Firefighter EMT-P

City of Converse•Converse, TX

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Firefighter/EMT Paramedic performs public safety work protecting life and property through firefighting and emergency medical services. The role may also involve fire code enforcement, public education, and maintenance of the fire station and equipment. The position must be capable of carrying out the duties of a Firefighter-EMT/-I and Firefighter/EMT-B. It is safety-sensitive and subject to random drug testing; a candidate promoted from a non-safety-sensitive position must pass an assigned drug test. The employee must obtain and maintain required Fire and Paramedic certifications according to Fire Department timelines and standards. Failure to do so may result in removal from the position or separation from employment under City policy and applicable procedures. The role reports to a Fire Captain or Fire Lieutenant and follows a 48/96 shift schedule, with approximately 2,756 scheduled hours annually. Assigned shifts include weekends and holidays, and overtime may be required. Work takes place in fire stations, emergency scenes, residences, commercial and industrial structures, roadways, hazardous environments, and outdoors. Duties involve significant environmental, physical, biological, chemical, and psychological hazards, including extreme weather and temperatures, smoke, hazardous substances, confined spaces, structural hazards, traffic, and traumatic emergency situations. The position regularly requires personal protective equipment, including structural firefighting gear and SCBA, which may weigh approximately 70 pounds. The position requires the ability to perform strenuous firefighting, rescue, and emergency medical tasks; use sensory and cognitive skills to assess hazards and make decisions under pressure; and lift, carry, push, pull, or move heavy equipment and patients. Duties must be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Requirements

High school graduation or equivalent.
Basic Firefighter certification from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection.
EMT-P certification from the Texas Department of State Health Services.
Satisfactory background and employment screening results, including physical examination and drug screening.
Obtain and maintain a clear, valid Texas Class B driver’s license within six months of hire or assignment date, with an acceptable driving record.
Maintain required Fire and Paramedic certifications as a condition of continued employment.
Comprehensive knowledge of departmental Standard Operating Procedures and Emergency Medical Protocols.
Ability to safely operate emergency and rescue equipment, including rescue tools, airbags, rescue jacks, air compressors and cascade systems, trench and high-angle rescue equipment, aerial apparatus, SCBA and refilling equipment, and oxygen cylinders and refilling equipment.
Ability to lead, motivate, supervise, and train personnel.
Ability to analyze emergency situations and react quickly, calmly, and correctly while considering hazards and circumstances; ability to function effectively in emergencies and respond in person when requested.
Ability to speak, read, and understand English, with good verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative working relationships with City employees, officials, and representatives of local, state, and federal agencies.
Significant working knowledge of the department’s coverage area and surrounding areas.
Working knowledge of department equipment and ability to inspect it and perform light routine maintenance.
Ability to follow policies and procedures regarding chain-of-command reporting.
Knowledge and ability to provide public education on fire safety and prevention.
Ability to maintain accurate logs, activity reports, and other records.
Working knowledge of locally adopted fire and building codes and ability to apply them during company-level inspections within the City’s jurisdiction.
Working knowledge of HIPAA requirements for EMS operations and ability to meet patient-confidentiality requirements.
Ability to distinguish colors and use sight, hearing, smell, and touch to assess scenes, patients, and hazards.
Ability to maintain situational awareness, comprehend and interpret technical materials, learn and apply job-related knowledge, and maintain emotional stability and sound judgment under pressure.
Physical ability to move objects weighing up to 100 pounds or more, with assistance as needed; lift, carry, push, pull, drag, and transfer patients and equipment; climb ladders; and perform demanding work requiring strength, endurance, coordination, balance, dexterity, and agility.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, climb, bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, reach, stretch, and maintain awkward or sustained postures for extended periods.
Ability to work assigned shifts that include weekends and holidays, and overtime as required.
Ability to perform essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

Responsibilities

Assume command and make critical life-safety decisions in the absence of an officer.
Participate in fire suppression and respond to fires and other emergencies.
Conduct complex fire and rescue operations and provide aid in emergency situations.
Operate emergency apparatus, including driving and pumping vehicles and equipment, safely and effectively.
Direct and participate in emergency medical services up to the EMT-P skill set.
Follow departmental policies, procedures, Standard Operating Procedures, and supervisors’ instructions; provide professional leadership and guidance to fire personnel.
Participate in daily fire station operations and ensure readiness to respond.
Inspect, repair, and maintain equipment and the station; clean and maintain department buildings, apparatus, and grounds.
Ventilate burning buildings by opening windows and creating openings in roofs and floors.
Enter incident and report data into a personal computer.
Inspect alarm and fire control systems and buildings for compliance with fire codes and prevention ordinances.
Work with cleaning fluids, chemicals, insecticides, protective equipment, and other solutions to mitigate hazardous materials incidents.
Provide public fire safety and prevention education and respond to questions from citizens and agencies.
Perform company-level inspections and plan and supervise preplanning of buildings and occupancies.
Participate in and provide training to Fire Department personnel, and document training provided.
Plan and manage assigned projects; inspect jobsites for work quality and compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and safety standards.
Attend assigned or required meetings and collaborate with Fire and other staff to identify and resolve problems and concerns.
Assess workloads and administrative, support, and reporting systems; identify improvement opportunities and direct and implement changes.
Maintain accurate logs, activity reports, and other records, and safeguard City property and report needed repairs.
Follow safety rules and training, maintain a clean and safe work environment, and maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding City business.
Maintain punctual, regular, on-site attendance; complete duties promptly and properly; and raise job-related matters through the appropriate channels.
Work effectively individually and as a teammate, and perform other duties assigned by Fire Department officers.
Work assigned shifts, including weekends and holidays, and overtime as required.
Administer emergency first aid and advanced pre-hospital medical care; use firefighting, rescue, BLS, ALS, and paramedic skills to protect life and property.
Perform search, rescue, victim removal, forcible entry, hose advancement, water supply, fire suppression, extrication, brush-fire, debris-removal, and overhaul activities.
Operate firefighting, rescue, medical, and emergency vehicle equipment, including equipment requiring a Texas Class B Exempt CDL, as applicable.
Assess emergency scenes and patients, recognize hazards and warning signals, interpret technical and operational information, and make sound decisions under pressure.
Lift, carry, push, pull, drag, and transfer patients and equipment; climb ladders; and move through structures and uneven terrain while carrying tools or equipment.