Firefighter-Medic

Salary: $37,287.00-$42,287.00
General Description:

We are seeking motivated, experienced candidates to join our high performance team in the position of Firefighter/Medic. New Kent Fire-Rescue is a dynamic organization which strives to provide the best EMS and fire services to the citizens and guests of New Kent County.

Candidates must possess a valid Virginia driver’s license, high school diploma or equivalent and must be eighteen (18) years of age or older. Must Possess a current Virginia EMT-P or EMT-I certification, Virginia Fire Fighter I and II, Hazardous Material Awareness and Operations, EVOC Class 3. Additional education, experience and/or requirements are included in the full job description. Preference will be given to National Registered Paramedics who have Virginia EMT-P and Veterans (with an honorable discharge, DD214 required at time of application) of any branch of the United States Armed Forces or National Guard. In addition to the starting salary and benefits, after successful completion of probation and other requirements are met, there is an additional $5,000.00 per year for EMT-Paramedic and $3,000.00 per year for EMT-Intermediate.

The successful candidates will provide emergency medical care, respond to fire alarms and other emergencies as required; extinguish fires and protect life and property against the hazards of fire; participate in fire prevention activities; exercise prudent use, care and maintenance of fire-rescue apparatus and property; and operate fire-rescue apparatus. Will perform other related work as required or assigned. The successful candidates will work varying shift schedules.

To be considered for the current hiring process, you must have your application, resume and cover letter (all three are required) and the required EMS and Fire certifications submitted to the Human Resources Department or attached to the online application.   

The Process:

Submission of completed New Kent County Application, resume and cover letter to New Kent County Human Resource Department or attached to online application.  Required EMS and Fire certifications must also be submitted with application.

Written test (applicants test scores will be ranked).  Qualified Applicants will be notified if they will proceed to this stage of the process.

Skills testing- Qualified applicants should be prepared to take both a skills testing and the physical ability test and will be notified if they will proceed to this stage of the process.

Physical ability test. Applicant must sign waiver forms prior to taking physical ability test.

Background checks to include DMV records, criminal history, experience, professional certifications.

Any candidate that has not resided in the Commonwealth of Virginia continuously for the past 5 years must provide a DMV transcript from the state in which they resided.

Possible interview by panel.

Fire Chief Interview.

Successfully pass medical examination and drug testing administered post job offer.

Selection of most qualified applicants will be made from evaluation of above.

GENERAL DEFINITION OF WORK:

The Firefighter/Medic performs service work involving fire suppression, emergency medical care, specialized rescue, hazardous material mitigation, prevention activities, pre-planning, building inspections, training, physical fitness and performs other work as required.

The Firefighter/Medic performs customer service projects of a varied nature to include such tasks as community outreach, public education and smoke detector program.

