Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The incumbent serves as a Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technician in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service at Perry Point Medical Center. The section provides fire prevention, protection, and suppression for a partially wooded 400-acre campus with approximately 180 buildings. The role responds to emergencies at the Medical Center and in surrounding communities, provides basic life support, responds to hazardous materials incidents, conducts fire safety inspections and drills, and operates and maintains emergency apparatus. The stated schedule is a 72-hour work week, with a 48-hour shift; the announcement also describes the schedule as 144 hours bi-weekly.

Fire suppression and first-response duties include serving as nozzleman, hose-man, hydrant-man, or apparatus driver/operator as assigned; deploying hose lines and equipment; using self-contained breathing apparatus; forcing entry; extinguishing fires; conducting search and rescue; placing and raising ladders; ventilating structures; and performing salvage and overhaul. The firefighter follows the Fire Protection Section’s Standard Operating Guidelines and operates fire and rescue apparatus safely and efficiently. The incumbent inspects, tests, and maintains fire apparatus, a rescue vehicle and boat, ambulances, and associated equipment, and responds with appropriate apparatus to fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies.

Basic Life Support duties include assessing patients, taking and monitoring vital signs, obtaining medical and drug histories, controlling bleeding, treating shock, immobilizing fractures and dislocations, stabilizing patients for transport, communicating with receiving facilities, assisting ALS personnel, documenting patient care, maintaining emergency medical equipment, disposing of biohazard materials, and replenishing supplies.

The incumbent participates in hazardous materials response, helps identify materials and assess life hazards and potential environmental impacts, and performs quarterly fire safety inspections and assigned fire drills. The role may also assist Police Service with unruly or combative patients and operate an ambulance or passenger vehicle to transport patients between units. Work takes place indoors and outdoors, frequently in adverse weather and extreme heat, and may involve immediately dangerous environments and long hours under stressful conditions. The position is not virtual. A valid state driver’s license is required. Required certifications include Firefighter II, Operations Level Responder, Fire Apparatus Driver Operator, and Maryland or National Registry EMT; Fire Inspector II must be obtained within 24 months of employment.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English is required.
• Firefighter II certification in accordance with NFPA 1001 is required.
• Operations Level Responders certification in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies, in NFPA 472 is required.
• Fire Apparatus Driver Operator certification in accordance with NFPA 1002 is required.
• Fire Inspector II certification in accordance with NFPA 1031 must be obtained within 24 months of employment.
• Emergency Medical Technician certification in Maryland or through the National Registry is required; Maryland EMTs must meet and maintain MIEMSS requirements for EMT Basic.
• Copies of required IFSAC or Pro Board certifications must be submitted by the announcement closing date.
• Applicants must not have reached their 37th birthday by appointment, subject to the stated exception for eligible former federal firefighters who can complete 20 years of covered service by age 57.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-6 is required, such as experience in firefighting, rescue operations, fire-hazard detection or reduction, fire communications, hazardous materials response, or fire protection and prevention training.
• A valid state motor vehicle operator’s license is required; an appropriate license classification, practical road test, or driving-record information may be required for apparatus operation.
• Candidates may be required to demonstrate ability to operate specialized firefighting pumping equipment, pressurized systems, dispensing devices, or rescue tools.
• Current Federal employees and certain former Federal employees must meet the GS-7 time-in-grade requirement of 52 weeks at GS-6.
• Applicants must complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Tentatively selected applicants for testing-designated VA employment are subject to urinalysis for illegal drug use.
• Selected applicants are subject to background and security investigation and must complete online onboarding and employment identification requirements.
• Seasonal influenza vaccination or an approved exemption is a condition of employment for VA Health Care Personnel.
• A one-year probationary period or two-year trial period is required.
• The position requires work indoors and outdoors, frequent exposure to adverse weather and extreme heat, and possible work in immediately dangerous environments and for long hours under stressful conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Firefighter II per NFPA 1001.
• Hazardous Materials Operations Level Responder per NFPA 472.
• Maryland or National Registry Emergency Medical Technician certification.
• Driver/Operator of Fire Apparatus Equipped with a Fire Pump per NFPA 1002.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fire alarms and other emergencies at the Medical Center and in surrounding communities.
• Perform assigned firefighting roles, including nozzleman, hose-man, hydrant-man, or fire apparatus driver/operator.
• Deploy hose lines and appropriate tools, use self-contained breathing apparatus, force entry, extinguish fires, and perform search and rescue.
• Select, place, and raise ground ladders; ventilate structures; perform salvage and overhaul duties.
• Follow the Fire Protection Section’s Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Safely operate fire and rescue apparatus and respond with appropriate equipment to fires, hazardous materials incidents, and other emergencies.
• Inspect, test, and maintain fire apparatus, rescue vehicles and boat, ambulances, and associated equipment to ensure operational readiness.
• Position apparatus, connect supply lines to pumps, and supply water at appropriate pressure to attack, sprinkler, and standpipe lines.
• Assess patients and determine illness or injury severity and priority of care.
• Take, record, and monitor patient vital signs; obtain medical and drug histories; control bleeding; treat shock; and immobilize fractures and dislocations.
• Stabilize patients for transport, communicate patient information and estimated arrival time to receiving facilities, and assist ALS staff.
• Complete patient care documentation and maintain emergency medical equipment and supplies; dispose of biohazard materials appropriately.
• Respond as a team member to hazardous materials incidents, helping identify materials, life hazards, and potential environmental impacts.
• Conduct quarterly fire safety inspections and assigned fire drills.
• Assist Police Service with unruly or combative patients.
• Operate an ambulance or passenger vehicle to transport patients between units.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• VA may offer credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed