Firefighter Medic I

Hernando County, Florida BOCC; Brooksville (FL); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services in Brooksville, FL, is seeking a Firefighter Paramedic I to prevent and extinguish fires and provide pre-hospital care up to ALS level. You will transport patients and operate rescue equipment in a demanding, field-based role.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED, two years of paid fire department experience or Firefighter I/II and Paramedic coursework within 3 years, and Florida Paramedic license with ACLS/PALS, EVOC.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of paid or part-paid fire department experience or completion of Firefighter I, II and Paramedic courses in last 3 years.
• Current Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services employees must have one year as Firefighter EMT I.

Responsibilities

• Provide ALS patient care following HCFR EMS protocols.
• Administer narcotics and controlled medications per HCFR policy.
• Assist in training of EMTs and paramedics.
• Operate and maintain firefighting and rescue equipment.
• Respond to alarms and incidents as dispatched.
• Prepare and submit incident and other required reports.

Job description

The Firefighter Paramedic I is responsible for preventing and extinguishing fires and providing care, treatment, and transportation for medical emergencies in the pre-hospital setting while providing said emergency medical care up to the advanced life support level as approved by the Hernando County Common Medical Protocols. Medical Care at Fire/Rescue related scenes.

The following statements describe the principal functions of this job and its scope of responsibility but shall not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including working in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

• Provides ALS patient care pursuant to the current HCFR EMS protocols and performs all needed BLS and ALS procedures set forth within the EMS protocols.
• As necessary, retains secure control over and administers narcotics and othercontrolled medications pursuant to HCFRpolicy.
• Assists in training of newly certified and student EMT’s and Paramedics, whenassigned.
• Operates and maintains all types of apparatus and equipment used in fire/rescue activities.
• Responds to all alarms that are assigned by the dispatch center.
• Conducts pre-fire planning and enforcing of burn laws.
• Repeatedclimbingas well as normal driving skills. Must be able to drive one handed while using the other hand to operate radio, sirens, and airhorns.
• Connects and pulls charged fire hoses weighing more than 100 lbs. using entirebody strength.
• Writes fire and medical incident reports in a concise and professionalmanner.
• Entersburningbuildingsforrescueorextinguishmentactivities,wearingprotectivebreathing apparatus (approx. 40 lbs.).
• Climbs ladders carrying heavy tools, equipment weighing more than60 lbs. and descending ladders carrying rescued victims using entire body strength. Ability to be positioned on the ladder for an extended period directing hosestreams.
• Performsvehicleextricationincludinguseofsuchequipmentashydraulicrescuespreaderand cutting tools weighing approx. 60 lbs. and other hydraulic tools requiring a high degree of manual dexterity and upper bodystrength.
• Providesexemplarypatientcare,protocol,andpolicycompliance,anddisplaysexceptionalrole model behavior towards all personnel andcitizens.
• Stays informed on rescue related activities, supplies, and facilities in the department.
• Stays informed of new equipment and methods.
• Prepares and submits various reports as assigned by supervisor or other managementstaff.
• Performs lifting of patients of various size and weights from various heights and positions to stretcher, to medic unit and to hospitalbed.
• Routinely testifies in court reference to his/her actions at fire, medical or vehicle crash sites.
• Performs cleaning and maintaining of fire engines, rescue units, fire stations and equipment and fire hydrants.
• Performs other non-emergency, maintenance, and clerical duties during shift.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by a supervisor or other management staff.
• The nature of the job requires the employee to be versatile and proficient in all areas of firefighting, rescue, pre-hospital medicine and training regardless of the current job assignment since a change of roles can happen at any moment and time, depending upon the emergency.
• Maintain compliance with the County Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy.
• May be required to testify in court, regarding his/her actions at training, fire, medical or vehicle accident sites.
• Attendance in accordance with HCFR Admin #127 & #135.

