Fire Fighter/Paramedic

Description

CLASS TITLE: FIREFIGHTER I /EMT/ PARAMEDIC

CHARACTERISTICS OF CLASS: Recruit - This is a probationary position for fire department employees. Position requires attending a Recruit Class consisting of extensive basic training and skills development to establish firefighter proficiency at the Firefighter I level as prescribed in NFPA Standard 1001 within six (6) months following date of employment. Employment may be terminated at any time for unsatisfactory performance during this probation period. Recruit participates in emergency operations commensurate with attained level of training. Recruit is closely supervised by company and shift commanders and is instructed by senior firefighters. Works an assigned shift schedule offering the greatest opportunity for training.

EXAMPLES OF WORK:

1. Performs fire-fighting tasks (e.g., hoseline operations, extensive crawling, lifting and carrying heavy objects, ventilating roofs or walls using power or hand tools, rescue operations, EMS patient care incidents, and other emergency response actions under stressful conditions while wearing personal protective ensembles (PPE) and self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), including working in extreme temperature and weather conditions for prolonged time periods.
2. Participates in classes and drills on fire suppression and EMS fundamentals.
3. Responds to all emergency calls with their company or any other company as directed by superior officers.
4. Studies all prescribed training materials as well as location of City streets, County roads, and fire hydrants. (Must score 80% on all tests in Recruit Class).
5. Learns all departmental and City of Winchester rules and regulations and abides by same.
6. Performs a wide variety of housekeeping chores and any other duties assigned by a superior officer.
7. Performs routine general maintenance work as assigned by a superior officer.
8. Attends training schools or classes as recommended by the superior officers.
9. Performs all tasks under direct supervision of a superior officer and follows all orders consistent with the overall mission of the WFD.
10. Participates in physical fitness program of the department.
11. Performs all requirements to maintain certification.
12. Performs basic life support when necessary if an EMT.
13. Performs advanced life support when necessary, if a Paramedic.
14. Operates as both a member of a team and independently.
15. Performs critical, time sensitive, complex problem solving during physical exertion in stressful, hazardous environments, including hot, dark, tightly enclosed spaces, that is further aggravated by fatigue, flashing lights, sirens, and other distractions.

Job Responsibilities Related to Patient Privacy

1. The employee is expected to protect the privacy of all patient information in accordance with the City of Winchester’s Fire/EMS privacy policies, procedures, and practices, as required by federal [and state] law, and in accordance with general principles of professionalism as a health care provider. Failure to comply with the City of Winchester’s, Fire/EMS policies and procedures on patient privacy may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment or of membership or association with City of Winchester.

1. The employee may access protected health information and other patient information only to the extent that is necessary to complete your job duties. The employee may only share such information with those who have a need to know specific patient information you have in your possession to complete their job responsibilities related to treatment, payment or other City of Winchester, Fire/EMS operations.

1. The employee is encouraged and expected to report, without the threat of retaliation, any concerns regarding the City of Winchester’s, Fire/EMS policies and procedures on patient privacy and any observed practices in violation of that policy to the designated Privacy Officer.

1. The employee is expected to actively participate in City of Winchester, Fire/EMS privacy training and is required to communicate privacy policy information to coworkers, students, patients and others in accordance with City of Winchester’s, Fire/EMS policy.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; talk or hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.

Ability to communicate (give and comprehend verbal orders) while wearing PPE/SCBA under conditions of high background noise, poor visibility and unpredictable distracting factors.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Wear a SCBA which includes a demand valve-type positive pressure facepiece or HEPA filter mask, which requires the ability to tolerate increased respiratory workloads.

Climb flights of stairs or ladders, operating from heights, or crawling in the dark along narrow, uneven surfaces, while wearing PPE weighing at least 50lbs and carrying equipment weighing an additional 10-40 lbs.

Searching, finding, and rescue-dragging or carrying victims ranging from newborns to adults weighing over 200 lbs to safety despite hazardous conditions and low visibility.

Operating fire/ems emergency vehicles in emergency mode with lights and sirens.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed primarily in office, vehicles, and outdoor settings, in all weather conditions, including temperature extremes, during day and night shifts. Work is often performed in emergency and stressful situations. Individual is exposed to hearing alarms and hazards associated with fighting fires and rendering emergency medical assistance, including smoke, noxious odors, fumes, chemicals, liquid chemicals, solvents and oils. Unpredictable emergency requirements for prolonged periods of extreme physical exertion without the benefit of warm-up, scheduled rest breaks, meals, access to medications, or hydration.

The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

Functioning as an integral component of a team, where sudden incapacitation of a member can result in mission failure or in risk of injury or death to civilians or other team members.

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

NOTE: Appointees will be subject to completion of a standard probationary period.

Qualifications

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE: High School graduate or GED. Must have a valid Kentucky Operator's License and a good driving record. Must meet requirements established by Kentucky Revised Statutes for third class cities and the City of Winchester Personnel Code for firefighters. Must have a valid Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services (KBEMS) EMT or Paramedic card. Must have a current Candidate Physical Ability Testing (CPAT) card approved by the Ky Fire Commission.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Must be in excellent physical condition with no impairment. Candidate may have corrected vision. Must have ability to understand and follow difficult oral or written instructions in English language. Must be able to learn to use firefighting tools and appliances. Must have the mental capacity to retain and utilize instructions offered in lecture, demonstration and practical exercise training presentations.