Firefighter (Paramedic)

Department of Veterans Affairs•Castle Point, NY

34d

About The Position

The Hudson Valley Fire service is looking for one (1) Firefighter (Paramedic). The Firefighter serves as a team member effectively controlling and extinguishing fires, operates various nozzles and hose lines, makes connections to and operates fire hydrants, performs forcible entries, ventilates structures, carries, raises and lowers ground ladders, performs or assists in rescue operations, uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers, and performs salvage and overhaul. Also performs specialized rescues, hazardous materials spill response and serves as a driver/operator of pumpers, ambulances and special service vehicles. The Firefighter combats fires in residences, medical and psychological facilities, multiple story office buildings, industrial shops, warehouses, fuel storage areas, public assembly areas, brush and wooded areas. These buildings contain or have the potential to contain large numbers of persons whose physical or mental condition limit their ability to protect themselves in the event of a fire. The Firefighter provides stand-by and other protective measures as required for hazardous operations such as confined space entry, helicopter landings and liquid oxygen deliveries. This would include response during hazardous weather conditions. As a member of the rescue crew, the Firefighter may be involved with the duty of rescue from hazardous permit-required confined spaces, bodies of water, rescue from hazardous materials spills, below grade rescues as well as rescue from fire. Attends periodic classes to keep proficient in operation of fire hose lines and nozzles, use of forcible entry tools, ventilation of structures, use of specialized rescue equipment and other fire and emergency skills needed to maintain proficiency. Firefighter must be able to operate and use fire extinguishing equipment carried on the apparatus such as foam and dry chemical extinguishing agents. After an incident and upon return to quarters the employee is responsible to see that all equipment is returned to its proper location and placed in operating condition. Provides emergency medical care per Advanced Life Support Protocols. Performs advanced emergency medicine techniques to determine, based on the diagnosis of the patient, the approach or combination of approaches, that will most effectively sustain the patient's life. Maintains practical knowledge of the major body systems and diagnostic signs to perform patient examination and to provide prompt and appropriate medical care. Knowledge to sufficiently understand the legal considerations of emergency care, e.g., actual/implied consent, Good Samaritan laws, to limit the government's and the paramedic's exposure to lawsuits, while maintaining the legal standards of care. Knowledge of the local road system and skill in the preselection and planning of the route to ensure a safe and expedient transport to the proper health care facility. Skill and familiarity with emergency and patient transport vehicle characteristics to safely operate these vehicles under all weather and/or traffic conditions while transporting patients. Skill and knowledge of proper operator maintenance to ensure vehicle meets safety and operating requirements. Skill in emergency communication techniques and the operation of communication equipment to accurately obtain and relay information to and from dispatchers and health care providers. Skill in operating specialized medical equipment such as defibrillators and other advanced cardiac life support equipment. Knowledge of pharmacology and drug administration as pertaining to Paramedic protocols. Strict handling and count record keeping of narcotics as needed. Strict management of needed transport drugs as per policies. Record keeping of all medications used and or wasted. Strict management of expiration dates of needed transport drugs. Provides ALS and ACLS transport of patients for medical appointments and emergency treatment as indicated to the appropriate medical facility. Prioritizes treatments for patient having multiple problems and employs a variety of established emergency medicine techniques, methods and equipment. Performs advanced life support medical care including, administering medicine to patients and other interventions within the scope of practice. Performs all other duties as assigned by the Supervisory Firefighter or Fire Chief.

Requirements

National Firefighter II
National Hazardous Materials Operations Level
National Registry or New York State Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic
National Incident Management System, ICS-200 level
Valid State Driver's License
Incumbent must participate in drug testing and physical conditioning programs.
Incumbent must pass an annual medical surveillance and a job requirement physical agility test.

Responsibilities

Effectively controlling and extinguishing fires
Operates various nozzles and hose lines
Makes connections to and operates fire hydrants
Performs forcible entries
Ventilates structures
Carries, raises and lowers ground ladders
Performs or assists in rescue operations
Uses a variety of hand tools, hydraulic tools and portable fire extinguishers
Performs salvage and overhaul
Performs specialized rescues
Hazardous materials spill response
Serves as a driver/operator of pumpers, ambulances and special service vehicles
Provides stand-by and other protective measures as required for hazardous operations such as confined space entry, helicopter landings and liquid oxygen deliveries
Attends periodic classes to keep proficient in operation of fire hose lines and nozzles, use of forcible entry tools, ventilation of structures, use of specialized rescue equipment and other fire and emergency skills needed to maintain proficiency
Operate and use fire extinguishing equipment carried on the apparatus such as foam and dry chemical extinguishing agents
Responsible to see that all equipment is returned to its proper location and placed in operating condition
Provides emergency medical care per Advanced Life Support Protocols
Performs advanced emergency medicine techniques to determine, based on the diagnosis of the patient, the approach or combination of approaches, that will most effectively sustain the patient's life
Maintains practical knowledge of the major body systems and diagnostic signs to perform patient examination and to provide prompt and appropriate medical care
Provides ALS and ACLS transport of patients for medical appointments and emergency treatment as indicated to the appropriate medical facility
Prioritizes treatments for patient having multiple problems and employs a variety of established emergency medicine techniques, methods and equipment
Performs advanced life support medical care including, administering medicine to patients and other interventions within the scope of practice
Performs all other duties as assigned by the Supervisory Firefighter or Fire Chief