Minimum Requirements

• High school graduate or equivalent (GED).
• Two (2) years working with a paid or part-paid fire department or has attended Firefighter I, II and Paramedic courses within the past 3 years.
• Current employees must have one (1) year of working as a Firefighter EMT I for Hernando County Fire and Emergency Services.

Special Requirements

• Must maintain a clean police record and meet other requirements asfurther defined in Florida State Statute 633 and Florida Administrative Code Chapter 64J, Emergency Medical Services.
• Obtain and maintain CJIS Clearance, for CADaccess.
• Via the department’s paramedic Internship program, receive and maintainthe HCFES Medical Director’s authorization to function as aParamedic.
• Ability to complete post offer/pre-employment and annual physical examination as required per NFPA 1582.
• This position is subject to the Hepatitis B Vaccine.

Licenses and Certifications

Must possess and maintain:

• Valid Florida Driver’s License and be insurable by the current insurance carrier.
• State of Florida Paramedic License
• ACLS Provider, departmentapproved
• PALS Provider, departmentapprovedBLS Provider, department approved
• EVOC Certification, current or pass approved department EVOC course.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of modern firefighting principles, practices, procedures, and techniques.
• Knowledge of the operations and maintenance of all apparatus and equipment used in rescue activities.
• Knowledge of the rules and regulations of the Fire and Emergency Services Department.
• Employee is responsible for having a complete mastery of the current HCFR EMS protocols and retains the necessary skill sets to perform all BLS and ALS procedures set forth within the EMS protocols.
• Ability to function independently with minimal, to at times no supervisory supervision.
• Critical decision-making skills within the scope of the rank with HCFES.
• Ability to gain knowledge of the physical layout of the county street systems.
• Knowledge of all radio procedures used in the communication process.
• Ability to perform prolonged and arduous work under adverse conditions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and the public.
• Knowledge of the current Medical Protocols approved by the Medical Director.
• Knowledge of modern pre-hospital medical care standards, procedures & techniques.
• Ability to express one’s self clearly and concisely orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand and follow oral & written instructions.
• Ability to interact with the department’s Medical Director to ensure compliance and full understanding of his/her expectations.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to work within a paramilitary environment with a strict set of dress, appearance, and operational protocols.

Equipment Used

• Medical equipment anddevices
• Communication Systems, radio, telephone, internet, andintranets
• Computer based ePCR systems
• Dispatch CADSystems
• EMS Apparatus, as appropriate and required rescue equipment
• Firefighting Apparatus and Equipment, as appropriate.
• Personal Protective Equipment as assigned.

Essential Physical Skills

• Ability to pass a department annual physical based on NFPA 1582 guidelines. Employees failing to successfully pass the annual physical will be referred to the department physician of record for final medical clearance for duty.
• Ability to pass a department, annual physical agility test in allotted time demonstrating actual job tasks.
• Employee must maintain compliance with NFPA 1582 guidelines.
• Ability to complete post offer/pre-employment medical examination.
• Employee is expected to participate in an on-going physical exercise program to maintain physical agility requirements.
• Ability to endure sustained acts of physical exertion and endure periods of duty under unfavorable and life-threatening situations including activities such as lifting/carrying, reaching, climbing, pulling, good near and distant vision (with or without correction), Good hearing (with or without hearing aid), kneeling, bending, pushing, standing, crawling, balancing, smelling, stooping, jumping, and running.
• Ability to respond to a vast array of medical emergencies, delivering quality emergency care to all patients always.
• Ability to undergo more than two (2) hours of related training daily.
• Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified individuals with a reported disability

Environmental Conditions

• Must be able to battle thick smoke, intense heat and crawling through cramped areas while wearing heavy clothing and protective breathing gear. Hazardous conditions: Flames, fire, chemicals, smoke, heat, gases, moving vehicles, falling structures and debris, electricity, poor ventilation, poor lighting, and related hazards and stressful situations. Exposure to body fluids, foul odors, and bio-hazardous human waste.
• Employee responds to crisis situations that require the incumbent to make major decisions involving people, resources, and property.