Firefighter/Paramedic

GENERAL PURPOSE:

The purpose of this position is to respond to emergencies and perform fire suppression activities, rescue work, hazardous materials response, and advanced life-support emergency medical services.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Works under the general supervision of a Shift Commander and/or Company Officer.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

May assist to coordinate, instruct, or supervise the work of new recruits as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Respond to Fire and/or EMS calls to rescue individuals from emergency situations and assist them with resolving their emergent situation.

2. Respond to fire calls and perform fire suppression, exposure protection, confinement, ventilation, salvage, and overhaul operations.

3. Maintain a state of readiness of facilities, vehicles, apparatus, and equipment through inspections, cleaning, testing, and maintenance.

4. Respond to emergency medical calls and provide service within the constraints of the department’s protocol and level of training.

5. Function within an assigned role in an incident management system.

6. Participate in drills and attend training exercises in firefighting, fire equipment, hazardous materials, rescue, and emergency medical skills, and successfully complete training programs in all phases of duties and responsibilities.

7. Perform technical rescues such as high/low angle, confined space, trench, collapse, extrication, and ice/water.

8. Respond to emergencies involving hazardous materials, and work within the level of training.

9. Perform fire prevention and public education programs including public speaking and conducting classes in such topics as fire extinguisher usage, fire drills, and CPR/First Aid.

10. Interact with the public and perform essential non-emergency duties such as fire prevention inspections, public fire education, and injury prevention education.

11. Respond to non-emergency calls for assistance and safely perform assigned functions required to assist the public, including but not limited to providing information, and lifting assistance.

12. Perform routine maintenance and janitorial duties on buildings and grounds of the fire department.

13. Perform inspection, maintenance, and cleaning on all emergency and non-emergency equipment and apparatus. Perform general maintenance work and upkeep of fire department property, facilities, equipment, apparatus, and vehicles as directed.

14. Perform related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Firefighters are appointed by the Chief from the eligibility list established by the Police and Fire Commission. They shall serve a 12–24-month probationary period with the reservation that at any time during the 12–24-month probationary period, they may be removed from the Department.

For all hires after January 1, 1998, the City shall make it a condition of employment that such new hires be Paramedics. Such new hires will be required to be Nationally Registered Paramedics. New hires must then remain qualified and active as Nationally Registered Paramedics or be terminated.

• Must be at least 18 years old

• High School Diploma, GED, or HSED. Associate degree or a minimum of 60 college-level credits (Fire Protection, Fire Science, Paramedic, or related fields preferred).

• Valid Driver’s License

• Nationally Registered EMT-Paramedic

• State of Wisconsin licensed EMT-Paramedic

• Firefighter II Certification (WTCS Board or IFSAC Accredited) within 1 year of the date of hire

• National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System (ICS) 700 and 100 Certifications

• Hazardous Materials Operations Certificate

• CPAT Certification within previous 12 months of hire date

Preferred Qualifications:

• Driver/Operator-Pumper Certification

• Driver/Operator-Aerial Certification

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Wear a respirator, to include Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus.

• Distinguish color within NFPA standards 1582.

• Drive and operate fire apparatus, ambulances, and other department vehicles; properly utilize equipment for extrication of persons trapped in vehicles or buildings.

• Maintain knowledge of streets, addresses, water supply, and pre-plans within the city of Stevens Point.

• Demonstrate knowledge of all firefighting and emergency techniques and procedures authorized by the Stevens Point Fire Department.

• Communicate effectively both verbally and non-verbally, written, or electronically. Specifically, have accurately documented fire reports, fire prevention inspection reports, and patient care reports.

• Keep accurate records and use state-of-the-art technology.

• Read and interpret technical written materials, codes, ordinances, standards, protocols, and department policies.

• Establish effective working relationships with supervisors, co-workers, the public, and city personnel.

• Maintain physical ability and endurance to perform strenuous physical labor efficiently and effectively in threatening and stressful situations.

• Obtain and maintain certifications and licensure as required by the position and the department.

• Recognize and protect possible evidence at a fire scene and assist in determining origin and cause.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the uses, maintenance requirements, and locations of all firefighting and emergency equipment, tools, and apparatus used by the department.

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.

The employee will be required to do heavy work for varying lengths of time. He/she will be expected to do heavy lifting, pulling, climbing, and running. The employee will respond to emergency situations and must respond at a moment’s notice. The employee will be expected to make a transition from a full sleep state to a high work/stress state. The employee will encounter life-threatening situations that will put him/her under extreme stress. He/she will be driving emergency vehicles. The employee is required to wear self-contained breathing apparatus (respirators).

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

The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in all outside weather conditions. 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, and risk of electrical shock, and vibration.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, except during certain firefighting or EMS activities when noise levels may be loud.

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be 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. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

For more information on the Stevens Point Fire Department, please visit https://www.stevenspoint.com/138/Fire-EMS.