Lead Firefighter (Basic Life Support)

Veterans Health Administration • Perry Point, MD

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Lead Firefighter serves as one of three Lead Firefighter/Emergency Medical Technicians in the Fire Protection Section of the Safety and Occupational Health Service. The position provides fire protection primarily for a 450-bed Medical Center within the VA Maryland Health Care System, which includes three medical centers, a satellite nursing home, two satellite outpatient clinics, and outreach centers. The role also responds to emergencies in surrounding communities and works a 48-hour shift within a 72-hour work week, with a stated schedule of 144 hours biweekly, including weekends and holidays.

The incumbent leads and directs firefighters, performs fire suppression and first-responder duties, and may serve as incident commander when senior officers are absent. Duties include fire and life-safety inspections, emergency medical response and basic life support, hazardous-materials response, apparatus operation, and inspection and maintenance of fire and rescue equipment. The position is not virtual and requires work both indoors and outdoors, including exposure to adverse weather, extreme heat, and potentially immediately dangerous environments.

Applicants must meet federal qualification requirements, including specified fire and EMT certifications, a valid state motor vehicle operator’s license, English proficiency, and specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7. A maximum entry age applies to initial appointments. There is no educational substitution at this grade level.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship.
• Proficiency in basic written and spoken English.
• One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least GS-7, involving relevant fire suppression, rescue, fire-hazard prevention, fire communications, hazardous-materials response, or fire-protection training duties.
• For current or former federal employees covered by the time-in-grade requirement: 52 weeks at GS-7 by the announcement closing date.
• Certified Fire Officer I in accordance with NFPA 1021.
• Fire Inspector II certification in accordance with NFPA 1031.
• Operations Level Responder certification in accordance with Chapter 5, Core Competencies of NFPA 472.
• Current State of Maryland EMT-BLS certification, Nationally Registered EMT-BLS certification, or higher-level medical training.
• Submit required IFSAC or Pro Board certification copies by the announcement closing date.
• A valid state motor vehicle operator’s license.
• For initial appointment, must not have reached the 37th birthday by the appointment date; exceptions may apply to prior federal employees in covered positions who meet the stated re-entry conditions.
• Meet all application and assessment steps, including the online assessment; tentatively selected applicants are subject to urinalysis, and selected applicants must complete onboarding and a background/security investigation.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one-year probationary period or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Meet moderate-to-heavy physical effort demands, including reaching, bending, climbing, turning, and moving hands, arms, and feet, and participate in a physical fitness program.
• Work inside and outside, with frequent exposure to adverse weather and extreme heat; may work in immediately dangerous environments and for long hours under stressful conditions.

Nice To Haves

• Preferred experience includes Fire Officer I certification under NFPA 1021, Fire Inspector II certification under NFPA 1031, Operations Level Responder certification under NFPA 472, and current Maryland or nationally registered EMT-BLS certification or higher medical training.

Responsibilities

• Assign firefighters to apparatus riding positions; direct and perform inspection and training activities; and ensure daily station and equipment inspections and maintenance.
• In the absence of the Assistant Chief, perform the associated duties independently and report directly to the Fire Chief.
• Adhere to the Fire Protection Section’s Standard Operating Guidelines.
• Respond to fire alarms and other emergencies at the Medical Center and in surrounding communities.
• Perform assigned firefighting functions, including nozzleman, hoseman, hydrantman, or fire apparatus driver/operator.
• When both the Assistant Chief and Fire Chief are absent, act as incident commander, issue orders, and direct firefighters and Medical Center personnel in the response plan.
• Respond with appropriate personnel, apparatus, and equipment to assist with community water rescues and hazardous-materials incidents, including providing technical advice when called upon.
• Receive daily assignments from the Assistant Chief and direct crew members during station and equipment maintenance and fire-safety and fire-protection-system inspections.
• Provide input to the Assistant Chief on employee performance, grievance resolution, and possible disciplinary or other personnel actions.
• Select and deploy appropriate hose lines and tools, use self-contained breathing apparatus, conduct forcible entry, advance hose lines, extinguish fires, and perform search and rescue as part of a response team.
• When assigned, operate fire and rescue apparatus safely and efficiently.
• Inspect, test, and maintain two Medical Center fire apparatus, a rescue vehicle, rescue boat, motor and trailer, two ambulances, and associated equipment; ensure pumps, breathing apparatus, and emergency generators are operationally ready.
• Operate the Medical Center ambulance for medical emergencies and transport patients between Medical Center buildings or to off-station facilities for higher levels of care as directed by responding medical staff.
• Perform noninvasive procedures under State and National EMT Basic Life Support protocols.
• Assess patients using available information, conduct initial and ongoing focused assessments and physical examinations, establish care priority, and take, record, and monitor baseline vital signs.
• Interview patients about preexisting conditions and medication history; control external bleeding with direct pressure and treat shock or shock-like symptoms.
• Respond first to on-station hazardous-materials incidents and work as a team member to identify materials, assess life hazards, and evaluate potential environmental impacts; respond to community incidents with appropriate equipment when requested.
• Lead assigned-shift fire inspections and ensure Medical Center buildings, grounds, and construction sites are inspected at required frequencies.
• Inspect Medical Center facilities for actual or potential fire hazards, including checking extinguisher type, placement, and condition and inspecting fire detection and suppression systems.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.
• VA may offer newly appointed federal employees credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when calculating annual leave accrual; approval is required and not guaranteed.
• The VA describes its Whole Health approach as supporting the health and well-being of Veterans and employees.

What This Job Offers

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