About the Department

The Firefighter / Paramedic is responsible for providing fire suppression and control, fire prevention, emergency medical services, specialized rescue services and public information/education related to emergency services and fire prevention.

Position Duties

1. Firefighter/Paramedics are emergency service personnel who are first responders for fire suppression and control and respond to emergency medical services as well as various types of other emergency incidents.
2. Works under the direct supervision of the Company officer in the command structure of the shifts to which he/she is assigned. 
3. Responsible for maintaining training and development of firefighting standards, emergency medical services, technical rescue, and disaster preparedness.
4. Responsible for understanding and complying with all applicable rules, regulations, laws, and standards by appropriate jurisdiction.
5. Responsible for reporting violations of applicable rules, regulations, laws, and standards to appropriate supervisor/officer.
6. Responsible for filing official County reports including, but not limited to, fire reports, patient care reports, daily journal log entries, vehicle check sheets, supply requests, injury reports, accident reports and assist in other reports as directed by supervisor/officer.
7. Responsible for providing fire suppression and control, fire prevention and emergency rescue and emergency medical services established by written standard operation guidelines and emergency medical services protocols within DeSoto County Fire Rescue.
8. Responsible for ensuring appropriate procedural actions including procedures in stations, travel to and from incidents, and at fire and/or emergency rescue scenes.
9. Responsible for station cleanliness and the checking and readiness of tools, equipment, stations, and all areas assigned.
10. Responsible for satisfactory inspecting stations and equipment for proper appearance and condition. Subject to perform drills or instruction in emergency medicine and firefighting methods.
11. Responsible for the safe and efficient operation of all equipment and apparatus assigned to him/her. May initiate repairs to equipment and apparatus according to department procedures.
12. Responds to all fire alarms and other emergencies and, as a working member of his or her shift, performs all physical and manual tasks as the situation may require. Will assume command as appropriate to achieve prompt and efficient control of a situation until relieve by an officer of higher rank.
13. Responds in a timely fashion when called back to duty when the Chief or his designee declare a state of emergency exists.
14. Represents the department in a dignified manner by being well groomed, courteous, and tactful in all interactions with, or assisting, the public and other agencies.

Minimum Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Must have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must have strong organization and time management skills and the ability to deal with multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting department rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to utilize standard office computer equipment, software applications and audio visual equipment.
• Ability to communicate clear and concise information both written and orally.
• Ability to attend training and conferences and implement knowledge attained.
• Ability to maintain and establish effective working relationships.

• Ability to work rotating shift assignment.

Other Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent. 

A comparable amount of training, education or experience may be substituted for the minimum qualifications required.)

LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, OR REGISTRATIONS:

-State of Florida Paramedic Certification.
-State of Florida Firefighter Certification as authorized by F.S.S. 633. 
-Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
-Must possess a valid Class "E" Florida Driver’s License
-Will accept EMT/Firefighter that will be Paramedic certified within six months from date of hire.

HIRING PROCESS FOR PARAMEDIC/FIREFIGHTER

 DeSoto County Fire Rescue is currently accepting applications for Paramedic/Firefighter. Applicants must possess a valid Certificate of Compliance for Firefighter in the State of Florida, a valid Paramedic Certification for the State of Florida, and Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator completion certificate plus a valid Florida State Drivers License. If hired, you will also be required to take and pass a physical examination, a urinalysis and blood test and submit to a background check. This Department is a drug free work place.

• Applicants will have to take a written exam consisting of Fire & EMS questions from Essentials of Fire Fighting 5^th ed. and Brady; Paramedic Care, Principles & Practice (7 volume series).
• Applicants must take and pass a firefighter oriented skills assessment relating to minimal fire ground operations such as a hydrant hook-up, placing a ground ladder, working with ropes and knots, minimal Haz-Mat scenarios, general fire ground knowledge and EMS based scenarios.
• Applicants must complete and pass a paramedic skills assessment (NREMT Skills Sheets) https://www.nremt.org/nremt/about/psychomotor_exam_advanced.asp
• Upon successfully completing these portions of the evaluation, you will participate in an oral review board which is comprised of members from DeSoto County Fire Rescue.

There are three steps in the testing process for DeSoto County Fire Rescue. Each one of the steps must be completed before moving on to the next step. If, at any time, you fail to complete a step, you will be dismissed from the testing process and will not be eligible for employment.

1. The candidate must pass the written paramedic examination with a minimum of 80% correct and on the written fire examination with a minimum of 70% in order to advance to Step 2.
2. The candidate must pass the practical exam by completing each task presented with a passing score of 80% on the paramedic and 70% on the fire in order to advance to Step 3. The practical exam will include fire related tasks such as, but not limited to, knots, hoisting, hose work, forcible entry & hazmat, and EMS based scenarios.
3. The candidate must complete an oral assessment where the candidate will be asked a series of questions by a panel and will be graded upon how well you respond.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSEMBLING YOUR DOCUMENTS

The application packet must be completed prior to the candidate being eligible for the application employment process to begin. Along with the application-required paperwork, the candidate must also provide one (1) copy of each of the following documents:

1. Photocopy of your High School Diploma or GED certification.
2. Photocopy of DD-214 or other military record, if any.
3. Photocopy of your State Minimum Standards Fire Certificate.
4. Photocopy of your State EMS Certificate, CPR, and ACLS.
5. Photocopy of 16 hour EVOC or CEVO, if available.
6. Certified copy of the last three years of your motor vehicle/driving record.
7. At this time DO NOT include a copy of your driver’s license or social security card.