About the Department

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The job of Firefighter/Paramedic involves the protection of life and property by combating, extinguishing and answering EMS calls for various medical emergencies. Work involves training for and participating in firefighting duties, providing advanced life support care for sick and injured persons on assigned hours. Other duties include routine maintenance of apparatus, as well as drilling and training in new techniques and practices and other duties as assigned.

A successful Firefighter/Paramedic, in addition to performing assigned duties, must also be a good student. In this day and age, firefighters and paramedics go through almost continuous in-service training constantly adding new facts and modifying his/her existing knowledge. This training involves many subjects including public education, handling and disposal of hazardous materials, controlling the spread of infectious disease and emergency medical and rescue procedures.

Position Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS 
1. The physical demands of firefighting and EMS are extremely high. Hence fire fighter/Paramedics must be in and maintain top physical form. Firefighter/Paramedics are often required to perform a series of physical tasks for extended periods of time while wearing heavy protective clothing and gear. And often times, peoples' lives depend on how well fire fighters perform these tasks. Thus, rigorous physical training is maintained throughout the career of fire safety personnel. Tasks involve the intermittent performance of extremely physically demanding work, typically involving some combination of reaching, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, running, climbing, and that may involve the lifting, carrying, pushing, and/or pulling of extremely heavy objects (150+ pounds), such as in the event of rescuing or transporting a victim/patient in the performance of rescue operations.

2. Firefighter/Paramedics spend extended periods of time living and working together as a member of a company or team. Effective teamwork is essential in an emergency situation. In addition, firefighter/paramedics are in frequent contact with the public for the purposes of educating them. Hence, behavioral skills such as the ability to get along and relate to co-workers and the public are important as well.  

3. Communication: Communicates with the general public and other County employees as well as members of Volunteer Fire Departments in performing community service, presenting public safety training classes, participating in school programs, answering questions, delivering emergency care, and ensuring patient needs. Produces written documents to document technical and legal matters.

4. Responds to emergency incidents, fights fires, and utilizes advanced life support (ALS).  Uses firefighting equipment in all aspects.  Administers ALS care to injured and ill persons. Operates the following: hydraulic or pneumatic rescue equipment to rescue trapped or endangered persons and to force entry into locked vehicles or structures; fire apparatus during fire suppression activities; and motor vehicles (automobile and fire apparatus) requiring a standard Florida Driver's License to perform regular and emergency firefighting duties. 

5. Completes all necessary paperwork. 

6. Wears personal protective equipment weighing approximately 70 pounds: in high humidity (up to 100 percent) situations while wearing personal protective equipment that significantly impairs body cooling; in environments with extreme temperature fluctuations; and relies on self-contained breathing apparatus for respiratory ventilation.  Works in a variety of weather conditions. Cleans and maintains Fire Department and EMS buildings, apparatus, and grounds. Meets scheduling and attendance requirements.

7.  Comprehends and makes inferences from written material, such as Wakulla County  Fire Rescue Standard Operating Procedures. Reads and interprets equipment instructions and preplans to operate equipment in emergency situations. Learns firefighting techniques, firefighting equipment operation, and emergency medical service care through on the job training and in classroom settings.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 
                  
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITY:

-Ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions.  

-Knowledge of a wide variety of methods and procedures of emergency and rescue operations.  

-Ability to react quickly and calmly during emergencies.  

-Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with fellow employees and supervisor.  

-Ability to operate complex equipment; possession of mechanical aptitude, strength and ability to do manual and mechanical work under adverse condi¬tions.  Ability to operate heavy emergency equipment safely and efficiently.  Ability to complete correct calculations of engine pressures required for necessary hookups. 

-Knowledge of firefighter and paramedic techniques, methods and equip¬ment.

-Ability to take a teamwork approach to the job by cooperating with others, offering to help others when needed, and considering larger organization or team goals rather than individual concerns.  Includes the ability to build a constructive team spirit where team members are committed to the goals and objectives of the team.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:  

Must be eighteen (18) years of age; willing to complete electronic finger print exam that would be sent to Florida Department of Law Enforcement and/or Federal Bureau of Investigation. Be of good moral character as determined by background investigation; be a nonuser of tobacco or tobacco products for at least one year immediately preceding application, as evidenced by sworn affidavit of the applicant; Resident of Florida.  Possess a valid Florida driver’s license.  

Must be a high school graduate and Certification as a Firefighter II and Paramedic as provided by Florida State Statutes including a current and valid CPR certification as well as ACLS certification designed by a professional rescuer (AHA or ASHI).   Must have physical examination, including an EKG and drug screening prior to employment.  

Professional Licenses:  Possession of valid Florida Driver’s License Class D non- commercial. Florida State Certified Firefighter, Florida State Paramedic, current CPR card and ACLS certification. Certification of completion of a Florida approved E.V.O.C. driving course. Physical requirements as stipulated by Florida Statutes. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Diversified work environment ranging from tasks performed inside assigned station and off-site at emergency scenes.  Majority of duties are performed outside with exposure to extreme weather conditions and during rescue operation will be exposed to a variety of adverse or hazardous environments.  An employee in this position must be able to act without direct supervision and exercise judgment in meeting emergencies.  General supervision is received from office of Wakulla County Fire Rescue.  Work is performed during the assigned normal work day; however emergency work after hours and on holidays may be required. Shift work is involved. Job functions require exposure to extreme weather conditions, noxious fumes, chemicals, insects, heights, and confined spaces.  Also subjected to excessive noise.