Due to the structure of New Kent Fire Rescue, individuals in this position must have the ability to function effectively as a leader, follower or advisor with various fire and EMS members. Work involves operation of emergency equipment, with responsibilities to include maintaining, cleaning and performing minor repairs of all associated fire and EMS apparatus and equipment. Maintains and performs custodial duties at assigned station.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responds to incidents requiring firefighting, emergency medical care, specialized rescue, search, and hazardous material emergencies.
• Advances hose lines into fire area; lays and connects hoses; holds nozzles and directs streams of water onto fire; raises and climbs ladders; creates openings in building for ventilation or entrance using various hand and power tools; receives and relays information related to emergency calls; operates radio and other communication equipment; enters premises for firefighting, rescue, and salvage operations; performs necessary rescues; removes persons from danger; assists in investigation of fire cause and determination; uses various types of extinguishing agents;
• Provides basic and advanced life support following established policies, protocols, and guidelines as authorized by the Operational Medical Director.  Interprets patient signs and symptoms, including EKG’s, and reacts appropriately.  Administers medications, initiates IV therapy, performs defibrillation, transcutaneous pacing, advanced airway maneuvers, and other advanced life support interventions when indicated.  Thoroughly documents all aspects of the emergency scene including, but not limited to, assessment results, patient complaints, treatment plans and treatment results.  Directs the actions of other care providers when performing as the lead medic at an incident.  Serves as a mentor and/or preceptor for other ALS personnel in training.  Focuses on performing as a patient care advocate, always performing in a manner that is in the best interest of the patient, and reflects positively on the Department and the County.
• Responds to hazardous material situations, reads and comprehends placards and other written technical information to identify the type and state of material involved, initiating the appropriate protective action to control or contain any spilled material; deploys various booms, pads and barriers to contain spills and mitigate runoff; performs fire suppression activities, as necessary; assists in direction of evacuation operations, as necessary;
• Performs fire safety inspections, follow-up inspections to insure correction of any hazardous conditions identified; conducts pre-planning of business establishments within the assigned area; inspects hydrants and prepares and maintains required reports and drawings of each structure inspected; forwards all required inspection reports to the County Fire Prevention Office; maintains pre-plan files and street map books at the assigned station;
• Presents various safety programs to community groups and school systems on fire safety, prevention, personal safety and emergency medical services;
• Drives, maintains and operates all assigned Fire and Rescue apparatus; inspects assigned apparatus daily to ensure efficient operation and readiness; washes, cleans, polishes, maintains and tests apparatus and equipment as necessary after completion of emergency response operations;
• Performs general custodial duties in the required upkeep of the fire/rescue facilities assigned; cares for grounds around the station; makes minor repairs as needed;
• Participates in classes in firefighting, emergency medical services, hazardous materials, heavy and technical rescue and other related subjects; prepares and maintains activity records and forwards same to Fire and Rescue Division; Participates in daily physical fitness training programs; supports the volunteer fire and rescue service in all aspects of service delivery.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Ability to function effectively as part of a team; considerable skill in performing firefighting duties and emergency medical technician procedures; physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including driving a fire truck, and operation of such firefighting and emergency response equipment as pumps, ladders, aerial platforms, air compressors, self-contained breathing apparatus, two-way radio, etc.; and emergency medical equipment such as suction units, immobilization equipment, oxygen delivery systems and defibrillation equipment; ability to follow verbal and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing; ability to establish effective working relations with employees, volunteers, other agencies and the general public; ability to perform duties effectively during emergency, training or station maintenance activities for prolonged periods of time under conditions of extreme heights, intense heat, cold or smoke; ability to frequently lift and/or move up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 165 pounds; ability to walk, run, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and crawl; specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus; ability to distinguish low intensity voice sounds from background noise;  must possess the ability to wear and/or use personal protective equipment without obstruction to prevent exposure to carcinogenic dusts and toxic substances;  any combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from high school supplemented by firefighting and emergency medical service training courses; and required experience in fire/rescue operations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:  The following certifications are required for the job of Firefighter/Medic:  VA State Firefighter II; Virginia Hazardous Materials Operations; Virginia EVOC (Class III); National Registry EMT-Paramedic (NREMT-P) or NREMT-Intermediate (NREMT-I) Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) or the equivalent, and either Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support or Basic Trauma Life Support.  Proof of all or selected certifications may be required prior to start date at the discretion of the Fire/Rescue Chief.  *Must possess a valid driver’s license.  *Must maintain all required certifications and licenses.  Must be “released” by the New Kent County Fire Rescue Operating Medical Director (OMD) by the end of the 6 month probationary period.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:

Operates in a highly stressful environment with significant exposure to disability injuries and possible exposure to infectious agents including but not limited to Hepatitis B and HIV.  Performs physically demanding work in extremely hot and humid environments while wearing equipment weighing approximately 50 pounds that significantly impairs body-cooling mechanisms.  Extensive exposure to the elements and frequent work in hot, cold, wet, muddy, and/or icy areas off of slippery and hazardous surfaces such as rooftops or ladders.