Certified Firefighter/EMT- Basic, Advanced or Paramedic

City of Beaufort; Beaufort (SC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Beaufort is hiring firefighters/EMT personnel to protect lives and property and to participate in prevention and education programs. The four-part hiring process includes application review, a physical ability test, an oral interview, and a Fire Chiefs interview.

Responsibilities include fire suppression, EMS, inspections, and on-call emergency response, with duties assigned by the Duty Battalion Chief. Candidates must meet basic qualifications and be prepared for on-site duties.

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate clearly and follow complex instructions.
• Must meet physical and background requirements.
• IFSAC Firefighter I certification or higher preferred.
• EMT preferred but not required.
• Experience in emergency response is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Respond to fires and medical emergencies; protect lives and property.
• Participate in inspections, investigations, prevention and education activities.
• Maintain records and prepare required reports.
• Remain on call 24 hours for emergencies.

Skills

Communication

Stress management

Decision making

Reading comprehension

Teamwork

Public safety mindset

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Valid driver's license

EMT preferred

Tools

Fire pumps & equipment

Job description

This department has an extensive hiring process, consisting of four (4) parts.

Part I- Application Review: Your application shall be reviewed by our Hiring Committee for completeness, and a criminal history and driver's license background check shall be done.

Part 2- Physical Ability Test: This test consists of several basic tasks, performed in successive fashion. This is a timed event and is scored either pass/fail. These tasks are related to those performed by a Firefighter but require no prior experience. Flexibility, endurance, strength, and cardiovascular fitness shall be tested. A detailed task orientation will be given on the day of the test.

Part 3- Oral Interview: Upon successful completion of the Ability Test you will be asked to appear before the Hiring Committee to answer several "To the point questions". The Hiring Committee will be grading you on the completeness of each of your comprehension and writing ability. Candidates shall be given a magazine article to read and then write a 100-150- word summary on that article.

Part 4- Fire Chiefs Interview: Based upon the recommendations of the Hiring Committee, candidates recommended for hire shall be given a one-on-one interview by the Fire Chief.

Under frequent supervision, performs fire suppression activities on assigned shift, ensuring proper and prompt response to emergency situations in order to protect the lives and property of those in need of assistance. Participates in fire inspections, fire investigations, fire prevention and education programming. Maintains records and prepares reports as required. Responds to public calls for assistance with emergency medical situations, performs various life support functions as authorized and certified. Reports to Duty Battalion Chief via chain of command.

The following functions are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of the specific duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

• Performs fire suppression duties to protect the lives and property of those in need of assistance.
• Participates in vehicle, equipment and facility inspections, cleaning and maintenance. Tests fire hoses for proper condition.
• Participates in fire prevention education activities.
• Prepares pre-fire plans as requested.
• Participates in reserve training.
• Performs station and grounds maintenance as needed.
• Completes and submits reports regarding shift activities.
• Keeps abreast of new technology, methods and regulations for fire prevention, suppression operations, and emergency medical care; attends meetings, conferences and continuing education classes as required and/or appropriate.
• Remains on call 24 hours per day for emergencies.
• Receives, reviews, prepares and/or submits a variety of documents including fire reports, medical reports, vehicle/equipment maintenance reports, accident reports, incident reports, various logs, reports, etc.
• Operates fire engines, ambulances, motor vehicles, and utilizes all fire suppression equipment, hand and power tools, self-contained breathing apparatus, emergency medical equipment and instruments, extrication and rescue equipment, mechanic's tools, and various office machines including a computer, two-way radio, etc.
• Interacts and communicates with various groups and individuals such as the immediate supervisor, Fire Chief and other officers, co-workers, volunteers, City personnel, other fire departments, other emergency response agencies, other government agencies, law enforcement personnel, and the general public.

WHEN SERVING AS A FIREFIGHTER/EMT- BASIC/ ADVANCED/ PARAMEDIC:

• Responds to public calls for assistance with emergency medical situations, including but not limited to cardiac problems, breathing difficulties, pediatric emergencies, childbirth, strokes, diabetic seizures, falls, sports injuries, stabbings, shootings and other trauma/medical incidents.
• Performs various advanced life support functions, including airway management, parental therapy, pharmacology, EKG interpretation, cardioversion, defibrillation, CPR, bandaging, medications, movement of patients and the administration of intravenous medication and fluids.
• Obtains past and present medical histories, current trauma event information, and determines the need for administering aid in accordance with state EMS guidelines.
• Tests, checks, and maintains emergency life support equipment, including medical supplies, defibrillators, EKG machines, gas powered generators, extrication tools, and other related medical equipment.
• Operates two-way radio, cellular telephones, and traditional telephones to transmit information regarding injured peoples' condition and vital signs and other information relevant to the treatment of a patient.
• Directs and supervises personnel during emergency medical service operations.
• Provides care during emergent inter-facility transports.
• Maintains SC EMT and National Registry of EMT and other certifications as required.

FIREFIGHTER I:

• High School Diploma or GED; and
• Must be 18 years of age; and
• Must possess a valid driver's license
• IFSAC Firefighter I certificate
• Completion of Training Requirements as stated in Fire department policy 11A for FF I
• EMT preferred

FIREFIGHTER II:

• All FF -1 requirements
• IFSAC Firefighter II certificate
• Completion of Training Requirements as stated in Fire department policy 11A for FF II
• EMT Preferred

FIREFIGHTER III:

• All FF - I/II requirements
• Completion of Training Requirements as stated in Fire department policy 11A for FF III
• EMT preferred

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes receiving assignments and/or direction from supervisor.
• Requires the ability to apply rational systems to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic or schedule form. Requires the ability to learn and understand relatively complex principles and techniques; to make independent judgments in absence of supervision; to acquire knowledge of topics related to primary occupation. Must have the ability to comprehend and interpret received information.
• Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow verbal and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical and/or professional languages including fire science, hydraulics, electrical, mechanical, etc.
• Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency, unusual or dangerous situations, or in situations in which working speed and sustained attention are make or break aspects of the job. The worker may be subject to danger or risk to a significant degree, or to tension as a regular, consistent part of the job.
• Requires the ability to talk and hear: (talking expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing: perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, keyboards, office equipment, control knobs, buttons, switches, catches, etc. Must have significant levels of eye/hand/foot coordination. Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes using office and specialized machinery; to operate motor vehicles and fire engines.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be physically able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including a fire engine, vehicles, firefighting equipment, computer, basic office equipment, telephone/radio, etc.
• Physical demands are in excess of those for sedentary work; must be able to remain on feet for periods of time, withstand uncomfortable and/or dangerous physical conditions at fire scenes, and perform manual tasks.
• Work may be performed under hazardous and adverse conditions, including but not limited to, slippery and uneven surfaces, proximity to moving mechanical equipment, burning structures, broken glass or other materials, electrical currents, high places, and confined spaces.

SALARY RANGE: $50,379.00-$67,410.00 (DEPENDS ON QUALIFICATIONS)