FIREFIGHTER / PARAMEDIC

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the range of duties performed by employees in the class. Specifications are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

SUMMARY DESCRIPTION

Under supervision, responds to fire alarms, emergency medical calls, and other emergency calls to protect life and property; participates in fire training, fire prevention, public education, station and equipment maintenance activities, operates a paramedic unit in response to medical emergencies and provides definitive medical care.  Supervision is received from a Company Captain, Acting Captain or Engineer; direction is received through EMS protocol and emergency medical services manager; supervision may be exercised over part-time or probationary positions.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

• Responds to alarms involving fire, all types of accidents, gas leaks, flooded structures, hazardous substances, and life saving and rescue work.
• Places fire hoses, sets ladders, operates fire streams, ventilates and enters burning structures to extinguish fires and perform rescue services.
• Performs salvage and overhaul operations during and after fires to remove hazards and prevent water damage. 
• Performs first aid and life saving duties.
• Operates pneumatic and auxiliary equipment such as generators and pumps.
• Stands fire watches.
• Drives fire apparatus and/or acts as Engineer as assigned, if properly certified.
• Provides definitive care and treatment in the field to persons in life threatening medical situations, under radio direction of a mobile intensive care unit physician or nurse.
• Supports and assists other fire and medical personnel as directed on medical calls.
• Operates a paramedic vehicle safely; treats and transports patients in accordance with San Diego County Emergency Medical Services protocol and department policy.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of records and reports such as controlled drug inventory, equipment and station logs, and EMS reports. 
• Performs fire prevention and prefire planning inspections in commercial, industrial and municipal facilities. 
• Inspects and performs maintenance on hydrants.
• Performs decontamination procedures in compliance with CalOSHA regulations.
• Engages in drills and participates in self-directed exercise program to maintain physical fitness. 
• Studies and keeps up to date on City geography, department rules, regulations, procedures and other training and job related materials. 
• Washes, polishes, and performs preventive maintenance on fire apparatus and equipment.    
• Cleans and maintains fire station and grounds.
• Updates station bulletin boards and maps.
• In the event of a major fire or emergency, may be called in from off duty to work an extended period of time. 
• Presents programs and participates in the department’s public relations programs as assigned.
• Performs related work as required.  

 QUALIFICATIONS

The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Firefighting and EMS procedures and equipment.
• Fire ground tactics and strategy; emergency incident management, specifically the Incident Command System (ICS); principles of incident safety; automatic and mutual aid agreements; hazardous materials procedures; and confined space and technical rescue techniques.
• Hazardous materials, fire prevention procedures and related codes.
• Rescue operations and procedures.
• California vehicular laws related to operation of various firefighting and rescue apparatus.
• Safety principles and practices related to the Fire Service. 
• Policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the Escondido Fire Department and the City of Escondido.
• Geography and street layout of the City and surrounding area.
• Laws and regulations pertaining to fire and emergency medical services operations.
• Personal Protective Equipment.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Algebraic and arithmetic computations.

• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

• Principles and practices of customer service.

Ability to:

• Perform competently under extreme pressure and in stressful situations.
• Make accurate observations and rapid judgments.
• Understand a variety of procedural instructions; written and oral, and convert to proper actions. 
• Give oral instructions to others.
• Prepare clear, concise, accurate written reports.
• Deal tactfully and effectively with the general public.
• Work cooperatively with others and contribute to a successful team effort.
• Maintain physical endurance and agility.
• Demonstrate an awareness and appreciation of the cultural diversity of the community. 

Education and Experience Guidelines - Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education: Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of appointment. Must be a high school graduate or have passed the G.E.D. test with overall minimum score of 45 and minimum score of 35 on any test.

Licenses/Certificates and Other Requirements - Must possess a valid Class C California Driver’s License at the time of appointment. Must obtain a Firefighter endorsement to accompany the Class C California Driver’s License within two years of employment. To apply for this position, applicant must:

• Be currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of California; and
• Be accredited in San Diego County, or be capable of becoming accredited in San Diego County.

At the time of application, individuals must be currently licensed as a paramedic in the State of California and be accredited in San Diego County.  Paramedic licensure and accreditation must be maintained as a condition of continued employment. Escondido Fire Department paramedics must comply with the San Diego County EMS Paramedic Guidelines.

Must be a graduate of a California State Certified Firefighter I Academy or equivalent. Equivalency will be determined by the Escondido Fire Department Training Division.

Must obtain a State Firefighter I Certification within one year of employment if not possessed at time of hire.

Must not have been convicted by a state or by the federal government of a crime, the punishment for which could have been imprisonment in a federal or state prison. 

All Fire Safety Personnel hired from City of Escondido eligibility lists after January 1, 1989, shall be required to remain a nonsmoker and refrain from the use of any tobacco product throughout their employment as a member of the Escondido Fire Department.

Residency Requirement - Must reside within a one-hour normal driving time of Fire Station #1, or must comply with the following requirement:

1. Employees shall not be allowed to reside in Mexico.
2. Employees unable to meet departmental requirements for filling overtime on short notice may be ineligible for certain categories of overtime (i.e., sick leave relief, etc.) and
3. Modification of an employee’s work schedule in order to mitigate the personal impacts of long-distance commuting will not be permitted.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The conditions herein 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 job functions.

Physical: CONSTANT upward and downward flexion of neck, side-to-side turning of neck; simple grasping and repetitive use of hands to hold radios, equipment and property; fine finger dexterity to manipulate apparatus controls, computer keyboard and writing utensils; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

FREQUENT walking, standing, sitting, kneeling, climbing, balancing and squatting; bending and twisting at the waist; pushing, pulling and reaching above and below shoulder level; power grasping; walking on uneven ground; driving; lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds from below waist to above shoulder level; lifting and carrying objects weighing up to 100 lbs with or without assistance.

OCCASIONAL running, crawling; lifting and carrying objects and persons weighing more than 100 lbs. with or without assistance.

Environmental: Exposure to extreme heat, cold, humidity, and temperature swings working indoors and outdoors; extreme noise of emergency equipment; mechanical and electrical hazards of burning equipment, facilities and materials; explosive hazards of gases and explosive devices; radiation hazards of locations having exposure to radioactive materials; fumes, odors and dust of atmosphere at fires and other emergency sites; biological hazards of bodily fluids, airborne and blood-borne pathogens; toxic substances of burning materials. Work is performed in 24-hour shifts, with time allowed for meals, breaks and sleeping subject to interruption as required by emergency situations.  In the event of a major fire or emergency situation, incumbents may be called in from off-duty to work an extended period of time. Work is performed at the fire station and in the field at emergency sites and other locations. Work setting is both formal and informal, team oriented, having both routine and variable tasks. Work pace and pressure is variable, frequently fast-paced and high pressure.

Communication: VISION (must be no less than 20/40 uncorrected, correctable to 20/20) to observe situations, use computer. HEARING of instructions, radio messages, emergency tones, alarms and other warning devices. SPEAKING to give oral instructions and to respond to citizens. WRITING to complete required incident reports and records. READING of manuals, reports and training materials.

Date: October 2012
Revised by JP/Department

Date: December 2010
Reviesd by JP/Department

Date: May 2009
Revised by JP/Department

Date: December 1999
RD/Department