Job Description

Posting number: 27-73

Department: FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT

Job classification: Firefighter / Paramedic / EMT

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Safety, Fire & EMS, Safety, Dispatch, EMS, Emergency Management

Summary

FIREFIGHTER / PARAMEDIC / EMT-Advanced / EMT-Basic

• Three (3) Full-time vacancies!
• Annual Salary: $63,000-$95,000, including Paramedic stipend, Holiday pay, and other incentives.
• Education Stipend: $4,500 – Associates / $7,500 – Bachelors / $8,500 – Masters, in addition to base salary.
• Join our professional, progressive, and innovative public safety department offering state-of-the-art fire suppression and exceptional quality paramedic ambulance service to a growing community of 30,000 residents!
• Accepting lateral transfers! Up to Step 8 with matching vacation time (must have one year or more prior Firefighter/Paramedic experience with a full time fire department in a city or town with current paramedic certification at the time of hire).
• Specialized teams including Fire Investigation, HazMat Technician, Technical Rescue Technician, and Dive Team.
• State of the art equipment and apparatus. Short transport times.
• 80 / 20% HMO Health Insurance, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability Insurance, and pension.
• Paid training opportunities.
• 24 hour shifts as well as ample overtime opportunities.
• 15 minimum shift staffing.
• To learn more about us, please check out our Northampton Fire Rescue Facebook page!

DEFINITION:

General or special duty firefighting work in combating, extinguishing and preventing fires; technical work in vehicle maintenance; first responders work; all other related work as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Full Service Emergency response department in fire suppression, emergency situations, and ALS Ambulance services.
• Receives and transmits fire alarms by telephone, radio, or other signal systems; relays information to officer in charge and dispatches fire apparatus to fires; operates two way radio system and telephone switchboard for emergency calls; keeps records of all actions; receives and verifies alarm information, selecting the shortest route to fires, driving apparatus, and operating two-way radios.
• Responds to alarms and emergency conditions to assist in combating and extinguishing fires; performs firefighting activities utilizing fire hose, heavy stream appliances and extinguishers, and ladders; ventilates burning buildings, using forcible entry tools, if necessary; enters burning buildings to evacuate and rescue persons in danger; responds to rescue calls.
• Administers first aid and resuscitation; performs emergency rescue and extrication work, in accidents involving elevators, machinery, motor vehicles and the like; searches and removes persons from entrapment in buildings.
• Spreads salvage covers, removes excess water and debris; secures buildings against rekindling, inclement weather, and trespassers.
• Maintains and tests fire apparatus and equipment, and fire hose; maintains clean and orderly condition of fire station and performs minor maintenance repairs.
• Attends departmental drill school, company drills and training classes in firefighting and related subjects; participates in routine fire prevention inspections of buildings.
• Communicates with other shifts to give and receive pertinent information, relaying orders from officers to fire fighters and cleaning and maintaining quarters.
• Performs similar or related work as required or as situation dictates.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience

• Graduation from high school or equivalent; must meet the first responder law by qualifying through CPR and First Aid certification; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.
• MA EMT or Paramedic certified required.

Knowledge, Ability, and Skill:

• Working knowledge of the streets and physical layout of the city and some knowledge of general building construction. Knowledge of electrical, mechanical and plumbing systems. Training in the Jaws of Life and other related power equipment.
• Ability to understand and follow oral instructions. Ability to meet required physical standards of age, weight, height and strength. Ability to meet necessary residency requirement. Courage and emotional stability.
• Must be a non-smoker at the time of and after appointment.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D motor vehicle operator’s license is required.
• Ability to pass a job-related medical and/or psychological examination before appointment.

Physical Requirements:

The firefighter’s position involves physically risky functions under emergency conditions. A firefighter’s functions may include: connecting and pulling and operating hose lines; operating a pump; positioning and climbing ladders; emergency rescue and lifesaving; ventilating smoke filled areas; using and maintaining tools and equipment; and physical training and fire station activities. Performance of work also involves standing and walking for long periods of time. Physical agility is required to access all areas at the scene of the fire. Emergencies require pushing, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching with hands and arms. Firefighters may be required to lift/carry equipment or persons weighing more than 100 pounds. Wears protective equipment weighing over 50 pounds.

BENEFITS:

Full benefits and privileges consistent with the Northampton Firefighters & Captains Local 108 Collective Bargaining Agreement Contract.

~ Equal Opportunity Employer ~