Firefighter/Paramedic - Fire Rescue

County of Volusia; Florida; On-site; USD 69,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The County of Volusia is seeking Firefighters/Paramedics for the Division of Fire Rescue. You will suppress, extinguish, and prevent fires, protect life and property, and deliver emergency medical and rescue services across Volusia County.

Pay starts at a Probationary Firefighter Paramedic rate of $21.39/hr ($69,342 yearly), with step increases for 3–9 years ($72,206) and 10+ years ($73,654). This role requires Florida EMT or Paramedic certification, EVOC training, and a commitment to safety and

Qualifications

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Ability to meet NFPA 1582 physical requirements and wear respirator as prescribed.

Responsibilities

• Responds to fire, medical, hazmat, rescue and other emergencies and carries out commands.
• Raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.
• Performs salvage operations and extricates victims from incidents.
• Assists Paramedics with medication and technical EMS procedures.
• Drives and maintains fire department vehicles and equipment.
• Prepares incident reports and maintains records.

Skills

Firefighting knowledge

EMS protocols

Teamwork & communication

Physical stamina

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Tools

EVOC training

Florida EMT/Paramedic license

Job description

The County of Volusia is seeking Firefighters/Paramedics for the Division of Fire Rescue. This position will be responsible for suppressing, extinguishing, and preventing fires; protecting life and property; delivering emergency medical and rescue services and maintaining division equipment and facilities.

SALARY INFORMATION

Probationary Firefighter Paramedi c $21.39 hr. base - Salary $69,342* (*Includes FLSA Overtime and Base Holiday Incentive)

Individuals newly hired into Volusia Fire Rescue with years of verified full-time paid firefighting experience will have their starting pay as follows:

3-9 years of verified full‑time experience........... ($72,206)*

10+ years of verified full‑time experience............($73,654)*

SELECTION PROCESS

In keeping with Division 7, Section 86-263 (2) of the County of Volusia Merit System Rules and Regulations (MSRR), selection will be based upon the “Rule of Five”.

BENEFITS

(NOTE:These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed.The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position)

• Responds to calls for fire, medical, hazmat, rescue and other natural and/or man‑made emergencies. Carries out commands & tasks necessary to mitigate the emergency safely and efficiently; performs all duties and tasks assigned by supervisors.
• Raises and climbs ladders; ventilates burning buildings to remove smoke and gases.
• Performs salvage operations including but not limited to applying salvage covers, water and debris removal.
• Extricates and rescues victims from vehicles, drowning, accidents, fire, and other harmful conditions.
• Recognizes hazardous material situations, sets up decontamination; assists county, state, and/or federal agencies with hazardous materials.
• Responds to fire alarms with Fire Company.
• Completes incident reports and other documentation accurately and in a timely manner.
• Maintains Florida Certificate as Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic and follows Emergency Medical Services (EMS) protocols for medical care as approved by the Medical Director.
• Maintains Florida Certificate as EMT‑B as provided for in State Rule 10D66FAC and follows EMS protocols for EMT level medical care as approved by the Medical Director.
• Recognizes acute symptoms requiring immediate care and administers emergency medical care to injured or afflicted persons or assists a team member with medical support; stabilizes patients for transport as a team member of an Advanced Life Support Emergency Medical Services unit; performs CPR; administers spinal and cervical immobilization; verifies vital signs; evaluates patient status.
• Assists Paramedics with medication and fluid administration, intubation, cardiac electrocardiogram (ECG) monitoring, defibrillation and external pacemaker.
• Provides airway maintenance, spinal and cervical immobilization, vital signs, patient assessment. Assists paramedics with Advanced Life Support (ALS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) procedures.
• Trains and studies with fire tools and equipment to develop and maintain competency and proficiency in fire suppression, prevention procedures and techniques, lifesaving techniques, and to become familiar with developments associated with fire hazards; conducts studies to learn locations of county streets and addresses, hydrants, standpipes, and physical features of property within the county.
• Conducts Community Risk Reduction: public service calls, blood pressure checks, community meetings, school events, fire safety talks, and apparatus displays.
• Inspects fire hydrants, wells, and other water supplies.
• Participates in pre‑plan structures within the County.
• Prepares and submits routine records and reports.
• Attends continuing education programs in firefighting, equipment operation, rescue procedures, hazardous materials mitigation, emergency medicine and related subjects.
• Conducts drills and classes in these and other areas.
• Make daily inspections of apparatus and equipment and notify supervisor of defects.
• Drives, operates and inspects Fire Department vehicles; operates, utilizes and maintains Fire Department equipment and gear; operates, tests and maintains pumps and hydrants.
• Connects hoses to hydrants and pumps; join hose sections and connect nozzles to hose; operate nozzles and apply streams on fires.
• Prepares for pumping operations by seeing that hydrant connections are made. Pumps water to fire at designated pressure.
• Cleans, maintains and inspects fire and EMS equipment and apparatus.
• Maintains coordination and physical strength sufficient to pass a physical ability test.
• Performs station cleaning and maintenance duties
• Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.
• Responds to emergency situations.
• Must adhere to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum 18 years of age.

