Job Description

Firefighter (Emergency Medical Technician Trainee)
Fire Rescue Division

Pay grade: FT2
Pay rate: $16.54/ hour

***Submit all licenses/certificates to: JoinPCFR@Polk-County.net***

Employee Benefits

• Direct Deposit, Bi-Weekly Pay Checks

• Medical, Dental, Vision

• Life Insurance

• FRS Retirement

• 10 Paid Holidays

• Paid Time Off

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Education Incentives

• Deferred Compensation Plan

• Wellness Incentives

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Free Employee Gym

• Free Employee Health Clinic

***Thispositioniscoveredbyacollectivebargainingagreement ***

**Thispositionmayrequireaphysicalability/agilitytest**

Must have the physical, developmental and mental ability to perform job tasks, work efforts, responsibilities and duties of the job illustrated below:

MAJOR FUNCTION

Thisisresponsibletechnicalandskilledworkinfirefightingand attending emergencymedicaltechnician (EMT) training includingthepreservationoflifeandprotectionofpropertyagainstfireandrelatedhazards in rendering out of hospital life support functions, other emergency care and rescue services. DutiesincludetheoperationandmaintenanceofFireRescueDivisionvehiclesand equipment.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Work involves responsibility for the protection of life and property through firefighting andrescue operations, usually under close supervision. Employees of this classare also required to learn and participate in the operation of firefightingequipment and apparatus. Although firefighting and emergency rescue, including the administration of emergency medical treatment, are the most difficult and responsible area s of activity, amajorportion of time is spentonpre-firesurveys;training,studyingmethods,techniquesandorganizationoffirefighting andonroutinedutiesinthecareandmaintenanceofFireRescue’spropertyandequipment. Work involvesan element of personal danger and requiresworking on extended shifts. Work is usually performed in accordance with explicit instructions and well-defined procedures; however, satisfactoryperformance of the workrequires initiative and a thorough individual understanding of the methods,equipment and principles of firefighting,fire prevention, and rescue and emergency medical techniques (i.e. CPR and controlled bleeding) in meeting a wide variety of emergencies.

Respondstoalarmsoffireorotheremergencies;donspersonalprotectiveequipment;worksin enclosed areas; lays and connects hoses; holdsnozzleswhich direct water streams; raises and climbs ladders; uses chemical extinguishers, bars, hooks, lines and other equipment.

Responds to alarms of fire or otheremergencies in commercial, residential and multiple story structures;climbsstairscarryingamyriadoffirefightingtoolsoremergencymedicalequipment;performs search and rescue techniquesfor locating buildingoccupants; operates and controls building fire suppression systems; operates building elevators under fire service control.

Respondstoalarmsoffireorotheremergenciesoftenperformingdutiesforanextendedperiod oftimewhilewearingself-containedbreathingapparatusinhightemperaturesandwithlimited vision.

Ventilatesstructuresinaccordancewithappliedknowledge;removesvictimsfromseriousauto accidents,structuresonfire,orotherdangeroussituations;emergencymedicalcare to injured persons; performs property conservation (salvage) operations; assists in clean-up operation after the fire is suppressed.

Maybeassignedasadriverofavehicleorapparatus;checksradiooperability;responsiblefor maintainingapparatus,equipment,inventoryandotherlogs;maycommunicatebyradiofrom fire, rescue and other emergency scenes.

May be assigned as the operator of a heavy-dutydiesel-powered pumper truck or aerial truck; directshoseconnectionsatpump;operatespumps,makingsureproperpressureandwaterflow is maintained; operates aerial ladder or snorkel power lift.

Operatesfireapparatustoandfromthefireorrescuesceneovertheoptimalrouteathigh speeds in the safest and most efficient manner in accordance with departmental policy.

Participatesintheon-dutycompanyphysicalfitness program.

Participates in fire drills and attends training classes in firefighting, emergency medical technique trainingandrelatedsubjects;participatesinpre-firesurveysofindustrialandotherbusiness buildings, hospitals, nursing homes, schools and multi-family dwellings; prepares floor plans, records and locates key itemson floor plans of facilities for departmental use in the event of fires, disasters or other emergencies.

Responds to a variety of emergency callsrequiring the performance of a varietyof emergency medicalskills,suchasadministeringoxygen,cardiopulmonaryresuscitation,emergencymedical care and related tasks.

Performsgeneralmaintenanceandcleaningworkintheupkeepofapparatus,equipment, furnishings and structures.

Aidsintheevacuationofportionsofthecountyduringnaturalorotherdisasters.

Assists law enforcement agencies in the investigation of arson cases.

Performsrelatedworkas assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Considerableknowledgeoftheoperatingandmechanicalprinciplesinvolvedinautomotive equipment operation.

Skillanddexterityintheuseandmanipulationoftoolsandapparatususedinfightingfiresand performing emergency medical care.

Ability to:

Analyzesituationsquicklyandobjectivelyanddeterminethepropercourseof action.

