Firefighter – Paramedic, Entry Level or Lateral

Firefighter/Paramedic

Under the direction of a Company Officer, performs duties relating to the protection of life and property through fire suppression, rescue, fire prevention and community education activities, and provides advanced life support care to the sick and injured. Work includes responding to and mitigating emergency situations or natural conditions that pose a threat to life or property; and driving and operating fire apparatus and vehicles. Individuals also perform duties in the following areas: apparatus, equipment, and hydrant inspection, testing maintenance, and repair; facility maintenance and repair; fire prevention inspection and code enforcement; public education; fire investigation; and training activities. This position requires frequent and routine contact with others within the Department, the public, and other agencies; requires good communication skills, teamwork, tact and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships. Because this classification is directly involved with the activities of emergency response, fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services, and training, there is a high degree of exposure to physical hazards.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Performs hazardous tasks in all weather conditions, for long periods of time in emergency conditions of high stress; strenuous physical exertion under such conditions as heights, wet and or cramped surroundings, hot/smoky environments and limited visibility.
• Performs fire suppression activities including rescue, operation of fire streams from within or outside a burning structure; ventilation activities; salvage; laying and connecting hoses and nozzles, raising and climbing ladders; and other related task using tools and equipment as required.
• Drives and operates fire apparatus including pumpers, ladder trucks, rescue trucks, ambulances and other emergency and support vehicles.
• Develop and maintains effective fire streams.
• Performs the delivery of emergency medical services including emergency BLS/ALS transport functions.
• Ability to work on large and small scale incidents, in highly stressful environment, while providing high level of fire and EMS services. To include residential and commercial fires, Multi-Casualty Incidents and active threat incidents, and unique suppression, environmental hazard, and rescue events.
• Performs the delivery of hazardous material, biohazard, and weapons of mass destruction response activities within the scope of training, equipment, and policies of the Burlington Fire Department.
• Performs the delivery of rescue services; which may include vehicle extrication, rope rescue, confined space rescue, trench rescue, water rescue, and rescue from damaged or collapse structures.
• Performs initial fire cause investigations.
• Performs additional duties associated with support function; and other duties that may be required from time to time by a shift, station or Chief Officer.
• Participates in the planning and implementation of Department goals and objectives, standard operating procedures, rules and regulations, development and management of budgets, and other administrative assignments.
• Participates in the development and delivery of training programs. Instruct courses relating to fire protection and emergency medical services.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with City staff, employees, volunteers, affiliated professionals, business owners, and the public. Initiates and maintains effective communications with peers, assigned personnel, and administrative personnel, within the chain of command.
• Performs activities and functions relating to the maintenance of a station, apparatus, equipment, and fire protection and support activities within a response zone.
• Participates in fire prevention inspections of buildings and premises to ensure compliance of adopted codes, ordinances, and good practices of the Department as directed by the company officer. Communicates the findings of the fire prevention inspections to the occupant and Fire Marshal. Investigates complaints and inspects requests for open burning. Observes fire drills.
• Participates in community education and public relations events such as station tours, fire extinguisher classes, Citizen Emergency Response Team training, block parties, and other events as requires by the Department.
• Prepares and submits appropriate, accurate, and complete reports for alarm responses, training, accidents/injuries/exposure, and other events relating to a company or administrative assignment.
• Attends meetings, seminars, schools, and/or training sessions as assigned to maintain knowledge of modern fire protection, emergency medical, rescue, hazardous materials response, occupational health and safety, and administrative techniques.

Other duties as assigned by the Fire Chief or designee.

Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge/Abilities Required:

• Knowledge and the ability to apply modern firefighting, fire prevention, rescue, hazardous materials, and advanced life support emergency medical service techniques.
• Knowledge, understanding, and the ability to apply the Burlington Fire Department Policies and Procedures and Rules and Regulations.
• Knowledge and ability to drive and operate fire apparatus, ambulances, and other emergency and support vehicles.
• Knowledge and ability to develop and maintain effective fire streams.
• Knowledge of, and ability to implement Skagit County BLS and ALS medical protocols.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and the ability to work cooperatively with others as the leader or member of a service-oriented team.
• Ability to understand and follow complex written and oral communications.
• Ability to problem solve, make quick decisions, and use innovative approaches to situations.
• Knowledge of and the ability to apply fire codes, laws, and ordinances.
• Ability to prepare reports, records, and correspondence.
• Ability to work efficiently under stress and physically demanding conditions. Must meet the medical and physical requirements specified by the State LEOFF retirement system and the Washington State Fire Training Academy.
• Ability to perform the physical activities required of firefighting and associated activities. Must be able to complete the physical ability standards of the Public Safety Testing and the Civil Service Commission.
• Ability to successfully complete Firefighter 1, Apparatus Operator, and HazMat Operations training.

Minimum Requirements:

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Must be 21 years of age by the date of hire.
• Must be eligible to work in the United States.
• Washington State Paramedic License is preferred; if applicant does not hold a Washington State Paramedic License they must have a National Registry Paramedic Certification at the time of hire if entry level, or by time of application if lateral entry.
• IFSAC Firefighter I or equivalent certification or within one year of hire.
• Must have a current CPAT within thirty (30) days of acceptance of the Conditional Offer from the City.
• Must be able to read and speak English.
• Passing score on respirator medical questionnaire and medical evaluation.
• Pass a physical examination including a pre-employment drug screen.
• Submit to a background investigation prior to being hired.
• Undergo a psychological examination by a certified licensed psychologist/psychiatrist as set forth in the Revised Code of Washington.
• No felony convictions or disqualifying criminal history as defined in City Policy.
• Must have a valid driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
• Must obtain a State of Washington driver's license within 6 months of hire date.
• Subject to a 12-month probationary period.

Desired Qualifications:

• Graduated from a recognized Fire Academy or equivalent. Possess a Firefighter II certification, and a Hazmat Operations level certification. EVIP or CDL certification.

Working Conditions:

A Firefighter/Paramedic position involves heavy work (exerting an excess of 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or an excess of 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects). Also subject to extreme heat, noise, physical hazards from fumes, odors, gases, biohazards infectious diseases, hazardous and/or toxic chemicals, broken glass and other sharp objects, structurally damaged buildings, confined spaces, heights, rugged terrain, and stressful situations encountered during firefighting, rescue, hazardous materials response, emergency medical services delivery, or training. Work is performed indoors and outdoors; as well as under adverse, extreme, and dangerous conditions. There is extreme fluctuation to temperature, humidity, footing, and ground conditions; as well as confined spaces and cramped body positions and heights. Firefighter/Paramedics are intermittently exposed to high noise levels, dusts that may contain biohazards or carcinogens, vibrations, and respiratory irritants. Locations may be any place that an emergency may exist and could include above ground, underground, and in and around water.

The statements contained herein reflect general details