High School Graduate or GED.

Ability to meet the physical requirements outlined in N.F.P.A 1582 and the ability to wear a respirator as prescribed by N.F.P.A.1500.

Certifications: Must possess, maintain, and attach the following documents:

State of Florida Certificate of Compliance from the Bureau of Fire Standards and Training. Current students are eligible to test but will need the certification confirmation prior to the final offer.

State of Florida Paramedic license. Current EMT students are eligible to test but will need certification confirmation prior to final offer.

Proof of completion of an approved Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (EVOC) in accordance with Florida Statutes. (This requirement will be covered in the New Hire Academy)

Must possess a valid Florida driver's license at time of hire and maintain thereafter.

NOTE: Must successfully pass medical physical examination including drug screening and physical ability test.

Must not be excluded from participating as a healthcare provider in insurance programs including, but not limited to Medicare and Medicaid prior to and during employment at the County of Volusia.

Note: It is this organization's policy that individuals hired after October 1, 1989, into special risk positions may not use any form of tobacco at any time, whether on or off duty, as a condition of employment. Candidates must be nicotine‑free by the time of physical/drug exam, including free of nicotine‑containing products used in tobacco replacement therapies.

• Knowledge of modern office practices and technology including computers.
• Knowledge of pre-hospital Basic/Advanced Life Support methods and theories.
• Knowledge of various hazardous materials and proper procedures for identifying hazardous materials situations.
• Knowledge of the street system and geography of the County.
• Skilled in mechanical aptitude and ability to learn and operate relatively complex equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions within an incident command structure.
• Ability to perform prolonged, physical, mental and arduous work under stressful or dangerous conditions, often involving considerable personal risk or risk to others.
• Ability to learn a wide variety of firefighting duties and methods within a reasonable training period.
• Ability to perform fire suppression duties with skill and safety.
• Ability to utilize sound judgment, courage, decisiveness, quick reaction and remain calm in difficult situations.
• Ability to work as part of a team either as the leader or a team member.
• Ability to read and understand complex materials and equipment pertinent to the job.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.
• Ability to work in stressful situations.
• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Demands: Heavy to very heavy work. Ability to see (color, depth perception, peripheral vision) necessary to operate a motorized vehicle and read schematics; hear, talk, smell; lift, carry, push, and/or drag a minimum of 165 pounds; stand, climb, crouch, balance, handle, finger dexterity, pull, walk, crawl, kneel, reach.

Environmental Demands: Both inside and outside work. Exposure to hazardous situations; extremes in temperature (hot and cold); changes in temperature; contact with water; humidity; noise or vibration; fumes (may be toxic in nature); odors; dust; poor ventilation.

Mental Demands: Must be able to read and comprehend professional, technical and scientific journals, manuals and procedures; safety instructions, memos, letters, policies, and reports. Must be able to perform shop math and general mathematical functions. Must be able to write summaries and reports. Must be able to speak clearly and concisely relating information, data and details to layman; conversant in theory and practices of discipline.

Volusia County is a drug free workplace and an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse workforce. Veterans' preference in accordance with federal, state, local laws.