Reactquicklyandcalmlyunderemergency conditions.

Becomefamiliarwiththeroadway/highwaysystemswithinPolk County.

Learnandefficientlyperformawidevarietyoffirefightingandrescueduties,methods and techniques.

Climbstairsinmultiplestorybuildingscarryingheavytoolsand equipment.

Perform physically demanding duties such as carrying victims; hoisting equipment usingropes;usingheavyequipmenttoforceentryintoorventilationofstructures;useofhand and mechanical tools to extricate patients of automobile accidents.

Establishandmaintaineffectiveworkingrelationshipsasnecessitatedbywork.

Climb ladders and work at considerable heights.

Understandandexecutecomplexoralandwritteninstructions quickly.

Read,write,andspeaktheEnglishlanguageinanunderstandable manner.

Performlimitedmechanicalworkinvolvedinmaintainingfirefightingandrescue apparatus, equipment and tools.

Workasapartofateamandexerciseindependentjudgmentasrequired.

Drive or operate large fire vehicles in a safe and efficient manner.

Copewithstressfulsituationsfirmly,courteouslyandtactfully,andwithrespectforthe rights of others.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduateofanaccreditedhighschoolorpossessanacceptableequivalencydiplomaandhavea valid Certificate of Compliance asoutlined in theFlorida Division of StateFireMarshal Uniform Fire Safety Rules and Standards Chapter69A-37,ora verification letter indicating that the individualmeetstheaboverequirementsandwillbeissuedaCertificateofCompliancefromthe Florida Division of State Fire Marshal, Bureau of Fire Standards and Training Office.

1. Isatleast18yearsof age.

2. Certifiesunderoaththathe/sheisnotaddictedtoalcoholoranycontrolled substance.

3. Certifies under oath that he/she is free from anyphysical or mental defect or disease thatmight impair his/her abilityto drive an ambulance and perform his/her duties.

4. Meetthefollowingdrivinghistory requirements:

   1. Havenotaccrued12pointswithin36monthsor18pointswithin48 months.

   2. Havenotbeenconvictedonalcohol/drugrelatedoffenseswithin36 months.

   3. Havenotbeenconvictedoftwo(2)alcohol/drugrelatedoffenseswithin10 years.

   4. Have nothadasuspension,revocation,orrestrictionduetomovingviolationsor alcohol/drugrelatedproblem,includingfailuretotakeabreathtestwithinthe36 months prior.

   5. Havenothadtwo(2)failurestopayfineswithin36 months.

   6. Havenothadtwo(2)seatbeltviolationswithin36 months.

   7. Havenothadthree(3)lapsesofinsurancewithin36 months.

   8. Noserioustrafficviolationssuchasleavingthesceneordrivingonasuspended license within 36 months.

   9. Mustprovideproofofinsurancewhenrequiredtousetheirpersonalvehicleaspart of their daily job duties.

5. PossessavalidAmericanHeartAssociationCPR"BLSforHealthCareProviders"cardor the American Red Cross Professional CPR card or American Heart Association (AHA) or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI)

6. Musthaveavaliddriver'slicenseandbeabletosecureavalidFloridadriver’slicenseatthe time of employment.

7. Attend and successfully complete training as an Emergency Medical Technician.

8. AcquireandmaintainavalidStateofFloridaEmergencyMedicalTechnician (EMT) License, course will be scheduled through Polk County Fire Rescue. Attendance is mandatory when scheduled by Polk County Fire Rescue.

9. Certification of completion of Emergency Medical Responder.

SPECIALREQUIREMENTS

Must obtain and maintain Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Awareness certification through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) Employees hired into this position after January 1, 2013 must obtain and maintain this certification as a condition of employment.

Applicant/employeeshallbefingerprintedandsubjecttopersonalbackgroundinvestigation procedures to ascertain an evaluation and determination of moral character according to Chapter 69A-37 Firefighters Standards and Training.

Mustbeabletoadd,subtract,multiply,anddivideallunitsofmeasure.Workrequireslifting very heavy weight occasionally, heavy weight frequently and moderate weight constantly.

Abilitytocopewithmentalandemotionalstressesofthe job.

MusthaveatelephonewhileemployedwiththeFireRescueDivisionasemployeeissubjecttocall in emergencies.

Applicants who have not been employed by the Polk County Fire Rescue Division in a firefighter-emergencymedicaltechniciancapacitywillberequiredtoproducedocumentation of successfully completing the following:

• National Testing Network CandidatePhysicalAbilityTest(CPAT) or Ridge Physical Ability Test (RPAT) andtheexamdatecanbenomorethanone calendar year from the hire date.

Must have a valid Florida driver’s license or be able to secure a valid Florida driver’s license at time of employment within this classification.

All employees will be required to work before, during, or after an emergency. During an emergency, employees may temporarily be assigned to work and perform duties outside the normal scope of their position, location and work schedule to fit the needs of the County and its citizens.