Job Description: Firefighter / Paramedic

Firefighter:

• Responds to fire alarms as assigned; lay and connect hose; operate pumping apparatus; hold nozzle and direct water streams; raise and climb ladders.
• Responds to a variety of general emergency rescue calls including auto accidents, gas system leaks, wild land and structural fires, and search and rescue incidents.
• Operates a variety of portable firefighting equipment including extinguishers, pike poles, hand lines, smoke ejectors, salvage covers, forcible entry tools, self contained breathing apparatus, aerial ladder equipment, emergency medical and other rescue equipment.
• Inspects building structures for compliance with fire codes; prepare reports; explain fire codes and fire prevention policies and procedures to the public.
• Obtains and preserve evidence at a fire scene; participate in determining fire origins and causes.
• Participates in station and vehicle maintenance work.
• Other duties may vary by Fire Department.

Firefighter / Paramedic:

• Serves as a Firefighter and/or Paramedic responding to emergency medical incidents, analyzing and assuming command of patient care with full responsibility for the patient(s) until relieved by proper medical personnel.
• Administers medical aid at medical emergencies; apply techniques for the control of bleeding; utilize immobilization techniques to stabilize patient.
• Performs treatment in medical emergency, acute illness, or injury working under the direction of a supervising physician and/or standing orders.
• The job also includes handling non emergency in-town and out-of-town inter-facility ambulance patient transfers.
• Responds to fire alarms with assigned company; lay and connect hose; operate pumping apparatus; hold nozzle and direct water streams; raise and climb ladders.
• Responds to a variety of general emergency rescue calls including auto accidents, gas system leaks and wild land and structural fires, search and rescue incidents.
• Operates a variety of portable firefighting equipment including extinguishers, pike poles, hand lines, smoke ejectors, salvage covers, forcible entry tools, self contained breathing apparatus, aerial ladder equipment, emergency medical and other rescue equipment.
• Inspect building structures for compliance with fire codes; prepare reports; explain fire codes and fire prevention policies and procedures to the public.
• Obtain and preserve evidence at a fire scene; participate in determining fire origins and causes.
• Participate in station and vehicle maintenance work.

Training Academy and Probation

Upon hire, Firefighters enter training in a temporary position. Contingent upon successful completion of training employment is limited to the training period, after which time an appointment to the position of Probationary Firefighter may be made and a twelve-month probationary period begins. The training academy in each department provides a comprehensive curriculum that is academically challenging and physically demanding. The academy teaches recruits to perform basic firefighting and emergency medical duties. The academy evaluates each recruit’s proficiency in the major skills and knowledge needed and only those who fully demonstrate competence in all of necessary areas will be hired as regular employees of the respective fire department.



Work Environment

A Firefighter works 24 or 48 hours on a consecutive shift, living at the station for the entire period. Shifts require a Firefighter to work weekends, holidays, natural disasters and mandatory extended work hours. A Firefighter is responsible for housekeeping, cooking duties, yard maintenance and other duties as assigned in both the firehouse and living facilities.


Physical Demands

Work conditions may require strenuous exertion in fire, heat, smoke, confined, cramped and hazardous surroundings. A Firefighter is required to wear personal protective equipment that may weigh up to 60 pounds. No accommodations will be made for these physical demands. The following are an example of some of the physical requirements:
• Must be able to lift and move ladder and climb ladder.
• Must have agility to climb through rafters, on roofs and crawl through tubes.
• Must be able to open and close valves and be able to advance with hose while discharging water.
• Must be able to carry heavy loads up and down stairs.
• Must be able to run and drag hose.
• Must be able to effectively communicate via two-way radio and over the telephone.
• Must be able to grasp and safely use hand tools such as axe, pike pole, rope, chain saw, shovel, etc.
• Must be able to use standard office equipment, (including a computer), vision to read printed materials and a LCD screen in addition to the ability to utilize numerous power and hand tools, many of which require good hand-eye coordination.
• Must have hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.
• Must be able to work in extreme weather and temperature conditions and situations.
• Must be able to work in confined spaces, steep inclines and aerial ladders.




Special Note

Employment is contingent on maintaining all certifications required for the position. Each Employee must pass a department physical agility test each year administered by the Fire Department and must pass pre-employment requirements detailed in the Nevada Heart and Lung Bill NAC 617.040;.050;.060 and 070.



An Equal Opportunity Employer:

Federal and State laws prohibit discrimination in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, veteran status or on the basis of disability.



Forms

Applicants must attach copies of certified copies of certifications to their applications.



Firefighter - Valid National Registry Emergency Medical Technician or Nevada EMT basic, Valid Healthcare or Professional Rescuer CPR card.




Firefighter Paramedic - National Registry Emergency Medical Paramedic or Nevada EMT Advanced with valid Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Valid Healthcare or Professional Rescuer CPR card.




Minimum Education:

Graduation from high school, or G.E.D.



Experience:

Prior Firefighting experience is deemed valuable but not necessary.



Licenses:

Must posses a valid Driver's license and an acceptable DMV record, and the ability to obtain a Nevada Driver's license with a 'B' and 'F' endorsement at the time of employment.