.
May be assigned as the operator of a heavy- duty diesel-powered pumper truck or aerial truck; directs hose connections at pump; operates pumps, making sure proper pressure and water flow is maintained; operates aerial ladder or snorkel power lift.
Operates fire apparatus to and from the fire or rescue scene over the optimal route at high speeds in the safest and most efficient manner in accordance with departmental policy.
Participates in the on-duty company physical fitness program.
Participates in fire drills and attends training classes in firefighting, emergency medical techniques and related subjects; participates in pre-fire surveys of industrial and other business buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and multi-family dwellings; prepares floor plans, records and locates key items on floor plans of facilities for departmental use in the event of fires, disasters or other emergencies.
Performs general maintenance and cleaning work in the upkeep of apparatus, equipment, furnishings and structures.
Aids in the evacuation of portions of the County during natural or other disasters.
Assists law enforcement agencies in the investigation of arson cases.
Performs related work as assigned.